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greden's review against another edition
4.0
This is a really good self-help book. It is written by a very likable plastic surgeon who decided to not only become an expert on transforming physical appearances but also self-images, as he found that changing physical appearance was not enough to improve self-esteem.
The book's main premise is that it is your changing your self-image that is the most effective way of changing your life.
The techniques of the book are primarily about using your imagination to improve self-image, behavior, and skills. It has also lots of practical tips to gain calmness such as mental foxholes and nice concepts to know such as "purpose tremor." I don't think I've read a book that so acutely discusses the problem of self-consciousness, and how to overcome it.
The most important thing about visualization is that your subconscious doesn't know the difference between reality and vivid imagination. Therefore it's important that when you prepare yourself for desired actions in the future you make the imaginations seem as real as possible: a nice trick is to take note of details. Smell, colors, textures, temperature, etc...
Human beings are goal-driven. We're happy when we are striving toward a goal and when we are aggressive and positive.
Critics of visualization may accuse it of daydreaming, wishful thinking, idleness, and fantasy. But in fact, on the contrary, imagining what you want and who you want to become is extremely hard, because it means you know what you want. Or at least have an idea of the direction you want to go. Setting clear goals is hard because it means knowing what you want. Most of us are drifting aimlessly and getting nowhere because don't dare to state what we want because it means setting conditions of failure.
Maltz talks about the mind as a machine and rejects the idea that the subconscious is the real driver of consciousness, rather than our consciousness being the operator of the automatic machine that is the subconscious. He talks about how human beings who have a default will succeed, and all you have to do is feel the subconscious material it can process in the background and it will make it happen for you.
When trying to change behavior, Maltz rejects consciously manipulating behavior as its happening, but rather feeding the machine of the mind wanted outcomes and letting it work its genius when the moment comes.
Maltz discusses a broad range of subjects, from psychology to morality and ethics. There were a lot of contradictions caused by imprecise language, but on the whole, I can see where Maltz is going and I agree with pretty much everything he says.
As this was a self-help book from the 1960s from a plastic surgeon talking about visualization, I was surprised when the author unapologetically used theology as the basis of self-esteem. He says we should feel good about ourselves and everyone else because we are all children of God - we're all created in His image. I think it's interesting Maltz found it necessary to put religion as one of the cornerstones of his method of self-transformation.
One thing that could be easily misunderstood from reading this book is only imagining success. I think it's good to emphasize Maltz's story that a salesman imagined dealing with a customer's objections successfully, not merely imagining customers yelling "I'M SOLD" in the first sentence. Visualizations and mental roleplay are supposed to prime you for the future - realistically - while also making a goal more real to you so that you are priming yourself to move toward that goal. I think it's important to prepare yourself for failure so you are ready, and we must have faith in our minds to realize it is smart enough to realize that this is not actually what we want - failure.
Some of this stuff seems perhaps a bit contrived - gimmicky - as if you're trying to hypnotize or fool yourself. But Maltz points out that we're all being hypnotized about who we are and what we can do ever since childhood. I like how Maltz uses the concept of "De-hypnotizing."
Liked it a lot - would recommend it to those who don't mind the theology.
The book's main premise is that it is your changing your self-image that is the most effective way of changing your life.
The techniques of the book are primarily about using your imagination to improve self-image, behavior, and skills. It has also lots of practical tips to gain calmness such as mental foxholes and nice concepts to know such as "purpose tremor." I don't think I've read a book that so acutely discusses the problem of self-consciousness, and how to overcome it.
The most important thing about visualization is that your subconscious doesn't know the difference between reality and vivid imagination. Therefore it's important that when you prepare yourself for desired actions in the future you make the imaginations seem as real as possible: a nice trick is to take note of details. Smell, colors, textures, temperature, etc...
Human beings are goal-driven. We're happy when we are striving toward a goal and when we are aggressive and positive.
Critics of visualization may accuse it of daydreaming, wishful thinking, idleness, and fantasy. But in fact, on the contrary, imagining what you want and who you want to become is extremely hard, because it means you know what you want. Or at least have an idea of the direction you want to go. Setting clear goals is hard because it means knowing what you want. Most of us are drifting aimlessly and getting nowhere because don't dare to state what we want because it means setting conditions of failure.
Maltz talks about the mind as a machine and rejects the idea that the subconscious is the real driver of consciousness, rather than our consciousness being the operator of the automatic machine that is the subconscious. He talks about how human beings who have a default will succeed, and all you have to do is feel the subconscious material it can process in the background and it will make it happen for you.
When trying to change behavior, Maltz rejects consciously manipulating behavior as its happening, but rather feeding the machine of the mind wanted outcomes and letting it work its genius when the moment comes.
Maltz discusses a broad range of subjects, from psychology to morality and ethics. There were a lot of contradictions caused by imprecise language, but on the whole, I can see where Maltz is going and I agree with pretty much everything he says.
As this was a self-help book from the 1960s from a plastic surgeon talking about visualization, I was surprised when the author unapologetically used theology as the basis of self-esteem. He says we should feel good about ourselves and everyone else because we are all children of God - we're all created in His image. I think it's interesting Maltz found it necessary to put religion as one of the cornerstones of his method of self-transformation.
One thing that could be easily misunderstood from reading this book is only imagining success. I think it's good to emphasize Maltz's story that a salesman imagined dealing with a customer's objections successfully, not merely imagining customers yelling "I'M SOLD" in the first sentence. Visualizations and mental roleplay are supposed to prime you for the future - realistically - while also making a goal more real to you so that you are priming yourself to move toward that goal. I think it's important to prepare yourself for failure so you are ready, and we must have faith in our minds to realize it is smart enough to realize that this is not actually what we want - failure.
Some of this stuff seems perhaps a bit contrived - gimmicky - as if you're trying to hypnotize or fool yourself. But Maltz points out that we're all being hypnotized about who we are and what we can do ever since childhood. I like how Maltz uses the concept of "De-hypnotizing."
Liked it a lot - would recommend it to those who don't mind the theology.
kaseywylie's review against another edition
5.0
This book is incredible! One of my top reads of the year (& probably ever). It has such powerful messages that would benefit anyone who cares to listen ❤️ Body image and getting to know yourself on such a deep level can be such a scary but beautiful journey.
If you’re into energy healing, mindfulness, finding your purpose, and finding your truest self, this book is 10/10. I am not kidding when I said I FLEW through this book and wanted to highlight, star & underline every passage. This will be a book that I reflect on frequently, revisit, and spread the word about. I am so happy a new friend introduced me to this read!
Here are some words of wisdom I wrote down:
▫️why not have nostalgia for the future instead of the past?
▫️holding a low opinion of ourselves is not a virtue, it’s a vice.
▫️self-esteem comes from an appreciation of yourself for what you are.
▫️you are not inferior. You are not superior. You are simply you.
▫️if our ideas and mental images concerning ourselves are distorted or unrealistic, then our reaction to our environment will likewise be inappropriate.
▫️positive thinking works when it is consistent with the person’s self image.
& soooo many more! I wasn’t kidding. This book is true gold and I encourage anyone/everyone to pick it up if it sparks even the littlest interest.
If you’re into energy healing, mindfulness, finding your purpose, and finding your truest self, this book is 10/10. I am not kidding when I said I FLEW through this book and wanted to highlight, star & underline every passage. This will be a book that I reflect on frequently, revisit, and spread the word about. I am so happy a new friend introduced me to this read!
Here are some words of wisdom I wrote down:
▫️why not have nostalgia for the future instead of the past?
▫️holding a low opinion of ourselves is not a virtue, it’s a vice.
▫️self-esteem comes from an appreciation of yourself for what you are.
▫️you are not inferior. You are not superior. You are simply you.
▫️if our ideas and mental images concerning ourselves are distorted or unrealistic, then our reaction to our environment will likewise be inappropriate.
▫️positive thinking works when it is consistent with the person’s self image.
& soooo many more! I wasn’t kidding. This book is true gold and I encourage anyone/everyone to pick it up if it sparks even the littlest interest.
jandrada's review against another edition
3.0
Although I liked the general premise of the book, it was quite repetitive. He “proved” his point over and over again. I found myself wanting to skip forward in this book a lot of the time. The book could easily have been written in less than 200 pages. Also, this book is clearly written with Christianity in mind which can be a turn off for a non-Christians. There are some good tidbits of advice and self-help but there are so many better books out there.
luff99's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.0
warsna's review against another edition
4.0
After finishing this book, I realize why it's such a popular staple in the self help realm. While many of the techniques and ideas are adopted and influenced by preexisting philosophies (namely ones that emphasize mindfulness and being in the present), Maltz uses these ideas to build a framework that should no doubt create positive change in ones life if they stick to it.
One thing that this book did give me a lot of interesting insight on is the idea of the self-image, and how our constant focus on the consequences that our actions may have on our image ultimately inhibits us from our full potential as humans.
Would definitely recommend to anyone.
One thing that this book did give me a lot of interesting insight on is the idea of the self-image, and how our constant focus on the consequences that our actions may have on our image ultimately inhibits us from our full potential as humans.
Would definitely recommend to anyone.
esther_na's review against another edition
4.0
An annual read. Perhaps a few times a year.
Incredible lessons on navigating life.
Incredible lessons on navigating life.
itsathira's review against another edition
informative
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
5.0
One of the best books I have ever read for self-improvement. Honestly a must-read for anybody dabbling around in the area of self-help and self-improvement.
What I really like about the book is that it promptly addresses the questions that pops up in our heads with regards to self-esteem, self-concept and other topics discussed in the book, something which I find is incredibly rare to find in most of the books in this category.
Maxwell Maltz doesn’t just impose opinions on you but tries to convince you on the why’s and the how’s on building a killer self-concept. Really life-changing advice right here!
There is a helpful bit for everyone in this book. You won’t walk away without any benefit. I could go on and on about the concepts but it won’t help unless you really read it and apply these concepts into your life.
This one is definitely a must read!!
What I really like about the book is that it promptly addresses the questions that pops up in our heads with regards to self-esteem, self-concept and other topics discussed in the book, something which I find is incredibly rare to find in most of the books in this category.
Maxwell Maltz doesn’t just impose opinions on you but tries to convince you on the why’s and the how’s on building a killer self-concept. Really life-changing advice right here!
There is a helpful bit for everyone in this book. You won’t walk away without any benefit. I could go on and on about the concepts but it won’t help unless you really read it and apply these concepts into your life.
This one is definitely a must read!!
moonlightdrive's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
3.0