It was Carl Jung who first introduced the concept of the “Shadow Self” —the darker side of the human psyche. Our Shadow is the opposite of our natural state, what we refer to as Best Self. In Best Self we are happier, more connected and more productive. Life stressors, repression of personal needs, the wrong job, or a difficult relationship can trigger you into Shadow behavior.

The opposite of a trigger is a cue - an intentional physical response, such as a deep breath offer you the option to change the channel in your head and gives you the freedom to imagine the future you want and what you want to achieve.

You can use imagery to prepare like an elite athlete prepares for the game. You can imagine situations where Shadow traits tend to emerge, perhaps in high-stakes meetings, challenging social interactions, or even during everyday tasks where pressures might make you feel reactive. Once identified, use cues to prompt imagery that reinforces your Best Self in these scenarios. This way, you begin to retrain your brain, forming pathways that default to constructive responses rather than reactive ones.

Creating Cues to Activate Best Self Imagery
To activate your Best Self, you can set up specific cues that serve as mental activators for imagery aligned with your Best Self traits. For example, if you often experience Shadow behaviors when speaking publicly, you might use a small action, like taking a sip of water, as a cue. At that moment, imagine yourself confidently addressing the audience, feeling calm and grounded. You might imagine the entire scene: the smell of the leather chairs in the room, your voice sounding clear and strong, your body language open and assured, and the audience reacting with interest and support. Through repeated use, this cue-to-imagery routine becomes instinctive, helping to counteract nerves and invite a sense of calm that aligns with your Best Self.

Reinforcing Positive Pathways
The beauty of structured imagery practice is that it gradually rewires your brain to prioritize Best Self behaviors. When training your mind to associate certain cues with motivational imagery, you create shortcuts that make it easier to access positive responses in real situations. This technique isn’t about erasing Shadow behaviors but recognizing when they arise and choosing a constructive path.

With continued practice, this routine becomes part of your mental toolkit, reinforcing your confidence and ability to act from a place of purpose, even under pressure. It’s a powerful way to guide your thinking and stay rooted in your Best Self, no matter what the situation brings.

The choice is up to you. The remote control is in your head. Keep in mind that the further you venture from your nature the less freedom you actually have.