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I recently completed reading this book called Psycho-Cybernetics and found it quite good. So today I’m going to share my insights into this book. At the end of the article, you’ll be able to determine if the book is worth the time or not.
Psycho-Cybernetics Book Review
Maxwell Maltz, a plastic surgeon, noticed that the majority of his patients, despite fixing their serious flaws with reconstruction surgery, were not satisfied and were unable to change their old mental image and attitude. That’s where he realized that his patients also required some internal work on their false self-image.
In this book, Maltz emphasizes the self-image that everyone has in mind and how it can limit or benefit the individual. He provides different examples and incidents from his patients and how he managed to make a change in their lives with a positive approach.
The Self-Image
Even though Maltz isn’t a psychologist, after years of seeing his patients struggle to be happy despite fixing their outer appearance, he came to the conclusion that everything is due to the mental picture or blueprint we carry within ourselves. Although many might not even recognize it consciously, deep inside we all have a certain image that is made up of our own beliefs.
And some deep beliefs are made up of our past experiences, failures, humiliations, etc. Sometimes these deep-rooted beliefs can affect us on a daily basis, and all our actions and behaviors are consistent with the self-image we carry.
Personally, I found the concept of this book very profound; I have social anxiety and avoid going out or attending any functions/parties.
In the next chapter, Maltz explains how you can find a success mechanism by dehypnotizing yourself from the false image and beliefs.
Imagination
You might have read in many new-age books on imagination and visualization techniques, similar things are discussed in this book, but more in a scientific and practical way.
Oftentimes, we think negatively about certain things that are not in our alignment, and we further attract negative outcomes and circumstances. For example, if someone has stage fright, he/she will have negative thoughts about it and usually end up shivering on stage.
By thinking and visualizing the positive outcome of a situation, we can reduce or overcome the negative effects of it.
Success Mechanism
In another chapter, the author introduces a success mechanism, a technique that can guide you automatically. Maltz suggests not to consciously worry about certain things and concentrate on the end goal. When we consciously try to make something work, it often ends up the opposite way. He shares some incidents of people who managed to get things by total surrender.
Sometimes it’s better to give up the feeling of responsibility and leave it to the higher self. Also, he emphasizes that creative things come automatically and spontaneously, and are not consciously thought out by forebrain thinking.
He provides the examples of writers, artists, and inventors who got inspiration from a hunch or intuition.
Acquire the Habit of Happiness
Psycho-Cybernetics (aff. link) is not an ordinary book; it covers every aspect of life. Here, Maltz discusses the way to remove emotional scars and how to give yourself an emotional facelift. People who have a deep emotional scar have a self-image of being unwanted and feel the world is a hostile place to live.
This book shows how you can relax away from the emotional hurt and acquire the Habit of Happiness. Maxwell Maltz mentions various quotes like these;
Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be. –Abraham LincoIn
He encourages you to stop letting things push you around; stop letting outward events and people dictate to you on how you feel and react.
Conclusion
This book has a total of fifteen chapters, and I could write more on this, but I think it’s enough to get some insights.
I bought the Kindle version of this book and read it in a few days. Do I recommend this book? Yes.
The main thing I like about this book is that the author was way ahead of his time, and he shares different stories, quotes from various authors, and scientists. I would say this book is on my top list in the personal development category.
Psycho-Cybernetics
I recently completed reading this book called Psycho-Cybernetics and found it quite good. So today I’m going to share my insights into this book. At the end of the article, you'll be able to determine if the book is worth the time or not.
URL: https://adithyashetty.com/go/psycho-cybernetics
Author: Maxwell Maltz
4.5
