Psycho-Cybernetics was THE BOOK TO READ in the 70’s. My parents had a copy and I remember my friend’s parents having copies in their homes. I didn’t read it then and when I was finally REALLY interested in reading it, my mom could not find our copy.
I eventually bought a copy on-line for my kindle from Amazon.com but what I am going to share with you is insight from another book by Dr. Maltz called Pyscho-Cybernetic Principles for Creative Living – Beyond Self-Image Theory to Positive Action. It’s a passage called “An Inside Job”.
First a definition…
Cybernetics is derived from a Greek word meaning helmsman – a man who steers a ship. Dr. Maltz coined the word psycho-cybernetics to mean
…steering your mind to a productive goal arriving at your destination, the greatest port in the world…peace of mind.
When we speak of an “inside job” we usually mean a carefully contrived crime executed by “people in the know”.
I could not agree more with what Dr. Maltz says next and to be truthful – no matter how often I re-read this passage I cry, because it is indeed sad to me, just how many people inflict this crime upon themselves but also because I have done this more times than I care to admit!
…the most pernicious kind of inside job is the crime we inflict upon ourselves when through fear or hatred, we rob ourselves of our sense of worth.
Another form of self-robbery is procrastination – letting our goals wait until tomorrow.
We rob ourselves of peace of mind when we persist in endless self-criticism. Indeed we create prison walls around us, preventing our achievement of happiness.
Do you truly understand what you are bringing to the table? I don’t think so. And I’m not judging you. It’s just that so many people are caught up in a vocational profession. You are so much more than what you do for work. You must make yourself as Dr. Maltz suggests – a professional human being!
The basic element in personality is your self-image. Your concept of what you are like as a person determines the ways in which you act and shape who you become.
The good news is you can begin to change your preconceptions and your interpretations constituting your self-image and when you do your entire life will change for the better.
Are you an “inside jobber” who walks away from reality into the gloomy tunnels of a disturbed mind? Do you hurl yourself into a dungeon of futility? Something is definitely missing from your success equation. Find out what here…
Your expertise is your business! 