Psycho-Cybernetics - See Yourself at Your Best

Matt Furey's Super Human Success Blog

Why Visualization is a Bad Word

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As the saying goes, “If I had a nickel for every person who told me he can’t visualize, I’d be a wealthy man.”

It’s astounding yet true that many, many people read books on seeing a goal in their mind’s eye, yet feel inadequate and/or unable to do it.

Many people learn that some people can’t visualize because they’re mostly kinesthetic or auditory.

I’m not in agreement with these assessments because I’ve found it relatively easy to teach virtually anyone to visualize… if you replace the ‘v’ word with imagination.

When it comes to “imagining” a goal, you can use whatever senses you want. You can see it, feel it, hear it, taste it, smell it, touch it and/or intuitively download it.

In fact, if ALL you do is SEE the goal in your mind’s eye – that’s probably not going to be enough to start your engine.

Yes, it could – but it’s probably not going to be sufficient.

Bring in as many senses as you can – so long as they make sense.

Instead of only seeing the ball go into the hole or hoop, hear it go in and feel excited about it.

The legendary hitter, Ted Williams, the last MLB player to bat .400 in a season, remarked that he could smell “burnt wood” when he hit the ball correctly.

Williams also cooked his bats each day to remove excess moisture he truly believed accumulated during the day, making his bat heavier.

Crazy as Willaims’ ideas may sound, they allow you to see that despite his 20-15 vision, he was also tapped into a sense of feel and smell, not to mention sound.

So the next time you think you can’t visualize – or that you’re not doing it “right” – relax, take a few deep breaths, change dictionaries and begin using your imagination.

Matt Furey

P.S. You already own Psycho-Cybernetics and want to go to the next level? My recommendations are shown below:

Theatre of the Mind – legendary audio program I created with Nightingale-Conant

Zero Resistance Living – 12-week advanced home study course replete with two mammoth workbooks

Matt Furey

Telling Yourself Positive Lies

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“I am a billionaire.”

“I am seven-feet tall.”

“I am a basketball player in the NBA for the Golden State Warriors.”

“I am … I am… I am….”

In the uncanny world of self-development, none of the foregoing statements are lies – even though they are.

If they’re not lies, then, what are they?

In positive thinking speak – they’re called…

“BELIEFS.”

Delusional. Hallucinatory. Exaggerated.

Absolutely, they are – but try to convince the positive thinker otherwise and you’re fighting a losing battle – unless you’re armed with high-powered persuasion skills.

Even then, though, you’ll need someone willing to drop all the pretense and bluster and be real.

But wait a minute – isn’t Psycho-Cybernetics all about being a positive thinker?

Psycho-Cybernetics is about changing your self-image, the way you see yourself. It’s about being honest with yourself – in terms of your past and your future.

It’s not about telling yourself you are something when you aren’t.

If you’re not a billionaire or millionaire, there’s no thought crime for stating the truth. Being honest will help you go to the next level – whereas the phony positivity has far less chance of helping you.

If you want to go somewhere in life, you must know where you are now. You cannot set proper coordinates if you tell yourself you already are where you want to be.

This is probably one of the main reasons why Psycho-Cybernetics has such grand appeal with athletes and coaches.

You cannot hide the truth about your record.

How many wins v. how many losses?

What’s your free throw percentage?

How many steals?

How many tackles, interceptions or fumbles?

How fast do you run the 40 or 60?

I’m talking about real data you can see on paper and verify.

“I am MVP of the league?” – well, let’s check the record books and see.

Whereas…

“I want to be MVP of the league…” – that’s a very different story.

You have a goal. You recognize you are not there yet.

So you put the time in.

You picture what you want – but you also picture where you are NOW – in relation to the goal.

That’s Psycho-Cybernetics.

It’s positive and life-changing because it deals with the way things are as well as the way you want them to be.

If you want to achieve your goals and dreams – and do so without fighting with yourself about what you believe, then take the next step forward.

Start where you are – then move.

Matt Furey

P.S. If you already have Psycho-Cybernetics and want to know what’s next, then be sure to grab a copy of Theatre of the Mind – the audio program I created with Nightingale-Conant.

The First Thing You Do

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When a child is born, what is the first thing the newborn does to get more living out of life?

Does the child repeat a positive phrase, mantra or affirmation?

Or visualize?

Or set goals?

Here’s a startling statement:

From what I’ve observed, most people who study and teach in the field of self-development, skip the step that carries the greatest charge.

And what carries the greatest charge?

It’s the power contained within a relaxed and deep breath.

Did you know the Chicago Cubs were cursed for 108 years?

That’s correct. They were cursed because a ticket holder who wasn’t allowed to bring his pet goat into the ball park with him, got angry and “cursed” the team.

That’s why the Cubs were a disaster for 108 years.

At least that’s what many people truly believed.

Then along comes a new manager who believes in some very strange ideas and principles … one of which is … “deep breathing.”

It’s no surprise to me, then, that the Cubs broke the curse and won the World Series in 2016.

After all, I’ve been telling people about this miracle that’s available to all for decades.

Over and over in my Theatre of the Mind audio program – (over 10 hours worth of material that Nightingale-Conant published three years before the Cubs won), I spoke about the uncanny power deep breathing has in your life.

It’s Biblical, too.

There’s a reason, back in the book of Genesis, that God breathes life into Adam. It’s instructional just as much as it is allegorical.

You can add more life to your goals and actions by breathing life into them.

Now, what’s the first thing you did after being born?

You took a deep breath.

Sure, you cried, but that was part of expanding your lungs and your life, too.

I can understand how some people scoff at visualization and the use of your imagination.

They don’t understand how their own mind works when they function at their best – and don’t care to learn, either.

But I have a much tougher time with people who scoff at the value of deep breathing.

Your breath is your power. It comes before your word.

Your breath is the key to adding a little something special to everything you do, that others can never quite figure out.

Your breath holds the key to breaking the bonds, the negativity, the limitations that seem to be running your life.

They aren’t. And you’ll see how this is true when you breathe through them.

Inhale….

Exhale…

Repeat, repeat, repeat.

Now go hit one out of the park.

Matt Furey

P.S. The Theatre of the Mind program I referred to in this dispatch is NOT the 20-minute DVD you may have seen years ago. This is a full blown course on the subject and those who have the program listen repeatedly because it’s that good. In fact, many listeners tell me it’s THE BEST program they’ve ever heard.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Change What?

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“Change your thoughts – change your life.”

So sayeth the guru…

You attempt to do so – and it doesn’t work.

Have you ever tried to change your thoughts and the exact opposite of what you intended happened?

Have you ever written out affirmations that you were assured would change your beliefs, and your negative beliefsgot stronger?

Have you ever tried to visualize a specific result, and images other than what you wanted distracted you?

The situations listed above are real for many people who attempt to change their lives for the better with self-development methods.

And it’s NOT because you can or can’t change your thoughts.

You can change your thoughts – but attempting to do so at hethe beginning of a race is a mistake. Your muscles and your mind aren’t warmed up yet.

This is why, in Theatre of the Mind, I repeatedly talk about the importance of deep breathing.

Deep breathing is a warmup lap and loosening exercise for your brain and nervous system.

Deep breathing is the filter that finds and discards the tension in your mind and body.

With deep breathing alone, you can change your thoughts and feelings.

This is why more and more top athletes and artists are catching on to what I’ve been saying for over 25 years.

They’re becoming more Zen-like in their approach. They’re doing what the Shaolin monks have been doing for centuries.

They’re beginning whatever they do with deep breathing.

And when you begin with deep breathing – you really can change your thoughts; you really can change your self-image; you can
change your life.

Matt Furey

P.S. Everyone I talk to who has a copy of Theatre of the Mind tells me how it plays continuously in their car, day in and day out. Thank you so much. I love it.

More Money – Less Weight

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Last week a man who joined my Theatre of the Mind Facebook group, commented on why he wanted to be a member.

“More Money – Less Weight,” he wrote.

I sat back in my chair after reading his words.

That is fantastic,

It’s almost as good as the…

“Tastes Great – Less Filling”

It’s amazing when you think about it, but in many ways, for many people, self-image psychology, which is what Psycho-Cybernetics is about, somehow
turned into “more money – less weight.”

This wasn’t the intention of Psycho-Cyb at all. In fact, the book is NOT about creating wealth, getting awards or acquiring what Dr. Maltz called “prestige symbols.”

Dr. Maltz actually warned about this when he wrote,

Trying to be a “success” in terms of  acquiring prestige symbols, and wearingcertain badges leads to neuroticism, and frustration and unhappiness. Striving to be “successful” brings not only material success, but satisfaction, fulfillment and
happiness.

Yes, there is a difference between the two words, success and successful. One suggests that you’ve made it, you’ve arrived. The other admits that you’re a work in progress – and always will be.

Trying to be a success leads to frustration while striving to be successful brings you internal rewards first, followed by the external awards and symbols you may not have even cared about.

To be successful, peace of mind and happiness come first.

Want more money and less weight?

Then you begin to cultivate from the inside-out, rather than the outside-in.

You start with positive memories and feelings of accomplishment.

The goals you want to achieve are secondary.

An improved self-image is primary. Seeing yourself at your best, feeling good about yourself – those are the main goals.

You can achieve goals such as more money and less weight and still not feel good about yourself.

The world is filled with examples of “success” without happiness, such as…

Big gut wealth.
Big butt poverty.
Skinny miserable wealth.
Muscled and miserable poverty.

Happiness and good feelings first – followed by the achievement of virtually everything you focus on?

Now that’s what I call LIVING.

See it. Feel it. Be it.

Matt Furey

Ancient Bad Advice that’s True

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2,500 years ago, in the Chinese classic called the Tao Te Ching – Laozi wrote the following….

“Act without doing.”

As you read these words, you might do a double-head shake. At first, these words barely appear reasonable or accurate, especially in a whirld* wherein the maxim of the day is to…

“take massive action.”

Hmmm, put thee pondering cap on, my friend, as you’re about to enter the zero resistance zone.

Consider the superb professionals in ANY field and how we regard them:

The professional speaker who makes the very thing many people fear the most look easy.

The surgeon who is operating for eight or more hours on the same patient and has no sense of time.

The NBA star who swishes free throws without looking.

The writer who is in a trance-like state as she cranks out a novel.

The chef who tastes his dish to reassure himself he’s still living on planet earth.

All of these people are acting – but none experience themselves as a DOER.

These pros are so much in the NOW that neither time nor resistance to action appear to exist.

They think, they imagine and then they are spontaneously catapulted into doing – albeit effortlessly so.

Whether they are taking a few tiny steps each day – or 100,000, they never really feel as though they’re doing anything, because ultimately there is only…

“one step at a time and one breath at at time.”

Being aware of this, LIVING this, means you are in the FLOW STATE, the Zero Resistance Living state of mind.

This is…

“act without doing.”

See it. Be it. And do it without doing it.

Matt Furey

P.S. A few recommendations for you in regard to the above:

Zero Resistance Living
Theater of the Mind
Psycho-Cybernetics – Updated and Expanded

P.P.S. I would also encourage you to join my
Theater of the Mind Facebook group 

It Hurts, I Know and I Understand

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Back in February, my son’s senior year of high school baseball began, and as the saying goes, “all bets were off.”

I don’t know what it is about this game, which no parent should EVER allow his or her son to play. unless, of course, you want
to teach your child how to overcome mistakes and feelings of failure – which he will probably NEVER encounter in any other area of life. (Sarcasm intended).

The team went 24-4 and finished in the Final Four at the state championships – which is to say – they were doing great… until they LOST.

Yes, I still HATE losing – even when it’s not me playing the game.

By the way, one of the worst things you can say to someone after a loss is “congratulations.”

Hearing “congratulations”after you lose in the semifinals or finals, sucks beyond all rational comprehension.

It really does.

The very BEST thing you can say to a player after a loss is….

“It hurts, I know and I understand.”

Then give the player a hug and let him know you love him and are proud of him, regardless.

Back in the early 1990’s, when I was learning about the power of deep breathing at an entirely new level, I spoke to my instructor, Nancy, about how strange I felt leaving my old home and moving into a new one.

I mentioned how I felt a sense of loss, even though I couldn’t wait to move out of the old and into the new.

Nancy nodded and replied: “Anytime you make a change and leave someone or something behind, the emotion of grief is present. You may suppress it, but it’s there.”

Is there grief when a season ends? When a child graduates? When a daughter gets married and moves on?

Is there grief when your team loses the World Series, or the Super Bowl?

You better believe it.

This is why you see grown men cry after losing a pivotal game. It’s not because they are cry babies or can’t take it. It’s because they are human beings feeling an overpowering emotion.

Getting past the grief is necessary, though, as it’s pretty hard to operate when you’re filled with sadness.

The fastest ways to assuage the pain and rid yourself of the grief and sadness are as follows:

1. Breathe deeply and let the feelings come up. As you continue to breathe, they will dissipate.

2. Talk to others who understand and are compassionate.

3. Write about it. Let your feelings pour onto a piece of paper – preferably by hand.

4. Do something physical – such as walking, punching a heavy bag, stretching, etc.

5. Most powerful of all, look for and find the positive memories stored in your brain or “personal cloud.”

Download those memories. Relive them. Re-experience them. Make the memories come alive again – and use them to step into the future once again, willing to take risks with confidence and courage.

As you do so, realize that mistakes and failures are there for a reason – and the reasons are almost always a huge positive, as well as an unseen and currently unimagined benefit to you in the long run,

Discover how to do all of the above at a superhuman level by reading Psycho-Cybernetics – or by investing in the more advanced course entitled Zero Resistance Living.

And it that’s not enough, then enroll in my Theater of the Mind Facebook group.

All for now,

Matt Furey

P.S. Also, if you want to learn how to write emails such as this one, and dramatically improve your business, then go here.

The Greatest Motivator in the Whirld World

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In high school I was told that I’d never make it to the state tournament, and after I did, I was told that I’d never beat the defending state champion, whom I faced in the quarterfinals.

Done deal.

Then I was told I’d never wrestle for one second in an Iowa uniform.

Done that, too.

I was told that no one would read my writing if I deliberately mizpelled werds or used improper grammar.

HA!

I was told if I published my own books – no one would ever buy them.

Phooey.

I was told the style of advertising I wrote would never work.

Hurrah.

Of course, I’m bragging big time, but doing so with YOU in mind.

Whenever anyone tells you NEVER or NOT, thank the heavens above. They’ve just given you something almost as good as a dunk in the river Jordan.

Words are powerful – and sometimes the most negative words are the most positive. What some think of as negative causes the polar opposite to manifest.

When someone is told “You’ll NEVER be this or you’ll NEVER be that” – the chances of mysteriously catapulting this person into that very position are INCREASED – and sometimes dramatically.

Not always – but it happens so often in the lives of the successful that it’s easy for me to crown the word “NEVER” as the super-heavyweight champion of the WHIRLD.

Does NEVER cause the hair on the back of your head to stand up?

Good.

Now, here’s something I NEVER thought I would EVER do.

I set up three different Facebook groups – even though I’m not a fan of FB. If you’re not and stay completely away, I understand.

But if you’re willing to take a peek – you might find something positive afterall.

You might also be amazed – as well as understanding about why I’ve been putting most of my commentary on these groups.

I can now quickly communicate and “socialize” with those of you who enjoy my books and courses on Email Copywriting, Psycho-Cybernetics, Theatre of the Mind and CombatConditioning,

Listed below are three groups I’ve started that you may want to be a part of.

There is an approval process for each of these groups as well as a limit to how many people I will accept.

So if you want to increase your chances of being accepted, click the links below:

Email Copywriting Group

Theatre of the Mind Group

Combat Conditioning+ Group

See Ya,

Matt Furey

Big Time Invitation

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A few weeks ago I did something I never thought I would ever do.

After discussing social media with a long-time friend, I decided to start some Facebook groups that reflect the various subjects I’m involved in teaching.

As a result I can now quickly communicate and “socialize” with those of you who enjoy my books and courses and emails regarding Psycho-Cybernetics and Theatre of the Mind –

or those of you who subscribe to my emails because you enjoy reading my copy.

Listed below are three groups I’ve started that you may want to be a part of.

There is an approval process for each of these groups as well as a limit to how many people I will accept.

So if you want to increase your chances of being accepted, click the links below:

Combat Conditioning+ Group

Email Copywriting Group

Theatre of the Mind Group

See You on Facebook,

Matt Furey

Expect Nothing, Achieve Much

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About four years ago, before I started a tai chi class with my instructor, I thought I would give him a gift.

Twas a Furey fan favorite entitled, Expect to Win – Hate to Lose.

I didn’t think I could go wrong giving this book to my teacher.

He looks at it, pauses, then says, “You know, if I were writing this book, I would have titled it….”

He proceeded to tell me why the title wasn’t very good, in his viewpoint, and gave a couple reasons to justify his opinion.

I stood a few feet away and listened, then we walked to the center of the floor and began our lesson.

No harm – no foul, even though this was definitely not the norm for how someone responds when given a gift, especially a gift you wrote yourself.

Over the years I’ve pondered this situation a few times, especially as my thinking evolved on a number of topics, including the concept of expectation or “expecting to win.”

I’m now of the opinion that sometimes it feels as though it’s a good idea to “expect” the best – but more often than not, for many people much of the time, having high expectations leads to the worst results.

People who set big goals, who think big, who follow all the procedures and advice of so many of the self-development gurus
of this day and age, are going to be let down in a BIG way. They are going to be profoundly disappointed.

They’re not just going to be let down, however, because they can’t achieve their dreams or goals.

They most certainly can.

The let down is more a result of using self-help in the wrong way, of being misled to think you need to be unnatural to attain a big goal.

And when the unnatural actions and ideas don’t yield the results you EXPECTED, you end up feeling CRUSHED.

This is most definitely the case in sports, in career advancement, in writing, in selling, in rearing your children – and the grandbaby of them all – politics.

When you expect to win and you’re victorious – all is well in your world.

But when you expet to win and you lose – especially when you lose to someone who supposedly had no chance to beat you – you’re not only crushed – you’re probably depressed.

I’ve watched this play out in sports such as baseball so often it’s practically guaranteed to happen when you least expect it.

Two years in a row my son’s high school baseball team was ranked in the top ten in the state. In the first round of districts they faced a team with a record south of .500 – and I mean, way south.

Both years they expected to win. Both times they lost.

Uh-oh. Now what do you do?

As a result of my tai chi practice, as well as closely observing what is and isn’t true, based upon results, not pie-in-the-sky theory, I can tell you that the sequel to Expect to Win – Hate to Lose will not be…

Expect to Win – Volume Two.

Instead, it’ll be something along the lines of Expect Nothing and Achieve More.

Yet, the above assumes I’m going to write a sequel – yet, as of now, I have no expectation of doing so.

Does the above mean that I don’t believe in goals or goal setting?

What it means is I believe in goals and goal setting that is natural, that causes flow instead of fear, that causes success even
when that is not what you’re focused on.

Setting goals that scare you is NOT NATURAL.

Neither is massive action or sitting around working on changing your limiting beliefs.

There is a naturally just so to life and to living.

There is a rhythm.

When you force success you cause a blow out somewhere down the road.

When success is a natural extension of who you are – you will live the life others dream about.

As for yourself, you still have to pinch your cheek from time to time and ask, “Is this for real? Did I really do all of THIS? Unreal.”

Think of it this way, in baseball, if you approached your pitcher before a big game and told him you expected him to throw a no-hitter, or a perfect game – you would most assuredly screw him up.

The same would happen to the golfer whom you told to hit a hole in one as he was teeing off.

But if you focus this athlete on the small – he may surprise himself and win it all.

Matt Furey

P.S. For coaching opportunities – go here…

Free PDF of Theatre of the Mind Newsletter

Free PDF of Theatre of the Mind Newsletter

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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