Some of the writing is old fashioned and it is a little more difficult to read than many books I’ve read. The difficulty lies, however, not in the era it was written (1937) as much as in the quantity of information that it contains. It is by no means a fluff piece on motivation.
Why, in one chapter alone, Napoleon Hill describes not five, not ten, but thirty-one major causes of failure to achieve a goal. In that list I found a number of areas I could use some work in, so I now have some really concrete ways that I can further improve my chances of success.
One quote from the book really struck me as the key to actually following through on one’s ideas and dreams. In describing his desire to write “Think and Grow Rich”, Mr. Hill said:
“When the idea was first planted in my mind by Mr. Carnegie, it was coaxed, nursed and enticed to remain alive. Gradually, the idea became a giant under its own power, and it coaxed, nursed and drove me. Ideas are like that. First, you give life and action and guidance to ideas, then they take on power of their own and sweep aside all opposition”.
While the title of the book is “Think and Grow Rich”, I have found that “Rich” refers to much more than a monetary reward – if you follow Napoleon Hill’s principles you cannot help but have a much richer life overall. Find out for yourself at Amazon.com
It’s Not About the Bike, by Lance Armstrong
Diane, an Unlimited Mom reader wrote the following: This is an incredible story about his battle against cancer, his winning of the Tour de France and his and his wife’s experience in becoming parents through in vitro fertilization –chemo had made him sterile but he had banked sperm. It is an interesting and inspirational read. Another nice touch – the first person on his dedication list was his Mom! Check it out At Amazon.com
Focal Point, by Brian Tracy
In this book, Brian stresses the importance of determining a “focal” point, in other words the “most important thing to you” in each area of your life: career, family, personal life, social, spiritual and communities. Then, rather than just saying “go to it”, he laid out the steps you need to take to reach those focal points, always stressing the most important step, ACT. The one thing I liked best about the book is that, while it contained some stories and personal anecdotes to stress a point, it wasn’t over-full of case studies and success stories. Instead, it was chock full of the actual advice and information we need to actually make a change. It's available at Amazon.com.
You Don't Have to be Blind to See by Jim Stovall
One of the best "secret to success" books I have read in a long time. Jim Stovall began losing his eyesight at age 7, and became completely blind in his twenties. But Jim contends that there is a more destructive type of blindness, the kind that keeps us from assessing ourselves honestly, from realizing our potential, and from becoming the person we were created to be. In this book, Jim describes a new path that can lead to success in every area of your life. It will help you dream big dreams and define success for yourself. Jim has great stories and an engaging writing style that really keeps you enthralled. His ending had a strong enough call to action to make me want to start right now in fulfilling my destiny. Buy it at Amazon.com now.
Unlimited Power by Anthony Robbins
The ultimate success book by the king of personal achievement. Tony may get a little "zen" like at times, but considering what he has accomplished, what he says deserves attention. Get it now at Amazon.com.
The Ultimate Gift by Jim Stovall
Not a "success manual", as you might expect, but instead a charming fable about the gifts in life that a really important. Not fame, fortune or huge wealth, but simple things like family, friendship, work and laughter. A quick read, but you won't want it to end. Enjoy it from Amazon.com
The Power of Positive Doing, by Ivan Burnell
It is your right and responsibility to become successful and happy. What is unique about this book is that Mr. Burnell breaks the process up into easily attainable pieces. First, he helps you to define success and happiness for yourself. Once you have discovered and defined what it means to you, then you will have a much better chance of achieving it. Then, he gives you the tools that you can use to achieve your vision. Check out his web site at the YesFactor.com
