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Is Your Self-Image Sabotaging Your Success?
Posted By : Ellen Martin on 06-Jul-2010While working with a client a couple of weeks ago, I noticed that she was repeatedly saying that she would never be able to do this organizing work without me. Now, I had heard this before, but this time I had some new information that made me stop to think what this really meant for her.
A couple of months ago I was introduced to a program called “The Winner’s Image” produced by Bob Proctor. In the program Bob equates our self-image to the auto pilot feature of an airplane. The auto pilot is set to a certain course and corrects should the plane veer off course. Now, think about self-image for a moment. Your behavior patterns are a direct reflection of what you believe about yourself. If you believe that you are a successful person and bring in lots of money each month, then you probably do just that. However, if you don’t truly believe that you are that successful, wealthy person, what happens when you do experience some success? You have a fabulous month bringing in more money that you ever have. Then self-doubt sets in and your self-image auto pilot begins to bring you back to your old course.
Getting and staying organized is no different from the success example. Hearing my client saying that she would never be able to do this without me and thinking back to other clients who I’d heard say the same thing, made me realize that their self-image is dictating the situation. No, they won’t be able to do this without me, if that’s what they truly believe. Their self-image is telling them that they can’t be organized or stay organized because they haven’t been able to do it before. Or because so many people have told them how messy and disorganized they are and they believe that about themselves. If you don’t truly believe that you can get and stay organized, you will not get and stay organized. If we move a little outside of our belief about ourselves, the self-image autopilot will bring us back to its original course.
So, how do we conquer this? Change your self-image. This is no easy task, but is guaranteed to get those behavior changes to stick. Create the fantasy or vision of what you want your life to be like. Are there people you can model? Write your new vision out in detail. One of the most important questions to ask in the self-image changing process is “Am I Willing.” Are you really willing to do what is necessary to make the changes you are seeking? Really think about this. If you really aren’t willing to make the changes necessary to be successful at getting and staying organized, maybe it really isn’t as important to you as you once thought it was. Once you have written out your new self-image it’s important to focus on the changes you must make and reviewing your goal regularly. As I said, this is no small or easy task, but one that is well worth the effort.
As you consider your goal to be more organized and productive, pay attention to the things you are telling yourself. Is your self-image dictating that you can’t be organized? If so, consider a self-image overhaul! It will be one of the best investments you ever make.
Happy Organizing!
13 Responses to “Is Your Self-Image Sabotaging Your Success?”
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[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Lisa Manyon, David Muir. David Muir said: A New Leaf: A couple of months ago I was introduced to a program called “The Winner's Image” produced by Bob Proct… http://bit.ly/bPKVmL [...]
wwoo! This is powerful and really thought provoking. We really DO need to do the work on our self image – and this can be so hard to change all those internal voices that sabotage us.
Great info,
Pinky
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You are hitting at the core of self-limiting beliefs. They are changeable but it takes honesty and courage. Good for you for seeing this in your clients and holding that possibility for them while they learn to see it themselves.
Sue Painter
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Ellen,
This is great information. Sometimes the things holding us back are the things we cannot see.
Write on!~
Lisa
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Hi Ellen,
I love the analogy of auto pilot on a plane. That really makes sense! I love being organized, but staying organized is tough without help. Part of that is because my time is stretched too thin and so I have to outsource. But I do believe that our self image affects what we can and can’t accomplish so thank you for the reminder!
Jessica
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I just built a new walk in closet, that houses all my clothes (I love clothes!)
I even colour co-ordinated everything, so when I go in there I feel like there is a rainbow of possibilities and everything I want is easily accessible and available…and there is space for new items too!
Having an organized closet definitely helps with my self-image
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I never thought about my subconscious affecting my organizing, but why not?
It’s controlling everything else! Good point!
Linda
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Well said Ellen! Those limiting beliefs can dog you most of your lives and getting rid of them asap is serving you very well!
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This is fascinating Ellen, and I absolutely believe it. I say “default mode” rather than “auto pilot”, but it’s the same thing. I spent time last weekend with a group of friends, andit was fascinating to notice whose default was “sure, I can” and whose was more negative. Makes a world of difference in attitude and achievement. Thanks for sharing this!
Grace
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Great post, Ellen. I think that when we have a weakness or something we aren’t terribly good at…we create a real story around it and really hem ourselves in with limiting beliefs. This post is a great one for me to really sink into…since I have convinced myself that I am a “file by pile” person and can’t (limiting belief) really keep organized any other way…
I appreciate you take on this and it is very helpful!
Phil
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Ellen,
How we view ‘self’ impacts so much of what we do and act.
Good post, thanks, Mitch
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Thanks, Ellen – this is a great post. I especially love the part where you have us ask “Am I Willing?” – this is so powerful and absolutely necessary for success!
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Yep. Self-Image, Self-Love — we will never succeed beyond how we view ourselves and what we feel and believe we deserve. Well written, Ellen! XO
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