Action Quote by Maxwell Maltz
““A human being always acts and feels and performs in accordance with what he imagines to be true about himself and his environment...For imagination sets the goal ‘picture’ which our automatic mechanism works on. We act, or fail to act, not because of ‘will,’ as is so commonly believed, but because of imagination.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz, 1960
Our actions are driven by the mental images we hold about ourselves and the world, not by abstract willpower alone.
In simple terms: Imagination, not will, guides behavior.
Key Takeaway
Cultivate empowering self‑images.
Themes
self‑concept
imagination
behavior
psychology
Mood
reflective
motivational
Type
advice
psychological
inspirational
When to use this quote
- personal development
- coaching
- therapy
- performance improvement
Key Concepts
self‑image
goal‑setting
automatic processes
Questions to Reflect On
- What self‑image are you acting on?
- How can you reshape your mental picture?
A Different Perspective
Imagination can be distorted, leading to self‑fulfilling negative outcomes.
