The Projection Effect

Amanda Whitmore

So, let’s get to the core of this idea—perceptions is projections. It’s like the world is a mirror, reflecting our internal state back at us. James, I mean, that’s such a mind-bender, don't you think?

James Wildman

It really is. And, you know, Amanda, this concept isn't entirely new—it was influenced by Carl Jung. He believed that much of what we perceive in the world is a reflection of ourselves. Essentially, he suggested that when we notice qualities—good or bad—in others, we’re actually seeing parts of ourselves.

Amanda Whitmore

Oh, that completely tracks. Like when you're in one of those moods—you know, when everything feels like it's going wrong and suddenly every single person you meet appears... well, kind of unbearable.

James Wildman

Exactly. Take this. If you’re stressed, for example, you’re much more likely to interpret a colleague’s neutral behavior as annoyance or animosity, when they might actually just be preoccupied with their own tasks.

Amanda Whitmore

Oh, I know! A couple of years ago, I misinterpreted a colleague’s tone—thought they were being condescending when, really, I was so stressed about a project that I projected my own insecurities onto their words. It was like, "Amanda, stop overthinking."

James Wildman

Exactly! It's such a powerful example. And Jung’s work really emphasizes this idea—that we often blame external factors when, in reality, it’s our internal state that's coloring the situation.

Amanda Whitmore

It's so true. And schools are like a perfect laboratory for this. There was that story about the teacher who was told her students were low achievers. And—surprise, surprise—her expectations shaped their results. Then the next year, those same students thrived simply because a new teacher believed in their potential.

James Wildman

I’ve read about that. It’s such a striking example of how much influence our perceptions have—not only on how we interpret people but on how they perform in response.

Amanda Whitmore

Right, and if our internal world can do that to others, imagine what it does to us on a daily basis. I mean, it’s all interconnected—thoughts, emotions, and actions.

James Wildman

Absolutely. And when we start to consciously notice this dynamic, we can take responsibility for the energy we put into the world. You know, it’s that whole idea of crafting an awareness of our behavior.

Amanda Whitmore

Building on that idea of interconnectedness, James, let’s dive into how it extends beyond thoughts and emotions—right into the mind-body connection. You know, how everything ties together chemically and neurologically. It’s amazing when you think about how much our bodies respond to what’s happening in our brains.

James Wildman

Absolutely. And it’s all thanks to neurotransmitters. These are the chemical messengers that travel between neurons and essentially translate everything from thought to movement.

Amanda Whitmore

Wait, so every blink, every step, every glance... basically, it’s all orchestrated by these little messengers?

James Wildman

Exactly. Deepak Chopra talked about this—how neurotransmitters don’t just stay in the brain, but actually "bathe" the entire body. Which means every cell in our body is, in a way, listening to our thoughts.

Amanda Whitmore

That’s both fascinating and a bit intimidating. if I have a bad day and start railing against the world, my body—on some level—feels it too? Oh great, as if I needed more reasons to manage stress.

James Wildman

Well, it’s why this connection is so important to understand. And there’s more! Take Dr. Penfield’s research back in the '50s. He applied electrodes to a patient’s brain, and guess what? She was able to recall smells, sounds—even the details of her second birthday. It showed how memory storage and recall could be triggered physically.

Amanda Whitmore

Wait, that's insane. So all our experiences, every little moment, just sits there waiting to be accessed?

James Wildman

Pretty much! Although it’s not as simple as just pressing play. The mind and body store these experiences collectively—it’s a dynamic system. Even animals demonstrate this instinctively. When I was in the Amazon, I watched jaguars hunt. Their response times, their behavior... it’s all instinct, yes, but triggered by neurological processes that respond to each moment’s variables.

Amanda Whitmore

It's like their entire system is fine-tuned for survival. Honestly, humans could learn a thing or two about that level of mindfulness—or maybe "instinctfulness," if that’s a word we’ll pretend exists.

James Wildman

We really could. But that’s where this mind-body connection comes into play. Understanding it gives us the ability to influence how we think, feel, and act.

Amanda Whitmore

And it circles back to what we said earlier—paying attention to our internal state because it doesn’t just stay confined to our heads does it.

Amanda Whitmore

So, James, building on what you said about influencing how we think and feel—let’s dive into something that’s both empowering and maybe a bit intimidating. It’s that realization that transformation starts with personal responsibility, that moment where we understand it all begins with us.

James Wildman

Absolutely, Amanda. And here’s the thing—it’s not about blaming yourself for everything that goes wrong but understanding that how you respond to situations is within your control. It’s like a choice we make every single moment.

Amanda Whitmore

Oh, for sure. And, honestly, isn’t that where NLP really shines? It’s not some magic wand fixing things for you—it’s a toolset. You have to pick it up and use it.

James Wildman

Exactly. One of the best illustrations of this comes from hypnosis. If I were to say, "Close your eyes and relax," Amanda, who’s actually making that happen? It’s not me—it’s you choosing to follow the suggestion.

Amanda Whitmore

Right. It’s like you’re unwinding, but only because you’ve decided to. That’s such a great example—it’s subtle, but it drives home the idea that responsibility for emotional responses really does lie with us.

James Wildman

And that shift in mindset can impact every area of life, from personal growth to professional interactions. If we approach challenges believing we’re powerless, guess what? We’ll act powerless. But if we embrace the idea that we, you know, influence the outcome—everything changes

Amanda Whitmore

"Oh, it totally does! This reminds me of the US Women's National Team in 2015. After their devastating 2011 World Cup final loss to Japan, they could have become demoralized. Instead, coach Jill Ellis empowered players like Carli Lloyd with greater on-field decision-making responsibility. Lloyd later described how this trust transformed her mindset from self-doubt to self-belief. In the 2015 World Cup final rematch against Japan, Lloyd scored a historic hat trick in the first 16 minutes, including that unforgettable goal from midfield. The team won 5-2, reclaiming the championship. Sometimes the difference between defeat and triumph isn't talent but shifting from feeling like victims of past failure to taking ownership of creating success."

James Wildman

That’s such a brilliant example! Sports psychology demonstrates this principle all the time. Changing the story we tell ourselves has such a profound impact. And it’s the same in coaching or any personal development journey—belief in the possibility of change is key.

Amanda Whitmore

Exactly. And it’s what makes NLP so powerful—it gives people the tools to rewrite those stories in their heads. But like we said, you’ve gotta take responsibility for using those tools. You’ve gotta commit to the process.

James Wildman

Absolutely. No one else can do it for you. But the reward is, well, extraordinary. When you see the change in yourself, it feels like the whole world shifts with you.

Amanda Whitmore

And on that note, I think we’ve come full circle, haven’t we? From projections to mind-body connections to personal responsibility—it’s all about being intentional with your energy and your mindset.

James Wildman

It really is. And that’s our challenge to you, dear listeners—become consciously competent in your responses and embrace the change you want in your life.

Amanda Whitmore

Couldn’t have said it better, James. And that’s all for today! Thank you for joining us on this journey. As always, keep reflecting, keep growing, and we’ll see you next time.

James Wildman

Take care, everyone.