In our first session James rated his effort in trying at school and especially in reading and writing at 2/10. He said that “I’m not good at anything”. In our work we focused on improving James self-belief through recognising what he was good at and what was preventing him from focusing at reading and writing. We discovered that James felt pressure in class and self-judgement about dyslexia which would make him feel nervous. This was having a negative influence on his self-esteem.
We carried out various ego-strengthening tasks and anchored positive states that James could use when he noticed he was feeling bad in class. James learned that his belief was holding him back, not his ability.
We also worked on the mind-body connection, as James’s body language reflected that of someone self-deprecating and uncertain. James learned the physiology of success and to be aware of how his body was affecting his mind and vice versa. James now rates his effort in reading and writing and school at 9/10. He said, “I know I can do it now”.
When approaching a new personal goal James said “I did that [improved my confidence and effort] so I know I can do this”. James has gone from strength to strength, he now has a growth mindset, and believes he can achieve whatever he puts his mind to. Before our work James had dropped out of work experience after 3 weeks as he did not believe in himself. He is now at a new work experience opportunity, he is doing so well his employers have told him he will be given a job if he continues the great work.
