Welcome to reThink Your Perspective’s blog. To listen to this episode as a Podcast, click here!
This blog is dedicated to finding, sharing and discussing a variety of topics around the struggles our clients and audience go through. Each episode we will discuss a key concept that many humans struggle with and give you a variety of perspectives for you to see the concept through so you can find one that makes it feel easier to deal with.
We hope that you get some benefit from these blog posts, and we would love to hear your thoughts! Don’t hesitate to like, share and comment at the links.
This instalment features a book which 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 8 – Ingredients Of The “Success Type” Personality And How To Acquire Them.
Chapter 8 of “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz talks about the qualities that make up a successful personality. These qualities are like ingredients that help people achieve their goals and dreams. Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand!
Imagine you are baking a cake. To make a delicious cake, you need the right ingredients like flour, sugar, eggs, and butter. In the same way, to be successful, you need certain qualities. These qualities include having a positive attitude, setting clear goals, being persistent, and believing in yourself.
Failure and success can be diagnosed. Humans carry the seeds of both in our personality and character, and success comes from a good personality. One that enables you to deal effectively and appropriately with your environment and reality.
You can gain satisfaction from reaching goals.
To be a success you need a goal to shoot for.
A Success Type Personality Is Composed Of:
Sense of Direction
You need to have goals that are important to you to keep you on track. Don’t think about what others expect of you. Only think of what you want.
Functionally, a man is somewhat like a bicycle. A bicycle maintains its poise and equilibrium only so long as it is going towards something. You have a good bicycle. Your trouble is you are trying to maintain your balance sitting still, with no place to go. It’s no wonder you feel shaky!
Maxwell Maltz
Understanding
Most failures are due to misunderstanding.
No one reacts to things as they are, but to how they perceive them.
People respond appropriately to what – to them – seems to be the truth of the situation. Try to understand why others may react / do what they do instead of taking offence.
Only acknowledge the truth. Don’t add on your own interpretation.
It doesn’t matter who is right, but what is right.
Motto
Admit your mistakes and errors but don’t cry; correct and go forward!
Courage
The courage to act on your goal. In other words, to do something regardless of the consequences – be they real or imagined!
Bet on you and your ideas, don’t wait until you are absolutely sure or certain, and accept that you may be wrong! You may make the wrong decision, but it is better to keep moving on a wrong decision, then correct course, than stay still!
Have the courage to risk making mistakes, failure, being humiliated. A step in the wrong direction is better than staying on the spot! Correct as you go, you can’t be guided if you are not moving!
Have faith and act with courage.
Compassion
Have genuine interest and respect other other’s problems and needs.
Respect the dignity of others and treat all people as human beings!
Stop condemning others in your mind.
Don’t keep judging.
Stop blaming and hating others.
Quit doing all these things because you can’t help develop a better self-image when you feel others are more worthy.
Esteem
Holding a low opinion of ourselves is a vice not a virtue.
The person with adequate self-esteem doesn’t feel hostility to others. Isn’t out to prove anything. Can see facts more clearly. Isn’t demanding of other people.
Stop carrying around an image of you as a worthless, defeated person!
Appreciate yourself and find your self-worth. Appreciate others more. Show respect for any other human being and see their value.
Self-esteem is derived from appreciation of yourself as what you are.
Self-Confidence
Confidence is built on an experience of success.
Success breeds success!
Remember and enforce successful attempts and forget the failures.
Everyone has succeeded at some time, at something. Focus on that! Focus on happy moments, brave moments, and good times.
Self-Acceptance
Real success and genuine happiness are gained when you have some degree of self-acceptance. Give up the shams and pretences and be willing to be what you are. Relax and be yourself instead of trying to be ‘somebody’.
Your self-image is your mental picture of yourself. Develop an adequate and realistic self-image through self-realisation and self-revelation. Make the most of what already is by making a true mental picture of your actual self.
You may make a mistake, but you are not a mistake!
Firstly, recognise your mistakes and shortcomings, and then correct them! The actual self is necessarily imperfect. Always working towards something.
Accept yourself as you are. Learn to emotionally tolerate imperfection in you.
Differentiate between ‘self’ and ‘behaviour’. You are not your behaviour. Your behaviour is your outward actions, and you can change it. You are a spiritual being, with perfection within you! Your purpose is to find that perfection and let it shine out by being your true self.
How To Integrate This Chapter Into Your Own Life
Here are some tips on how to acquire these qualities and integrate them into your daily life:
- Positive Attitude: Start your day by thinking about things you are grateful for. Focus on the good things in your life and try to see the bright side of every situation.
- Setting Clear Goals: Write down your goals and break them into smaller steps. This will help you stay focused and motivated to achieve them.
- Persistence: Don’t give up easily when faced with challenges. Keep trying and learn from your mistakes. Remember, it’s okay to fail as long as you keep going.
- Believing in Yourself: Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments. Trust in your abilities and believe that you can achieve anything you set your mind to.
By practising these qualities every day, you can develop a “success type” personality that will help you reach your full potential. Just like baking a cake takes time and effort, building a successful personality also requires dedication and practice.
So, start incorporating these qualities into your daily routine and watch how they can make a positive difference in your life. Remember, you have the power to shape your own success!
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:
When I have accepted who I am, I have always then managed to course correct and succeed. When I stopped trying to be someone I wasn’t, I instantly felt better and in tune with me.
I am able to accept mistakes, I don’t let them define me. I focus on success!
When things aren’t going well, I focus on times when they did. I draw on past successes and look for new information, then I try again!
I use my previous successes, not my mistakes, to guide me.
What Do You Think?
What is coming up for you after reading this summary? Does this resonate with you? Comment below or send me a message.
If you would like some help to find and focus on your success-type personality, or have any questions then don’t hesitate to reach out or check out the self-study courses we have available in the store.
To your success,
Jaiye
PS. If you are struggling with your confidence, check out this video where I read an article from Bob Proctor with some really helpful tips to boost your self-confidence!
