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 9 – The Failure Mechanism: How to Make It Work For You Instead Of Against You.
Chapter 9 of “Psycho-Cybernetics” by Maxwell Maltz is all about the Failure Mechanism and how we can use it to our advantage. We all have a failure mechanism built into our personality. It may sound counter productive, but it is essential to our survival!
Imagine your brain is like a computer that helps you achieve your goals. Sometimes, when we face challenges or setbacks, our brain can start to believe that we are destined to fail. This is what Maltz calls the Failure Mechanism.
But here’s the good news – we can reprogram our brain to work for us instead of against us.
By recognising potential danger, you can correct your actions. You can use the signals to get to your destination safely and quicker. Our body’s red lights and signals tell us when something is wrong so we can get it sorted.
We need to make sure we see the signals for what they are. Focus on what you are being told. Not the pain of the message. Be it something physical that needs a doctor’s attention, or a feeling that your intuition is telling you to follow.
Failure symptoms are signals. We need to see them as the negative feedback they are. To be aware of them, and correct course accordingly. Take positive action and don’t dwell on the negative.
Appropriate Responses To Negative Situations – FAILURE
The following list are appropriate responses to negative situations that happen. But they do not create happiness. We need to see that they do not work to solve the problem. Nor do they offer a way out of our difficulty.
Frustration, Hopelessness, Futility
We must learn patience. Our desires cannot always be instantly / quickly fulfilled! We need to focus on practical rather than perfection.
Aggressiveness (Misdirected)
Usually follows frustration. We need emotional steam to pursue goals aggressively. However, we must have a positive release in place to avoid the build up of aggression. But aggression needs to be directed at the goal or it is dangerous and unhelpful.
Insecurity
Our insecurity is based on our belief of inner inadequacy. We get this when we compare ourselves to others or an ideal.
Everyone is a genius.
But if you judge a fish on it’s ability to climb a tree, it will spend its whole life thinking it is stupid.
Albert Einstein
We need to always be striving towards a goal. Don’t ever stop to defend your actions or beliefs. Just keep working towards your goals. You are unique, there is no ideal to compare yourself to.
There is no competition except with yourself.
Loneliness (Lack of oneness)
An alienation from life, from yourself, is the biggest cause of loneliness. It is created to protect your idealised self from attack. However, you can accept yourself more if you are accepted by others. If you have alienated yourself from the rest of the world, you need to get back in touch! We can be so much more when we work in harmony with other humans.
Uncertainty
Uncertainty is a way of avoiding mistakes and responsibility. But we must remember that we progress by acting, making mistakes and correcting course. We cannot correct course if we are standing still! Our self-esteem increases when we can accept mistakes.
Resentment
Blaming others instead of taking responsibility for our own part played. Looking for scapegoats and resenting others. Feeling wronged.
We can’t change the past.
Only you can stop resentment by choosing a good goal, that is in line with you. Then you must head towards that goal, believing that no one owes you anything!
You are responsible for your actions and every result you get.
You and no one else.
Emptiness
You have no ability to enjoy life. At all. It is a symptom of not living creatively! We all need to have a worthwhile goal to strive for; otherwise, what is the point? This is put across very well in the film “Free Guy” with Ryan Reynolds!
Also a symptom of an inadequate self-image; you feel undeserving of anything good!
You need to strive for real success to gain deeper inner satisfaction. Not phony success, which is a goal you strive for to please others.
Failure Analogy
Think of a car. The little dashboard lights are there to serve as negative indicators. They are there as physical notifications for you to check things and keep the car healthy. However, if you were to focus on the dash lights instead of the road…. Well, I’m sure you can guess what would happen next!
Merely glance at the negative indicators but focus on the positive goal ahead; your destination. Be aware of the negatives so you can steer clear of them. Recognise them for what they are and take positive action to steer clear!
How To Integrate This Chapter Into Your Own Life
One tip from the chapter to integrate it into your life is by changing your self-image. If we see ourselves as capable and successful, our brain will start to believe it too. This can help us overcome obstacles and reach our goals.
Another tip from the chapter is to practice visualisation. By imagining ourselves succeeding and achieving our goals, we can train our brain to focus on positive outcomes. This can boost our confidence and motivation, making it easier for us to turn our failures into opportunities for growth.
So, how can you integrate these tips into your daily life?
Start by practising positive self-talk. Whenever you face a challenge, remind yourself that you are capable of overcoming it.
Visualise yourself succeeding and achieving your goals.
With practice, you can reprogram your brain to work for you and turn the Failure Mechanism into a tool for 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:
I got bored at an old workplace when I got into the habit of only doing the bare minimum, once I trained the computer to do the biggest chunk of my work for me! This meant that I then had no goal, nothing to work towards.
I always feel better off after exercise if something is frustrating me. Fitness is my positive release of any building frustration!
When I resent others, laying blame on them for something or wanting what they have, I feel crappy. However, when I then accept my own role in the failure or my lack of their success, I feel better. I can then see routes to success where before I only saw jealousy of others.
What Do You Think?
What is coming up for you after reading this summary? Comment below or send me a message. If you would you like some help to get you accepting how your failure mechanism works, I would love to help! Get in touch or check out our courses for some supported self help.
To your success,
Jaiye
