Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

(revised&updatededitionfor21stCentury)
NOTES

SelfImage(SI)=amentalblueprint
o ConsciousORnot
o Beliefsaboutourselvesunconsciouslyacquired
o Theybecometrueastheybecomeengrained
o SIestablisheswhatyoucan/cannotdo!
Definespossible&impossible
Thisiswhy,ifyouwanttochange,willpowerwontdoanygood.YourSIhastobe
changed.
Youllalwaysfindproofthatverifyanynumberoflousybeliefsyouhave
SICANBECHANGED
Applypositivethinkingtoself,nottooutwardcircumstances!
Dontidentifywithyourmistakesandfailures.
Subconsciousmindservomechanism
Itcanachievegoalsof:
o Success,andhappiness
o Failureandmisery
ThegoalsarefilteredthroughtheSIiftheyareinconsistentwiththeselfimage,
theyarerejectedormodified
EndtheconflictbetweentheSIandyourgoals!
o Then,communicateyourgoalstoyourASMitwilldowhatisnecessaryto
achievethem
GIGOGarbagein,garbageout
Limitingbeliefsfromchildhoodbecomeengrained.Thereare3factors
o Authority
o Intensity
o Repetition
Wehavetolearn,practiceandexperiencenewhabitsof:thinking,imagining,
rememberingandacting.

1. DevelopanadequateandrealisticSI.
2. UsetheCreativeMechanismtobringsuccess&happinessinachievingparticulargoals

Confidence,initiative,power>business.Bringiton!approach
BuildagoodSIandgreatsuccesswillfollow.
Begincollectingscrapbooksofsuccessfulpeopleandhighachievers,whopossessthe
qualitiesatwhichyouaspire
o Makethisahobby!
Watchthepros!Studythosewhoarelivingwhatyouaspiretothrougheverymedia
available!

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

Animalscannotselecttheirgoals.Wecan.Wearealsocreators.
o Wehavecreativeimagination

1)
2)
3)
4)

Consciousminddecision+
Imaginationthatcommunicatesagoal/targetto
SelfImage
Workorder;InstructionstoASM(yourSuccessMechanism)

IMAGINATION
o Paylotsofattentiontodetails
o Useitcreatively
o Giveitanaim,apurpose
ASMwillthenfollowitautomatically
2typesofservomechanisms
o Theobjectiveisknown(ex:torpedo)followthetarget+correctcourse
o Theobjectivehastobediscovereditisonlypartlydefined
Theresalsothesuperego,collectiveunconscious,UniversalMindthemoreoftenyou
accessit,theeasieritbecomes
Interactionmemoryintuitionconsciousthoughtunconsciousprocesses
Schubertrememberingamelodythatneitherhenoranyoneelsethoughtofbefore
Ifyoureallymeanbusiness,haveanintensedesireandbegintothinkintenselyabout
allanglesoftheproblemyourcreativemechanismgoestoworkandthescanner
scansandgropestoananswer;itselectsanideahere,ananswerthere,afact,aformer
experience;itthenrelatesthem,tiesthemtogetherintoameaningfulwhole.
Thesolutionisthenservedtoyourconsciousness,oftenatanunexpectedmoment
somethingclicks.

1) Conductanaccurateinventory&analysisofthecontentsofyourSI
2) Identifyerroneous&restrictiveprogrammingembeddedinyourSI&systematically
alterittobettersuityourpurposes
3) Useyourimaginationtoreprogram&alteryourSI
4) UseyourimaginationinconcertwithyourSItoeffectivelycommunicatewithyour
servomechanismsothatitactsasanASM,movingyousteadilytowardsyourgoals
includinggettingbackoncoursewhenconfrontedwithobstacles.
5) Effectivelyuseyourservomechanismassomethinglikeagiantsearchengineto
providepreciselytheidea,informationorsolutionyouneedforanyparticularpurpose
evenreachingbeyondyourstoreddatatoobtainit.

GetanewSIitcannotbedonebywillpowerorbyarbitrarilydecidingtheremustbesome
ground.

Quiteoften,apersonvotedunlikelytosucceedbyothers+bythemselvesfortunately
encounterssomeonewhoseesapotentialnooneelseseesbelievesinhimfarmore
thanhedoesinhimself&literallydirectsachangeinthatpersonsSI

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

Theresnoneedtowaitforsomeonetodothisforyou.Listentothischapter@least
3x/weekfor21days,studyit,digestitandadjustit.Lookforexamplesinyour
experience&intheexperienceoffriendsthatdemonstratetheseinaction.

MEMORIZETHESEPRINCIPLES:

1) AIMYourASMmusthaveagoal,atarget.
itmustbeconceivedofasalreadyinexistencenow,eitherinactualorpotential
form
TheASMoperatesbysteeringtowardsitordiscoveringsomethingalreadyin
existence.
2) TRUSTTheASMisteleologicalitmustbeorientedtoendresultsorgoals.Dont
bediscouragedbecausethemeansmaynotbeapparent.ItsthefunctionoftheASM
tosupplythemeanswhenyousupplythegoal.
Thinkintermsofendresultandthemeanswilloftentakecareofthemselves.
3) RELAXDontbeafraidofmakingmistakesoroftemporaryfailure.Allservo
mechanismsachieveagoalbynegativefeedbackorbygoingforward>>,making
mistakes&correctingcourseastheygoalong.
4) LEARNSkilllearningofanykindisaccomplishedbytrialanderror.Mentally
correctingaimafteranerror,untilyouachievesuccessfulmotion,movementor
performance.
Then,furtherlearning+continuedsuccessareaccomplishedbyforgettingthepast
errors&rememberingthesuccessfulresponse,sothatitcanbeimitated.
5) DOYoumustlearntotrustyourcreativemechanismtodoitsworkandnotjamitby
becomingtooconcernedoranxiousastowhetheritllworkornotorbyattempting
toforceitbytoomuchconsciouseffort.
Youmustletitworkratherthanmakeitwork.Itoperatesbelowthelevelof
consciousnessandyoucannotknowwhatisgoingonbeneaththesurface.No
guaranteesinadvance.Itcomesintooperationasyouact,asyouplaceademandonit
byyouractions.Youmustnotwaittoactuntilyouhaveproof.Youmustactasifitis
thereanditwillcomethrough.

Selectatarget!Devotejust1015minseverydaytotakingthatmentalpicturefromavague
ideatoagoodsketchtoafinelydetailed,fullyfleshedoutandcoloredvisionthatoccursto
youexactlythesamewaywhenevercalledupon.

Writeoutdescriptions,draw,andcollectrelevantinformation.Juststickto1015minsessions
whenyoucloseyoureyesandopenthemonlytothispicturescontinuingdevelopment.

Trythislittleexperimentfor21daysandseewhathappens!

IMAGINATION=theignitionkeytoyourASM.

Youneedavisionofthewholething
Applycreativeimaginationratherthandestructiveimagination
Humanbeingsalwaysact&performinaccordancetowhattheyimaginetobetrue
aboutthemselvesandabouttheirenvironment.
Hypnosisprovesit:
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

o Hotspotontheforehead
o ImagineyouareattheNorthPolesubjectsfeelcold
o Suggestion:Yourhandisimmersedinicecoldwateractuallylowersbody
temperatureinthatzone!
o TheYourenotfeelingwell,areyou?prankselffulfillingprophecy

Itcanbeusedconstructively
Hypnosisworksbestonlywhensubjectsareconvincedthatthehypnotistsstatements
aretrue
Truthdeterminesactionandbehavior
o Youactaccordingtotheimagesinyourmindthatdescribereality
CHALLENGEwhatyoubelievetobetruetoadaptyourSI
YouCANchangefromanythingtoanythingbymodifyingyourSI

MENTALPRACTICE&IMAGINATION

MENTALpracticeisaspowerfulasphysicalpractice!
o ANDmental+physicalpractice=evenmorepowerful!
Rehearsespeakingconfidently,makingapoint,beingassertive
Mentalpicturesarepowerfulmedicine
Engageinroleplayingimaginesituationsandhowtocounterthem
o IntheTheatreoftheMind
Youcanplanforajobinterviewinadvance.Itllboostyourselfesteem.
Evenpianocanbeplayedinthehead.
GolfalsoYoumusthaveaclearmentalpictureofthecorrectthingbeforeyoudoit
Reachthepointofefficiency.
NapoleonBonaparte400pagesofnotesfromimaginationpracticealone!
Theresnocasetobemadeagainstmentalrehearsal.
Youmust1stclearlyseesomethinginyourmindbeforeyoudoit
o Yourenotrelievedoftakingactionafterwards,ofcourse
Seeyourselfinanewrole
Evenmentalpatientsgotbetterwhentheyimaginedtheywerehealthy
Actlikeyouare&feellike[](whatyouwanttobecome)
TheaimistofindtheREALself
Weareengineeredtosucceed
Positivethinkinginitselfmaydisappoint

THEATREOFTHEMIND

Giveitasolid,honest21daytrial
o 31minseachdayaloneandundisturbed
o Closeyoureyes,exerciseimaginationbeforealargemotionpicturescreen
o Seeamotionpictureofyourself.Makethepicturesasvividandrealaspossible
Payattentiontosights,sounds,theenvironment
Detailsoftheimaginedenvironmentareallimportant
o Yourecreatingapracticeexperiencethenervoussystemhastoregisterit
o ACTsuccessfully,ideally,appropriately
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

Itdoesntmatterifyouhaventdonesotodayorinthepast
Thenervoussystemwilltakecareofthat
o Seeyourselfacting,feeling,beingasyouwanttobe
DoNOTsaytoyourselfIamgoingtoactthiswaytomorrow.SayIamgoingto
imaginemyselfactingthiswaynow,for30minutes,today.
Imaginehowyouwouldfeelifyouwerealreadythepersonalityyouwanttobe.
Seeyourselfactingcalmlyanddeliberately,withcourageandfeelingexpansiveand
confidentbecauseyouare.
Thisexercisebuildsnewmemories&storeddatainyourmidbrainandcentralnervous
system
o Afteratime,youllbesurprisedtoseeyourselfactingdifferently
o Youdonotneedtotakethought,ortrytomakeaneffortnowinordertofeel
ineffectiveandactinadequately
o Yourpresentactionsarespontaneousbecauseofthememoriesrealand
imaginedbuiltintoyourAutomaticMechanism
Youllfinditworkjustaswelluponpositiveexperiences!

STEP#1:Takepad&penandwriteoutabriefoutlineordescriptionofthemental
movieyouintendtoconstruct,developandexperimentwithintheTheatre.

STEP#2:Setaside30mins/daypreferablyatthesametimeeachdaytofindaquiet,
privateplace.Relax,closeyoureyes,enteryourtheatreandbeginplaying,replaying,
editingyourmovie

STEP#3:Graduallymassageyourmovies,sothatitsstaryouperformsexactlyas
youdesireandachievestheexperienceandresultsyoudesire.Strivetoachievethisin
thefirst10days.

STEP#4:Fortheremaining11days,playandenjoythatmovierepeatedlywithout
change.

Nietzsche:convictionsaremoredangeroustothetruththanlies
Fakeittillyoumakeitexternal,superficialfraud!
Ifyourehypnotizedintoalimitingbelief,itwouldbeinconsistenttoactun
accordingly.Itslikeyourestealingsomething,cheating,etc.(ex:the$5,000/year
salesman)
Ex:Mr.Russell,aged+20years(Voodoocurse)
Anideaacceptedastruthcanbeeverybitaspowerfulashypnosis.
Examplesofhypnosis:
o Handstucktothetable!(strongman)
o Championweightlifterbeingtoldhecannotliftapencil
o Youarenowstrongerthanyouhaveeverbeen
Dehypnotizeyourselffromtheideasthat
o Icant
o Imnotworthy
o Idontdeserveit

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

YouCANcureyourinferioritycomplex.
Donotcompareyourselfunfavorablytoallthetopperformers&feelyourenogood
merelybecauseyoucannotdosomethingasskillfullyasthey.
Italldependsonwhat&whosenormswemeasureourselvesagainst.
Itisnotknowledgeofinferioritythatgivesusthecomplex.Itisthatfeelingofinferiority
thatdoesthis.
Measureyourselfagainstyourownnormorpar.
Therearenofixedstandardsofcomparingtoeverybodyelse.
Dontchoosetobeadverselyaffectedbyitbutrathermotivated:D
Aninferioritycomplexcanindeedevolveintoasuperiorityone.Theyrereallytwo
facesofthesamecoin.
Youarenotinferior.Youarenotsuperior.Youareyou.
Dontcompareapplestooranges.
Relaxanddehypnotizeyourself.Stopfrowningandrelaxyoureyebrows.
Usepositivementalpicturestoalteryourmood(Goalpicture)

BernardBaruch:Igetthefacts.Istudythempatiently.Iapplyimagination.
YourASMisimpersonal&hasnowillofitsown.Italwaysactsonyourbeliefs,feelings
&mentalpicturesyoufeedtoyourself.
Yourdutyistogiveitappropriatefeelings.
Itworksonlyonthedatathatyoufeedit,intheformof:
o Ideas
o Beliefs
o Interpretations
o Opinions
Itisconsciousthinkingthatisthecontrolknob
Youdontneedtogobacktoyourchildhood!
Usedeliberate,rational,consciousthoughtimages,imagination
Problemscanbesolvedwithoutdiggingout,examiningandanalyzingpastevents
Thesuccessfulpatternsarereinforced,repeated.Thisistrueforthoughts,feelings,
actions&patternsofbehavior.
AllSuccessMechanismscontainmemoriesofpasterrors.Buttheycanbeused.Errors
shouldbeconsciouslyforgottenwithtime.Youmustdwellupontheendgoal.Letthe
errorsservetheirpurposelearnfromthem.Thenletgo.
Solutionorientedtherapy
DontfoolishlyconcludeIfailedyesterday,thereforeIwillfailagaintoday
Goodnews:memoriesofpastfailuresdonthavetobecompletelyeradicatedbefore
youcanactsuccessfully
o Ignorepastfailuresandforgeahead!
Ignorepastfailuresandactasiffailurewerenotpossible
Wheneveryoubegintofeelremorseforanactwhichyourreasontellsyouitsnot
wicked,examinethecausesofyourfeelingofremorse.Andconvinceyourselfin
detailoftheirabsurdity.Letyourconsciousbeliefsbesovividandemphaticthat
theymakeanimpressionuponyourunconsciousstrongenoughtocopewiththe
impressionsmadebyyournurseoryourmotherwhenyouwereaninfant.

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

Donotbecontentwithalternationbetweenmomentsofrationalityandmomentsof
irrationality.Lookintotheirrationalityclosely,withthedeterminationnottorespectit
andnottoletitdominateyou.
o Wheneveritthrustsfoolishfeelingsorthoughtsintoyourconsciousness,pull
themupbytheroots!Examinethemandrejectthem.
So,whatdoyoubelieve?
o World=hostile?
o Success=undeserved?
o People=rejectedbyyou?
Then,changethat!
Indignationandangercansometimesactasliberatorsfromfalseideas.
DEEPDESIREtobeeffectiveinchangingbelief+behavior,rationalthoughtmustbe
accompaniedbyDEEPFEELINGandDESIRE
Imaginewhatyoudliketobeandhave.Assumeforthemomentthatitspossible.
ArouseaDEEPDESIREforthesethings,becomeENTHUSIASTICaboutthem.DWELL
onthem.Massageyourdreams&desires.Andkeepgoingovertheminyourmind.
o SeeNapoleonHillsideaofburningdesire
Yourpresentnegativebeliefswereformedbythought+feelings.Generateenough
emotionordeepfeeling,andyournewthoughts&ideaswillcancelthemout.
Worryaboutthefutureinstead!
Knowthetruth,formcorrectevaluations,estimations,opinionsaboutthe
environment,insteadofunderestimatingourselvesandoverestimatingthenatureof
thedifficultyfacingus.
Itsjustagame.Donttakedangerstooseriously.
4hazards
o 1)Fearoffear
o 2)Losingyourcool
o 3)Gettingtoouportoodown
o 4)Worrywhatothersmightthink
o 2&3aretypicaloverreactionstoeventsinlifemostofwhicharecompletely
unimportantdaysorweeksaftertheyhappen.
ToconcludeIcantinadvance,withouttryingandintheabsenceofanyevidenceto
thecontraryisnotrational.
Spendingtimethinkingaboutwhatyoudonotwantisstupid
KEEPYOUREYEONTHEBALL!
Onlybytrusting&actingcanwereceivewonders
Dothework,actonthebestassumptionsavailableandtheresultstakecareof
themselves.
Itisofrational,consciousthoughtto:
o Examine&analyzeincomingmessages;acceptthosethataretrueandreject
thosethatareuntrue
o Formlogical&correctconclusions
o Decidewhatyouwantselectthegoalsyouwishtoachieveandconcentrate
onthese,ratherthanonwhatyoudonotwant
o Topaystrictattentiontothetask@handwhatyouaredoing&whatisgoing
onaroundyousothissensoryinformationcankeepyourAMadvisedand
allowittorespondspontaneously.
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com


HOWTORELAX

Lifeneednotberelentlesspressureandstress.
Modernmantootense,tooanxious,tooconcernedforresults(1889)
Tothinkandactcreatively,youmustbeintenselyconcernedwithsolvingaparticular
problem
Creativeideascomeunconsciously,spontaneously,somewhatlikeaboltoutofthe
bluewhentheconsciousmindhasletgooftheproblem

UNLEASHINGTHECREATIVEMECHANISM

Creativeideasdonot,however,comewithoutpreliminaryconsciousthoughtaboutthe
problem
Youmustbeintenselyinterestedinsolvingaproblemorsecuringananswer.Youmust
thinkaboutitconsciously.

GATHERALLINFORMATIONAVAILABLEONTHESUBJECT

Differentfromintuition
Considerallthepossiblecoursesofaction
Aboveall,THEREMUSTBEABURNINGDESIRETOSOLVETHEPROBLEM
Buthavingdefinedtheproblemandhavingsecuredalltheinfo&facts&havingtaken
alltheabovesteps,thenadditionalstruggling/fretting/worringoveritdoesNOThelp.
Itonlyseemstohinderthesolution.
Giveordersthattheworkistoproceedunderground.
Relaxandletthejobdoitselfforyou,THROUGHyou.
Consciouseffortinhibitsandjamstheautomaticmechanism.
Cf.Johariswindow.Itsamatterofhowfastyoucanmoveuptheladder!

Creativeperformanceis
o Spontaneous
o Natural
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

o Habitlike
Inhibitedpeople=notbeingthemselves=thinkingtoomuch

FREEINGTHECREATIVEMACHINERY

1)Onceadecisionismade,focusonsupportingit,notsecondguessingit
Worryingisfutileoncetheroulettestartsspinning
Wetakedecisions,thenmakethemwrongorrightThatswhatleadershipisall
about!
Youcanalwayscorrectapoordecision,butifyoudonothing,youcannevergetthetime
back.
Youcannotcorrectindecision.
Practicedecisiveness.Picksomething&closethemenu.Shop&leave.

Makethismentalmovieonceyoumakeadecision(ofanykind):

THELOCKBOX

Takealltheideas,information,decisionsyouwentthroughandmakeapile,puttheminthe
box,lockitshut.Sealthedecision,markitasdone.Brushyourhandsofflikeamandoes
afterdoingsomekindofsatisfyingmanuallabor.Turnoutthelightsinthestorageroomand
walkoutofthedarkroomintothesunlight.

2)Theresarighttimeforplanning,worrying,working.Butintherestofthetime,takeno
anxiousthought.

Makeplansfortomorrow,butdonttrytolivetomorroworinthepast.
Creativelivingmeansacting&respondingtotheenvironmentspontaneously.CMcan
respondappropriatelyonlyifyouactinthepresent.
Planallyouwantforthefuture,butdontworryhowyoullacttomorrow.YourCMwill
reactappropriatelyinthenowifyoupayattentiontotheenvironment.

Liveinthemoment,involvedwith1person,1action
Enjoyyourmeal,sex,aconversationwithafrienddontstrifebackandforthintothe
pastorthefutureinsteadofenjoyingthenow
Focusonwork,action,study
Donttrytodomanythingsatonce!
Focusontheball&onlyontheball.Whenyoutalktopeople,forexample,focuson
them,notonwhattheymightthink,iftheyreinterestedetc.
Topperformersstickwithfocusratherthanmultitasking.
o Notlikethosebusinesspeoplewhoalwaystalkonthephoneandare
extremelybusy
Feelingyoushoulddomanythingsnowabadhabit
Feedjobs&problemsonebyonetoyourSM

4)Sleeponit
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

DontlettheconsciousIinterferewiththeASM
o Littleelveswillcomeandtieyourshoes
o Lettheideasincubateandhatch

5)Relaxwhileyouwork.Stopoccasionallyduringtheday.
TelltheASMwhattodoandletitsurpriseyouwithitsingenuity.
Itslikemacromanagementvs.micromanagement

HAPPINESS

Whenthinkingpleasantthoughts,youcansee,taste,smellbetteranddetectfiner
differencesintouch!
o Studiesprovethat.Apleasantmentalstatecandowonders.
o Eyesightimprovesimmediately.
Psychosomatics:happinesshealsandmakesourorgansfunctionbetter.
Happinessisnot:earned,deservedORamoralissue.
Sodontwaittodeservetothinkpleasantthoughts
Spinoza:Happinessisnottherewardofvirtue,butvirtueitself
Unselfishnesscanbringhappiness
o Beingandactingunselfishly
o Notexpectingapayoff,areward,aprize
Youcannothelptheunhappybybeingoneofthem
Happiness,prosperityNOTzerosumgames.Theyarenotfinite.
Happinessalwayslivesinthepresentnotwaitingforfutureevents.
Happiness=mentalhabitwhichcanbeactivated&developed.
MostpeopleareashappyastheymakeuptheirmindstobeA.Lincoln
HappinessisconstructedNOTbyobjects,butbyideas,thoughts&attitudes,which
canbedevelopedandconstructedbytheindividualsownactivitiesirrespectiveof
theenvironment.
Wereacttounpleasanteventswithanger,resentment,sadnesspurelyoutofhabit!It
hasbecomehabitual.
o Weinterpretsomeeventsasablowtoourselfesteem
Achiefcause=takingthingspersonallythatarenotpersonalatall
Ahabitofbeinghappyliberatesusfromthedominationofoutwardconditions
Youropinioncanaddtounhappyevents
o Itsafactyouvelost$200.000dollars.Itisyouropinionthatyouareruinedor
disgraced.
Happinessvs.unhappiness=factsvs.opinions
Allthoseimpossiblesareopinions,notfacts
ItisyouropinionthatthisisacatastropheorIllneverfindsomeoneelse(vs.plenty
offishapproach)

ThecoreofPsychoCyberneticstherational,calm,consciousandultimately
automaticseparationoffactfromopinion.Actualcircumstancevs.magnifiedobstacle.
Sothatouractionsandreactionsaresolidlybasedontruthnotourownorothers
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

10

opinions.

Whenyoureagoalstriver,youtendtoberelativelyhappy.
Thehappiestyearscanbethoseofstruggle.Whenyoudohaveagoal.Aconsuming
desiretoreachandadeterminedpersistencethatkeepsyouworkingtowardit.An
aggressiveattitude.

Formthehabitofreactingaggressivelyandpositivelytowardthreats&problems.
Formthehabitofkeepinggoalorientedallthetimeregardlessofwhathappens.Do
thisbypracticingapositive,aggressiveattitudebothinactual,everydaysituations
andinyourimagination.
o Noonecandecidewhatyourthoughtsshallbebutyourself.
o Youmakeyourownfun?heasked.Itsonlyfunifyoumakeit.Ifsomeoneelse
doesitforyouitsentertainment.

Donotbelittleyourselfwithnegativeselftalkwhenyouractionsorperformancedont
meetyourexpectations.Youmustreplacethoseimagesofyourselfthatdonotcreate
valueinyourlifeandwhichyoudonotwanttocontinue.
o HowmanytimeshaveyoucaughtyourselfsayingImalwayslate.Nowthink
aboutwhatyouareprogrammingyourselftobe:late!Saytoyourself:Cancel.
Thatsnotlikeme.Nexttime,Illbeearly.Thisisnotaninstantfix,ofcourse.
Remember:authoritativesource+repetition+intensitythekeystonegative
programming.
Tobehappyyoullhavetosacrifice:skepticism,cynicism,oldhabitsandbeliefs.
Selfimage=muscle.Trainjustlikeinsports.30mins/day
Ourhabits=garmentswornbyourpersonality.Theyfitus.Theyareconsistentwith
ourSI&ourentirepersonalitypattern.Dontconfusehabitwithaddiction.Theyrejust
actions,thoughts,behaviors,responseswevelearnedtoperformwithouthavingto
thinkordecide.

HABITFORMATIONMENTALTRAININGEXERCISE:

Reversethewayyoutieyourshoeseveryday.Letthissimpleactserveasareminder
thatyoucanchangeyourwayof:thinking,actingandfeelingthroughouttheday.Bad
habitscanbechanged,theydonthavetobecomedestiny.
Consciouslydecidethefollowing:
1. Iwillbemorecheerfulthroughouttheday
2. Iwillactalittlebitmorefriendlytowardsothers
3. Imgoingtobealittlelesscritical&alittlemoretolerantofotherpeople,their
faults,failings&mistakes.Iwillplacethebestpossibleinterpretationontheir
actions.
4. Insofaraspossible,Imgoingtoactasifsuccesswereinevitable,andIalready
amthesortofpersonalityIwanttobe.Iwillpracticeactinglikeandfeelinglike
thisnewpersonality.
5. Iwillnotletmyownopinioncolorfactsinapessimisticornegativeway.
6. Regardlessofwhathappens,Iwillreactascalmlyandasintelligentlyas
possible.

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

11

7. Iwillignorecompletely&closemymindtoallthosepessimistic&negative
factsthatIcandonothingtochange.

Peoplewillstraightenupwhengivengoalstostrivefor.
SUCCESS
o Senseofdirection
o Understanding
o Courage
o Charity/Compassion
o Esteem
o Selfconfidence
o Selfacceptance

Senseofdirection
o Havegoals
o ALWAYSthinkofwhatyouwant
o NOTwhatotherpeopleexpectofyouorwhetheryourelivingtoother
peoplesgoalsandstandards
o Lookforward,notbackward.Developanostalgiaforthefuture,notforthe
past.Anostalgiaforthefuturecankeepyouyouthful.

Understanding
o Goodcommunication(vital)
o confusion(thebasicelementinneurosis?)
o =empathy,especiallytowardoneself
o Separatefactsfromopinions
o Ifyoucannotseethetruth,youcannotactappropriately
o Youcannotbesinceretoyourselfwhenrationalizingortellingyourself
rationallies
o YouareNOTyourmistakeswhenyouunderstandthis,youarefreeto:
acknowledgethem
learnfromthem
setthemasideand
moveonfromthemwithoutbeingmiredinthem
Courage
o Havingagoal&understandingofthesituationarenotenough.Youmusthave
thecouragetostepin&takeaction
o Thebestdefenseisastrongoffense
o Ifwewaittobeabsolutelycertainandsurebeforeweact,wewillneverdo
anything.Everyactioncanbewrong.Everydecisionyoumakecanturnoutto
bethewrongone.Youmustdailyhavethecouragetoriskmakingmistakes,
riskfailure,riskbeinghumiliated.Astepinthewrongdirectionisbetterthan
stayingonthespotallyourlife.

Decisiveness
o The#1qualitytolookforinthepeopleyouassociatewithandbefriend.
o Leadersagree:successcomesfromdecisivenessandcorrectingcoruseofaction
NOTlongdelaysofprocrastinationandattemptsofmakingflawlesschoices.
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

12

o FEWSUCCESSESAREACHIEVEDVIAASTRAIGHTLINE,fromAB.Most
successesareachievedinazigzagmanner.
o Bewillingtomakeafewmistakes,tosuffertogetwhatyouwant.Dontsell
yourselfshort.
o Mostpeopledontknowhowbravetheyreallyare

Charity
o Dailylivingisavirtualassaultonourselfrespect.
o Stopjudging&blamingotherpeoplefortheirmistakes
o YoullbegintodevelopabetterandmoreadequateSIwhenyoufeelthatmore
pplareworthy
o Selfdoubtisinsidious

Esteem
o Selfdoubtisinsidiousthethiefwithin
o YoushouldnothesitatetoyellSTOP!andsenditbacktoitsdarkcorner,
properlychastisedfordoubtingus.
o Donotdownratetheproductmerelybecauseyouhaventuseditcorrectly
(Thistypewritercantspell.)
o Begintoappreciateotherpeoplemore.

SelfAcceptance
o Alcohol,drugabuse
o Quietdesperation
o Youarewhatyouare!
o CreatingabetterSIunleashestalents,habitsandskills.
o Youmayhavemadeamistake,butyourenotamistake.
o Youllgetmorenosthanyeses,butdonotrejectyourself.

AQAdversityQuotient
PeoplewithhighAQs
o Donotblameothersfortheadversitiesorsetbackstheyconfront
o Theydonotblamethemselves,either.Theydonotseesetbacksthatoccuras
reflectingpoorlyonthemselves.
o TheybelievetheproblemstheyfacearelimitedinsizeanddurationandCAN
bedealtwith.
YouCANraiseyourAQ
Ex:thefishingtripfromhell

Donthaveunreasonableexpectationsoflifetobesmoothsailing
Dontgiveblackandwhiteresponsestoeventsinlife.
WhatbricksandotherburdensamIcarrying?

HOWTOAVOIDTRIGGERINGTHEAFMACCIDENTALLY
(AFMAutomaticFailureMechanism)

Negativeemotionsarethealarms:
o Frustration
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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o Rage
o Overwhelminganxiety
o Unshakeabledepressions
o Jealousy&resentment
o Sloth
o Thedemandingofsomethingfornothing
o Intolerance
o Disrespect
o Selfrejection
ThesearesignsthatyouareintheREDZONE.
Symptomsaretheretohelpyourecognizetheproblemandtakecorrectiveaction.
Nobodyisimmunetotheabovefeelings.Theimportantthingistorecognizethemand
takepositiveactiontocorrectcourse.
ThetruthCANsetusfreefromthem.

FFrustration,Hopelessness,Futility
AAggressiveness,misdirected
IInsecurity
LLoneliness,Lackofoneness
UUncertainty
RResentment
EEmptiness

Frustration,hopelessness,futility
o Practicalgoalsvs.perfectionisticgoals(whenhittingthebullseyeisnot
enough)
o Frustration(i.e.feelingstuck&helpless)asawayofsolvingproblemsdoesnot
work!
Takecorrectiveactioninsteadofblamingyourself
o Uncheckedfrustrationbegetsaggression.
Aggression=blowingsteam.Itsnormalbehavior.
o Channelaggressiontowardsachievingagoal!Dontkickthecatorsnapat
yourwife.Dontallowittoaccumulateandcauseulcers,highbloodpressure
turnintoexcessivedrinking,compulsiveoverworketc.

Aggressiveness
o Rudeness,irritability,gossip,faultfinding,violenceotherppl.
o Theanswerisnottoeradicateit,buttounderstanditandproperlychannelit
o Turnitaroundonthefrustrationthatcausedit!
o Anduseallthisenergyintakingproductiveactiontoresolvethefrustration
itself.
o Knowledgegivesyoupower.Youdontsolveaproblembycreatinganother.
o Engageinsportswhereyouhitorpunchsomething:golf,tennis,punchinga
bagitwillchannelyouraggressivenessinagreatway
o Ventyourfrustrationinwriting.Writealettertothepersonwhohasangeredor
frustratedyou.Thenburntheletter.
o Workremainsoneofthebesttherapiesandtranquilizersforatroubledspirit.

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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Insecurity
o Afeelingofinadequacycausesit.Notmeasuringuptowhatisrequired.
o Peterprinciplelevelofincompetence
o Whenyouthinkofyourselfashavingattainedthegoalyoubecomestatic
andlosethesecurityandequilibriumyouhadwhenyouweremovingtowards
something.
o Ifyouareconvincedthatyouaregoodintheabsolutesense,younotonly
havenoincentivetodobetter,butyoufeelinsecurebecauseyoumust
defendtheshamandpretense.Themanwhothinksthathehasarrivedhas
aboutuseduphisusefulnesstous.
o Ex:footballteams/boxingcaptainwinning/losing/winning/losingincycles.Its
typicalforsportspeopletohavemixedsuccessfollowingthispattern.

Loneliness
o Whattodo:surroundyourselfwithwiser,morecapable,perhapsolder
people,whoaremoreexperiencedthanyou.
o Contributetoanysocialsituation.Forceyourselftomix&minglewithother
people.Youllenjoyitmoreandmore!
o Developasocialskillthatwillbeaddtothehappinessofotherpeople:dancing,
bridge,playingthepiano,conversation
o Youllgraduallyfindoutthatmostpeoplearefriendlyandyouareaccepted
o Theexperienceofyouracceptanceenablesyoutoacceptyourself.
o Dontstandsafeandstillinthedark
o Riskcriticismandconfrontationtoseekopportunity&improvement.
o ThegreatestmistakeamancanmakeistobeafraidofmakingoneE.
Hubbard

Uncertainty

o
o
o
o
o

ACT!MAKEMISTAKES!CORRECTCOURSE!
MAKEMISTAKES.FAILFORWARDFASTER.
Bigmenandgreatpersonalitiesmakemistakesandadmitthem.Itisthe
littlemanwhoisafraidtoadmithesbeenwrong.Onlylittlemenarenever
wrong.
DONTlinkyourSEwithbeingprovenwrong!
Makemistakesandadmitthem.
EvenSherlockHolmesadmitsheswrongandmovesonuntilhefindsthe
solution.
ThomasEdisonwrongthousandsoftimes!
Embracetheshorttermuncertainties!

Resentment
o Towards:thesystem,life,thebrakes,theboss,luck,spouse,the
customers
o PeopleinthefirmgripofAFMresentthesuccessofothers,thinkingthatlifeis
shortchangingthem,treatingthemunfairly
o Acureworsethanthediseaseitself,becauseitmakeshappinessimpossible.
o Resentmentmakesusfeelimportant.Itslikeyouremorallysuperiortothose
whocausedtheinjustice.
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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o Itslikeyouretryingtoproveacaseinthecourtoflife.Mentalresistanceto
somethingthatsalreadyhappened
o Theresult?InferiorSelfImage.Notawaytosuccess.Itseasytofindjustice
andfancyyouhavebeenwronged.
o Itthenleadstoselfpity.Theyfeelgoodonlywhentheyaremiserable.
o Whenyoufeelresentment,itsimpossibletobesuccessful.
o resentmentisinconsistentwithgoalstriving.
o THEREISNOJUSTICE!
Youmaybeborninaghetto,orinaresidentialarea.Whyhatetherich
kid?
Donthatethedriverwhodrovebyandsplashedmudonyourpants.Or,
atleastdontletitruinyourwholeday.

Onlyfixworthwhilegoals!
o Useyourtalentsandresources
Aliveness=settingworthwhilegoalsmovingupthe4stepladdertopursuethem
Stopgoingaround&aroundincirclesandselectagoalworthstrivingfor.
HaveanawarenessoftheAFMsenseitwhenitkicksin,anddriveitout.
Glanceatthenegativesinyourlifelikeyouglanceatthealertsonyourcomputer
screen.Dontdwellonthem.
ThinknegativelyCORRECTLYrecognizethenegativeforwhatitisanddwellonthe
finalgoal.
o Helpsyousteerclearoffailure
o AFMisNOTyou.
Onceortwiceduringtheday,sitinaquietplace,analyzingwhatyouvedone
throughouttheday:(+)plusesand()minuses.Thinkintermsofgettingclosertothe
goalsorfurtherawayfromthem.
o Donotfearselfanalysis
o Stickwithselfcoaching.

Usetheemotionalscalpeltoremovescarsleftbyothers,byevents&byyourself
insteadofwithdrawinginyourshell.
EmotionalscartissuebuiltontheSIprotectsus,butalsobuildsawallthatprevents
bothfriendandfoetogetthrough
TOOLS:Awareness,rationalthought,deliberatedecision,purposefuluseof
imaginationtheatreofthemind,mentalrehearsal
Wettheclay&performemotionalsurgery.Itisnevertoolate.Removeallscars.
Disappointmentsandotherroadbumpsdontletthemdetractyou.
Thefirststeptogettingoutofaholeistostopdigging.
Thesamemechanismthatdrivesyouawayfromphysicaldangerdetractsusfrom
psychologicaldangeraswell.
GoodWillHuntingtypepersonality:peoplethatwerehurt/rejectedearlyonby
someoneimportant.Theydistrustallpeople&cannotgetclose.Theyattackfirst,to
preventbeinghurtorrejectedagain.Theybecomegoodatit.Thustheydriveawaythe
verypeoplewhowouldlove,help,nurtureandmakethemhappyifgivenhalfa
chance.

Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz

Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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IMMUNIZEYOURSELFAGAINSTEMOTIONALHURTS!

1)Betoobigtofeelthreatened.Doyoufeelhurtbytinypinches?
PeoplewhogetoffendedtheeasiestaretypicallyLSE>>jealousy,exaggerating
thehurtfeelingsfeltfromsomethings/realthreats.
HAVETHICKSKINonyourSE/SI/ego.

2)HealthySelfImagesdonotbruiseeasily.

Peoplewhoaggressivelyresistsellingatfirstareoftentheeasiesttosellto.Theyput
ontheirhardshellbecausetheyknowhowweaktheyaretogettingsold,sotheyput
thenosalesmenallowedsign.
Selfreliant+immuneattitude
Graduatefromurgentneediness;admireyourself&yourworkfirst!
Relaxawayemotionalhurts.dontaddtension&getyourfeelingshurt.Action
(outside)emotionalreaction(inside)
o Keepmusclesfortified
o Taketimetorelaxanddistress
o Keepawrittensuccessdiary
Createavisualizationtoassistyouwhenconfrontedwithcriticism,remarksorother
attacksonyourSI

REMOVINGOLDEMOTIONALSCARS:

Giveyourselfaspiritualfacelift.
Givethemupcompletelydontgeteven!
o Forgiveandforget.
FORGIVENESSisanemotionalscalpel
IcanforgivebutIcannotforgetislikesayingIcannotforgive
Forgiveness=anotetornoutandthrownout.Forgivenessthatispartialislikepartially
completedsurgery.
Pretendedforgivenessnotgenuine,halfhearted,doneasduty
o Dontdwellonititwillreinfectthewound!
AnddoNOTfeeltooproudofit,orliketheotherpersonowesyousomething.They
donot.
ForgivenessdoesNOTmakeussuperior(thatsrevengefulforgiveness)
Giveupgrudges;yes,youcanifyourewilling
Wecantbecausewelikeourselfrighteousness
FORGIVEHER/HIM/THEM!>>Youllbehappier,healthier&havemorepeaceofmind
FORGIVEYOURSELF>>Youcannotreactemotionallyonthepast.
Averagepersonspends2hours/dayfeelingguilty!
Presentandpastguilt
MISTAKESAREHUMAN
Mistakesdontmakeyouyoumakemistakes
Dontconfusebehaviorwithwhoyouare:
o Ifailedvs.Iamafailure
o Stopblamingandcondemningyourself
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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o Whatyoudoneednotdefineyourselfbywhatyoudo/predictwhatyouwilldo
inthefuture
Youllgrowyoungerifyouperformemotionalsurgery
Liveinthepresent,looktothefuturenotinthepast
Creativeliving+alittlewillingtobevulnerable,anostalgiaforthefuture
Findpeopleandforgivethem
Findsituationsandforgiveyourself
Banishthisbadhabitofblamingppl/yourself
Aphonyisuniversallydetestedthisiswhybabiesareloved!
o Theyarethemselves!>Proofthatinhibitionislearned.
Weallhavethatsomething,uniqueness,personality
Excessivenegativefeedback?
o Modifyresponses,doNOTstopallaction
o Inhibition
o DONTGOBACKTOYOURSHELL!
DONTSTOPSELFEXPRESSION!
Usevideorecordingtoimproveskills:speakinginpublic,selfexpression
Stutteringcausedbyseveremonitoring
Coursecorrectionfeedback
Purposetremor
o Whentryingtoinsertthestringintoaneedle
o Pouringliquidintoabottlewithanarrowneck
o Whenyoutrytoohard,orbeingtoocarefulnottomakeamistake
Traininrelaxationandditchexcessiveeffortandpurposing
Itsaformofnegativefeedbackcaringtoomuchaboutfailure
Somanypeoplewhospeakwellinpublicmakemistakes&nonos
Usenegativefeedbacktoperformbetter
Dontbecometooconcernedwithpleasingotherpeople
Dontconstantly&consciouslymonitoreveryword&action
Ignoreexcessivefeedbackspeakasyouwerespeakingtoagroupoffriends
POISEignoreoutwardpressure&gospontaneous
Stopfighting&tryingtokillyourselfconsciousness.Instead,developmoreself
consciousness.Thatis,killthenegativefeedbackandbeawareofyourstrengths
Excessivethinkingofwhatotherpeoplethinkkillsspontaneity
o Anyway,wetendtothinkfarmorethantheyreallythinkaboutusstop
analyzingwhattheymeant

SELFESTEEM

Youropinionmattersmost.
Selfesteem=therepresentationwehavewithourselves
Dontgivetoomuchimportancetomistakes/opinionsofothers!Youknowbetter.
Whatyourreputationwillbetomorrowdeterminethis;liveconsistentwithitTODAY.

1) Dontthinktoomuchaboutwhatyouregoingtosay.
Justopenyourmouthandsayit.Improviseasyougoalong.Improvise&be
spontaneous.
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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2) Dontplan.Takenothoughtfortomorrow.Dontthinkbeforeyouact.Act&correct
youractionsasyougoalong.STARTMOVINGTOWARDTHEGOAL!
3) Stopcriticizingyourself.Stopselfcriticalanalysis.Giveyourselfuseful&beneficial
feedback.Stopsecondguessingyourself.
4) Speaklouderthanusual.Raisethevolumeofyourvoice.Loudnessdisinhibits.
5) Letpeopleknowwhenyoulikethem.Compliment@least3peopleeveryday

PCTranquilizers

IgnorethephonethatsringingbreakthePavlovianconditioning
Feelgoodinthepresenceofstrangers
DELAYtheresponsetoaversivestimuli.
o Countto10whenangryandletgoofalltension
Youcannotbeangry,anxiousetc.aslongasyouRELAXyourmuscles.Relaxation=no
response.Disinhibition.
PREperformanceritual.Calmmindcalmbody.Calmbodycalmmind.
Buldyourselfaquietroominyourmind
o Retreattoyourfoxhole
o Therelaxationchamber
o Bluelightgreen,yellow,gold
o Useimagination
Insomnia,rudeness=carryovers.Manypeopletaketheirproblemstobedwiththem.
Emotionalcarryoverscauseaccidents.
Createyourowndistractioneraserclearthescreen,wipetheboard,clearthe
calculatorsmemorybeforeyousolveanotherproblem
Concentrate,focuson&repeat1successfulmentalpictureatatime
Clearyourheadofeverythingbutwhatyouhavetodo
ItisNOTexternalstimulithatmakeyouanxious,worried,etc.buthowyoureactto
them.
BeanACTOR,NOTareactor
IFresponsedoesntgetusfurthertheresnoneedtoreact!
Letthetelephoneoffear,angerandanxietyring
Practicewithoutpressure
Practiceinnoncrisis,nonhungrysituation
o Overmotivationhinderssuccess
o Practicespeakingwithoutanaudience,pickupwithoutpressure
o Practicew/opressure,andyoulllearnbetter,youllperformbetterinhigh
pressuresituations.
o Dosomeshadowboxing.Practicespeakinginpublicinamirror
o Arrangeabunchofchairs
o Simulatesyntheticpressure
Naked
o ShadowboxingturnsONselfexpression
Youllbanishpurposetremor
Concentrateonwhatyouwanttohappen&letgoofthepressuretosucceed.
Relax.
NEVERlosesightofyouroriginalgoal.
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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Stopthinkingintermsoffear,nervousness,etc.andthinkintermsofEXCITEMENT.
Doordieattitudenotgood
WhatstheworstthatcanhappenifIact?GREATapproach!
Theresalwaysasecondchance!
o Marriagesmanyhappilymarriedpeoplehavegonethroughbadrelationships,
heartbreakingstruggle,arguments&painfulbreakupsanddivorces
GiveyourASMadefinitegoaltoworkon!Itsyourservant.
Makecrisesacreativeopportunityusethemtoyourfavor!
GiveyourASMadefinitegoaltoworkon!Itisyourservant.
Pictureyoursuccessclearly&vividly!
STOPworryingaboutpossibleunwantedresults.
Nervoussystemcannottellrealfailurefromimaginedfailuresodontspendtime
dwellingonnegativeimages
Everythingworthdoingisworthdoingpoorlyatfirst!
o Youllgetthegrip.
Theobjectofpracticeistomakerepeatedtrials,constantlycorrecterrorsuntilahit
isscored.
SuccessesbecomeENGRAINED,TATTOOEDinthecortexinyourmind&soul
o Usethefeelingtogetthemback
Smallvictoriesleadtobigvictories.
CrawlStandWalkCycleDrivecar[]
Buildintoyourgreypatternsandfeelingsofsuccess
SuccessisbuiltonsuccessNothingsucceedslikesuccess
Thefeelingofsuccessandsatisfactioncanbebroughtback!
Gogradually.Usethesameprocessyouusewhenyouworry.Makegradualmental
pictureswithoutforcingyourself.
Worryaboutthebestpositiveoutcome
Thinkaboutthebestthingthatcanhappen.
o Embracethepossibility.Playtheimagesover&over&over!
o Delineatedetails.
o Faith,selfconfidence,couragewinningfeeling!
Donttakecounselofyournegativefeelings.Ignorethemandgoahead!
Adoptnegativefeelingsasachallenge.Usethemasassets!
Reactaggressively&positivelytowardsthem!
o Theywillevaporate
o Donotfightthem.Itsfutile.
DontresistBUTovercomewithgood!Putsomethingintheirplace.
Dontdriveoutademonjusttoleavethehouseempty.Putsomethinginitsplace.
Thesubstitutionmethodsubstitutewithpleasantmentalpictures
o Past
o Future
Themoreyouactivateyourmechanism,themorepotentitbecomes!
Weagenotbyyears,butbyevents&ouremotionalreactionstothem.
Useahypothesisbasedonimplications.
Setgoals,sothatyoucanhavesomethingmeaningfultolivefor.
Developanostalgiaforthefuture.Aneedformorelife!
Testthetruthsaboutyourselfanddiscovertheyarenottrueatall!
Notes from Psycho Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz
Taken by Peter Birlea www.MindsetOptimizer.com

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