For all of us, there was a pivotal book that came along at just the right time in our lives …
It changed the way we thought in such a profound way that it literally altered our destiny and lead us to levels of success that would have been unthinkable otherwise.
I found mine when I was just 13 years old …
On the bookshelf at my Grandfather’s house was a little book about 5″ x 3″ … a quick read, about 60 pages of sparse type. For some reason the ideas in this little book resonated with me and made me see the world differently.
I still have this book today, and I make a point of pulling it out and reading it from cover to cover every year around this time. And each year it reinvigorates my resolve for ever greater levels of self-knowledge and achievement.
Here are just a few of the things it’s taught me:
- The one thing I can control with absolute certainty are the thoughts I think, and that is enough …
- I am the shaper of my own destiny by virtue of the thoughts I choose and encourage …
- Through thought I mold the condition of my character. And through character I am the shaper of my environment and the captain of my destiny …
- I am where I am that I may learn and that I may grow …
- I am not a product of my circumstances. My circumstances are a product of me …
- Suffering is always the result of wrong thought in some direction …
- He who has conquered doubt and fear has conquered failure …
- Until thought is linked with purpose, there can be no intelligent accomplishment — only petty worries, fears, troubles, and self-pityings …
- And many more pearls of wisdom to live by …
The author expressed these simple thoughts with profound eloquence, and they first came to me at a time when I needed them badly. I can’t imagine where my life would have led me had I not been influenced by his words.
His name is James Allen, and the book is called As a Man Thinketh — published in 1902.
For anyone honestly searching for the keys to lasting success and prosperity, this little book is still as relevant and useful today as it was when it was first published.
Download your own personal copy here, but first, tell me about the book that most influenced your life, and why. Perhaps I’ll read it.
Just type your thoughts in the comments box below.
Daniel, your title by James Allen has also influenced me tremendously and certainly many others. (Being a book collector, I have an early edition.)
My own choice? The True Believer: thoughts on the nature of mass movements (by Eric Hoffer)
Hey Bill, I’ve read this too. A tougher read, but incredible insights in to building following. Thanks for the contribution.
Daniel,
James Allen’s concise yet deep thoughts are a part
of many great reads of the early 1900’s. I find that
Wattle’s “Science of Getting Rich” keeps interrupting my chain of thought. Download at
http://www.websyte.com/unity/rich.htm.
Thanks for all you do Daniel.
Daniel, I have that book. I had forgotten about it and was cleaning out my closet about 2 weeks ago, which stores boxes of books I love to read and it’s the only book I placed on my desk to read this holiday season. Absolute truth. (I’m staring at it right now.)
You’re right, it’s a life changing book. I can’t remember how this little book came into my hands, but I’m glad it did.
The book that is changing my life at this time, is:
“The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino
If you’re getting burned out, people are getting on your nerves and you just can’t seem to feel any love flowing though you…it’s a great book to study. Especially, if you want to have great relationships with your customers!
Happy Holiday Season to Daniel and all his fans.
Shirley Bass
A favourite: “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” by Richard Bach.
The #1 book that has impacted my life (hands down) is the Bible but as far as business books are concerned, I loved these:
*Influence, The Psychology Of Persuasion — by Cialdini
*Zig Ziglar’s Secrets Of Closing The Sale — by Zig Ziglar
*Rich Dad Poor Day — by Kiyosaki
I’m reading Jay Abraham’s newest book, The Sticking Point Solution, and am loving it! I’m not done yet but can wholeheartedly recommend it!
On my Christmas Wish List?
Yes! 50 Scientifically Proven Ways To Be Persuasive — by Cialdini
And…
The Ultimate Sales Machine — by Chet Holmes
Merry Christmas Daniel and thanks for the ebook!
Thanks Daniel, What a great idea.
There are so many…
I think the biggest life changer for me it a toss up between Dante’s Inferno — it really got me out of downward spiral in my rock-n-roll lifestyle, and then Angela Carter’s collection of retold fairy tales, The Bloody Chamber. I’d finally found an author who spoke in a voice that got me excited about prose and set me on a path to writing fiction. I only pursued it as a hobby for many years
and started writing full time almost 10 years ago. The sheer resonance of her prose, imagination, and ability to stir the subconscious with highly baroque images still have a great affect on my work.
Have a wonderful holiday — it’s the one I can’t spell…
Cheers,
Arlene
Gracias por el libro, yo tenia un extracto del mismo y ahora este completo es bueno
Luis Flores
Mexico DF
Easy. “Winning Through Intimidation” by Robert Ringer.
I read this book about 3 years ago and have shred several copies with my fellow traders
Hi Daniel, Looking forward to reading the book, thanks for making it available.
The book I have liked most… Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz a classic.
Happy Holidays to you and yours in Canada.—Cheers
One book that came to mind . . .
The Four Agreements- by Don Miguel Ruiz
Hey Daniel…
As I piece together my own “Dynamic Speaking” program I’ve been reading and re-reading much of my own material the last few days.
That said — I was just interviewed yesterday about “Life Purpose.” At this time of year as we all do take time to reflect I think the question…
“What is my Purpose” does tend to cross our minds.
In the interview I covered several things that hinder our “Path to Purpose” and in doing so mentioned this book…
“Practicing The Power of Now” by Eckhart Tolle. (The short version of The Power of Now)
I’d encourage everyone to read and re-read and re-read it.
For sure — I’ll be reading it again over the next two weeks.
Here’s one of the biog takeaways…
The idea of — “Adding to self.”
It’s quite an ah ha moment when we realize how desperately we all try to make ourselves more than we are.
In 2010 — more than ever — I’ll be keeping as conscious as I can be to dissolving my own automated will to “Add To Self.”
Now…
As it relates to business books I Looooooooove…
Purple Cow by Seth Godin.
For sure I’ll also be working to “Stay Purple” in 2010. : )
To do so I’ll be remembering Seth Godin’s quote…
“They say take market share — I say create the market.”
How good is that? : )
Happy New Year Daniel!
copywriting coach
— Shaune
My recommended book for 2009 is
“In the twinkle of an I”
Daniel L. Tocchini
Not light reading but soul expanding as you “clear your life” for an unprecedented future
The littlest angel
Thanks for the gift Daniel. It’s hard to pick just one, so I’m giving this one because it was the first for me and truly set me on a journey. See You At The Top (Zig Ziglar). Most inspiration message from this book, “You can get anything you want in life if you’ll just help enough other people get what they want”. Happy holidays!
The book that has most influenced my life at this point in time is the one that I most recently wrote and self-published, “Slinging Stones when United States Congress has lost control and American Courts are out of control.” Why? No one knows who or what challenges one will have to face in life, but one would be wise to remember that “it is not so much what happens as to how you handle them.”
Thanks for the opportunity to contribute.
Daniel, I recommend Juggling Elephants by Jones Loflin and Todd Musig. This little book of 131 pages is excellent.
All the best, Nicole
Hi Daniel,
Great idea, and thanks for your generosity!
My life changer was “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand. Sure puts today’s delusional double-speak in perspective.
Hello Daniel,
Thank you very much for this post. It was a great idea, specially for these holidays.
I totally get how AS A MAN THINKETH could and did change your Life. I love the Book! It is just wonderful that you got to read it at such an early age.
There are sooo many wonderful books, don’t you think? In my case, the one which ultimately made my life better and a loooot happier lately and helped me become even more optimistic, decisive and responsible, was “The Way to Happiness”.
It is a perfect complement for “As A Man Thinketh”. It is an amazingly simple an realistic book, as well as pretty easy to follow through.
You are going to love it!
Anyone can download it for free, (no strings attached), here:
http://www.thewaytohappiness.org/about/resources-and-downloads/e-books/
There are some great videos one can watch there, as well!
THANKS AGAIN AND HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL OF YOU!
Cheers from Mexico,
Ana Lavaque
So many books. One comes to mind. WILD SWANS – it gripped me, brought me into China from the early twentieth century through the Communist Revolution to the 1970’s. Why does this book come to mind? Before I had the theory, of what the different political movements did. With this book, I was there, in this autobiography of 3 generations – grandmother, mother and the author. It changed profoundly my experience of China, my understanding of Chinese Communism and Mao Tse Tung. The book had such a feeling of truth to it.
There are so many books that have changed my life. Two that come to mind immediately:
Unlimited Power by Tony Robbins
7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey
One I have just finished is “A Whole New Mind” by Daniel Pink
So many great books that are waiting for me over the holidays. It is an exciting and life changing time!
Chris
What a clever idea. Really nice thought. Really interesting restructure of email – turning one way into an exchange. Excellent. Fits human psychology a heap better. And it fits with the third of my titles very closely.
First, at seventeen : James Frazer – The Golden Bough (abridged to around 700pp – reading all thirteen volumes is one of those things “I want to do before I die”)
Second, at thirty-two, Daniel P. Moynihan – Maximum Feasible Misunderstanding
Third, around the same age and stage in life, Saul Alinksky – Reveille for Radicals (this is interesting now to ponder as the text of Obama’a social organising period in his life – and a hopeful thought too, since it implies he will seek to involve everybody in creating their own salvation, while enabling support structures to form to enable and empower))
Hi,
I can’t send a download link for Dantes Inferno or “The Bloody Chamber”, but for those who have time for the arts, Please enjoy my gift. Its my short story,
“Roses, Briars Blood” base on Grimm’s Briar Rose.
Its dark, Gothic and not for the kiddies.
Includes podcasta of me reading reading the story.
Go here with my blessings for the new year:
http://www.gothicfaerytales.com
Go to the tab: Faery Treasure
password: Perrault
I have to agree with Chris King on…
“A Whole New Mind”
One of five books I didn’t stop reading until I was completely through it.
I think it’s particularly revealing for those of us who tend to be creative thinkers.
I went to your site Chris — Looks like you are! : )
— Shaune
The book, “Jonathan Livingston Seagull” literally changed my life. I saw myself as Jonathan, of course. In looking back over the 15 or so years since I read it, I realize I owe my life, my business, and all of my successes to this little book that gave me the only encouragement I had ever received in my entire life at the point in time I read it. It was a great starting place for me. Richard Bach… I bow in honor to you.
“As A Man Thinketh” is a priceless classic, no question. Another short read of timeless wisdom is “Acres of Diamonds”, Russell Conwell’s retelling of the beautiful tale of Ali Hafed. The dissatisfied Persian farmer was so enamored with the promise of far away wealth and so obsessed in his quest for diamonds that he sacrificed his property, his family and ultimately, his life, when in the ultimate twist of fate, the largest diamond mine in the country was in his backyard all along. The implicit moral to open one’s eyes and recognize the treasure already existent all around, if one but takes the time to notice and exerts the effort to dig for the gems is as relevant as ever, particularly in these turbulent economic times.
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker has had the most impact. Having attended the three day Millionaire Intensive Live along with reading the book has made the changes in attitude and approach to the day to day stuff a way of life.
Hi Daniel,
I have heard of ‘ As A Man Thinketh ‘ but never really come across it until now.
Perhaps this is fate as things aren’t going so well at the moment. I know the philosophy behind your thoughts and how they create your experience but I think I have been living in denial and wallowing in my current situation.
One poem that I came across during a particularly turbulent time in my life and is also a book is
‘ The Invitation ‘ by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. The words in this poem have such power and honesty.
Time to stand above circumstances and create change.
Thanks so much for this gift you bring.
Kind regards,
Malcolm.
Hello Daniel,
I love reading, and listening to all of this type of material. Right now, I have a pretty good collection. By far, “Think And Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill is my all time favorite. “Secrets Of The Ages” by Robert Collier, and “How To Win Friends And Influence People” by Dale Carnegie are also excellent… There are just so many Great books out there. I’ve been wanting to get “As A Man Thinketh” for sometime now. So, this is the Perfect Gift… Thank You! I want to wish you and your family a “Happy Holiday” season, and I pray for all of us, that 2010 will be the Best Year ever for millions, and millions of people worldwide…
Take care,
I Appreciate everything,
Vic Boxwell
Rockville, MD
Hi Daniel,
A couple of the books I’ve read recently are The Last Lecture and Tuesdays with Morrie. I will definitely be referring back to the books listed in the previous replies. Thank you for asking the question and for the download. 🙂
blessings,
Laurelee
Daniel,
Thanks so much for sharing that! Also, for the great suggestions that were shared because of it. I hope to find them all and bury myself into a few days of books. It’s great weather for that right now!
For myself, probably the most influential book in my life was introduced to me about a year ago, which is Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki. It is a great read not only for financial education, but life lessons as well, and it is an easy read for all ages (25 here, and find it hard to read some of those books, but this was a really easy read for me.)
Thanks again everybody! And Daniel. I look forward to reading James Allen’s book. Let you know what I think!
Daniel,
Alan Watt’s “The Wisdom of Insecurity” has probably affected my life most. I first read it at age 22, and impacted my life greatly.
I’ve read it about every 10 years since then. (I’m thinking I’m due to read it again.)
Thanks for the gift, Daniel.
Phil Hamilton
A line of of thinking we don’t see today J Allen must have been a profound thinker of his time. Have read few positive thinking and getting rich books but non with J Allen’s views on how to influence yourself. I have a few
How to influence people, Dale Carnegie
Rich Dad Poor Dad, Kiyosaki
But the book that started it all was, is still my best read
Secrets of Mind Power, Harry Lorayne, Published 1961, ISBN 0 7225 2512 5. Happly Holidays Devash Appalraju (Durban)
Daniel,
Thank you very much for sharing that!
My life changer was “The Fountainhead” by Ayn Rand.
The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz is one of my all time favorites. I get back to it every time I need reassurance. On the other front The Alchemist by Paul Coelho for following your dreams!
Hi Daniel,
What a great idea, to share these life changing books !
In a strange way I seem to have trouble to read to the end the books like “As A Man Thinketh” and “The Science Of Growing Rich”.
But I have a few books that I can easily read many times over, because they ware life changing on a very deep level, or at least makes many view their lives in a different more holistic way.
These three books ware all life changing for me:
1) Conversations with God : An Uncommon Dialogue (Book 1) (Neal Donald Walsh) because it has freed my self of self-criticism and guilt feelings/thoughts, kind of liberating … (*-*)
2) The Angel Inside (Kris Widener) a pure beauty that is a recommendable read for everyone
3) The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success (Deepak Chopra) pure gold for those that can create the habit to learn, understand and practice one law for each day of the weak.
Wish you all a marvellous Christmas and New Year period, with much inspiration and insights.
Paul.
Women Who Run With the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estes…I just keep coming back to it for more support and inspiration in time of need.
Thanks for the great freebie. Merry Christmas!
Mine is RID DAD POOR DAD by Kiyosaki
Thank you Daniel.
It IS a great book. I think I could just read it again during the next days.
The book that has helped me personally – a lot – when I was juggling with full time job, husband, kids and designing a new career for myself: “Awaken the giant within” from Antony Robbins (the German edition: “Das Robbins Power Prinzip”). I cannot “swap” it, however it is a really tiny investment considering the life changing benefit you get for it – the great Ted Nicholas once said something like: A book is the condensed wisdom of another person’s mind.
This is so true and the price you pay for it is really ridiculous if you compare it to the value of some pizzas of sometimes even cups of coffee.
Merry Christmas to all of you!
Daniel,
Thanks for starting a chain reaction toward the uplifting of of this, your community. Here is my grain of sand.
Two books have definately impacted my life.
The first and most important is “The Rosicrucian Cosmo Concepcion” by Max Heindel and the runner up is “Your Owner’s Manual” by Burt Hotchkiss available at: yourownersmanual.com.
One of my favorites is The End of Your World by Adyashanti.
Thanks Daniel and Happy Holidays to All!
Daniel,
Thank you for the ebook and thank you for all your tidbits of wisdom…
I firmly believe the best book (and my Bible) is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and a close second undoubtedly is Psycho-Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.
These two books alone reshaped my life purpose and brainwashed me in a very good way (I needed a good mental cleaning).
Pitty this isn’t mandatory reading for school children today as I truly believe the world would be so much better off…
Cheers!
Thomas
I would add that As a Man Thinketh is a great book. Actually, all of Allen’s books are inspiring. You can read his complete collection online (for free) at The James Allen Library: http://www.jamesallenlibrary.com
Thank you Daniel
In the order in which I discovered them…
Jonathan Livingston Seagull
Journeys Out of the Body (Altho Monroe misinterpreted almost every experience, it was nice to learn I’m not the only freak)
Atlas Shrugged
Breaking Free to Mental and Financial Independence
Illusions: Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
Conversations with God
Elements of Style
On Writing
Happy Holidaze Daniel
Nothing Changes ‘Till Something Moves.
Robert Ringer.
The title says it all.
Happy Holidays!
The book that helped me to better focus on reaching my goals was by Norman Vincent Peale, “The Power of Positive Thinking.”
No question–Psycho Cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz.
The Book that has made the biggest impact on my life is Busting Loose from the Money Game by Robert Scheinfeld. I must warn you though; don’t read it unless you seriously want to look at your life and your business in a new way!! It should come with a warning!
“Pulling Your Own Strings” by Wayne Dyer. It’s about freeing yourself from self-imposed bondage or even from those imposed by other people around you. Though I find Robert Ringer’s “Winning Through Intimidation” both insightful and enjoyable and Kurt Vonnegut’s “Galapagos” simply hilarious and witty!