Welcome to reThink Your Perspective’s blog. To listen to this episode as a Podcast, click here!
This book was first suggested to me in several of the ‘Thinking Into Results’* lessons created by Bob Proctor and Sandy Gallagher at the Proctor Gallagher Institute, as well as in many of the live calls, mentoring sessions and other videos I have been watching during my journey and is one that I highly recommend on all of my own live sessions.
It is a truly revolutionary book.
Considering it was first published in 1960, it is astounding to me that it has not become a key text in schools around the world as the information contained within would make every single human a better and more productive person. Not only for the good of our species but for them as individuals as well.
The book is available in most good book shops, online and in person, and I highly recommend you get yourself a copy if my write ups resonate with you. I hope they do the book justice but they are only small snippets.
Stay tuned for my reviews over the next couple of weeks as I re-populate and update these blog posts which were originally written in 2022. My version of the book has space for reflection on each of the chapters so I have included my thoughts at the bottom of each of the chapter summaries.
* – Thinking Into Results is a life altering program that opens your mind to the limitless possibilities you have within you. Using 12 lessons ranging from adjusting your self-image, through leadership qualities and praxis, to the knowing-doing gap, this program is designed and proven to change your life in every way in your relationships, finances, careers, wellbeing and many other areas of your life. Get in touch if you want to know more about this program!
Chapter 1 – The Self Image: Your Key To A Better Life.
Chapter 1 of “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz introduces the concept of self-image and how it affects our lives. Imagine your self-image as a picture you have in your mind of yourself. This picture can be positive or negative, and it influences how you feel and behave.
Your self-image is a mental blueprint of yourself. It is the conception of the sort of person we are, built from beliefs mostly formed by past experiences, successes, failures. Or from the way other people have reacted to us. All of our actions, feelings, behaviours and abilities are in with our self-image which means we can change it.
You must find yourself adequate to you. A self-image you can live with in order to really live. A self you can trust and believe in, not be ashamed of and can express creatively rather than hide. You have to live with yourself 24/7 so be a person you can be proud of. Someone you want to be, with no mind to who someone else wants you to be.
Maltz explains that our self-image is like a thermostat that controls our actions and decisions. If you see yourself as confident and capable, you are more likely to succeed. But if you see yourself as unworthy or incapable, you may struggle to achieve your goals.
There is a life instinct in each of us that is forever working towards health, happiness and more life. It works for you if you let it through our creative or success mechanism. But it cannot work if you don’t give it something to work for, or continually block it by too much thinking about how to do or get something you want.
A Goal-Striving Servo-Mechanism
However, our sub-conscious is not just a mind. It is more like a goal-striving servomechanism consisting of our brain and nervous system. Which are used and directed by a mind. Our creative mechanism will work automatically and impersonally to achieve goals of success and happiness. OR unhappiness and failure depending on the goals you create. You choose whether you give it positive or negative goals. Our brain and nervous system are always following the direction given by the images we think about. Regardless of conscious / subconscious, they will run with and strive to achieve whatever you give it.
We need to learn, practice and experience new ways of thinking, imagining, remembering, and acting to develop an adequate and realistic self-image. And then use our creative mechanism positively in order to succeed and reach our potential. And as he said,
“If you can remember, worry or tie your shoe, you can succeed”
Dr. Maxwell Maltz
How To Integrate This Chapter Into Your Own Life
To integrate the lessons from this chapter into your daily life, here are some helpful tips:
- Positive Affirmations: Start your day by saying positive things about yourself. For example, “I am smart and capable.” Repeat these affirmations throughout the day to reinforce a positive self-image.
- Visualisation: Close your eyes and imagine yourself achieving your goals. Picture yourself succeeding and feeling happy and proud. This can help boost your confidence and motivation.
- Challenge Negative Thoughts: Whenever you catch yourself thinking negatively about yourself, challenge those thoughts. Ask yourself if they are true or if they are just limiting beliefs holding you back.
- Set Realistic Goals: Break down your goals into smaller, achievable steps. Celebrate your successes along the way to build a positive self-image.
- Surround Yourself with Positivity: Spend time with people who support and encourage you. Avoid negative influences that may reinforce a negative self-image.
By understanding and improving your self-image, you can unlock your full potential and achieve your dreams. Remember, you have the power to shape how you see yourself and, ultimately, how you live your life.
The copy of the book I have has spaces after each chapter to write and reflect on an experience from your past that is explained by the principles given in the chapter.
This is what came up for me:
Negative – I could speak French like a native (when I was around 8 years old from holidays in France when I was little). But I was told repeatedly it was wrong by a French teacher at school who took great pride in pointing out my every mistake to the whole class. So I decided obviously I couldn’t speak French and haven’t been able to since.
Positive – I could always see myself travelling around the world but didn’t have the money. But I managed to do it anyway through lots of schemes, savings, vouchers and the like. I believed I could and took the steps. Gained the knowledge on how to travel on a smaller budget and succeeded in 2014.
Positive – I have never failed anything I believed I could pass!
I’ve always felt there is more to life. Like something inside was pulling me in a different direction to where I was going. Now I have the information and steps to follow where it was pulling me rather than continuing in the pre-ordained ‘expected’ direction that humans seem to follow. Go to school, get a job, usually which you don’t like but which pays the bills, retire, die.
I am building my self-confidence to do what I choose to do regardless of any possible criticism. I can’t read minds! So most of the criticism we expect to receive usually isn’t going to happen but its what we think will happen based on how we would react. I am happy to report, progress is ongoing!
What Do You Think?
What is coming up for you after reading this summary? Comment below your takeaways and how you will use this chapter to better inform your life.
To your success,
Jaiye
