Review: The Master Key System

The Master Key System by Charles F. Haanel

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This book was originally written as a correspondence course (remember those?) back in 1912. It predates some of the more commonly known success titles, such as Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and the more contemporary success standard, Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins.

This book is on par with any book on the topic of achievement I have ever read. In fact, it has become my "go to" book when I need a jump start of inspiration (along with the Bible).

What I like about the way Charles Haanel delivers his content is that it is highly modular and paragraphs are self contained lessons and a few paragraphs combined is like reading a blog in today's times. As a result, you can grab a few nuggets and move around throughout the book. It does not have to be read "linearly".

The Law of Attraction is a core element of the book and is obviously a forerunner of The Secret by Rhonda Byrnes. What I like is that this book ties direct to religion, spirituality and God without trying to convert the reader with doctrine. A seasoned Bible reader will be able to discern the direct tie in to Biblical concepts but religion is not a pre-requisite to enjoying this book.

The most impactful concept for me is the process of bringing things from the thought realm into the physical world...

Idealization
Visualization
Materialization

While simple concepts, Haanel goes in-depth into the states of mind you have to generate to emotionalize feelings in a way that creates corresponding action...leading to realization.

I also own the Cd's of this book, which I would highly recommend for reinforcement and meditation. This classic deserves a wider audience and is a must read for students of success!





View all my reviews

Review: Unlimited Power : The New Science Of Personal Achievement

Unlimited Power : The New Science Of Personal Achievement by Anthony Robbins

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



It is hard to argue with perennial worldwide success!

There is no doubt that Anthony Robbins is the standard-bearer for the psychology of achievement and success. I was exposed to him for the first time back in the late 80s from a Rolling Stone article. I believe there was a Michael Jackson or Prince feature and I ended up reading this about some wunderkind of 19 years of age.

At that time, he was famous for the fire walks that people would take at the end of each session. While a metaphor for the ability to change, it may have initially labeled him incorrectly. Honestly, I thought he was a cult leader of some sort.

Fast forward two years later - After seeing a late-night infomercial, I would buy the book Unlimited Power. The book would change my life, as it has millions of others.

At the time I read the book, I had read at least 50 to 60 success classics. Names such as Wallace Wattles, Prentice Mulford, Catherine Ponder, James Allen, and many others of this genre. This was the first time to be exposed to a contemporary message of success, and that was part of his appeal to me – bringing new language to success.

With a growing young family and blind ambition, I faced many difficult times, particualarly financially. The foundation that had been established by those Classics, and then the injection of Robbins' over-the-top enthusiasm, kept me motivated and inspired to keep pressing.

Strangely, it was the televangelist Charles Stanley that reignited my goal setting sessions and brought me back to this book in 1990. I then purchased the unlimited power CDs and began using them along with my spiritual foundation. It was that combination that defined my approach to life - to live with no compromise and be balanced - mentally, physically, socially, spiritually and financially.

As with each of us, my journey had great challenges, but through books like this one I ultimately found success and have achieved most of the goals I have written down. I have financial success, work that fulfills me, a great relationship with my wife and kids and have so much more to look forward to and that I want to achieve.

I have even authored several books, including a psychology of success volume, and as many of us in this genre would have to acknowledge, Unlimited Power is an inspiration for those works.

Though it was not written in the 1800s or early 1900s, like most of the success books on my shelf, I view this book as a must read and a classic!

I would highly recommend this book!



View all my reviews

Review: Riches Within Your Reach!

Riches Within Your Reach! by Robert Collier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This is truly a success classic and combines 4 of Robert Colliers works - "The God in You", "The Magic Wand", "The Secret of Power" and "The Law of Higher Potential".

This volume is 565 pages and provides a matriculation into the University of Success U!

The first work, "The God In You" will immediately reflect the fact that Collier had trained to be a priest, but went into business. He was very successful and his "Kings and Priests" perspectives are driven by this foundation and makes him extremely credible (in my book!) in regards to the subject matter.

For those of us that are capitalist (and not afraid to admit it!) and don't want the paradox of "wealth and worthiness" that cloud so many spiritual essays, these works give you a corresponding viewpoint to the value of "divine riches".

Colliers writing style flows and is easily understandable and relatable though written in 1930's and 40's. The concepts are consistent to what most books on achievement subscribe to such as power of thoughts, law of attraction and compensation. Collier sets himself apart with level of detail, intellectual depth and spiritual directness that aligns with people of faith.

If I could only own 10 books on the subject of success, wealth and life fulfillment, this would be one of them...I highly recommend it for those looking for a deeper view of mental/spiritual driven success!





View all my reviews

Review: The Secret of the Ages

The Secret of the Ages by Robert Collier

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I bought this title the same time as "The Riches Within Your Reach" also by Robert Collier. At the time, I didn't know if the volumes would be redundant or what new learning this title would present.

Cutting to the chase, this was actually a better volume and I have literally worn the cover off! I gave this book to my father (who actually introduced me to success books when I was a teen) and he loved it as well.

At 400 pages, it is chock full of deeper revelation regarding the power of thoughts, the mind, and universal supply. Given that Collier trained to be a priest, the reader should not be surprised and the number and directness of Biblical principles and quotes. However, I would not discount this volume based on differences in religion as he does not try to convert...but convey truths that have been substantiated globally.

You can not be in a hurry to finish this book but rather, take a chapter by chapter approach and journal the key learning and how you can apply it to your life. The chapters that impacted me the most;

"See Yourself Doing It" - which outlines the elements of effective visualizations and imaginations - clear, focused and vivid.

"The Law of Supply" - much like Emerson's Essay on Compensation, this chapter more plainly describes how to get what you need out of life...to demand it through thoughts, words and deeds.

As I state in most of my reviews, these types of books have to be "tuned" to the ear (or eyes!) of the reader and they are not for everyone. There are chapters that I have skipped having read them once, but there are others that I have read dozens of times over the years...it is truly a top 10 favorite of my library of "friends".

Get this book for your success collection!



View all my reviews

Review: The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity

The Dynamic Laws of Prosperity by Catherine Ponder

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This book by Catherine Ponder is the best on financial prosperity that I have read. I have read well over 200 books in the success genre (mainly older volumes like this one) and Ponder is the most plain & thorough.

Ponder explains that prosperity is God's will but that it requires beliefs and actions on our part. As with many in this genre of books, there are religious elements throughout. The key for any religion reading these books(I am a Christian) is not to suspend your core beliefs but use them as the foundation for what you are reading. Catherine is very specific with use of Bible Verses.

For me, her beliefs aligned perfectly with mine and she also reinforced a concept that was new...and scary for me at that time...tithing. Many of the current and classic prosperity and success books include gratitude but not the principle of tithing.

This work is outlined much in the way that "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill is - with chapters on Self-Confidence, Charm, Persistence, and Power of Thought. It also integrates prayer and affirmations as tools to engage the inherent power in each of us in connection with a loving God who wants to see our needs/desired met.

She uses real word testimonies that give the reader a chance to correlate the teachings to their own lives.

While the overt Biblical connections, including specific Bible verses, will not appeal to those not religiously inclined, those that are seeking in-depth reinforcement to their Sunday Sermons will find deeper revelation in this book.

This book is one of my favorites and would be one of my Top 10...I highly recommend this book!


Good supportive reading for those already schooled in success principles, but would not be my first choice for those new to the genre.



View all my reviews

Review: The Instant Millionaire: A Tale of Wisdom and Wealth

The Instant Millionaire: A Tale of Wisdom and Wealth by Mark Fisher

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I found the book "The Instant Millionaire" by Mark Fisher to be one of the best stories on success I had ever read.

At the time I was exposed to Fisher, I had read most of the success classics. I was also at the height of financial struggles and trying to figure out "life" - about 28 years old - close to the central character. My public library actually had the tapes of the book and my family (my wife and two small sons at the time) drove down to Savannah and listened to the entire book...twice.

I then bought a copy of the book and read it several times. While the information contained is "light" in contrast to Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins or "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill, it resonated in my "inner man" in a way that spurred hope...

It was from this book that I re-wrote my goals to be more life oriented as opposed to lifestyle. I began to think of my life 5-fold - mentally, spiritually, socially, physically as well as financially.

This book inspired me not only to read books (for free with library card!) but build a personal library. I have an expansive library today due to this book.

As an author of books on sales and life mastery, I use this same parable/fable format inspired greatly by this book. Stories are the most effective way to convey concepts and their impact on our lives.

I would recommend this book for anyone needing encouragement and inspiration on their personal success journey, but particularly, the young high school student or recent college graduate.

It is simple, timeless, and will resonate at the core to someone who is seeking direction.

I highly recommend this book!



View all my reviews