I’ve come to believe that one of the most fundamental determinants of a person’s success in life is their Sense of Self, their self-concept. Since we rarely attempt that which we do not believe our success capable of, one key to living the life extraordinaire is to expand our belief system. Enlarging our belief system begins with exploring its origins, comprehending that our sense of self is generally a mishmash, a jumbled patchwork that we accumulated along life’s way without conscious thought.

Once we understand that our current self-concept was not handed down from on high by an omnificent being, we can also perceive that it is not set in stone, that it is continuingly evolving AND we have the ability to nudge it, mold it, shape it in ways that serve us. This process begins with a series of questions: Who do you think you are? Why do you think that? Where did those belief systems come from? Who/What told you that? Are they really true? All the time? Do they serve you? What beliefs would better empower you? What do you think you are capable of? What do you want to be capable of? Where do you want to go, who do you want to be? Who else has beliefs and concepts you admire? Can you emulate? What books/courses/audible selections would facilitate creating new beliefs?

Three tips:

  1. There is much truth in the phrase “You are the sum total of the five people you spend the most time with.” How can you upgrade your five?
  2. Also, monitor your internal “monkey chatter” for its tone powerfully impacts your emotions and thus your energy level and actions. Thoughts held in mind attract in kind, what you focus on expands.
  3. And just as the healthy allow only nutritious food to enter their bodies, so too the wise stand guard at the entrance to their mind, monitoring where they direct their energy, where their thoughts dwell. You may not yet be able to control the thoughts that come to mind, but you can control the thoughts that stay in mind by re-directing your attention.

Closing Quotes:

“Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-break on.” – Maxwell Maltz, 1889-1975, ‘Psycho-Cybernetics’

“Act as if you are the person you want to be.” – Bernie Siegel, b. 1932, retired pediatric surgeon. ‘Love, Medicine and Miracles.’

“A person’s self-concept is the core of his personality. A strong, positive self-image is the best possible preparation for success.” – Joyce Brothers, 1927-2013

“Look to see what you are doing today. Is this how you choose to define yourself? Look to see what you are thinking today. Is this what you wish to create?” – Neale Donald Walsch, b. 1943

“Your subconscious mind makes all your words and actions fit a pattern consistent with your self-concept and your innermost beliefs about yourself.” – Brian Tracy, 1944, ‘The Power of Self-Discipline’, ‘The Psychology of Achievement’

As always, I share what I most want and need to learn. – Nathan S. Collier