If only I had known about the self image as I consciously began my journey to self improvement! I think of all the dust that could have possibly fallen on the ground to help some plant grow instead of collecting on the many self help and inspirational books, magazine articles, and tapes on my book shelves.

I could have enjoyed some really great wines and a cruise or two with the money I used to attend various self improvement workshops and seminars, only to have the information fade into oblivion. I could have saved myself days, weeks, months, even years of frustration.

I would somehow be introduced to a book like Think And Grow Rich, I would purchase a copy, read it, and began applying what I had learned as outlined. My motivation was high (as least I thought I was). Six months would pass, and I would see no visible changes in my life. Doubts would gradually appear. The inner voice (of the self image) would chime in with things like: I knew this stuff would not work. If it worked for those other people, they must have had something that I don't have.

Soon discouragement would ease its way into my thoughts. I would gradually stop applying lessons and return to my old conditioned life. A year or a few years later, I would bump into another book, maybe The Magic of Thinking Big, and I would literally repeat the above process and again and again.

I can say without a doubt that those of you who were born into families who are in the 95% group face a 100% certainty that your self image will deploy its full arsenal of doubts, fears, and phobias to challenge your efforts toward mastering your mind power. Remember, the self image has been in control of nearly every thing you have done most of your life. Now I do not mean that negative stuff is in total control of your mind all of the time. I do not believe that there is such a thing as a totally positive mind, nor a totally negative one.

If you can speak a language, drive a car, ride a bike, use a computer, or enjoy a beautiful sunset, then your self image has allowed some useful, positive thoughts, images and beliefs to enter your unconscious mind.

Ask yourself: What are my consistent thoughts? How do I feel about my job? What thoughts and images flash into my mind when I think about money, or my lack of money? How do I react when things do not go the way I think they should in my relationships? Your answers will give you a clear indication whether the power of your mind is under the influence of positive or negative control.

Here is something I know for sure. You can claim or re-claim control of your own mind power. You are the most miraculous of all living beings on earth. You are the owner of a mind that is so stupendous, that as you truly begin mastering your mind power and consciously using it, there is no dream that you can dream that you cannot achieve.