In it. After it.

I believe the essence of a person is molded by the experiences that an individual encounters in life. To say a person is a product of their environment or the expectations of those close to them solely is only fractionally true. I believe both and so much more contribute to what makes a person who they are. The expectations imposed or simply held by those around you with regard to your future could be viewed as the seed. The environment you live in and your acquaintance with certain parts of it are the soil. That being said, more is needed. Sunlight, water, and oxygen. Maybe fertilizer or more time. The more you have of one component, the less of the others is required. The same is true for people. 

The quality of people you have in your life from the very beginning is crucial to setting the foundation with which you will build your character. After all, when you first come into this world, the only pieces you have to build are of people around you. The house your parents have, the food they provide you, and the love they share with you. What street are you on? What schools are near you? What quality of people are around you? Then, as you grow older, those pieces are not enough. New pieces are needed and can have a stronger impact on your life at that specific point than they would at any other point of your life. Then, at a certain age, which is variable for everyone, a person will reach a stage where the essence of their being has been crafted to the point where they have agency over the environment they choose to reside in. Over the people they associate with and to what degree they allow the perceptions of others to impact their lives moving forward. 

That being said, expectations are very impactful. If the people who are most familiar with your parts don't believe you can complete the task, then you may not even attempt it. Or maybe no one thinks you'll amount to anything in life, but your mom does. Or your grandma, or your father. But will that one person be enough to make you believe it? And even if you do, is it actually feasible with the tools you have? Maybe you just need another piece. A friend who lives close by, who eases your mind, or who you just have fun with. A time when you did something that had an effect, no matter how small or large, and made you feel something you never felt before. Or maybe just one more person to believe in you. Everything you went through to attain that belief in yourself is a level. Your experience with that level shapes your perception of its components, which leads to the next level and the next until you reach a combination that is entirely unique to you and that no one else could possibly comprehend. No one else can live that. That series of experiences is yours alone. That series of experiences is who you are.