Psycho-Cybernetics - See Yourself at Your Best

Matt Furey's Super Human Success Blog

The Strength of a Siberian Tiger

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“This book has the strength of a Siberian tiger, and yet all its inspiring physical lessons contain even deeper lessons for the mind and spirit. This is Matt’s masterpiece – the most inspiring book I’ve ever read. I’m ready to take the mountain and keep climbing, and I will never stop reading this book.”

– Steve Chandler
Author of Time Warrior

“A STUNNING book of power and inspiration! I can’t stop reading and re-reading it. It’s almost a force of nature with the energy it contains.”

– Dr. Joe Vitale
author, The Attractor Factor, a star in the movie The Secret

You’re probably wondering ​​​​​​what book these two best-selling authors raving about.

Well, it’s none other than my action-packed 62-lesson thriller, Expect to Win-Hate to Lose.

It’s an edge of your seat can’t-put-it-down read from start to finish.

Order a copy today and I’ll enclose yet another unnamed Furey classic at no charge.

Discover the truth about success in a way you’ve never heard it ‘splained before. It’s not just wanting to win that matters most. It’s having that “thing” that separates 90 percent of all Olympic champions from everyone else.

The above lesson alone, when you come upon it and read it, will probably alter your thinking and the results you are getting in life forever.

Get Expect to Win-Hate to Lose NOW.

Matt Furey

Walk Away from Negativity

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About 30 years ago, one of my clients showed up at my training facility in California on a Saturday morning. He didn’t have an appointment but wanted to pop by and tell me that he was doing diligence, by going for a five-mile walk. 

“Whenever I wake up and feel a bit blah,” he says, “I go for a walk and it seems to help.”

I nodded. 

Fast forward 25 years. In conversation with a baseball coach, he told me, “Whenever I feel as though I’m coming down with something, I tell myself to walk it off. As a result I believe I can walk off anything.”

What do I believe?

I believe you can walk off negative feelings and signs of stress. You can walk yourself into an incredible feel good state. And while walking, you can find the answers, either to solve persistent difficulties or to figure out how to create the results you want. 

If you want to get answers as you walk, almost any way of walking will do. 

But if you want to feel as though you’ve erased what was troubling you and replaced it with a calm, cool and balanced energy, normal walking won’t do it.

I’ve tested this out numerous times, on myself and with my clients. What I’ve discovered is that you need a way to unplug from the stress you are under, and this is difficult to do if your brain and nervous system are engaged in the same motor movements that keep you connected. 

This is where Dao Zou comes into play. You unwind and unplug your mind from the negative, not by changing your thoughts, but by moving differently, which ends up changing your thoughts (and feelings).

As you move and walk and breathe in a different way, your brain naturally and effortlessly begins releasing feel good chemicals. 

Unlike regular walking, where you need three to five miles to get a sense of mild euphoria, with Dao Zou, you can be in an elevated state within a few hundred steps. You don’t need to walk three to five miles to feel better. In fact, less than a mile will do your brain and body a whirld of good, and it will go way beyond your standard walking procedure. Less mileage – less time – better results.  

I’ve been putting people on the Dao Zou program for more than 15 years, and it blows peoples’ minds in short order.

As one client told me, “It’s mystical, magical and miraculous.”

Order Dao Zou today and begin the practice. Quite quickly you will realize that I am under-stating how incredibly valuable this program is.

KATN. 

Matt Furey

Woman Refuses to Write Down Her Goals

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When it comes to goal-setting, the standard proponents of it tell you that you MUST be crystal clear about a specific outcome you desire, otherwise nothing good will be accomplished.

You are told that you must choose exactly what you want, down to the nitty-gritty details. And of course, you must have a definite time stamp on what you choose to create. 

This is all well and good… and yes, it does work. But, it is only ONE way your brain and body work to achieve something. 

The other way is not spoken or written about much, yet it is just as valid, if not more so, than the first method. In fact, everyone I have ever questioned has unconsciously used it to accomplish something big in their lives. The accomplishment might have taken several years to pull off, but this was not perceived as an obstacle. 

Not only did the “goal” take years of intense focus to be accomplished, but it wasn’t crystal clear from the beginning. On top of that, there was no definite date drawn up in advance for when the goal must be finished. Here’s the kicker: it was never written down.

Stange… and true. 

I recall back in my college days, visiting with a woman with aspirations to get into medical school to become a doctor. What kind of doctor? She didn’t know yet.

I can still see myself telling her that she needed to get clear about her goal, put it in writing and read it every day. 

She looked at me and said, “I don’t need to write down my goal because I already know what it is.”

Over the course of the next five years, she worked a number of jobs while still holding onto a mental image of her unwritten goal. 

Halfway through her first semester of medical school, she began to have serious doubts as to whether or not she was “cut out for this.” In spite of her doubts, she continued onward and five years later, became an M.D. 

Again, I am not saying that you shouldn’t write out your goals, be detailed about them, and so on. What I am saying is that there are two types of goals. There are predetermined goals and there are process-oriented goals that are somewhat vague. 

Some goals are best attained when you are super-specific. Then again, there are other goals that are made much harder to accomplish if you get too specific. 

A professional boxer can set a goal to knock his opponent out with a left hook at 1:36 of the first round. Is it going to happen that way? Maybe, maybe not. I’m betting NOT.

If it doesn’t happen the way the boxer planned it, which is usually the case, what’s he to do?

A golfer can set a specific goal of hitting a hole-in-one in a game on September 19, 2022, or having a final score of 68 on December 5, 2021. 

These are specific goals, but are they helpful? 

Most golfers I have spoken with have said these type of specifics would create anxiety and screw up their game. Yet, goals that are somewhat vague, goals that are much more process-oriented, such as having specific mental cues about your swing, will cause them to calm down and play much better. 

As a coach, my job is not to help people set clear, specific goals that “scare” them.

My job is to help people accomplish their goals, in part, by figuring out what type of goal-achiever they are, and in what contexts. 

You might think that Psycho-Cybernetics only teaches you to hit specific goals that you programmed into your subconscious mind.

But what about the “unknown” goals that Dr. Maltz wrote about? 

Huh? Unknown goals?

That’s correct. 

It’s in Chapter Two. It’s worth re-reading.

In the interim, start to entertain the idea that everything you’ve been told about the crystal clear specifics about goal setting, and how it has to be done a specific way, ain’t necessarily so.  

Matt Furey

P.S. Zero Resistance Living is the advanced course in Psycho-Cybernetics. I highly recommend it because it teaches you how to focus on “one goal at a time – one day at a time” before you start leaping into long-term goals in every area of your life. Prove to yourself you can make something happen today, in the here and now. 

Why Long-Range Goals are a Bad Idea

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Earlier today William wrote:

What is the best way to write a goal?

I’ve thought of things such as:

* Specifying the date by which the goal will already have been achieved (By January 1 2022, I will have achieved..)

* Writing as if the goal has already been achieved (I am grateful that..)

* Writing what you will sacrifice in return for the goal (This will be achieved as a result of..)

Accompanying the written goal, will be an image of the end result (the picture of the goal) which helps exercise the subconscious mind or creative mechanism.

I’ve seen many different versions of goal-setting but I’m not sure what is the most effective way to format it. (written goals)

I know ”how” the goal will be accomplished is not important. But I want to write it in a way that really makes an impression on the subconscious. (for instance adding an end date automatically makes it more likely to be achieved, or increasing the specificity of the goal makes it easier for the creative mechanism to work towards it)

My Response:

William,

None of the ideas mentioned above in regard to goal setting are in Psycho-Cybernetics, other than the use of “I will,” which is valid. Same goes for “I am going to,” which is our natural mechanism at play.

The “I am grateful,” affirmations are balderdash, i.e. nonsense. You express gratitude when the feeling is real, not as a manipulation such as the salesperson who says, “Thanking you in advance,” to pressure you into buying.

The trouble with goal setting is the emphasis people put on setting them, not upon getting them.

Before jumping into long-range goals where a projected date for accomplishment can be helpful, it is best to begin proving to yourself that you can come up with a goal for TODAY and accomplish it. Once you’ve done this, turn this daily goal-achievement into a habit and a process. If you achieve one goal per day for the next year, you’ll have 365 accomplishments, and you’ll probably be way ahead of where you’d be if your focus was only on long-range goals.

Most long-term goal setting is an incredible waste of time. Most people who set long-term goals never achieve them. Many don’t achieve ANY of them.

This is not YOUR fault. It’s the fault of those promoting goal-setting methods that are unworkable and impractical for the majority of people who have used them.

It’s the daily goals you achieve that add up and make a huge difference. Take care of today and tomorrow will be a lot easier on you.

Matt Furey

What Do I Focus On?

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Hi Matt,

I would like to pose you a question about the book Psycho-Cybernetics:

Why do I have to view my target (for example a car) as if it’s already reached?

Mind will think I already have the car so how can bring me to the target if she thinks I already have it?

Can you explaine me please? Thank you so much from Italy.

Haby

Dear Haby,

First off, the primary goal of Psycho-Cybernetics is not to focus on cars, trinkets, toys, etc. but on the way you see yourself in your mind’s eye. Once you are aware of how you see yourself, you begin to focus on moving from A to B. You do NOT ignore A and only focus on B. You are aware of A and B as you create B. Same as you driving from Rome to Naples. You do not ignore where you are and hope to land where you want to go. 

Second, in regard to secondary goals, i.e. goals to acquire prestige symbols, etcetera, once again, you focus on the goal of having what you want, but you remain aware of the fact that you aren’t there yet. There is no lying to yourself, as in “I now own the car of my dreams.”

Instead you think in terms of “I want a new car. I will get a new car. I’m going to get a new car.” 

There is nowhere in Psycho-Cybernetics where Dr. Maltz teaches you to use positive affirmations, written or spoken, in order to “attract” what you want. In fact, Dr. Maltz specifically uses the words “I will” and “I want to” all throughout the book. I will and I want to imply that you are not there YET.

This means there is a simultaneous picturing of where you want to be as well as where you are. Being simultaneously aware of your goal as well as your existing circumstances DRIVES you to the goal whereas pretending you are already there while ignoring reality causes stagnation, complacency and a lack of positive results. 

For more advanced coaching on the above drop me a line by clicking here.

Matt Furey

When Grief is Good

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This may take you back a few years, but whenever I hear the term “good grief,” I think of Charlie Brown, looking puzzled and confused. 

Grief is an emotion that can be puzzling and confusing.

You move into a new and better home but feel a sense of loss for the one you left. You graduate from school, but now you feel the sting of saying goodbye to all your friends.

Then there’s the toughest subject of them all, the one they don’t cover in school: death.

We think we are prepared, especially when given advance notice, but when the moment of truth hits, we may still find ourselves on an emotional rollercoaster. One moment we are strong and accepting, and in the next moment we are filled with sadness. 

Over the years I’ve learned various ways to help transform emotions such as grief and sadness into positive alternatives such as courage and confidence. I’ve put many of these practices to the test over the years, but when the rubber hits the road, I’ve found the fastest, easiest way to disconnect from and transform grief and sadness is the practice of Dao Zou. 

When I first learned this shamanic walking technique, I had no idea it would transform negative emotions into positives, and do so without any conscious effort. There was nothing to visualize, nothing specific to think. There were no affirmations, no mantras and no need to even BELIEVE it would work. Just do the practice and notice what happens. 

The first time I realized that Dao Zou helped me transcend grief took place when my goof friend, Mark Ferris, passed away five years ago.

I went for a long walk to come to grips with the new reality I faced. Yet, when I returned home and took a seat, despite walking for well over an hour, I was inexplicably out of sorts.

And then, oddly enough, I sensed that I could hear Mark talking to me, saying, “Hey Furey. Don’t be a dumb ass. You know what to do. Get up and practice Dao Zou.”

So I got off the sofa and began to move, and within 200 steps, I was at changed. I was at peace. 

I was stunned. 

Later that afternoon, another wave of grief arrived. I got up and repeated the morning session, and once again, within 200 steps I was at ease. 

When my father passed away earlier this year, I employed the same technique, albeit for a longer period of time as 200 steps wouldn’t do the job. Every evening, when a big wave would arrive, I would begin transforming the energy I felt into something calmer. Around 800 steps I would be feeling great, but I would keep going until I got to 2,000, as I teach in the course. Then I would stand and feel the vibration pulsating throughout my legs and torso. 

The above protocol is what I would call turning bad grief into good.

When grief is considered good, it ain’t all that bad. 

More importantly, Dao Zou is a program you can do when times are tough or you’re experiencing negative emotions of any kind, as well as when you want to increase your fitness, athleticism and/or brain training. 

Don’t believe it will work for you? 

That’s good. 

Why?

Because Dao Zou has nothing to do with your beliefs. It works whether you believe it will work or not because it taps a cybernetic function of the brain and nervous system. More on that some other time. 

Just keep in mind the idea that grief is good. It’s an opportunity to rise above what you’re currently dealing with. 

Here endeth the lesson.

Matt Furey

P.S. A hearty “thank you” to all of you who reached out to me last week. Much appreciated. Much obliged. 

Saying Goodbye to My Little Brother

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As a young boy, our family frequently traveled to Omaha to visit my grandma, uncles, aunts and cousins. My mother was born and raised in this city; my dad met her while going to law school at Creighton.

I brought my son, Frank, here seven years ago to play in a baseball tournament and watch a game of the College World Series. Yesterday, I came back, this time for the funeral of my youngest brother, Tim, who passed away from cancer Sunday evening.

If you’ve read my book, The Unbeatable Man, you may recall some of the mentions I had of Tim.

Last night, as I was preparing for sleep, a good many “lost” memories of Tim resurfaced. With closed eyes I revisited the way Tim swam, the way he bridged (he was nearly impossible to pin), the way he walked and ran and talked. Simple, ordinary things, really, but all distinct and memorable.

In 2009, when The Unbeatable Man first came out, I remember how my mother sobbed as she read the passage about Tim in my book. I asked her why she was crying. She showed me the page. Uggh.

A few days ago I took out a copy of The Unbeatable Man to find that passage again.

On that section, I wrote about Tim not watching my matches at the state tournament, how he stayed in the corridor, out of the stands, out of fear that his presence would jinx me.

You might wonder how someone develops a superstition such as this. It’s rather simple. I watched him and he lost. I watched another time and he lost. I didn’t watch him and he won. Damn, must be my fault when he loses. I want my brother to win, so if I don’t watch him, he will win. 

Strange and true – yet some sort of superstition such as this is part of the reality of every prominent athlete or athletic family I have ever met.

Of far greater benefit to me though, was how Tim met with me in the early morning hours, before school, and once again at night, after wrestling practice. Why? To help me drill the moves I needed to “perfect,” so that I could achieve my goals of making it to the state tournament and coming home a champion.

Three workouts per day, for six weeks.

5:30 AM.

3:30 PM.

8 PM.

Tim was with me for each of these workouts, helping me hone my skills.

As a result of this training protocol, I won 14-straight matches, almost all of them by lopsided margins. The training strategy was a huge difference maker – but it required a cooperative partner for it to work. And Tim definitely was that cooperative partner.

So I’m back in Omaha to say goodbye to my little brother. Uggh.

Rest In Peace, little brother.

Matt Furey

Note: By reading the full story of The Unbeatable Man, not only will you be incredibly moved, but the proceeds will go to Tim’s wife, Anya, and his daughter, Maya.

Reading v. Listening

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Q: I’ve read Psycho-Cybernetics: Updated and Expanded numerous times and saw it was available on audible as a downloadable. What’s the difference between the audio and the written work? 

Jay

A: Hi Jay. The difference between the written book and the audio is that one you read yourself and the other you listen to someone else, namely me, reading it to you. In fact, you can find a whole series of Psycho-Cybernetics books I’ve narrated at audible.com – plus, if you want to immediately download Theatre of the Mind, you can get it there, too. 

Q: Matt, when I visualize my mind wanders. I’m can’t stay focused for an entire hour. Any recommendations?

Freida

A: Hello Freida. You don’t need to focus for an hour. Not even 30 minutes. In fact, as I state in Psycho-Cybernetics: Updated and Expanded, I recommend people begin with five minutes. Even so, do not attempt to keep an unwavering focus for five-straight minutes. Focus for 20 seconds, then blank the screen. Then do it again, etcetera, etcetera. Keep in mind, though, that before you focus on any goals, you recall previous success experiences. It’s in the book – but almost everyone misses or ignores this oft-repeated detail. 

Here endeth today’s QnA Lesson. 

Matt Furey

Long-Term v. Short-Term Goals

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Questions of the Day

Long-term v. short-term goals

Hey Matt,

Love all the emails… do you think it’s best to focus on and visualize the long-term goal every morning or just what you need to do that day to move towards your goal or both?

Bill

Reply: Thank you, Bill. The answer depends on what type of person you are and where you are in terms of your ability to focus and accomplish goals. If you’re not accustomed to setting and achieving goals, then starting with a long-term goal is not a good strategy. Begin with daily goals, build momentum, and then over time you can set longer range objectives. Even with a long-range goal, however, you still need to focus on today goals MOST of the time. 

Aligning one’s ship

Hello Matt

In Psycho Cybernetics, Dr Maltz has a quote regarding aligning one’s ship alongside that of an enemy (and that one cannot go far wrong if one does so).

I am struggling to understand the meaning of this. I understand the liberation and release of mental load associated with pure forgiveness. I can’t help but wonder does Dr Maltz have an additional message I have missed.

Can you help with an example please?

Thanks Matt

Dave D

My Reply:

Dave, for greater context, I will begin with the entire quote:

“Admiral William F. Halsey’s personal motto was a quotation from Nelson, “No Captain can do very wrong if he places his Ship alongside that of an Enemy.” “‘The best defense is a strong offense,’ is a military principle,” said Halsey, “but its application is wider than war.  All problems, personal, national, or combat, become smaller if you don’t dodge them, but confront them.  Touch a thistle timidly, and it pricks you; grasp it boldly and its spines crumble.”

If you mentally picture what is written above, you can see that it doesn’t mean you become chummy with your enemy, nor is it referring to forgiveness (an entirely different matter). It’s about studying your enemy as well as your own fears and worries; it’s about going after what you want and noticing that difficulties and fear diminish when they are confronted.

A sports analogy for the “enemy ship” would be watching film of an opposing team (the enemy) to prepare for a game. You learn what the enemy is up to in the film, so you are prepared. As you prepare, you may have emotions such as fear and self-doubt to deal with. Don’t run from them for they are merely false mental images. Extinguish them by using the power of mental imagery. 

Question about digital products:

Matt, I want to get your Theatre of the Mind audio program but I no longer have a CD player. Is there a way to get this program as an audio download?

Jenny

Hello Jenny. Yes, you can get Theatre of the Mind and some of my other narrated books at audible.com.

Here endeth today’s Q n A.

Matt Furey

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Hello and welcome to Psycho-Cybernetics.com - the official site for the original (and expanded) teachings of Dr. Maxwell Maltz, author of the 35 million copy best-seller, Psycho-Cybernetics. I’m Matt Furey, author of the best-selling Nightingale-Conant audio book, Maxwell Maltz’ Theatre of the Mind.

When you subscribe to our Psycho-Cybernetics emails, I will immediately send you an email containing a FREE PDF ($100 value) of my Theatre of the Mind Masters Newsletter called Defeating the Failure Mechanism, which also features a Dr. Maltz piece, When Positive Thinking Doesn't Work. This highly regarded newsletter will show you how to apply the suggestions contained within it into your own life… and make changes for the BETTER!

Best,
Matt Furey
President, Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation

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