Dr. Maxwell Maltz, author of the best seller "Psycho-Cybernetics" wrote, "The goal of any psychotherapy is to change an individual's image of himself." (quoted from Being Happy - Andrew Matthews).
Easy to say, tough to do. Where does one start? There are so many demands on our time and we have so many habits around our self image. My conscious brain looks at the world optimistically. My subconscious brain has had the habit of thinking about what I don't like and what I don't want to do. My subconscious has, up to now, been in the driver's seat.
The transformation has come from writing in My Happy Heart Journal every day about being happy with what I have (gratitude), finding meaning in every day, and noticing and celebrating daily achievements. This has shifted my subconscious brain to be more integral with my conscious brain and my energy is used for enjoyment of life rather than wishing it were so. The change has been natural since I had no goal to improve my self-image. My resulting self-image of being a happy, rather than a somewhat sad person is extraordinary. [Russell]