Your Erroneous Zones by Wayne Dyer has great advice on how to set yourself free of others expectations so you can be true to yourself, truly happy and free. This is the first self-help book I ever read and it ignited a passion in me for the study of personal development and started me on the journey to living my best life. I’m so pleased that it’s still available in so many formats and I highly recommend it.
The book provides twenty-five questions designed to measure your capacity to choose happiness and fulfillment and a clear overview of the work that you might need to do.
You may discover some habits of thinking and acting that you didn’t realize are preventing you from being happy and free.
Take the Quiz
I invite you to go through the questions and honestly assess your thinking and behavior. “Yes” responses indicate personal mastery and effective choice-making. Each question includes the chapter where you can learn all about it.
- Do you believe that your mind is your own? (Chapter I)
- Are you capable of controlling your own feelings? (Chapter I)
- Are you motivated from within rather than from without? (Chapter VII)
- Are you free from the need for approval? (Chapter III)
- Do you set up your own rules of conduct for yourself? (Chapter VII)
- Are you free from the desire for justice and fairness? (Chapter VIII)
- Can you accept yourself and avoid complaining? (Chapter II)
- Are you free from hero worship? (Chapter VIII)
- Are you a doer rather than a critic? (Chapter IX)
- Do you welcome the mysterious and the unknown? (Chapter VI)
- Can you avoid describing yourself in absolute terms? (Chapter IV)
- Can you love yourself at all times? (Chapter II)
- Can you grow your own roots? (Chapter X)
- Have you eliminated all dependency relationships? (Chapter X)
- Have you eliminated all blame and fault-finding in your life? (Chapter VII)
- Are you free from ever feeling guilty? (Chapter V)
- Are you able to avoid worrying about the future? (Chapter V)
- Can you give and receive love? (Chapter II)
- Can you avoid immobilizing anger in your life? (Chapter XI)
- Have you eliminated procrastination as a life-style? (Chapter IX)
- Have you learned to fail effectively? (Chapter VI)
- Can you enjoy spontaneously without having a plan? (Chapter VI)
- Can you appreciate and create humor? (Chapter XI)
- Are you treated by others the way you want to be? (Chapter X)
- Are you motivated by your potential for growth, rather than a need to repair your deficiencies? (Chapter I)
The Power of Decision
Dyer goes on to say: “At any given moment of your life, you can choose to say yes to all of the questions above if you are willing to repeal many “shoulds” and “oughts” that you have learned throughout your life. The real choice is whether you decide to be personally free or remain chained to the expectations that others have of you.”
In the DreamBuilder Program, we refer to this as “changing your paradigm” and using “the power of decision.”
However, as Wayne says in the introduction, “Change is tough. If you’re like most people, every fiber of your being will resist having to take on the hard work of eliminating the thoughts that support your self-forfeiting feelings and behavior.
A Structured System of Support
To truly set yourself free will require a structured system of support like the DreamBuilder Program with coaching and a supportive community.
I look at “Personal Mastery” as a lifelong process and a great adventure. It’s a very rewarding and fun process when you have the right mindset, the right tools and the right support.
Have you set yourself free of “erroneous zones?” Do you have any questions? Let me know in the comments.
Here’s to being happy and free of erroneous zones!
Much love,
Mardi
P.S. Usually, it takes more than reading a book to transform one’s life. If you would love to have the coaching and community support that ensures results, join us in the Dream Big & Bloom Academy