How To Eliminate Self Doubt Forever & The Power of Your Unconscious Mind | Peter Sage | TEDxPatras

TEDx Talks
23 Jan 202018:32
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRThe video script delves into the paradox of intelligent and self-motivated individuals often experiencing procrastination and self-sabotage. It challenges the notion that lack of resources or opportunities is the primary barrier to success, citing examples of individuals who achieved greatness despite adversity. The speaker explores the human nervous system's preference for comfort versus the soul's inclination for growth, discussing the impact of childhood experiences on self-perception and how these perceptions can lead to self-sabotage. The script also addresses the power of habits and the influence of environment on behavior, concluding with three practical tips for personal growth: avoiding negative influences, seeking positive input, and working with mentors to overcome unconscious patterns.

Takeaways
  • 🧠 The human brain, particularly the neocortex, is a critical factor in our potential for success and growth, but it doesn't fully develop until around the age of seven.
  • 👶 Childhood experiences and perceptions of love and worthiness significantly shape our self-opinion, which in turn dictates our level of personal growth and success.
  • 🔄 We are creatures of habit, with the brain favoring efficiency over constant decision-making, which can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors if not addressed.
  • 🌐 Environment has a powerful influence over our habits and mindset, often outweighing personal willpower in the long term.
  • 🚫 The mainstream media tends to focus on negative news, which can subconsciously program our minds with negativity.
  • 👫 Our peer group and the company we keep can have a profound impact on our beliefs and behaviors, often more than we realize.
  • 🛑 To change self-sabotaging patterns, it's important to stop exposing ourselves to negative influences and start seeking positive, empowering information.
  • 📚 Seeking out mentorship or coaching can help identify and overcome unconscious patterns that hinder personal growth and success.
  • 🌟 Self-mastery is the key to achieving our full potential and becoming the best version of ourselves, which can inspire and influence others.
  • 🌱 Personal growth and success are not solely dependent on external resources or opportunities; they are deeply rooted in our internal beliefs and habits.
  • 🔄 To break through perceived 'glass ceilings', we must actively work on changing our internal programming and environment to support our aspirations.
Q & A

  • Why do intelligent and self-motivated people often procrastinate or self-sabotage?

    -Intelligent and self-motivated people may procrastinate or self-sabotage due to the tension between the comfort zone and the innate desire for growth. This tension can lead to frustration and a cycle of mediocrity if not managed properly.

  • What is the role of resources and opportunities in achieving success?

    -While resources and opportunities are important, they are not the root cause of success. People can achieve success with or without abundant resources, as demonstrated by individuals like Colonel Sanders, Oprah, Helen Keller, and Albert Einstein, who overcame significant obstacles.

  • How does the human nervous system influence our tendency towards comfort?

    -The human nervous system is hardwired for comfort, which often conflicts with the innate desire for growth. This conflict can lead to self-sabotaging behaviors when faced with the potential for success that challenges one's comfort zone.

  • Why does the neocortex, or frontal lobe, play a significant role in our behavior and decision-making?

    -The neocortex operates at brain wave lengths of alpha or beta and is responsible for executive decision-making. It doesn't fully develop until around the age of seven, which is a critical period for forming habits and behaviors that can last a lifetime.

  • How do childhood experiences and perceptions shape our self-opinion and potential for personal growth?

    -Childhood experiences and perceptions greatly influence our self-opinion, as they are often formed during our early years. The first law of personal growth states that people will never rise above the opinion of themselves, which is largely shaped by childhood experiences and how we perceive love and acceptance.

  • What is the impact of habits on our daily lives and how are they formed?

    -Habits have a significant impact on our daily lives as they are unconscious behaviors or patterns formed by repeated actions. The prefrontal cortex, responsible for decision-making, can delegate these repeated actions to the midbrain, turning them into habits that require no conscious thought.

  • Why is it said that 'environment trumps will' and what does this mean for personal development?

    -The phrase 'environment trumps will' means that our surroundings and the influences within them have a more significant impact on our behaviors and beliefs over time than our conscious intentions. This highlights the importance of choosing the right environment for personal growth and development.

  • How does the media influence our unconscious mind and what should one do to avoid negative programming?

    -The media is designed to stimulate the amygdala, which notices negative events before positive ones. This can lead to negative programming if one consumes mainstream media regularly. To avoid this, one should limit exposure to negative news and focus on positive and inspiring content.

  • What is the significance of peer groups in shaping our behaviors and beliefs?

    -Peer groups have a significant impact on our behaviors and beliefs because we are social creatures and tend to conform to the norms of our social environment. Associating with positive and supportive individuals can lead to personal growth, while negative peer groups can hinder it.

  • What are three simple tips to help overcome self-sabotage and achieve personal growth?

    -Three simple tips include: 1) Stop putting the wrong things in, such as avoiding negative media and peer influences. 2) Start putting the right things in, like positive and inspiring content that supports your potential. 3) Get the things that shouldn't be in there out, by working with a mentor or coach to address and change unconscious patterns and beliefs.

  • Why is self-mastery considered the key to achieving the best version of oneself?

    -Self-mastery is the process of understanding and controlling one's own mind and behaviors. It allows individuals to maintain their center in the face of chaos and challenges, and to inspire others through being an example rather than imposing change.

Outlines
00:00
🧠 Understanding the Human Brain and Self-Sabotage

The paragraph delves into the reasons why intelligent and self-motivated individuals often fall into patterns of procrastination and self-sabotage. It discusses the abundance of resources and opportunities available in modern times, yet the tendency for many to plateau in their success. The speaker introduces the concept of the human nervous system being hardwired for comfort, while the soul seeks growth, creating an internal conflict. The role of the neocortex, or frontal lobe, is highlighted as a key area of the brain that doesn't fully activate until around the age of seven, affecting a child's impressionability and the formation of self-worth. An example is given of a child being told they are not 'good enough' or 'deserving', which can lead to a lifetime of self-sabotaging behaviors to align with this early programming.

05:02
🔄 The Power of Habits and Environmental Influence

This section explores the idea that people's self-perception, largely formed in childhood, dictates their potential for personal growth. The neocortex's role in decision-making is contrasted with the midbrain's role in forming habits, which can lead to unconscious behaviors that hinder progress. The speaker uses the analogy of an ant on the back of an elephant to illustrate the struggle between conscious intentions and the powerful, often subconscious, patterns influenced by our environment. The 'law of conformity' is introduced, suggesting that our environment and the people around us have a significant impact on our habits and beliefs, often overpowering our individual will.

10:03
🌐 The Impact of Media and Peer Groups on Mindset

The paragraph discusses the influence of media and peer groups on an individual's mindset and self-programming. It criticizes mainstream media for focusing on negative news to capture attention, rather than reporting objectively. The speaker argues that constant exposure to negative media can program one's mind to default to a negative state. The importance of choosing positive influences and environments is emphasized, as well as the need to be mindful of the programming we expose ourselves to. The speaker encourages taking control of the 'flashlight' of attention, focusing on positive aspects of life and personal growth.

15:04
🛠 Tools for Self-Mastery and Personal Growth

The final paragraph offers practical advice for achieving self-mastery and breaking free from limiting patterns. Three key tips are provided: first, to stop ingesting negative programming from media and peer groups; second, to actively seek out positive and inspiring content that supports personal growth; and third, to work with mentors or coaches who can help identify and dismantle unconscious negative patterns. The speaker stresses the importance of self-work over skill acquisition and the need to address underlying issues that may be hindering success. The goal is to become the best version of oneself and to inspire others through personal example, embodying the change one wishes to see in the world.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Procrastination
Procrastination refers to the act of delaying or postponing tasks or actions, often despite knowing that it may lead to negative consequences. In the video's theme, it's discussed as a behavior that intelligent and self-motivated individuals might engage in, which can lead to self-sabotage and hinder achieving higher levels of success. The script uses the example of people who have access to resources and opportunities yet fail to break through their 'glass ceiling' of success, suggesting that procrastination might be a factor in their stagnation.
💡Self-sabotage
Self-sabotage is the act of unconsciously or consciously behaving in ways that undermine one's own success or well-being. The video discusses this concept in the context of individuals who have the potential for success but find themselves stuck in patterns of behavior that prevent them from achieving it. It is implied that self-sabotage could be a result of deep-seated beliefs formed during childhood, which affect a person's ability to rise above their current level of success.
💡Glass ceiling
A 'glass ceiling' is a metaphorical barrier that prevents certain individuals from rising to higher positions or achieving a higher level of success, despite their qualifications or achievements. In the video, the term is used to describe an invisible barrier that many people encounter in their pursuit of success, suggesting that they are unable to break through to a higher level of achievement, regardless of their efforts or opportunities.
💡Comfort zone
The comfort zone is a psychological state in which a person feels familiar, safe, and at ease. It is often associated with a lack of growth or challenge. The video script discusses the human nervous system as being hardwired for comfort, contrasting it with the idea that our essence or soul is hardwired for growth. The tension between staying in the comfort zone and pursuing growth is presented as a source of frustration that can lead to the 'hamster wheel of mediocrity'.
💡Neocortex
The neocortex is the part of the cerebral cortex that is involved in higher-order brain functions such as reasoning, planning, and social behavior. In the video, it is mentioned as the 'crowning achievement of human biology' and is associated with executive decision-making. The script explains that the neocortex operates at a brain wave length of alpha or beta and is not fully functional until a child is about seven years old, which is significant for understanding how early experiences can shape a person's beliefs and behaviors.
💡Impressionable
Being impressionable means being easily influenced or shaped by external factors, especially during early development. The video uses the term in the context of children, who are described as living in a 'magical fantasy world' without critical thinking. This impressionability is highlighted as a reason why early childhood experiences and messages from caregivers can have a profound and lasting impact on a person's self-perception and behavior.
💡Self-worth
Self-worth refers to the intrinsic value and self-esteem that a person holds for themselves. In the video, self-worth is discussed as being shaped by early life experiences and the perceptions of love and acceptance from caregivers. The script gives an example of a child being told they are 'not good enough,' which can lead to a lifelong pattern of self-sabotage as the child grows into adulthood.
💡Habits
Habits are regular patterns of behavior that are often automatic and unconscious. The video explains that the neocortex, responsible for executive decision-making, can delegate repeated decisions to the midbrain, turning them into habits. This can be both beneficial and detrimental, as it allows for the development of good habits but can also lead to the perpetuation of negative patterns of behavior.
💡Conscious mind
The conscious mind refers to the part of the mind that is aware of surroundings, thoughts, and feelings, and is capable of rational thought and decision-making. The video uses an analogy of the conscious mind being like an ant on the back of an elephant (representing the unconscious mind), suggesting that our conscious intentions can be overridden by deeper, unconscious patterns and beliefs.
💡Environment
In the context of the video, environment refers to the external factors and circumstances that influence a person's behavior, thoughts, and development. The script emphasizes that the environment can have a powerful impact on shaping a person's habits and beliefs over time, often more so than individual willpower. It suggests that to achieve self-mastery, one must be mindful of the environment and choose it deliberately.
💡Self-mastery
Self-mastery is the process of gaining control over one's own mind, emotions, and actions to achieve personal growth and success. The video concludes by emphasizing the importance of self-mastery as the key to overcoming the barriers to success, such as procrastination and self-sabotage. It suggests that by mastering oneself, individuals can become positive examples and inspire others to change, embodying the idea of being the change one wishes to see in the world.
Highlights

Intelligent and self-motivated individuals often face challenges like procrastination and self-sabotage despite having abundant resources and opportunities.

The human nervous system is hardwired for comfort, while the soul seeks growth, creating a tension that can lead to mediocrity.

The neocortex, responsible for executive decision-making, doesn't fully activate until around the age of seven.

Children are highly impressionable, and their early experiences significantly shape their beliefs and behaviors.

Negative experiences in childhood can lead to self-limiting beliefs that manifest as self-sabotage in adulthood.

People's self-perception, largely formed in childhood, dictates their level of personal growth and success.

Habits are formed by repeated behaviors that become unconscious patterns, driven by the midbrain.

The conscious mind is a small part of our overall cognitive function, with the majority of our time spent in an 'awake but asleep' state.

The environment has a powerful influence on our habits and beliefs, often outweighing personal willpower.

Mainstream media tends to focus on negative news to capture attention, which can influence our mindset.

Surrounding oneself with positive influences and limiting exposure to negativity is crucial for personal growth.

The law of conformity suggests that our environment and peer group significantly impact our behaviors and beliefs.

Three tips are offered to overcome self-sabotage: stop putting the wrong things in, start putting the right things in, and get the things that shouldn't be in there out.

Working with a mentor or coach can help identify and change unconscious patterns that hinder personal growth.

Self-mastery is the key to becoming the best version of oneself and inspiring change in others.

The speaker emphasizes the importance of being an example and invitation for change, rather than imposing it on others.

Transcripts

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Self-SabotageSuccess BarriersPersonal GrowthHabitsMindsetProcrastinationSelf-MasteryChildhood InfluenceHabit FormationPositive Change