Does this sound familiar? You make a list of goals or resolutions, you're
filled with energy and zeal, you get sidetracked, the list gets lost or deleted,
you're back to where you were but feeling a bit more defeated than when you
started . . .
Does this sound familiar? You make a list of goals or resolutions, you're
filled with energy and zeal, you get sidetracked, the list gets lost or deleted,
you're back to where you were but feeling a bit more defeated than when you
started . . .
If this were a paid television commercial, some guy would probably show up on the screen right now, flashing a smile way too big to be real, standing in front of his Rolls-Royce (parked in front of his mansion), saying something like, "And then I discovered the secret!"
I'm not driving a Rolls, nor would I be all that excited about the prospect of doing so. And my smile, thankfully, falls well within the range of what would be considered normal. But, being a voracious reader, I've recently turned my attention to the body of literature called Personal Growth or, in past times, Self Help. I've selected books in this genre carefully, read those I've obtained attentively and have obtained what I consider to be positive results from the endeavor.
My life has pretty much always been a happy and lucky one. Following my course of study, though, I'm starting to understand why I've generally been happy and lucky, and am able to more effectively channel my efforts in the direction of my choosing.
Before getting to the list, which includes both books I've read and books I intend to read, here's my personal take on personal growth:
The implications here are almost staggering. If you say, "Man, I am going to do this wrong until the day I die," the subconscious mind will interpret that as a decision of the conscious mind, and will put forth every effort in making it so. For this reason, negative or limiting thoughts are extremely costly. Conversely, if you say (or think), "I am going to master this and be extremely successful at it for the rest of my life," the subconscious acts on that decision.
In other words: 1) you think something, either positive or negative; 2) the subconscious gets to work on it as a command, and; 3) if there's any way for it to happen, it happens.
Easy, yes?
Except for one thing; you must work hard, and persevere. That's why I've included Samuel Smiles' Self Help with more modern books. Smiles' timeless advice, coupled with 21st century knowledge, can lead you to success.
| It Works is not a book at all, but don't let that dissuade
you. It's a small, inexpensive booklet that fits in your shirt
pocket. I carry my copy in my briefcase - takes up no room at all,
and is always worth re-reading.
Bruce I Doyle's Before You Think Another Thought looks and sounds too simplistic (almost silly) to be of any real value, but it is actually a very worthwhile book, and the reasoning is generally sound.
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| Joseph Murphy's The Power of Your Subconscious Mind is a bit
too far out there in some its claims - okay, most of its claims - and the writing style is quite florid,
but it is nevertheless a classic that you should consider reading.
Message of a Master is a short book that reads like a novel. Most persons, myself included, find it both intriguing and enlightening. |
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| Samuel Smiles might be termed the father of modern self-help books.
His book, Self Help, was both popular and influential in
Victorian times, and is a refreshing antidote to slick 21st century
self-help books that somehow avoid mentioning the terms "hard work" and
"character." This is my favorite of all self-help books, and one
which I often turn to for inspiration. To read this book online,
click here. James Allen authored a number of important writings on personal growth, including As a Man Thinketh. The complete text of As a Man Thinketh is now available online - click here - but there's still a good reason for buying The Wisdom of James Allen, or actually two good reasons: first, it's convenient to carry around; second, it also includes The Path to Prosperity, The Mastery of Destiny, Entering the Kingdom, and The Way of Peace. |
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There are also, of course, interesting texts on the internet:
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