Positive self-image. If you believe in the law of attraction, you know you can bring happiness into your life by carrying a positive attitude. But how do you approach it? Do you accept yourself as you are, or do you approach it by visualizing yourself as a totally different, 'more positive' person?
Did You Know?
- Higher Academic Achievement: Students with a positive self-image are 35% more likely to perform well academically (Harter, 1999).
- Improved Mental Health: Individuals with a positive view of themselves experience 40% lower rates of mental health issues (National Association for Self-Esteem, 2004).
- Increased Resilience: People with a strong sense of self-worth are 70% more likely to recover from adversity quickly (Masten, 2001).
- Better Stress Management: Those with positive self-images manage stress 50% more effectively than their peers (Taylor & Brown, 1988).
- Higher Levels of Happiness: Positive self-perception is linked to a 60% increase in happiness levels (Diener & Diener, 1995).
- Enhanced Relationship Satisfaction: Individuals with a positive self-image report 40% higher satisfaction in their relationships (Murray, Holmes, & Griffin, 2000).
- Greater Career Success: People with high self-esteem are 28% more likely to achieve professional success (Judge & Bono, 2001).
For example, you are a quiet and shy person, who wants to improve your communication skill. Would you try to be cheerful and talkative while you still value your unique, original personality? Or would you try to visualize yourself as an extremely outgoing, fearless communicator?
As far as "positive self-image" is concerned, the latter is the right answer.
You Are The End Result Of Your Imagination
Your 'unique original personality' was created in the first place, because you had been visualizing your self-image that way. For a long period, you were subconsciously visualizing your ideal personality. You are the result of your imagination.
Okay, I'll put it this way.
- Do you think you are quiet and shy? Or outgoing and enthusiastic?
- Are you a quick learner, or do you take things slowly?
- Are you generally in good health, or susceptible to illnesses?
Picture yourself as a self-image. You see yourself as "pretty outgoing, have lots of friends, quick learner, don't like sports, a little overweight", for instance.
I would ask you why so. And you would say to me "Because it's who I am!"
That's the wrong way around. You don't have a certain image of yourself because of who you are. You are who you are because you've had an image of yourself that way. Your self-image always comes first. In other words, your self-image is not the reflection of who you are, but who you are is a reflection of your self-image. Does that make sense?
Automatic Success Mechanism
Automatic Success Mechanism (ASM) is referred to by an American cosmetic surgeon, Dr. Maxwell Maltz in his book 'Psycho-Cybernetics'.
Cosmetic surgery would not just improve the physical appearance, but it would improve some of the patients' mental health dramatically. But only some of the patients - the surgery wouldn't overcome some other patients' low self-esteem. Dr. Maltz discovered that patients' real problems were not their physical appearance, but their inner self-image.
In very short, ASM is a "success instinct" that both animals and humans have. While animals are programmed to live with their simple instinct, humans' success instinct is much more complex. Plus, humans have something else that animals haven't - creative imagination. Unfortunately, the imagination prevents your ASM from progressing to achieve success. Here's an example...
Did You Know?
- Increased Creativity: Those with a positive self-view are 30% more likely to exhibit creativity in tasks (Kernis, 2003).
- Better Health Outcomes: Individuals with positive self-images have a 25% lower risk of developing chronic diseases (Smith & Gallo, 1999).
- Lower Risk of Depression: A positive self-image reduces the risk of depression by 27% (Sowislo & Orth, 2013).
- Enhanced Leadership Abilities: Leaders with a positive self-image are 33% more effective (Gardner, Avolio, Luthans, May, & Walumbwa, 2005).
- Improved Decision Making: Those with positive self-esteem make 20% better decisions in complex situations (Bandura, 1989).
- Increased Physical Activity: Individuals with a positive view of themselves are 50% more likely to engage in regular physical activity (Biddle & Mutrie, 2008).
- Higher Income Levels: People with high self-esteem earn an average of 16% more than those with lower self-esteem (Judge & Hurst, 2007).
ASM As A Machine
The Automatic Success Mechanism operates in your brain as a goal-striving machine. With its own, your success goals would be something like;
- I will pass this exam.
- I can master snowboarding.
- I will earn $250,000 every year.
For example, your self-image is a person who makes $250,000 a year. ASM will work towards the goal of $250,000. If you were currently earning $50,000 a year, you'd know that's far below the goal, so you'd find ways to earn more money. And your income would gradually start to increase.
On the other hand, if your current income was $350,000, that's too much. That's not the person in your self-image. So your work attitude would be relaxed and your income would decrease towards the goal of $250,000.
Psycho-Cybernetics (Updated and Expanded)
by Maxwell Maltz (Author), Matt Furey (Introduction)
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However, your creative imagination prevents ASM from working as a machine. Imagination is based on your past experiences, and it creates false beliefs, such as;
- I probably won't pass this exam, considering the average pass rate is only 20%.
- Snowboarding is too hard for me to try. Many friends of mine told me so.
- Considering my age, skill, and experience, probably there's no way I can make $250,000.
Did You Know?
- Reduced Anxiety: Positive self-image is associated with a 35% decrease in anxiety levels (Stein & Silver, 1987).
- Lower Substance Abuse Rates: Those with a positive self-image are 42% less likely to engage in substance abuse (Trzesniewski, Donnellan, & Robins, 2003).
- Increased Lifespan: Positive self-perception can add an average of 7.5 years to one's lifespan (Levy, Slade, Kunkel, & Kasl, 2002).
- Improved Immune Function: Individuals with high self-esteem have a 30% better immune response (Segerstrom, 2005).
- Better Conflict Resolution: People with a positive self-image are 40% more effective in conflict resolution (Goleman, 1995).
- Greater Life Satisfaction: A positive self-view correlates with a 50% increase in overall life satisfaction (Diener, Suh, Lucas, & Smith, 1999).
Stop Trying So Hard
Have you ever felt this way - you try to improve your weaknesses but the more you try, the harder it may seem? That's because your imagination keeps clinging to the person who you think you are. And you try harder because you believe discipline makes things better.
But why would you try to "improve your weaknesses"? Because the weaknesses are in your self-image. Remember, your self-image comes first. The image will create the person you are.
I say "Stop trying so hard", as in, don't try to fight against your self-image. Instead, change your self-image to a positive one. And repeatedly visualize it day-in, day-out. Until your self-image visualization becomes second nature. Like a breathing exercise.
How can you do it? Read "Psycho-Cybernetics" by Dr. Maxwell Maltz. The answers are in the book.
I am very intrigued by your post, Ray. Thank you. It makes me realize how important to have a positive self image to accomplish goals for success. It reminds me of the time I failed my university entry exams 4 times many years ago. I had low self esteem and all I was thinking was to try harder and harder and study longer. I succeeded 5th time. But if I had known about the self image I may have succeeded right in the beginning. I will use this method in the future. Thank you. Liu Wei
Hi Liu Wei, thanks for sharing your experiences. I guess the main thing is you sustained such a goal-oriented passion to pass the exam, you made it in the end. One achievement is a big learning process too, you know.