This week I was reminded not to be too self conscious.

I’m nearly done reading Psycho-Cybernetics, and Chapter eleven, “How to Unlock Your Real Personality” was a great reminder to let one’s inner self shine! Show people who you really are!

Maltz says our personality is released from within. It is the “outward evidence of that unique and individual creative self, made in the image of God—that spark of divinity within us—or what might be called the free and full expression of your real self.”

What does it mean to have a “good personality?” And, why is it important?

Maltz writes, a good personality means that a person has freed and released the creative potential within and is not afraid to express themselves to others.

The opposite, or an “inhibited personality” means one does not express the creative self. They are restrained. The inhibited person has self imposed restraint on the expression of the real self. This is most likely developed over time as a protection mechanism from events years prior.

Symptoms of an inhibited personality are shyness, self-consciousness, hostility, feelings of guilt, insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and inability to get along with others.

We cannot live our best lives if we live inhibited.

So how do we break out of our shell and become less inhibited so that we can live our best life?

The answer, Maltz suggests, is to literally practice being less careful, less concerned, less conscientious.

Let your true self out.

Practice speaking before thinking. Act without thinking instead of carefully considering.

But doesn’t that put us in awkward social situations?

Well, for someone who has acted with inhibition for so long, the careful thinking has hindered their personality, and thus that person can get away with a little speaking before thinking.

“Don’t wonder in advance what you are going to say. Just open your mouth and say it,” says Maltz. Improvise as you go along. Act and correct your actions as you go.

Most importantly, stop the self criticism. Focus on positive thinking.

Another hack for letting out your true personality, is to speak louder than usual. Raise the volume of your voice. Just a little. Let others know you’re not inhibited or afraid to speak up.

Finally, Maltz advises complimenting at least three people every day. Tell someone they look nice. Give a compliment to a coworker. If you are married, say to your spouse, “I love you” at least twice a day.

I personally can be very outgoing, but I easily dip into a shell when around certain personalities. Maybe I hold them in high regard and I think I don’t want them to think I’m weird, or dumb, or something. Maltz teaches us to let them think whatever they want because being your true self is what you owe it to yourself to be.

-

Note: 2 Weeks from today is Jan. 1, 2026—New Year’s Day.

Prepare for the new year by building a framework of goals based on vision stretching, health, wealth and wisdom. Reply to this email, and I’ll send you my 6 Step Ascent Life Launch 🚀framework. It’s what I’m working on right now to set myself up for a successful 2026.

My Mission: help one million people a day become the best version of themselves through living an Ascent Life.

Share this newsletter with a friend. Send them this link: https://ascent-life.beehiiv.com/subscribe

.

Follow Ascent Life: @ascentlife.
Other Suggestions…