Accountability Challenge Week 17: The Power of the Self-Image Part Two.
“Change your Self Image and you change your life”.
In last week’s Accountability challenge we discussed the importance that a healthy self-image has in impacting the quality of our life, and specifically in the achievement of our goals.
We had several terrific comments in response to the lesson. As I was contemplating the lesson I knew that we had touched upon a critical topic, one that demanded an even deeper review. I personally believe that the Self-Image we hold of ourselves is the dominant factor in the level of fulfillment and success that we experience in every area of our lives.
A lot of what is written and taught in the area of goal achievement focuses on the “no pain no gain” mentality. We see it when we go to the gym, we hear it in clichéd interviews with the celebrated sports and entertainment stars of the day. We are fed a steady diet of “if you have the will you will find the way” slogans, mantras and diatribes.
Now, I definitely believe that will power, discipline, persistence and focus are important to achieving our goals. However, what I know in my heart to be true is that how we feel about ourselves in any particular area of our life plays a much more important role in the success we achieve. I would like you to revisit the phrase that started last week’s lesson. Take a few moments to let the depth and significance of Dr. Maltz’s words resonate with you.
“Self-image is the premise, a base or foundation upon which your entire personality, your behavior, and even your circumstances are built. We act, behave and feel according to what we consider this self-image to be and we do not deviate from this pattern,” Dr. Maxwell Maltz.
Here’s what these words mean to me: let’s say I have a goal to earn $250,000 per year in my business. Further let’s say that the most I have ever earned in one year is $100,000. I can write the goal out in vivid detail, repeat to myself every day, attend sales and product training sessions. I can even attend motivational workshops designed to inspire me and motivate me toward my goal.
However all of my previous conditioning: my experiences, thoughts, actions & beliefs tell me that I have only ever earned $100,000. In other words my current Self-Image is at odds with my desired results. What ultimately happens is that my old conditioning-my old self-image wins out and I fall short of the goal, again and again and again. This reinforces the limits that have been programmed into my Self-Image in this area of my life, and the vicious circle continues.
Until we re-condition our old self-image no amount of self-discipline, will power or positive thinking will work in leading us towards our desired results.
Now that’s the bad news. The good news is that we are fully capable of re-conditioning or re-programming the faulty old self-image right here and right now.
Last week we gave you a wonderfully powerful exercise to help you to begin to re-condition your current Self-Image. Perhaps you completed the exercise, perhaps you didn’t. Either way your homework exercise for this week is to repeat the challenge from last week with one small change.
I want you to take 5-10 minutes every day this week to rewrite your Ideal Self Image. If you are truly serious about making significant changes in the results you desire in your life, I challenge you to complete this exercise every day for the next 90 days. I guarantee you that if you do (and I know by experience that very few people will do this-except for you) then the results you experience will appear to be miraculous. You will be re-conditioning your new self-image and the old faulty Self-Image will be a thing of the past…
Yes it will take some level of persistence, commitment, and focus, (don’t worry we will talk more about your specific actions next week) however you will be pleasantly surprised at “how little pain and how much gain” you will enjoy.
Accountability Challenge Week 17: The Power of the Self-Image.
1. Take out a 8 1/2 by 11 inch piece of paper and write out in full detail a description of the image of the person you are about to become:
• Pay particular attention to the areas of Health, Wealth and Happiness.
• Clearly describe how you desire to see yourself in each area- The idea behind this exercise is to focus on what you want, not on what you don’t want.
MY NEW SELF-IMAGE:
☺ ‘I am so happy and grateful NOW that I…
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Expect Success,
Mark,
Thought for the week: “Change your Self Image and you change your life”.
Mark Hudon, CFP™, CCS™
Financial Fitness Coach, Certified Cash Flow Specialist™
Creator of The Core Conditioning Program™
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