Lecture Notes: Winning in Mind - Building the Self-Image Circle

Introduction

• Final episode of the series "Winning in Mind"
• Focus on building the self-image circle
• Brief recap of the previous circles:
  • Conscious Circle: Focus on environment, sights, sounds, and perception
  • Subconscious Circle: Development of subconscious skills through practice

Self-Image Circle

• Key Question: Is it like you to perform well?
• Importance: Your self-image impacts performance; aligns with Aristotle's quote on habits

Comfort Zone

• Perform within a "comfort zone"
• Example: A bowler consistently scores three strikes, but struggles with a fourth
• Self-image keeps performance within familiar range

Performance and Self-Image

• Performance and self-image are always equal
• Challenges:
  • Self-image resists change
  • Training more isn't the best way to improve self-image

Improving Self-Image

• Imprinting Good Performance: Reinforces positive self-image
• Visualization and Rehearsal:
  • Visualization involves seeing and feeling performances
  • Best done in a first-person view, feeling emotions, and physical sensations
• Rehearsal Timing: Best before and after actions

Steps to Change Self-Image

1. Willingness to change
2. Identify specific habits/attitudes to change
3. Identify a new self-image conflicting with the old
4. Replace old self-image with new one

Example

• Personal journey from uncertain career to software engineering
• Identifying steps and habits needed for success
• Built confidence through practice and collaboration

Directive Affirmation

• Definition: First person present tense paragraph describing goals and plans
• Components:
  • Define goal, set time limit
  • List personal pay value
  • Outline plan, begin with "I"

Outcomes

• Achieve goal or stop reading affirmation
• Personal reflection on achieving goals using directive affirmation

Decisiveness

• Definition: Power to determine outcome
• Reasons for lack:
  • New to endeavor
  • Ill preparation
  • Overly cautious
• Quote: "Perfection is the purest form of procrastination"

Promoting Self and Others

• Promotion: Boosts self-image and involves:
  • Promoting systems (teammates, environment)
  • Promoting oneself
  • Promoting others

Techniques for Promoting Others

• Be personal and specific
• Praise in public, correct in private
• Encourage and support others' goals

Principle of Value

• Appreciate things based on the personal price paid
• Effort and sacrifice increase personal value

Conclusion

• Highlights from the book "Winning in Mind"
• Importance of applying the principles
• Encourages questions, comments, and feedback

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