Psycho-Cybernetics

1. Your self-image is the key to a better life

The self-image is the key to human personality and human behavior. Change the self-image and you change the personality and the behavior.

Self-image shapes reality. Your self-image is your own conception of the "sort of person you are." It has been built up from your past experiences, successes and failures, humiliations and triumphs, and the way other people have reacted to you, especially in early childhood. Once an idea or belief about yourself goes into this picture, it becomes "true" as far as you are concerned.

Actions align with self-image. All your actions, feelings, behaviors, and even your abilities, are always consistent with this self-image. You will "act like" the sort of person you conceive yourself to be. The man who conceives himself to be a "failure-type person" will find some way to fail, despite all his good intentions or willpower.

Change is possible. The good news is that the self-image can be changed. Numerous case histories have shown that one is never too young or too old to change their self-image and thereby start to live a new life. The key is to recognize that your self-image is a learned pattern of thinking that can be unlearned and reformed.

2. Utilize your built-in success mechanism

You have a built-in success mechanism. It is part of the human brain and nervous system, and is used by thinking of, and acting toward, goals.

Your internal guidance system. Your brain and nervous system make up a goal-striving mechanism that functions as an automatic guidance system to accomplish goals and solve problems. This mechanism, which Maltz calls the "Creative Mechanism" or "Success Mechanism," works automatically and impersonally to achieve the goals you set for it.

Key features of the Success Mechanism:

• It must have a goal or "target"
• It operates by either steering you to a goal or "discovering" something
• It is teleological, oriented to "end results"
• It operates by trial and error, making mistakes and corrections

Conscious vs. subconscious roles. Your job is to supply the goals for your Success Mechanism through conscious thought. The actual means of achieving the goals are handled by your Creative Mechanism subconsciously. This is why visualization and imagination are so powerful - they provide clear targets for your internal guidance system.

3. Imagination is the first key to unlocking your potential

Your nervous system cannot tell the difference between an imagined experience and a real experience.

The power of mental imagery. Imagination is not something reserved for poets and inventors. It enters into our every act. For imagination sets the goal "picture" which our automatic mechanism works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of "will," as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination.

Practice makes perfect. Mental practice can be as effective as physical practice. Research has shown that mental rehearsal of a motor skill can be almost as effective as actually performing the motor act. This principle applies not just to physical skills, but to any area of life where you want to improve performance.

Techniques for using imagination:

• Visualize yourself performing successfully in vivid detail
• Practice "shadowboxing" - mentally rehearsing scenarios
• Use mental imagery to relax and reduce stress
• Create a vivid mental picture of your desired end result

4. Dehypnotize yourself from false beliefs

Dehypnotize yourself from the ideas of "I can't," "I'm not worthy," "I don't deserve it," and other self-limiting ideas.

Breaking free from mental constraints. Many of us are hypnotized by negative beliefs about ourselves that we have accepted as true. These beliefs act like mental restraints, limiting our potential and shaping our behavior. The key to personal growth is to recognize these false beliefs and deliberately challenge them.

The power of relaxation. One effective way to dehypnotize yourself is through relaxation. When you are relaxed, you are more open to new ideas and less resistant to change. Relaxation helps to quiet the conscious mind and allows access to the subconscious, where real change can occur.

Techniques for dehypnotization:

• Practice daily relaxation exercises
• Challenge negative self-talk with positive affirmations
• Visualize yourself succeeding despite past limitations
• Seek out evidence that contradicts your limiting beliefs
• Act "as if" you already possess the qualities you desire

5. Harness the power of rational thinking

Conscious rational thought selects the goal, gathers information, concludes, evaluates, estimates and starts the wheels in motion. It is not, however, responsible for results.

The role of conscious thought. Your conscious mind is like the captain of a ship. It's responsible for setting the course, but it doesn't actually steer the ship or operate the engines. Those tasks are handled by the automatic systems of the ship, much like your subconscious mind.

Rational thinking techniques:

1. Recognize negative feedback as information, not failure
2. Focus on the desired end result, not the means
3. Use errors as learning opportunities, not reasons for self-criticism
4. Practice making decisions without excessive deliberation
5. Cultivate a problem-solving attitude rather than a defeatist one

The limits of willpower. While conscious effort is important for setting goals and initiating action, trying to control everything through sheer willpower is often counterproductive. Instead, learn to trust your Creative Mechanism to find solutions and guide you toward your goals.

6. Relax to activate your success mechanism

When you try to "do" the job with your forebrain, or think it through consciously by effort, the forebrain becomes too occupied to give the orders without interference.

The paradox of effortless success. Often, the harder we try to succeed, the more we get in our own way. This is because excessive conscious effort can interfere with the smooth operation of our Creative Mechanism. The key is to learn how to relax and allow your subconscious to work for you.

Techniques for relaxation:

1. Practice progressive muscle relaxation
2. Use visualization to create a mental "quiet room"
3. Take regular breaks throughout the day to clear your mind
4. Engage in activities that put you in a state of flow
5. Learn to let go of the need to control every outcome

The power of non-doing. Sometimes, the most productive thing you can do is nothing. By stepping back and allowing your subconscious to work on a problem, you often arrive at solutions more quickly and easily than through conscious effort alone.

7. Cultivate the habit of happiness

Happiness is a mental habit, a mental attitude, and if it is not learned and practiced in the present it is never experienced.

Happiness as a choice. Many people mistakenly believe that happiness is something that happens to them, rather than something they can create. In reality, happiness is a skill that can be developed through practice and conscious choice.

Strategies for developing the happiness habit:

1. Focus on the present moment rather than worrying about the future
2. Practice gratitude by regularly noting things you appreciate
3. Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment
4. Cultivate positive relationships and social connections
5. Set and work towards meaningful goals
6. Reframe negative experiences as opportunities for growth

The ripple effect of happiness. When you cultivate happiness, you not only improve your own life but also positively impact those around you. Happy people tend to be more productive, creative, and resilient, creating a virtuous cycle of success and well-being.

8. Develop the traits of a success-type personality

The success-type personality is composed of: Sense of direction, Understanding, Courage, Charity, Esteem, Self-Confidence, Self-Acceptance.

Building blocks of success. These traits form the foundation of a personality geared towards achievement and fulfillment. By consciously developing these characteristics, you can transform your approach to life and increase your chances of success.

Key traits explained:

• Sense of direction: Having clear goals and a vision for your life
• Understanding: Empathy and the ability to see things from others' perspectives
• Courage: Willingness to take calculated risks and face challenges
• Charity: Generosity and concern for others' well-being
• Esteem: Respect for yourself and others
• Self-Confidence: Belief in your abilities and potential
• Self-Acceptance: Embracing your strengths and weaknesses

Cultivating success traits. These characteristics can be developed through conscious effort and practice. Start by identifying which traits you need to strengthen, then create specific action plans to incorporate them into your daily life.

9. Transform your failure mechanism into a tool for success

The Failure Mechanism is also a servo-mechanism. It consists of a forebrain that is used incorrectly, plus the automatic mechanism.

Understanding the failure mechanism. Just as we have a built-in Success Mechanism, we also have a Failure Mechanism that can work against us. This mechanism is triggered by negative thoughts, beliefs, and behaviors that sabotage our efforts to succeed.

Components of the Failure Mechanism:

1. Frustration
2. Aggressiveness (misdirected)
3. Insecurity
4. Loneliness
5. Uncertainty
6. Resentment
7. Emptiness

Transforming failure into success. The key to overcoming the Failure Mechanism is to recognize its components and consciously replace them with positive alternatives. For example, transform frustration into patience, aggressiveness into assertiveness, and insecurity into self-confidence.

10. Remove emotional scars for personal growth

Emotional scars not only "protect" them from the individual who originally hurt them—it "protects" them against all other human beings.

The impact of emotional wounds. Past hurts and traumas can create emotional scars that limit our ability to fully engage with life and others. These scars act as protective barriers, but they also prevent us from experiencing true connection and growth.

Healing techniques:

1. Practice self-compassion and forgiveness
2. Challenge negative self-talk and limiting beliefs
3. Seek professional help if needed (therapy, counseling)
4. Engage in expressive activities (journaling, art, music)
5. Build new, positive experiences to counteract past hurts

The power of letting go. Healing emotional scars doesn't mean forgetting the past, but rather freeing yourself from its grip on your present and future. As you release old wounds, you create space for new possibilities and deeper relationships.

11. Unlock your real personality through disinhibition

Fully 95 percent of our behavior, feeling, and response is habitual.

Breaking free from inhibitions. Many of us have developed habitual patterns of behavior that limit our self-expression and prevent us from fully engaging with life. These inhibitions often stem from fear of judgment or past negative experiences.

Strategies for disinhibition:

1. Practice spontaneity in low-stakes situations
2. Gradually expose yourself to fear-inducing scenarios
3. Use role-playing to explore new ways of being
4. Challenge your comfort zone regularly
5. Embrace mistakes as learning opportunities

The authentic self. As you release inhibitions, you allow your true personality to emerge. This authenticity not only leads to greater personal fulfillment but also enhances your relationships and professional life.

12. Create more life in your years and more years in your life

Look forward and Live.

The mind-body connection. Your mental attitudes and beliefs have a profound impact on your physical health and longevity. By cultivating a positive outlook and engaging fully with life, you can enhance both the quality and quantity of your years.

Keys to a vibrant life:

1. Maintain a sense of purpose and meaning
2. Stay curious and open to new experiences
3. Cultivate strong social connections
4. Engage in regular physical and mental exercise
5. Practice stress management techniques
6. Develop a future-oriented mindset

The power of anticipation. Looking forward to the future with optimism and excitement creates a physiological response that can enhance health and well-being. By continually setting new goals and embracing new challenges, you can maintain a youthful spirit regardless of your chronological age.