The Power of Positive Thinking

One day, not too long ago, I saw a stack of old books that had been donated to my place of work. One of the titles of the books caught my eye so I immediately picked it up and began reading it. The book was written in 1963 and is called “The Power of Positive Thinking” by Norman Peale. I found that the book was full of wonderful insights and great truths that if applied will help us be more successful leaders and more successful people. Below are three of the main themes found in the book.

#1 Thoughts are Power

Based on the title of the book it is pretty obvious that this is the main theme. Throughout the book the author explains that our thoughts determine who we are, our outcomes in life, our happiness, and our ability to be successful. Controlling our thoughts is such an important practice in our life and too many of us allow our thoughts to hold us back or even sometimes to destroy us. Thus we must become masters of our minds and control what we think about. The author states, “Our happiness or unhappiness depends to an important degree upon the habit of mind we cultivate.” Thus being happy, being successful, and being content starts in our mind. For how we think is what we are. For this reason there is true power in positive thinking.

#2 What we Believe, we Achieve

If you are a fan of the "The Secret", then you will be a fan of this book because the author stresses over and over again how what we picture in our mind becomes our reality. In essence, we create our own reality by the mental pictures we hold on to and by the desires we have. The author states, “When either failure or success is picturized it strongly tends to actualize” and “what the mind profoundly expects, it tends to receive.” The author also refers to this as “imagineering”—for what we imagine in our mind can ultimately become reality. Our vision, and our ability to believe leads to our ability to achieve.

#3 Make Relationships a Priority

We were not meant to come to this world and be alone. Personal achievement is great but helping others achieve greatness is even better. The author stresses that relationships are important and that good, healthy relationship is a desire each one of us has whether we admit to it or not. Learning to get along with others, serve others, and help others leads to success and happiness for us. The author noted that as we help others, others in-turn help us. It is nearly impossible to help someone else without helping ourselves. The author frankly encourages his readers to “Love others and forget yourself” and when we do, we will find the joy in life we are searching for.

I believe there is true power in positive thinking as the title of this book suggests and I believe some of the main points in this book can have a profound influence on each of us for good. By controlling our thoughts, picturing our desires, and caring for others we will find a recipe to realizing our goals and living our dreams.

To see how I ranked this book, click here.