Most of us look to our present results for validation, if they are good; it gives us a sense of pride and achievement. If our results are poor we bash ourselves mentally and we make ourselves feel lousy for not doing better. We have been conditioned to live our lives from the outside – in. We look to our environment and our surroundings, other people’s opinions of ourselves to determine our self-worth. If we are acceptable and liked by other we seem to like ourselves more. Why is it that the outside world has our emotions under control in this way?

This is how we were conditioned…We behave in ways that make us acceptable to the group culture when we are growing up and in time we become a product of this culture. We think, feel and act accordingly and if you were to do otherwise you may be looked upon differently.

The culture we grow up in has a huge effect on our self-image and our beliefs. Because everyone in the group tends to have similar habits and culture, we tend to fall in and may live our whole lives without questioning where these habits came from and examining whether they still serve us or not.

My challenge to everyone reading this today is to start living from the inside. Decide what YOU want to do and how you want to live. Even if you have no idea HOW you will achieve this new goal it doesn’t matter. The most important thing is to make a decision and stick to it. Once the decision is made the way will be shown. Then the next challenge is to shut out all the negative influences in your environment. TV, news and media are all other people’s opinions and we should not allow others opinions to dictate the way we feel and think about ourselves and our potential. There is a lot of negativity out in the world we all know this, so then… is it really necessary that we fill our minds with it every day? If you are in the process of creating a positive and creative life would it serve you to follow all the negative stories that are perpetuated in the media? You decide.

We have everything we need inside us, although the material world would make you believe this isn’t true… decide for yourself…Create an image of the life you want to live and get busy creating it. If not now then when?

And if you need the assistance of a coach or mastermind group to help you speed up your progress I would love to partner up with you. I have been accredited to Facilitate Bob Proctor and Sandy Gallagher’s Thinking Into results program so feel free to contact me or comment and thanks for reading.

People are always blaming circumstances for what they are. I don’t believe in circumstances. The people who get on in this world are the people who get up and look for the circumstances they want, and, if they can’t find them, make them. George Bernard Shaw.

Our Self concept is made up of three parts:-

1) Our Self Image

2) Our Self Ideal

3) Our Self Esteem

1) The Self Image

This often defined as the “kind of person we see ourselves as”. Some people may say “Well, I am a shy person. I don’t like talking to strangers”.

This is a very good example because this is something our parents told us not to do from a very young age. Perhaps causing us to believe that all strangers are bad (depending on the intensity and repetition of this statement). At the time this was very good and valid advice but over time this programming becomes a limiting belief which controls our actions and interactions in the world.

The Self Image is also limited by our habit patterns or paradigms. I may see Myself as a poor public speaker. Not because this is true, but because I have not yet developed the habits of a highly effective speaker. If I attend voice training lessons, seek out speaking opportunities and develop my skills as a public speaker, I will begin to change the way I see and feel about myself. This is sadly true because a lot of us are controlled by our present results. We see or perceive ourselves to be weak in a certain area and this makes us feel inferior, creating a self fulfilling cycle. We wait for physical proof that we can do it before we believe we can. We live from the outside, in. There are much better and more reliable ways of changing the Self Image by using imagination and concentration, we begin to see ourselves as a speaker from the inside out. We build a new image of ourselves as great speakers.

The Self Image is an inner representation of how we see ourselves, it is governed by our subconscious mind and we know that the subconscious mind and nervous system cannot tell the difference between what is real and imagined. So we use our imagination to become better at public speaking, or anything for that matter. (This will be discussed in depth in another article specifically on the Self Image).

This brings us to the second part of the Self Concept -

2) Self Ideal

This is the “me” I aspire to be. My ideal personality. The level of success and achievement we expect from ourselves can be determined by our ambition. Also, the kind of influences we have in life will play a role in this. Our Self Ideal is the Self we want others to see in us. It is the part of ourselves that we compare our actual present selves with.

Sometimes we hold on to a Self ideal that no longer serves us. Not because we are not able to achieve that ideal self but perhaps because we have changed our desires and grown into a new different ideal. Sometimes when we are younger, we may aspire to be like someone else whom we see is held in higher regard. As we grow and develop ourselves, it is important to make sure we have a clear mental image of what we want to be like, what we want to do, have and to become. If we hold an image of our ideal selves and we keep seeing that our current results do not stack up well, it negatively influences our Self esteem.

If we have a healthy Self ideal, one which truly reflects our burning desires, we can shape our daily thoughts, feelings, habits around them. Thus bringing ourselves closer to the ideal in every action. When we are congruent in our Self ideal as well as our attitude (Thoughts, feelings and actions) we develop a positive Self esteem.

3) Self Esteem

This is the product of your Self ideal and your Self image. Self esteem is the result of genuinely liking yourself and accepting both your strengths and weaknesses.

If we have a positive Self ideal and our current results (our present Self image) are moving us toward that ideal, we can develop a positive Self esteem. Negative Self esteem develops when our ideal Self and our Self image are very different. We feel that we should be achieving much more with our lives but for some reason we are not. This creates a gap between what we feel we are capable of and what we are actually doing or our present results. Self esteem develops from having a positive regard for ourselves.

Having a healthy Self esteem is vitally important to all of us. Yet, if we do not understand how Self esteem comes about we can struggle and frustrate our selves even more. Let’s focus today on developing unconditional acceptance of ourselves (Self esteem). If we choose a path, let’s be sure that it is our own path and not that of our family, friends or society.

When our goal is set we focus on thinking in the certain way which always brings results. We see ourselves as capable and creative beings, and then we move forward by ensuring that we feel good about ourselves and our new image, and most importantly, we take action to create our new improved lives. The life we really want can be created but we must first know exactly what that ideal life is. We must have a clear mental image of what we want and dwell upon it until becomes fixed in our subconscious minds. Then the habits needed to step into our ideal lives will be developed and our results will change.

With an understanding of the Self concept we are better able to adjust our Self image more in line with our Self ideal and continuously strive to close that gap and in so doing increase our Self esteem.

Ramon Watson is a dynamic Thinking into Results facilitator with Bob Proctor. He is passionate in providing service and giving people more of the means of life. If you want to improve any area of your life contact Ramon on

Cell (+27)73 980 8461

Or email on ramon@livingyourpassion.co.za

2. Subconscious does not tell the difference between what is real and what is vividly imagined -

Vividly imagining our dreams as already manifested in reality with perfect clarity and detail is equivalent to an actual experience to our subconscious mind.Our nervous system and neurons in our brain fire in the same way as it would if we were really experiencing what we imagine.That is why we can often feel tense and afraid simply by imagining a negative event happening to us.

3. Subconscious can be programmed by repetition -

Therefore whatever you habitually think or do in your conscious mind will eventually become a subconscious pattern. eg. Learning to drive a car.  At first you have to concentrate while performing the actions, shift gear, clutch control, and accelerate lightly. But once you have repeated the process enough times you have developed a subconscious pattern and the task can be done with only minimal effort afterwards

4. The subconscious mind thinks only in absolute terms

So when affirming that you will make sales in your job. Say “I sell a product every time I pitch to a prospect”, Not, “I sometimes make a sale.”

5. The Subconscious picks up thoughts quicker, if they are well mixed with emotion

Thoughts + emotional intensity also help establish beliefs which are essentially stored in your subconscious mind.  Beliefs dictate how you will act in a certain situation, you may think that you are making a conscious choice to act in a certain way but the reality is that we have developed conditioned responses that are in alignment with our dominant beliefs.

6. The subconscious Mind is irrational

Unlike your conscious mind your subconscious mind cannot decide between two or more alternatives, it is not rational or critical. Your subconscious mind will act on whatever you put into it and will bring the manifestation of whatever you habitually think in your conscious mind. Therefore its is essential that we take control of our conscious thoughts, mental images and our responses and in so doing we may develop better and stronger habits.

7. The subconscious mind knows the answers to all questions

If you give the subconscious a command or a question and you believe that your subconscious mind does indeed have an answer, you hand over the question/problem over with complete faith and expectancy, you will receive the answer.

8. The best time to program your subconscious mind is when your conscious mind is quiet or pacified eg. just before sleep and first thing in the morning upon waking.

- Our thoughts, our feelings and eventually our actions

2) The Law of Polarity – Everything in the universe has its polar opposite. Left has a right. Inside must have an outside. If something bad has happened then there must be something good about it. But it is up to us to choose to focus on one or the other.

3) The Law of Cause and Effect – For every effect in our life there is a cause behind it.Everything happens for a reason, so if we can identify the causes then we’ll be able to control the effects that happen in our lives. Thoughts are causes and circumstances are effects. Our thoughts determine the circumstances in our lives.

4) The Law of Belief – Whatever you believe with feeling will become your reality; your beliefs are a screen that you use to view the world and do not let anything contrary to your beliefs inside. As a man thinketh so is he…

5) The Law of Expectations – Whatever we expect with confidence will become our reality.

What am I expecting, what do I tell myself about how things will unfold for me?

Eg. In the economy – expectations are self fulfilling. The expectation of more inflation in an economy will by its very nature increase inflation.

There are 3 key areas:-

a) What did our parents expect for us?

b) What expectations do I have for my colleagues, friends and other people that I work with?

c) What do I expect from myself? – Probably the most important of all!

6) The Law of Attraction – Each human being is a living magnet.

We all give off a certain frequency by our thoughts, feelings and actions. We have attracted into our lives people, events, circumstances that are in harmony with our own thoughts.

7) Attitude  – Consist of our thoughts, feeling and actions.

Positive mental attitude is a critical prerequisite for success. 80%  of your ability to succeed is determined by your attitude.

Where do attitudes come from?

Our attitudes come from our expectations about outcomes. Eg. What Kind of Outcomes do I expect? Winners have the habit of expecting to succeed well in advance of the actual event. They mentally live through and really imagine the emotions linked to winning in advance.

Where do our expectations come from ?

They come from our beliefs. These are ideas we have picked up and due to repetition and observation we believe them. These beliefs control our decisions and either help us or hinder us in our daily lives.

Where do our beliefs come from?

They are based on our self concept. It is the controlling factor in our performance

Self concept = Self Ideal + Self esteem + self image

How do you think about yourself? What is the image of self that you hold today?
Is it serving you or holding you back?

For more information and assistance in working with your self image or for details on coaching programs and other services mail me at ramon@livingyourpassion.co.za
I look forward to speaking with you.

So one would naturally think that all it takes to draw what you want into your life, would be to think about the things you want in a way that you already have achieved it right?

But there is more to it than that, although we use our conscious minds during normal waking hours, it is not our conscious mind which dictates our habits and habitual thinking or our emotions and our habitual responses.

It is a mind much, much more powerful than the conscious mind which does these things.

The subconscious

Or that part of the mind which is below the conscious.

Another way of looking at it is the mind which is subject or under the control of the conscious mind.

All you need to do to get the results you want is to give your subconscious mind the feeling that you already have the thing you want.

Once your subconscious mind is convinced that you have it, it will bring the object to you in one of the ways of the universe.

Turn over your request for whatever you want in absolute faith in a relaxed and expectant mood and your subconscious mind will do the rest.

Your subconscious mind will not respond, if you force.

It responds to ideas that are accepted by your conscious mind, and if your imagination (or mental images) are in alignment with you desires, your subconscious will act on it.

Give your subconscious mind a direct and unambiguous goal to seek and conclude with certainty that there is a solution and that you will find it.

According to your belief it is done unto you.

Decree, health, happiness, financial freedom and you will have it.

But remember the only way to access the subconscious mind is by relaxing and allowing the conscious mind to quiet down.

Be specific, get a clear mental picture of the desired result,the happy ending and dwell on this image with all your emotions and focus.

Your new image must be felt subjectively.

Your conscious mind will try and get in your way, just sidestep any doubts and believe that it is.

Belief – to accept something as true.

The universe responds to your feeling.

Through relaxation you allow the kinetic energy behind the idea to take over and bring it into creation.

Law of reversed effort, when your desires and imagination are in conflict.

Your imagination will gain the advantage.

Mental force will always be futile.

The subconscious mind will accept the stronger of the dominant thoughts in the mind.

Think of a mental block in a an examination room.

The unison of conscious and subconscious mind will allow the manifestation of what you want.

Think about your life the way you want it , FEEL that you have already achieved it, let the emotions sink in. ACT with your whole mind focused only on the result you want. Do every action with the absolute faith that your goal is already yours and do each small action in a successful way.

What will you choose to create?

To your success!

Setting goals is a conscious activity.We decide what we want and build an image of it or write it down. What we have not been taught is that goal achieving is a subconscious activity, involving daily habits and beliefs. That’s why those who achieve great success seem to be doing it automatically. That’s because it is! they have changed their habits and beliefs and hey succeed predictably.

After studying highly successful people and adopting their strategies I have found that goal achieving can be broken into six steps.I have designed an online goal setting course that will take you through these six steps, so that you too can make success a habit.

Click on the programs for leaders link above to sign up for this 6 part ecourse.

The law of cause and effect is referred to by Emerson as the law of laws.
It is such a powerful concept. Every cause has an effect.
Like causes have like effects. That means that success really does leave clues.
The clues are the causes. If we want to succeed in a certain pursuit, all we need to is look around at others and in nature to see how the effect we want has been caused previously. Then we replicate those causes in our actions.

Here are two simple questions to ask yourself before you decide to do something.

1) What is the effect of this action I’m about to take?
2) Will this cause have a positive effect on my life, my goals and on those around me ?

This will add a new dimension of clarity and causation to our daily decisions.
Go ahead and make the right decision today.

To your success!

Or email on   ramon@livingyourpassion.co.za

“The law of gratitude is the natural principle that action and reaction are always equal and in opposite directions. The grateful outreaching of your mind in thankful praise to the Supreme Intelligence is a liberation or expenditure of force, it cannot fail to reach that to which it is addressed and the reaction is an instantaneous movement toward you” Wallace D.Wattles.

What can I be grateful for today?
What am I really thankful for?

Everything that I have now is a blessing from the infinite supplier.
When I fix my mind on the best things in my life, I experience the best and expect better and better things to come to me.This is how faith is developed because the grateful mind always expects the best.

Expressing gratitude is a way of moving closer to the supreme power .
If everything we have received has come from one source and we are thankful to that source, and express gratitude continuously, then more good things will come to us.

Let us take a few minutes everyday, maybe in the morning before we start our day, to list and think of ten things we are really grateful to have in our life today.
The more we dwell on these things, the more we will find other things that make us happy.
Take a minute and tell someone you know that you appreciate them and their input in your life.
Express your gratitude today.

To Your success!

Ramon Watson is a dynamic Thinking into Results facilitator with Bob Proctor. He is passionate in providing service and giving people more of the means of life. If you want to improve any area of your life contact Ramon on
Cell  +(27)73 980 8461
Or email on ramon@livingyourpassion.co.za

The law of all life is growth. All living things must grow if it continues to exist at all. Human beings are the same, we are either growing, expanding, stretching or were dying. At least this is what I have experienced in my own life.

When I first looked at this picture, I admired its obvious beauty and the expression of life and growth in its most natural state. Then i looked into it a bit further.

As beautiful as this little bud is, it only has so much room to grow. It is limited by its environment. The pot it sits in allows the roots to stretch out only so much, which ultimately limits the growth of the plant and prevents it from expressing its true beauty and potential to flower.

If the objective of all life is growth and expression and the environment that growth is exposed to is limited, then surely we are limiting life itself. In a similar way I find that being in the same environment day to day, exposed to the same limitations and space, we sometimes conform to those limits.
When I speak of environment, I consider the house we live in , the company we work for the social groups we get involved in and also the inner environment of self, our predominant mental state as well as our attitudes towards life and our role in it.

If we have outgrown our current environment then we must endeavor to move to a bigger arena, a larger “pot” so to speak. That involves taking a risk, the risk that we might fall at first and the understanding that falling and stumbling is a necessity of growth. We must become uncomfortable and place ourselves “out of our depth” for only then can we grow and expand our roots allowing our fruits to fully express themselves.

Which areas in your life are inhibiting you today? Is it the outer environment that you exist in, or is it a limiting belief, attitude or self image which holds you back .Whatever it is,  make a decision not to remain a seedling in life but to grow fully and express your own unique individuality. Come on … The world is waiting for you. It will be worth it !

The way we can do this is by developing our six mental factors. These six mental faculties largely control what and how information goes into our consciousness. These faculties are Perception, reason, imagination, will, intuition and memory.Becoming aware of how we currently use these faculties and then consciously changing them will allow us to choose what we think and ultimately our results.

Perception
Perception is that ability we have to see our world.Its not what we look at but what we see. This explains that even though we may be in the same situation as another person, while all they see and focus on is limitations we can choose to look at and dwell on only the possibilities. Whatever we focus on will grow in our experience.There is a natural law called the law of polarity, It states that everything we see or feel has an opposite.The one cannot exist without the other.So if we see something negative in our lives that means there must be something positive about it.The law of polarity also states that through our perception we choose which of these possibilites to focus on… So what is it that you are choosing ?

The will
The will, this is the faculty that allows us to focus our attention on one thing, to the exclusion of all else. The will is like a magnifying glass, it channels our attention and energy toward a particular goal or outcome. In doing so we can choose to focus on what we are creating and ignore all other disturbances in our environment. Emerson said, “The only thing that can grow is that to which you give energy to.” Using your will properly will ensure you are giving energy to those things that help you grow and achieve your goals, not to the things which are easy but get no results.

Reason
The next faculty to understand is reason. This is a conscious faculty we use to think.Reason gives you the ability to choose our thoughts. In the book mans search for meaning by Victor Franckl who endured and survived torture in a Nazi death camp wrote “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way” Thinking is the highest faculty we as humans possess. So the next time someone accepts conditions in their life and  tells you that is just the way it is. Think about it and decide for yourself…

In the next post I will be discussing the other three mental faculties:the imagination, intuition and memory.

Thanks for reading…

To your success!

Ramon Watson is a dynamic Thinking into Results facilitator with Bob Proctor. He is passionate in providing service and giving people more of the means of life. If you want to improve any area of your life contact Ramon on
Cell  +(27)73 980 8461
Or email on ramon@livingyourpassion.co.za