NLP also assumes that we can learn by modeling successful people. By doing what successful people do, we also will be successful. First, we model the behavior we want to have. Next, we chunk down a complex behavior into bite-size pieces so we can learn and apply that behavior. This allows us to break down self-esteem into components and specific behaviors that are learnable and doable. Chunking down gives us the option of improving self-esteem with a step-by-step program.

The power of chunking down to change our behavior and our lives is immense. For example, Cathy is an eighteen-year-old high school senior with a learning disability. She is in special education classes. Because she had difficulty learning, Cathy went through most of her life with low self-esteem. After being given a copy of 31 Days to High Self-Esteem, she started practicing and applying the techniques and principles. After a week of applying the techniques to improve her self-image, a class bully told Cathy that he would not go out with someone like her because she was ugly. Statements like this usually devastated Cathy because she took them personally and they reinforced her low self-image. Instead of feeling bad about herself, Cathy told the boy that she wouldn’t want to go out with him either. This response astonished both Cathy’s teacher who overheard the conversation and her mother when the teacher related the incident to her.

Recently Cathy wrote me the following letter:

“First of all I need to thank my stepmom for buying this book and for making me read it. I was not real sure that I would be happy doing as I was told, but as it turns out I am so glad that I was handed this book and told to read it, because it has changed my entire outlook. I am somebody and I really like who I am. I also have found out that others like who I am too. I am not worthless, stupid or ugly. Mr. Bragg, thank you for being so instrumental in the changes I have made because of your book I now have some friends and I have a much better handle on who I am.

Not only do I have friends my own age but my stepmom and I are good friends now and I will always attribute that friendship to the things that I have learned from reading this book.”

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Cathy, Age 18

Cathy formed a study group with several of her friends to practice the techniques for building high self-esteem. This support group will reinforce her experience and allow her to help others improve their self-esteem. Cathy improved her self-image by chunking down complex, interrelated behaviors into single actions that she could take one at a time.