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Paul McKenna - Portugues
Paul McKenna - Portugues
7 DAYS
The World's Leading Hypnotist
Shows You How
HARMONY BOOKS
NE W YOR K
Copyright © 2004 by Paul McKenna
ISBN 1-4000-8287-0
1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
I w o u l d li k e t o t h a n k al l o f m y c o l l e a g u e s , cl ient s , a n
d s t u d en t s w h o h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d t o thi s b o o k .
I woul d especiall y lik e to than k Richar d Bandler
, M i c h a e l Neill , M i c h a e l B r e e n , D i a n a Beaver , D o u g
Y o u n g , C l a r e Staples , M i k e O s b o r n e , a n d P au l D u d d r i d g e
.
Contents
Author's Note
xi
Introduction
1
ix
PAU L McKENN A
x
S I M P O R T A N T I
I (
| T h e r e is a special hypnoti c recor din g to a c co mp a n y |
'£ this hook . It will h el p vo n re-enforc e I lit: positive
J C benefits von ge l from th e technique s yo n are a b ou
t
\ lo use.
5 Yon can downloa d it for free by visiting:
f. www.paiiliiickenna.coni/tran c e
PAU L McKENN A
c h a n g e y o u r li f e f o r e v e r .
D o e s th a t s e e m lik e a n o ut l an d i s h claim ? S o m a n y o f
t h e p e o p l e I'v e g u i d e d t o a c h i e v i n g the i r desir e s starte d
o u t w o n d e r i n g h o w i t i s possibl e a n d e n d e d u p astound •
i n g t h e m s e l v e s . N o w it ' s y o u r t u r n . D o n ' t u n d e r e s t i m a t e
t h e p o w e r o f t h e syste m i n thi s b o o k . I p r o m i s e y o u — i t
wil l c h a n g e y o u r life !
C A N I REALL Y C H A N G E M
Whether you think
Y LIF E I N S E V E N D A Y S ?
you can or you think
you can't, you're
Peopl e wh o atten d my seminar s ar e
probably right.
a lw a y s amaze d whe n we cur e lifelon g
—Henry Ford
p h o b i a s i n le s s t h a n a n h o u r , o r c l e a r
u p s u p p o s e d l y d e e p - s e a t e d i s su e s i n j u s t
3
PAU L McKENN A
a f e w days . B u t m o s t p e o p l e c a n t h i n k o f a t i m e w h e
n t h e i r li ve s c h a n g e d i n j u s t a f e w m o m e n t s . P e r h a p s i t
wa s gettin g a n e w piec e o f importan t information , o r
m e e t • i n g a s p e c i a l s o m e o n e a n d k n o w i n g t h a t y o u r li f e
woul d neve r agai n b e th e same .
H e r e i s th e re a s o n w h y c h a n g e c a n h a p p e n s o quickly :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
F o r centurie s p e o p l e t h o u g h t i t wa s impossibl e t o r u
n a four-minut e mile . T h e n o n M a r c h 6 , 1954 , R o g e r
B a n • niste r di d wha t al l grea t pioneer s do—he mad
e th e impossibl e h ap p e n .
R e c e n t l y , I m e t Dr . B a n n i s t e r a n d w
e talke d abou t ho w amazin g i t wa s
tha t withi n a yea r o f hi s b r ea ki n g th e
four - m i n u t e mile , thirty-seve n othe r
p e op l e a r o u n d th e wor l d di d s o a s well .
I n th e
f o l l o w i n g y e a r , a n i n c r e d i b l e three hundred r u n n e r s b r o k
e t h r o u g h t ha t previo u sl y i m p e n e t r a b l e barrier .
T h e fines t mi n d s o f th e a g e h a d b el ie v e d i t wa s im pos •
sibl e to do , a n d th e i r belief s b e c a m e a s e l f- f u l f i ll i n
g p r o p h e c y . ( S o m e n o t e d scientis t s ac t ua l l y s u g g e s t e d
tha t
5
PAU L McKENN A
t h e h u m a n b o d y w o u l d explode i f p u s h e d t o d o a f o u r
- mi n u t e mile! )
I t on l y t o o k o n e c o u n t e r e x a m p l e — o n e p e r s o n prov
• i n g tha t wh a t o th er s h a d previousl y t h o u g h t c o u l d n o t
b e d o n e wa s i n fac t p o s s i b l e — f o r e v e r y o n e els e t o ta p
i n t o t h a t possibili t y w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s .
T h e h u m a n m i n d generalize s a s a learnin g principle
. Fo r example , a s a chil d yo u lear n h o w a d o o r open s
a n d closes . Y o u r m i n d t h e n gen era lize s th a t l e ar n i n g t o
a p pl y t o al l d o o r s e ve r ywh er e .
T h i s w o r k s e q u a l l y w e l l w h e t h e r t h e l e a r n i n g s a r e us e
• fu l o r pa in f u l . O v e r t h e n e x t s e v e n days , w e ar e g o i n g
t o di s m a n d e m a n y o f th e negativ e generalization s y o u
h av e m a d e a b o u t th e wo rl d , a n d b u i l d positiv e n e w o n e s
.
M Y STOR Y
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
I u s e d t o c r e a t e t h e l i f e I li v e t o d a y a r e c o n t a i n e d i n
th e b o o k yo u no w hol d i n you r hands !
M y p u r p o s e i n li f e , a n d t h e g o a l o f th i s b o o k , i s
t o hel p y o u ge t greate r contro l o f yoursel f a n d yo u r
life . Si n c e 1 9 8 5 , 1 h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g o n a r e v o l ut i o n a r y
self - i m p r o v e m e n t s y s t e m t h a t wi l l w o r k f o r e v e r y o n e .
T h e uniqu e success-conditionin g syste m y o u ar e abou
t t o lear n ha s no w bee n p e r f e c t e d — y o u wil l b e g i n
m a k i n g p r o f o u n d c h a n g e s w i t h i n t h e v e r y firs t day .
B e s t o f a l l , y o u c a n r e l a x — i t ' s v e r y easy , a n d y o u
d o n ' t h a v e t o h a v e a n y p r e v i o u s e x p e r i e n c e o r s k il l . I n
fa c t , i f y o u c a n c l o s e y o u r e y e s , tal k t o y o u r s e l f a n d
others , a n d mo v e you r body , yo u ca n contro l you r
thinkin g a n d behavior , a n d u l t i m a t e l y y o u c a n li v e t h
e lif e o f yo u r dream s . Al l y o u hav e t o d o i s follo w m y
instruction s ste p b y step , eve n i f a t time s y o u ' r e n o t
sur e y o u ' r e d o i n g i t right . To ge the r , w e ar e g o i n g t o
d e s i g n a n d instal l "posi • t i v e sof tw are " f o r y o u r m i n d !
TH E P O W E R O F N O W
T h i s i s a n e x c i t i n g t i m e i n hi st or y . O u r w o r l d i s t r a n s f o r m
• in g ever y day . Th e scientifi c an d technologica l
transfor • m a t i o n s an d breakthrough s tha t ar e takin g
plac e al l a r o u n d u s a r e i n c r e as i n g a t e x p o n e n t i a l ra te s .
We , a s a h u m a n race , ar e c o n n e ct in g ove r grea t
distances , ex plo r • i n g a n d r e s h a p i n g o u r world . Jo u r n e y s
tha t use d to tak e m o nt h s ar e n o w m a d e i n hours ;
calcula tion s tha t u s e d t o
7
PAU L McKENN A
I n th i s b o o k , y o u ' l l d i s c o v e r t h e t e c h n i q u e s t h a t h a v e
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
h e l p e d m a n y p e o p l e b r e a k t h r o u g h th e i r limitation s a n
d releas e thei r tru e potential . Togethe r , w e ar e g o i n g
t o pr o g r a m you r m i n d t o m a k e y o u a happier , mor e
confi • d en t , a n d p o w er f u l p e r s o n .
GETTIN G STARTE D
B e f o r e y o u b e g i n o n thi s j o u r n e y i n t o y o u r t r u e p o t e n
•
t ia l , I ' d l i k e y o u t o s t o p a n d c o n s i d e r
this :
D o i t n o w — s t o p a n d v i v i d l y i m a g i n e it .
• H o w w o u l d y o u k n o w tha t th e miracl e h a d ta ke
n place ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u see ?
• W h a t w ou l d y o u hear ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u fee l inside ?
• What change s w o u l d hav e happened in you r
career ?
• I n yo u r relationships ?
• Your finan ce s ?
• Yo u r health ?
9
PAU L McKENN A
10
Change Your Life in Seven Days
TH E D I F F E R E N C E T H A T
M A K E S TH E D I F F E R E N C
E
M a n y p e o p l e b e g i n a self-hel p b o o k o r p e r s o n a l t ra inin
g p r o g r a m b u t qui t halfwa y t h r o u g h . Th e y convinc e
t h e m • s e l v e s t h a t it' s t o o h a r d o r t h a t t h e y d o n ' t h a v e
w h a t i t takes . H e r e ' s th e p r o b l e m wit h t ha t a p p r o a c h :
It' s e a s y t o b l a m e y o u r p a r e n t s , y o u r e m p l o y e r s , o r t h
e g o v e r n m e n t f o r yo u r p r o b l e m s , b u t unti l y o u d e c i d e
t o se e y our se l f a s r e sp o ns ib l e f o r y o u r situatio n the n
you
11
PAU L McKENN A
d o n ' t h a v e a n y p o w e r t o c h a n g e it . A l l g r e a t a c h i e v e r
s kno w tha t takin g responsibilit y is th e firs t ste p
t o w a r d h a v i n g a s u c c e s s f u l a r i d f u l f i l l i n g li f e .
D r . S t e p h e n R . C o v e y d e s c r i b e s i t li k e t h i s :
W h e n y o u p i c k u p o n e e n d o f t h e stick , y o u p i c k
u p th e other . T h e r e f o r e , i f y o u d ec i d e t o tak e
r e s p o n s i • bilit y fo r you r circumstances , yo u
automatical l y ta p int o t h e p o w e r t o c h a n g e t h e m .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
H O W T O U S E THI S B O O
K
T h i s b o o k i s l a i d o u t i n s e v e n c h a p t e r s — s e v e n k e y l es
• s o n s t h a t wi l l g u i d e y o u f r o m w h e r e v e r y o u a r e i n
th e d irec t i o n o f y o u r m o s t d e e p l y fel t value s a n d m o s t
f o n d l y h o p e d - f o r d r e a m . A s y o u p i c k u p thi s b o o k e a c h
day , t r y t o f i l l y o u r m i n d w i t h positiv e energ y an d
p r e p a r e y o u r br a i n fo r t h e v al uab l e i n f o r m at i o n y o u wil
l b e r e c e i vi n g i n th a t day' s r e a d i n g .
13
PAU L MCKENN A
I n j u s t s e v e n clays , y o u wi l l j o i n t h e r a n k s o f t h o s
e p e op l e w h o ar e s o wel l p r o g r a m m e d t o suc ce e d tha t
t h e y c a n n o t h e l p b u t b e successf u l a t w h a t th e y d o . Y o u
w i l l b e a b l e t o h a n d l e w h a t e v e r c h a l l e n g e s lif e o f f e r s y o
u w i t h a sen s e o f eas e a n d c o n f i d e n c e . Y o u r j o u r n e y wil l
b e g i n i n t h e n e x t chapter , a s y o u dis co v e r w h o y o u ar e
b e c o m i n g a n d un co v e r you r tru e potentia l t o b e c o m e
t h e p e r s o n y o u reall y w a n t t o b e . . . .
14
DAY
1
4XHP p YRFH ,
R HDOPHQWH ?
Discover your true potential
and become the person you
truly want to be
Imagine you woke up one day in a land populated almost
ing when you fell would stick with you for a lifetime. After a time,
you would realize that many of the giants seemed friendly, and
Then imagine that one day, for no reason whatsoever, the giant
even hit you. How could you ever feel safe again in a land of
giants'? There must be some laws of the land or rules that you
One day, you meet some other little people. They appear to be
like you, and in their company, you instantly feel more secure.
Some of them claim to know the laws of the land, and share them
with you. Combined with the insight you've gained from observing
17
PAU L McKENN A
the giants and listening to them teach you in their booming, god•
like voices, you begin to figure out what you need to do and not do
to stay safe.
Do as you are told. It's easier to get along if you go along. Don't
cry. Don't fight. Study hard. Get a job. Do as you are told. Get
are told.
The list grows longer as your once tiny body grows larger (nur•
giants left.
And then one day you wake up, and there is a tiny little crea•
And because you love her, you begin to teach her everything you've
18
TH E P O W E R O F B R A I N W A S H I N G
19
PAU L McKENN A
L a t e r , t h e p r i s o n e r w o u l d b e m a d e t o r e a d h i s lis t i n
a discussio n grou p wit h othe r prisoners . Th e
C h i n e s e w o u l d t h e n b r o a d c a s t h i s n a m e a n d lis t o f
reason s d u r i n g a n anti-America n radi o broadcas t no t
o n l y t o hi s o w n c a m p b u t t o al l t h e o t h e r N o r t h K o r e a
n P O W c a m p s a n d th e res t o f t h e A m e r i c a n for ce s i n
S o u t h K o r e a a s well .
Sud d en l y , t h e p r i s o n e r f o u n d h i m s e l f l a b e l e d a col
• laborator , someon e wh o participate d in th e kin d
o f behavio r tha t helpe d th e enemy . Whe n fello w
p r i s o n e r s a s k e d w h y h e h a d d o n e it , h e c o u l d n ' t c l a i m h
e h a d b e e n t o r t u r e d . A f t e r all , h e h a d sai d t h o s e t hi n g
s a n d si gn e d hi s n a m e t o t h e m .
Psychologica l researc h ha s sh o w n tha t h u m a n being
s ca n tolerat e onl y a certai n a m o u n t o f discrepanc y
b et w e e n thei r tho ugh t s a n d thei r behavior . Li k e an y o n e
u na w ar e o f t h e p o w e r o f hi s o w n self- image , t h e p r i s o n e
r fel t h e h a d t o justif y hi s a ct io n s i n o r d e r t o m a i n t a i
n c o n s i s t e n c y w i t h h i s o w n i n t e r n a l s e n s e o f i de n t it y . H e
w o u l d sa y t h a t w h a t h e h a d s a i d w a s t r u e . I n t h a t
m o m e n t hi s self-imag e c h a n g e d . He n o w be li eve d tha t
h e wa s pro-communist , a n d hi s fello w prisoner s
re in f or c e d hi s n e w i d e n t i t y b y t r e a t i n g h i m di ff er en tl y .
T h e l o o p wa s c om pl et e .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
WHA T I S A SELF-IMAGE ?
Y o u r self-imag e i s th e wa y y o u se e yo ur s el f i n y o u r
imagi • nation . Th e reaso n you r self-imag e is so
powerfu l i s b e c a u s e y o u r b e h a v i o r wil l a l mo s t n e v e r
d e v i a t e f r o m t h i s i n t e r n a l m a p . I t a ct s a s a s o r t o f s e lf -
f u l f il l i n g p r o p h e c y , t e l l i n g y o u h o w t o b e h a v e o r p e r f o r
m t o ac t consistend y wit h th e kin d of perso n yo u
thin k y o u are . Ye t m a n y p e o p l e d o n ' t eve n realiz e the
y h a v e a n i m a g e o f t h e m • selve s u n t i l th e y l o o k .
W e ' v e al l m e t p e o p l e w h o a r e a t t r a c t i v e b u t w h o t h i n
k o f t h e m s e l v e s a s u g l y — t o o fa t o r t o o t h i n o r t o o o l d
o r t o o y o u n g . I f y o u trul y be l i e v e y o u a r e un a tt ra ctiv e ,
y o u wil l u n c o n s c i o u s l y sa bo ta g e a n y a ttem p t s t o m a k e
yo u rs e l f a p p e a r attractive . B e c a u s e y o u w o n ' t r e p r e s e n t
yo u rs e l f a t y o u r best , p e o p l e wil l inevitabl y fi n d y o u
u n a t t r a c t i v e , a n d t h e p r o p h e c y i s f ul f i l l e d .
Studi e s hav e s h o w n tha t a n extraordinar y n u m b e r o
f peopl e wh o suddenl y receiv e larg e sum s of
m o n e y t h r o u g h lo tte r y win s o r i n h e r i t a n c e a r e likel y t o
los e i t a g a i n a lm o s t a s quickly . Eve n peopl e wh o ear
n thei r m o n e y ar e likel y t o los e i t i f w h a t the y a r e
e a r ni n g i s m o r e t h a n the y believ e the y ar e wo rth . T h e y
fee l u n c o m • fortabl e wit h th e ext r a m on ey , s o the y s p e n d
it , l e n d it , o r f i n d s o m e o t h e r w a y t o g e t r i d o f it .
C e l e b r i t i e s w h o s e s t a r ri se s t o o h i g h t o o fa s t c a n a l s
o b e b r o u g h t b a c k t o eart h b y t h e gravitationa l pul l o
f a limite d self-image . In fact , so man y celebritie s
suff e r f r o m self-destructi v e behavio r bro ug h t o n by
feeling s o f
21
PAU L McKENN A
Here' s th e point :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
S U C C E S S A N D TH E S E L F - I M A G E
23
PA U L McKENN A
t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t a l m o s t everybody i s t o s o m e e x t e n
t hidin g or compensatin g fo r a par t o f themselve s
th a t the y d o n ' t like .
F o r a l o n g tim e I fel t th a t i f o n l y I c o u l d b e ric
h enoug h or famou s enough , or dat e lot s of
b e a u t i f u l w o m e n , t h e n I w o u l d f e e l b e t t e r a b o u t mysel f . I
h a d b e e n a ne r d y kid , a n d m y solutio n t o tha t wa s t o
affi x a v e n e e r o f s uc ce s s to mysel f s o tha t no on e
( i n c l ud i n g myself ) w o u l d n o t i c e h o w i n a d e q u a t e I reall y
felt .
Ove r a relativel y shor t perio d o f time , I worke
d incre dib l y h a r d a t achi evi n g a n d d i d ver y well . I
becam e famous , mad e money , an d create d al l th e
t r a p p i n g s o f a g l a m o r o u s l if e . M y T V s h o w s w e r e a h u g e
hit ; I h a d m o r e m o n e y tha n eve r befor e an d a
beautifu l mode l g i r l • f r i e n d . R o c k st ar s , m o v i e st ar s ,
e v e n royalt y w a n t e d m e t o w o r k wi t h t h e m .
However , I kep t thinking , " I hav e everythin g I hav
e e v e r w a n t e d — h o w c o m e I stil l f e e l e m p t y ? "
S O H O W I S YO U R SELF-IMAG
E FORMED ?
24
Change Your Life in Seven Days
25
PAU L McKENN A
a n d o p i n i o n s o f o t h e r s . A n d a t thi s s t a g e , N a t u r
e playe d yo u th e di rt ie s t tric k i m a g i n a b l e . Y o u
g r e w u p , b u t y o u r s el f- im a g e d i d n ' t .
N o w on d e r ther e ar e s o m an y p e op l e w h o aren'
t a c h i e v i n g w h a t t h e y w o u l d li k e i n t h e i r lives !
A s I r e l a t e d J . H . B r e n n a n ' s w o r d s t o m y o w n l if e , I
wa s abl e to recogniz e tha t m y f u n d a m en t a l proble m
wa s a s e n s e o f p o w e r l e s s n e s s — d e e p d o w n , I stil l s a w
myse l f a s a nerd y , he lpl es s c hil d . W h a t e v e r sens e o f p o w e r
I h a d i n m y lif e d i d n o t c o m e f r o m m y a u t h e n t i c s e l f
b u t w a s d r a w n s o l e l y f r o m t h e r e f l e c t e d statu s I f e l t f r o
m m y s uc c e s s f u l c a r e e r , b e a u t i f u l g i r l f r i e n d , a n d f i n a n c i a l
resources .
Fr o m m e e t i n g a n d w o rki n g wit h man y famou s an
d successfu l p e o p l e I alr ead y k n e w h o w m u c h o f w h a t
the y h a d achieve d wa s to compensat e fo r thei r
feeling s o f inadequacy . I t h a d neve r befor e o ccu r r e d t
o m e tha t I wa s o n e o f t h e m .
O n c e I g o t reall y cl e a r o n th e c o n t e n t o f m y nega ti v
e self-image , I kne w i t wa s tim e t o mak e som e
f un d a m en t a l changes . I h a d alrea d y m a d e th e decisio n t
o t a k e r e s p o n • sib ilit y f o r m y l if e , s o i t w a s o n l y a s m a l l
s t e p f r o m t h e r e t o tak e responsibilit y fo r h o w I c h o s e t o
s e e mys e l f . I r e s o l v e d t h e n a n d t h e r e t o b e g i n p u r s u i n g a
ne w dream . I wante d t o develo p a n approac h t o
understandin g an d creatin g h u m a n excellenc e wit h a
h e a r t — n o t ju s t success , b u t h appi ne s s a n d f ulfillm en t a
s well . I d e t e r m i n e d t o fin d a
wa y t o hea l th e n e r d within !
26
Change Your Life in Seven Days
TH E B E S T A D V I C E I N TH E W O R L
D
W h e n al l y o u r e n e r g y i s g o i n g i n t o m a i n t a i n i n g t h
e illusio n o f y o u r p r o j e c t e d sel f a n d h i d i n g t h e i m a g e
o f y o u r f e a r e d s e l f f r o m t h e w o r l d , t h e still , s m a l l v o i c e o
f t h e a u t h e n t i c s e l f — w h o y o u reall y a r e — c a n ba re l y b e
heard .
27
PAU L McKENN A
TH 5 THRE E SELVE S
A t o u r c o r e i s o u r a u t h e n t i c s e l f — t h e realit y o f w h o a n
d w h a t w e reall y ar e .
Bu t pile d on to p o f th e rea l us—wit h al l ou r
weird - ness , foibles , a n d u n a b a s h e d us-n ess—i s a laye r o f
s h a m e , fe a r , a n d g u i l t a b o u t t h e p e r s o n w e ' r e afraid w e
a re , o u r n ega ti v e self-image .
S o i n o r d e r t o m a k e s u r e p e o p l e stil l li k e u s , a p p r o v
e o f us , an d giv e u s lo v e a n d m o n e y , w e p i l e ye t
anotherlayer o n to p o f o u r feare d s e lf — t h e perso n w e
pretend t o b e .
Thi s u p p e r m o s t l a y e r is , i f w e ' r e very , v er y g o o d
p r e • t e n d e r s , al l th a t o t h e r s g e t t o s e e o f us . I n fact , w e
strugg l e s o vali an d y t o m a k e sur e n o o n e see s th a t laye r
o f l ia b il i • t i e s w e a r e a f r a i d c h a r a c t e r i z e u s t h a t w e
c o m p l e t e l y fo r • g e t ( s o m e t i m e s f o r y e a r s a t a t i m e ) t h a t
t h e r e ' s a n o t h e r , real s e l f u n d e r n e a t h a l l t h a t .
W h e n I firs t s h a r e d t hi s m o d e l w i t h o n e o f m y
f r i e n d s , s h e t o l d m e , " O h , I g e t it ! O u r r e a l s e l v e s a r e
lik e dia • m o n d s , a n d a s w e g r o w u p th e y g e t c o v e r e d u p
i n a lo t o f horseshit , s o w e p u t nai l polis h o n to p o f th e
h o r s e s h i t t o tr y a n d m a k e o u r s e l v e s m o r e a t t r a c t i v e t o
t h e w o r l d . B u t i f w e s p e n t a li tt l e b i t o f t i m e d i g g i n g
awa y a t t h e ho rse -
28
Change Your Life in Seven Days
GETTIN G T O K N O W YO U R SELVE S
29
PAU L McKENN A
• H o w d o y o u lik e t o b e seen ?
• Whic h aspect s o f yo u r personalit y d o y o u h o p
e p e o p l e n o t i c e first ?
• Wh a t d o yo u mos t wan t everyon e t o kno w abou
t you ?
• I f y o u r lif e w e r e t r y in g t o p r o v e s o m e t h i n g a b o u
t you , wha t woul d i t be ?
I f s o m e o n e ca l l s y o u a n a m e t h a t y o u d o n ' t i d e n t i f y w i t
h
( f o r e x a m p l e , ' Y o u di r t y g r e e n - s k i n n e d M a r t i a n ! " ) , t h e r
e i s rarel y a n emotiona l charg e attached . I f
s o m e t h i n g u p s e t s u s , it ' s u s u a l l y b e c a u s e a t s o m e l e v e l
w e b e l i e v e i t m i g h t b e t r u e . P e o p l e o f t e n t o t al l y d e n y
t h a t t h e n e g a t i v e t ra it s t h e y a r e i d e n t i f y i n g h a v e a n y t h i n g
t o d o wit h the m . W h e n they'v e h a d a c h a n c e t o thi n k
abou t it , the y ofte n c o m e b a c k wit h a shocke d
r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t thi s i s i n f a c t e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y ' v e f e a r e
d h a s b e e n t r u e al l a l o n g .
I t c a n b e h a r d t o l o o k directl y a t y o u r o w n wors t
f e a r s a b o u t w h o a n d w h a t y o u a r e — a f t e r al l , y o u ' v e
probabl y
30
Change Your Life in Seven Days
s p e n t a l a r g e p o r t i o n o f y o u r l if e a v o i d i n g d o i n g j u s t
that . F o r t h a t r e a s o n , m o s t o f t h e s e q u e s t i o n s p o i n t t o
thing s tha t revea l y o u r n egati v e self-imag e ra th e r th a n
y o u r n e g • a t i v e s e l f - i m a g e itself :
• W h a t ' s t h e o p p o s i t e o f e a c h o f t h e t r ai t s o f y o u
r p r e t e n d self ?
• W h i c h o f y o u r s ec re t s wil l o n l y b e d i s c o v e r e d afte r
yo u die ?
• W h o i s y o u r leas t favori t e p e r s o n a n d wh y ?
B y i d e n t i f y i n g t h e t r ai t s a n d c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f y o u r t h r e
e s e l v e s , y o u a r e f r e e i n g y o u r s e l f u p t o li v e m o r e a n d
mor e fro m th e hear t o f wh o yo u reall y are—you r
p o w e r f u l , l o v i n g , u n s t o p p a b l e a u t h e n t i c self .
H e r e ' s a g u i d e l i n e t o k n o w w h e t h e r y o u a r e identify
• i n g a trai t o r c h a ra c t er i s t i c o f y o u r a u t h e n t i c se l f o r i f
y o u a r e c a u g h t u p i n t h e t ra p o f y o u r n eg a ti v e self-
image :
• W h o ar e yo u w h e n nobody' s watching ?
• I f y o u f e l t to tal l y s af e , w h a t w o u l d y o u d o d i f f e r e n d y ?
• W h o w o u l d y o u b e i f y o u l ive d b e y o n d fear ?
31
PA U L McKENN A
REPROGRAMMIN G YO U R SELF-IMAG E
T h e fac t i s th a t y o u r b o d y r e s p o n d s fa r m o r e readil
yto th e vivi d us e o f imaginatio n tha n to a simpl e
c o m • m a n d . Tha t' s w h y t h e wa y w e se e ourselv e s i n o u r
i m a g i • n a t i o n i s c r u c i a l t o t h e w a y w e li v e o u r li ve s .
I n t h e ea rl y 19 7 0 s a plasti c s u r g e o n n a m e d M a x w e l
l Malt z n o t i c e d tha t alteri n g th e physica l a p p ea r a n c e
o f hi s patient s throug h surger y ofte n create d a
remarkab l e increas e i n co n f i de n c e a n d s o metim e s eve n
a complet e chang e in personality . However , som e of
hi s patient s e x p e r i e n c e d n o psy cho logic a l benefits , n o
m a tte r h o w spectacul a r th e physica l cha ng e s .
32
Change Your Life in Seven Days
e x t e r n a l a p p e a r a n c e o f a p a ti e n t d o e s n ' t w o r k w h e n hi
s o r h e r i n t e r n a l s e l f - i m a g e i s p o o r , or , a s h e p u t it ,
w h e n h e o r sh e i s "scarre d o n th e inside. "
S o h e t a ug h t thos e client s a simpl e visualizatio n tech
• n i q u e tha t c re a t e d a dramat i c c h a n g e i n the i r self-
image . T o hi s d el ig h t a n d surprise , i t d i d a s m u c h — o r
m o r e — f o r hi s p atien t s a s t h e actu a l surgery .
B y t e a c h i n g hi s patien t s w h o h a d a ne g at i v e self- imag
et o repeatedl y imagin e themselve s as the y ideall y
wante d t o be , h e notice d tha t the y b e c a m e happi e r a n d
m o r e a t p e a c e wit h themsel ve s i n a ma t t e r o f days .
33
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^0 Your Life in Seven Days
6
^ er to u n l ^
si
^ o t h e r you standing in front of
n-iost magnificent you that you
w
' 'fnagin ^
Vo i ' This i s t H ^ / ^
> u U r a u t h e n t i c s e l f
"
n
'^agine-- " 7
to feel totally happy with your
^' fy 4^ o o k at th e wa y that the
P
authentic a fnome^ / 1
" C g T t h ^ ^ 5 0 9
° 0 d t 0 l i f S
^ V 0 U r
feels ^
nt|
c self! rammin g session by taking a
5
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j ^ e a m abou t how your life will be
your D r o c i r ^
w ^ ' i v e
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d
hi* *J ^r i y number of real situations
" self. Y o i > V
c
. ...
• < ^ p re se n t , and future.
l y i n a n .C*
Ca|
35
PAU L McKENN A
T h e r e i s a stor y tha t w h e n M i c h e l a n g e l o wa s a s k e
d h o w h e carve d suc h beautifu l angels , h e replied , " I
se e th e ange l in th e stone , an d I chi p awa y at
e v e r y t h i n g a r o u n d i t. " •
R e p r o g r a m m i n g y o u r self-imag e i s a lo t lik e t h a t
— le s s a f u n c t i o n o f t r y i n g t o b e m o r e l i k e w h o y o u w i s h
y o u wer e a n d m o r e o f recognizin g th e magnificenc e o f
who
y o u reall y ar e .
i
R e m e m b e r , o u r po ssibiliti e s a t a n y m o m e n t i n lif e a r
e c o m p u t e d n o t f r o m h o w w e lik e t o thi n k o f ourselve s
b u t f r o m w h o m w e trul y be li e v e w e ar e . S o t h e m o r e
y o u alig n you r self-imag e wit h th e realit y o f you r
a u t h e n t i c self , t h e r i c h e r a n d m o r e r e w a r d i n g y o u r l if e
wil l b e . T h i s i s n o t a n e w c o n c e p t a n d i s c o n t a i n e d i n
eve r y spiritua l syste m o f t e a c h i n g o n th e pl anet .
W h a t f ol lo w s i s a v a r i a t i o n o n Dr . M a l t z ' s o r i g i n a l visu
• alizatio n , u p d a t e d t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e lates t f in di ng s i
n brai n scienc e an d self-imag e psychology . Whe n I
g u i d e m y client s a n d t h e p ar t i c ip an t s i n m y trai n i ng s
t h r o u g h it , t h e y o f t e n r e p o r t l i f e - c h a n g i n g i n s i g h t s a n d
f i n d t h e m • selve s u n a b l e t o v i e w t h e m s e l v e s o r t h e w o r l d
i n t h e s a m e wa y afterwards .
B y r e p e a t i n g thi s s i m p l e e x e r c i s e a t leas t o n c e a d a
y ever y d a y f o r a w e e k , y o u wil l a ll o w y o u r self-ima g e t o
e a s • il y i n t e g r a t e w i t h y o u r a u t h e n t i c self .
34
Change Your Life in Seven Days
35
PAU L McKENN A
A s y o u b e g i n t o li v e t h e t r u t h o f y o u r a u t h e n t i c self , i t
wil l b e c o m e easie r a n d easie r t o ac t consistentl y wi t h
tha t truth . Th i s snowbal l effec t (th e l arge r i t gets , t h e
faste r i t g o e s , t h e l ar ge r i t gets , e t c . ) — w h a t p h i l o s o p h e r
R . Bu c k - m in s t e r F ul l e r ca l l e d " p r e c e s s i o n " — i s w h a t wil l
allo w y o u t o m a k e dra mat i c c h a n g e s i n o n l y s e v e n days .
O n c e w e m a k e a c o m m i t m e n t , t h e res t o f u s al ig n s
36
Change Your Life in Seven Days
w i t h it . R a t h e r t h a n a t t a c h y e t a n o t h e r i m a g e o r l i m i t e
d p e r s o n a l i t y o n t o y o u r d e f i n i t i o n o f self , t h e w o r k y o u
h a v e d o n e t o d a y wi l l a l l o w y o u r g r e a t e r p o s s i b i l i t i e s a n d
p o t e n • ti a l t o c o m e t h r o u g h . I p e r s o n a l l y b e l i e v e t h a t i f
t h e r e i s a r e a s o n o r p u r p o s e t o lif e , th i s m a y w e l l b e a
k e y p a r t o f it .
Al l trul y successfu l p e o p l e acce p t thei r b r il l ia n c e
— t h e y a r e n o t e m b a r r a s s e d b y it . W h i l e a l i g n i n g y o u r
self - i m a g e w i t h t h e r e a l i t y o f y o u r a u t h e n t i c s e l f i s n o
t th e answe r to al l o f l if e' s problems , i t wil l hel p
yo u t o respon d to you r l if e mor e resourcefull y . As
w h o y o u thin k y o u ar e a n d w h o y o u reall y ar e b e c o m e
mor e an d mor e a l i g n e d , y o u wil l b e g i n t o f ee l trul y
goo d a b o u t y o u r s e l f , e v e n b e f o r e y o u r li f e c h a n g e s o n
th e outside .
A n d a s I'v e f o u n d o u t f o r myself , t h e b e t t e r y o u
f e e l o n t h e i n s i d e , t h e b e t t e r y o u r li f e w i l l b e c o m e .
I wan t y o u t o k no w y o u ar e u n i q u e — t h e r e i s n o o n
e w h o h a s e v e r l i v e d w h o c a n d o t h i n g s exactly t h e w a y
y o u d o t h e m . Y o u h a v e a s p e c i a l gi f t o f u n i q u e n e s s t o
b r i n g t o t h e w o r l d . O v e r t h e n e x t si x d ay s , w e ' l l i de n t i f
y t h a t gi f t a n d b e g i n t o w o r k o n w a y s y o u c a n s h a r e i t w i t
h th e world !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
PS. Would you like to be able to feel just about whatever you
want whenever you want to feel it?
Tomorrow, I'm going to share with you the secrets of how to mas•
ter your emotions and run your own brain, and you 're going to
learn how your state of mind and body, your emotions, affects
everything in your life. . . .
37
DAY
2
A USER' S
MANUA L FO R
Y O U R BRAI N
Master your emotions and
release your full potential
PAU L McKENN A
40
I wo monks were wandering through the forest when they came
Realizing that the beautiful woman could not safely cross the
stream by herself, the older monk gathered her up in his arms and
carried her across the stream. Once they had reached the other side,
he gently returned her to the ground. She smiled her thanks, and
Does our vow of chastity mean nothing to him? The more the
became, and the argument in his head grew louder: Why, had I
done such a thing I would've been thrown out of our order. This is
41
PAU L McKENN A
ing remorse for what he had done, but the man seemed as serene
look at that woman, let alone pick her up and carry her? Do you
The older monk looked surprised, then smiled with great kind•
42
TH E 1 , 0 0 0 - Y A R D W A L K
43
PAU L McKENN A
44
Change Your Life in Seven Days
INTERNAL
REPRESENTATION S
Th e pictures and sounds we make in
our mind and how we make them
STAT E ••BEHAVIO R
PHYSIOLOG Y
Posture, muscular tension,
breathing, etc.
45
PAU L McKENN A
A n y t h i n g e x c e l l e n t t h a t y o u h a v e e v e r d o n e o r wit
• n e s s e d o t h e r s d o i s t h e r e s u l t o f t h e e m o t i o n a l st a t e
y o u o r the y wer e i n a t th e time .
To day , yo u ' l l l ea r n ho w t o progra m you r min d t
o e x p e r i e n c e m o r e o f t h e state s y o u w a n t i n m o r e o f t h e
sit • u a t i o n s y o u w a n t t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e m !
A t fi rs t g l a n c e , i t a p p e a r s t h a t h o w w e f e e l i n a n y
m o m e n t i s th e resul t o f event s outsid e o f us . S o m e t h i n
g h a p pe n s i n th e worl d a n d w e reac t t o i t b y ch a n g i n
g e m o t i o n a l s t at e s a u t o m a t i c a l l y . F o r e x a m p l e , i m a g i n e
s o m e o n e y o u ar e e xt r e m e l y attracte d to . N o w i m ag i n e
tha t p er s o n ha s
ju s t walke d int o th e r o o m b e h i n d you . I f y o u ' r e lik e
m o s t p e o p l e , y o u r st a t e j u s t c h a n g e d !
I n fact , m o s t o f u s a r e c o m p l e t e l y u n a w a r e o f h o w w
e ar e m a k i n g o u r feeling s f r o m m o m e n t t o m o m e n t .
I n re al it y , t h e r e i s a n i n t e r n a l p r o c e s s t h a t t a k e s p l a c e i n
t h e g a p b e t w e e n t h e e v e n t a n d y o u r r e a c t i o n t o it .
Physiology
O n e w a y i n w h i c h w e a r e c o n s t a n t l y a f f e c t i n g o u r s ta t e i
s t h r o u g h th e wa y w e us e o u r body . C h a n g e s i n o u r
pos • ture , breathing , muscl e tension , an d facia l
e x p r e s s i o n al l affec t o u r f ee l i n g s a n d b e h av i o r . I f y o u u s
e y o u r b o d y dif • f e r e n t l y , y o u w i l l h a v e a completel y
d i f f e r e n t e x p e r i e n c e o f b e i n g alive .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
Fo r e xa m pl e , tak e a fe w m o m e n t s n o w t o thin k o f
a tim e w h e n y o u fel t particular l y nervous—perhap s
be fo r e s ta ndi n g u p t o giv e a p res en tati o n a t work , o r
b e f o r e ask • i n g a p a r t i c u l a r l y d i f f i c u l t q u e s t i o n o f s o m e o n
e y o u reall y c a r e a b o u t .
STOP !
W h e r e v e r y o u are , p l a n t y o u r fe e t firml y o n t h e
f lo o r , p u t y o u r s h o u l d e r s b a c k , p u t a b i g sill y g r i n o n
y o u r f a c e , a n d t a k e a d e e p b r e a t h . N o w tr y t o t h i n k o f
tha t unpleas • an t situatio n withou t changin g you r
posture . K e e p y o u r s h o u l d e r s b a c k a n d y o u r f e e t fla t ,
a n d k e e p smiling !
I f you'v e d o n e wha t I jus t asked , you'v e probabl
y alread y no t i c e d tha t eith e r y o u r feelin g s a b o u t th e
s it ua • t i o n h a v e c h a n g e d o r y o u ' r e n o l o n g e r a b l e t o t h i n
k a b o u t i t i n t h e s a m e wa y .
O u r m us cu la r tensio n o r relaxation , breathin g , a n d
b o d y p o s t u r e al l i n f l u e n c e o u r states . I f you r bod y i
s tense , i t i s p r o d u c i n g differe n t c hem ic a l s t h a n w h e n i t
i s r e l a x e d , s o o f c o u r s e y o u wil l f ee l d if f ere n t a n d th i n k
dif • f e r e n t t h o u g h t s .
Internal Representations
47
PAU L MCKENN A
Y o u r i n t e r n a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f r ea l -
We don't see things
6
lt y a r e u n i q u e t o y o u — y o u r o w n p e r
- a s they are, but s Q n a^ l Q f p e r c e i v i n g t h e w o r l d X h e y
rather as we are. , 1j u ^ c A
ar e y o u r o w n m a p o f th e world , b u t a s
—Anais A m a n y m a p ; a r e incomplet e a n d
fille d wit h generalizations , deletions ,
a n d distortions .
T hi s i s t h e r ea s o n w h y tw o p e o p l e c a n witnes s t h
e exac t sam e even t a n d ye t experienc e i t completel y
d i f f e r • e ntl y . In th e word s o f th e fathe r o f m o d e r n
linguistics , C o u n t A l f re d Korz ybsk i , "th e m a p i s n o t th e
territory. "
TH E M O V I E S O F Y O U R MIND
I n m y e x p e r i e n c e , everybody h a s t h e a b i l i t y t o v i s u a l i z e . T
o p r o v e thi s t o yourself , a n sw e r t h e f ol l o w i n g q u es ti o n s :
1 . W h a t d o e s y o u r f r o n t d o o r l o o k like ? W h a t c o l o r i
s it ? W h i c h s i d e i s t h e h a n d l e o n ?
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
a n d m a k e s o u n d s i n o u r m i n d . S o m e t i m e s thi s abilit y c a
n upl i f t us . F o r e x a m p l e , th i n k o f a s o n g y o u lik e o r
y o u r favorit e piec e o f music . Remembe r th e soun d
of t h e o c e a n , o r h e a r t h e v o ic e o f s o m e o n e y o u lov e
offeri n g y o u s o m e h o n e s t praise .
O n th e ot h e r han d , hav e y o u eve r h a d a n a r g u m e n
t wit h s o m e o n e a n d ev e n hou r s late r y o u k e e p repla yi n g
al l th e nast y th in g s t he y sai d t o y o u tha t m a k e y o u f ee l
bad ?
Let' s d o a n expe rimen t . . . .
I m a g i n e y o u h a v e b e e n a s k e d t o g o t o a party . M a k e
a pictur e o f yoursel f standin g awkwardl y i n th e
ki tc hen . T h e r e i s n o b o d y a r o u n d y o u tha t y o u know .
Y o u r leas t fav orit e m u si c i s p l a yi n g m u c h t o o lo ud l y i
n th e back • g r o u n d .
O n a scal e f r o m 1 t o 10 , h o w m u c h d o y o u w a n t t o g
o t o t h e party ?
N o w imagi n e yoursel f standin g confidentl y a n d co m
• forta bl y , s u r r o u n d e d b y lot s o f f u n p e o p l e w h o a r e
reall y in t er es t e d i n s p e n d i n g t im e w i t h y o u . I n th e
b a c k g r o u n d , y o u h e a r y o u r favorit e pi e c e o f m usi c c o m e
o n a t ju s t th e rig h t vol um e .
O n a scal e f r o m 1 t o 10 , h o w a p p e a l i n g i s t h e part y
no w ? I f y o u e x p e r i e n c e d a n y d i f f e r e n c e a t al l b e t w e e n
thos e
tw o s ce n ar io s , y o u c a n r e c o g n i z e h o w t h e qualit y o f y o u
r interna l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s wil l largel y de t e r m i n e th e
qualit y o f y o u r life . Y e t t o o m a n y p e o p l e e x e r t m o r e
contro l ove r th e movie s the y g o t o o n th e outsid e tha n th
e movie s the y pla y i n thei r mi n d . Tha t' s a n e x a m p l e o f
yo u r brai n run • n i n g y o u instea d o f y o u r u n n i n g yo u r
brain .
49
PAU L McKENN A
R e c e n t l y I w o r k e d w i t h a r o c k sta r w h o h a d a f e a r o
f flying . W h e n w e s t e p p e d b a c k a n d too k a loo k a t
th e s e q ue n c e o f picture s a n d s o un d s tha t h e m a d e i n
hi s m i n d , i t wa s ea s y t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w h e c o u l d c r e a t e
suc h intens e fea r i n ju s t a fe w seconds .
A s soo n a s h e eve n th oug h t abou t goin g t o th e
airport , h e ' d m a k e a grea t bi g pictur e o f th e check-i n des
k a n d sa y t o h i m s e l f , " T h i s i s g o i n g t o b e b a d ! " T h e n
he w ou l d imagin e b oardin g th e plane . A s th e d o o r
c l o s e d , h e ' d sa y t o h i m s e l f , " I c a n ' t g e t o u t ! " H e ' d
imagin e th e cabi n fill • i n g wit h smoke , everyon e
s c r ea m i n g , t h e p l a n e c r as h i n g t o t h e g r o u n d i n a bal l o f
fl am e s , a n d t h e n hi s litd e d a u g h • te r sittin g a t h o m e
saying , " W h e r e ' s D a d dy ? "
O n c e t h e r o c k sta r l e a r n e d t o c h a n g e t h e m o v i e i n hi
s m i n d , h e b e g a n t o f ee l b et t e r a b o u t flying . S o o n , h e
h a d r e con di ti o n e d himsel f t o th e poin t wh e r e h e wa s
actual l y l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o hi s n e x t tour . T h e m o r a l o f
t h e stor y i s this :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
L e t' s tr y a n o t h e r e x p e r i m e n t .
T h i n k o f s o m e o n e w h o annoy s y o u o r w h o m y o u fin
d i t s t r e s sf u l t o thin k abou t o r spen d tim e with .
R e m e m b e r hi s o r h e r face . N o w a s y o u l o o k a t hi s o r h e
r fac e i n y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n , as k yourself :
• I s i t a c o l o r i m a g e o r i s i t bla c k a n d white ?
• A r e y o u m a k i n g i t t o t h e le f t , t o t h e r i g h t ,
o r directl y i n fron t o f you ?
• I s i t b i g o r small ?
• Lig h t o r dark ?
• M o v i n g o r still ?
51
PAU L MCKENN A
T h e g e n e r a l p r i n c i p l e th a t w e a r e w o r k i n g wi t h i s this :
N e x t , le t' s f i n d o u t w h a t a n a m a z i n g d i f f e r e n c e i t m a k e
s t o b e insid e a n d outsid e o f a m e m o r y . H e re ' s a n o t h e r
t ec h • n i q u e fo r r u n n i n g y o u r br ai n , ca ll e d dissociatio n :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
N ow , let' s d o i t t h e o t h e r wa y r o u n d a n d ste p in t o
a positiv e p ic t ure . T h i s i s ca ll e d association :
3 . M a k e th e i m a g e bigger , th e so u n d s louder , a n d th
e feeling s stronger .
It' s e a s y t o r e d u c e t h e intensity , s t e p o u t , a n d m o v e
b ac k , o r t o i n cr e a s e t h e intensity , st e p i n , a n d m a k e i t
bigger .
R e c e n t l y I w a s a t a d i n n e r p a r t y a n d sa t n e x t t o
a woma n wh o wa s tellin g m e h o w sh e wa s havin g
troubl e sleepin g sinc e sh e ha d bee n involve d in a
motorcycl e accident . W h e n I aske d he r t o r e m e m b e r
w h a t wa s mak • i n g h e r fee l s o b a d , sh e d es c ri b e d t h e
h o r r o r o f t h e cr a s h s c e n e a s i f i t wa s h a p p e n i n g t o h e r al
l o ve r ag ai n . Clearly , sh e wa s rememberin g wha t ha d
hap pen e d fro m inside t h e p i c t u r e ( a s s o c i a t i n g ) .
I a s k e d h e r t o sim pl y st e p o u t o f t h e m e m o r y (dissoci •
ate ) unti l sh e coul d se e th e bac k o f he r hea d as
sh e float e d th e pi ct ur e fa r in t o th e dist an c e a n d m a d e i t
blac k
53
PAU L McKENN A
a n d w h i t e . Ins ta n tl y , t h e t e n s i o n i n h e r f a c e r e d u c e d a
s h e r muscle s softened . I tol d h e r tha t i f sh e eve r
t h o u g h t a b o u t th e i n c i d e n t i n th e f uture , sh e s h o u l d d o
i t on l y i n a dissociat e d m ann e r . Tw o week s late r sh e
c a l l e d m e t o sa y t h a t s h e h a d b e e n s l e e p i n g b e a u t i f u l l y
a n d wa s feel • i n g m u c h better .
Here' s a simpl e char t y o u ca n us e fo r reference :
• M a k e t h e i m a g e s m al l e r movie .
• M a k e th e i m a g e b l a c k a n d closer .
a n d w hi t e , du l l , o r o u t o f • Intensif y t h e co lo r s ;
f oc u s . i nc r e a s e t h e b r i g h tn e s s
• M a k e t h e s o u n d s fa r t h e r a n d clarity.
awa y a n d quieter . • M a k e t h e s o u n d s c lo s e
r a n d l o u d e r (unles s i t i
s
a n experien c e o f peac
e an d quiet) .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
visualiz e w i n n i n g t h e r a c e a s of t e n a s h e c o u l d t h r o u g h o u
t t h e day .
Althoug h he h a d i m a g i n e d w i n n i n g hi s rac e hun
• dre d s o f times , h e di dn' t fee l an y m o r e conf iden t . I n
fact , h e wa s no w reall y w o r r i e d abou t tw o othe r
competitors . W h e n I aske d hi m how h e imagine d
wi n ni n g , i t t u r n e d o u t tha t h e wa s dissociat e d f r o m th
e experience , stand • i n g outsid e o f th e picture .
E s s e n t i a ll y , h e w a s t e l l i n g h i s b r a i n t h a t t h e w i n n i n g w a
s fo r s o m e o n e else .
B u t w h e n I aske d h i m t o thin k a bo u t th e competitor
s w h o w or ri e d hi m , i t tu r ne d o u t h e wa s m a k i n g big ,
br igh t picture s o f t h e m lo ok in g co nf id e n t a n d strong . I
simpl y t o l d h i m t o ste p i n (associate ) t o th e p ic t u r e o f
w i n n i n g wh il e taki n g t h e picture s o f hi s co m p et it o r s a n d
s hr i n k i n g t h e m d o w n i n t o tin y black-and- whi t e i m a g e s . H
e practice d a fe w time s unti l h e coul d d o i t
automatically . Th e n e x t d a y h e w e n t o u t a n d b ea t hi s
p e r s on a l bes t i n practice .
I n a nutshell :
N o w t h a t y o u k n o w h o w t o i n f l u e n c e y o u r state , y o
u don' t hav e to be at th e merc y o f other s or of
circu m • stance s t o m a k e y o u fee l a p a r t i c u l a r way . B
y takin g responsibilit y f o r th e picture s i n y o u r m i n d ,
t h e t h i n g s y o u sa y t o y o u r s e l f ( a n d h o w y o u sa y t h e m ) ,
a n d t h e wa y y o u us e y o u r body , y o u c a n n o w b e g i n t o
c h o o s e h o w y o u w a n t t o fee l i n a n y situatio n .
55
PAU L McKENN A
TH E INNE R CRIT I C
N o t h i n g t a k e s t h e w i n d o u t o f y o u r s ail s m o r e q u i c k l
y t h a n a fe w critica l c o m m e n t s m a d e b y t h e w r o n g
p e r s o n a t t h e w r o n g t i m e . A n d t h e w o r s t cr iti c
That voice inside v o u
will e v e r
encount e r i s th e on e w h o
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
N o w , e v e n t h o u g h it' s e a s y t o c h a n g e t h e v o i c e i n
y o u r m i n d , it ' s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e
i n t en t i o n o f t h e critica l v oic e i s p o s i t i v e — t o sto p y o u
f r o m m a k i n g mistake s a n d h e l p y o u d o th in g s better .
H o w e v e r , criti • c i s m n e e d s t o b e c o n s t r u c t i v e i f it' s g o i n g
t o b e o f an y use .
Imagin e tha t yo u w an t e d t o he l p a chil d t o lear
n s o m e t h i n g new . I f y o u w e r e co n ti nu a l l y yell in g ever y
tim e h e o r sh e m a d e a mistake , th e chil d w o u l d quickl
y los e c o n f i d e n c e . However , i f y o u us e a n e n c o u r a g i n g
ton e o f
57
PAU L McKENN A
1. R e m e m b e r a tim e w h e n y o u m a d e a mistak e a n
d y o u h ars h l y c ri ti ci z e d yoursel f . Recal l exactl y
w h a t y o u said .
2 . N o w a s k y o u r s e l f , " H o w c o u l d I sa y t h e s a m e m e s •
sag e i n a n e n c o u r a g i n g way? "
H O W T O FEE L WH A T Y O U WANT
, WHE N YO U WAN T
58
Change Your Life in Seven Days"
59
PAU L McKENN A
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
TH E C O N F I D E N C E S W I T C H
T h e s i m p l e s c i e n t i f i c r e a s o n i s th i s : t h e b r a i n i s a m a s
s o f million s o f neur a l pathways , wit h eac h ide a o r
m e m o r y m o v i n g a l o n g it s o w n p a t h . W h e n e v e r w e d o
s o m e t h i n g new , w e creat e a n e w n eur a l pathw a y s o w e
c a n a c c e s s t h a t e x p e r i e n c e a g a i n m o r e easily . E a c h t i m e
w e rep ea t a particula r behavior , w e strengthe n th e
a ssoci at e d n e u r a l pathway , j u s t a s w h e n y o u w a l k d o w n
a p a t h t h r o u g h a f i e l d th e p a t h b e c o m e s m o r e distinct .
61
PAU L McKENN A
H e r e ' s t h e p r o ce s s , e xa c tl y a s I us e i t f o r myself . O n c e
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
a g a i n , b e f o r e y o u u n d e r t a k e thi s t e c h n i q u e r e a d t h r o u g h
i t firs t s o y o u k n o w e a c h s t e p .
63
PAU L McKENN A
P r a c t i c e t h i s e v e r y da y . T h e m i n d i s v e r y s e n s i t i v e , a n
d a s y o u fee l m o r e confiden t runnin g throug h thos e
sce • nari o s i n y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n , y o u wil l f ee l m o r e
c onf ide n t w h e n the y o c c u r i n th e rea l worl d .
W h e n e v e r y o u fee l cha ll en ge d , simpl y tur n o n y o u
r confidenc e switc h b y squeezin g you r thum b an d
m i d d l e finge r to gethe r , concentrat e fo r a fe w
moments , a n d a cce s s y o u r i n n e r stat e o f c o n f i d e n c e !
TH E S E C R E T O F C H A R I S M A
W e al l k n o w p e o p l e w h o h a v e a k i n d o f m a g i c qu al i t
y a b o u t t h e m . W h e n the y wal k in t o a r o o m , i t light s u p
an d w e fee l draw n t o them . T h e y don ' t hav e t o b e th
e l i f e a n d s o u l o f t h e p ar t y , b u t t h e y a r e m y s t e r i o u s l y
a t t r a c • ti v e . Man y Hollywoo d star s ar e n o t brillian t
actors , b u t s o m e t h i n g seem s to emanat e fro m insid e
the m tha t appeal s t o many , m a n y p eo p l e . T h a t i s th e
qualit y w e cal l charisma .
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S o m e b o d y Wh o Loves You
65
PAU L McKENN A
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
DEVELOPIN G YOU R
EM OTION A L INTELLIGENC E
67
PAU L McKENN A
W o r k i n g w i t h y o u r f ee l i n g s i s reall y l e a r n i n g t o us
e y o u r e m o t i o n a l i n t e l l i g e n c e t o t h e f ul l . T h e r e i s a
whol e worl d o f understandin g an d insigh t availabl e
throug h you r emotions .
A n e m o t i o n i s a bi t lik e s o m e o n e k n o c k i n g o n y o u
r d o o r t o del ive r a me ss ag e . I f th e m essag e i s u rg e n t ,
i t k n o c k s lo ud l y . I f i t i s v e r y u r g e n t , i t k n o c k s v e r y l o u d l y
. I f y o u d o n ' t answe r th e door , i t knoc k s l o u d e r a n d
l o ud e r a n d l o u d e r unti l y o u o p e n th e door . The n i t
d e l i v e r s it s m e s s a g e . A s s o o n a s y o u u n d e r s t a n d e v e n
p a r t o f it , i t b e c o m e s p a r t o f y o u r s e l f - u n d e r s t a n d i n g . Y o
u a r e c h a n g e d , a n d t h e e m o t i o n h a s d o n e it s j o b .
T h i s d o e s n o t m e a n th a t al l e m o t i o n s ar e i m m e di a t e l
y i n f a l l i b l e g u i d e s t o a c t i o n . F a r f r o m it . B u t t o r e a c h
th e wisdo m o f ou r emotions , w e mus t wor k wit h them .
W e hav e t o r e m e m b e r tha t w e ex p e ri en c e a h u g e rang
e o f feelings—almos t a s grea t a rang e as we hav e
thoughts . Som e o f ou r thought s ar e bana l an d
meaningless ; other s ar e m e a n in gf u l a n d worthwhile . I t
i s t h e s a m e w i t h o u r f e e l i n g s . S o m e a r e t riv ia l ; o t h e r s
ar e p ro f ou n d .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , f o r t h e las t t h r e e h u n d r e d y e a r s W es t
• er n cul tur e ha s woef ul l y undervalue d emotions .
I n d ee d , mos t Wester n culture s pl ac e a h i g h valu e on
suppressin g a n d ignorin g emotiona l reactions . Ye t
learnin g t o handl e o u r emotion s a n d t o understan d the
m is a fun dam en ta l par t o f growin g up , jus t lik e
le ar n i n g t o us e o u r m i n d t o th i n k clearl y o r u s i n g o u r
h a n d s t o writ e o r dr a w o r m a k e d u n g s .
A t thi s p o i n t , y o u m a y b e w o n d e r i n g : " H o w c a n I
tel l t h e differenc e betwee n emotion s tha t ar e jus t
reaction s
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
t o th e picture s i n m y h e a d a n d e m o t i o n s tha t ha v e a
n importan t messag e I n e e d t o lear n from? "
T h e answe r i s simple . I f a n e m o t i o n i s unimp ortan t o
r n o l o n g e r trul y r e l e v a n t t o y o u r life , i t v a ni s h e s w h e n
y o u c h a n g e th e picture s i n you r h e ad . I f i t i s importan
t a n d relate s t o a real , c u r r e n t sit uati o n t ha t y o u n e e d t
o l e a r n f r o m , i t wil l c o m e b ack , a ga i n a n d a g a i n a n d
again . I n tha t case , w h e n t h e e m o t i o n turn s u p y o u n e e
d t o l i s t e n a n d l e a r n f r o m it . A s f o r h o w t o d o t h a t , r e a d
on . . . .
TH E N E G A T I V I T Y F A S T
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PAU L McKENN A
anything, s t o p w h a t y o u ' r e d o i n g (a s s o o n a s i t i s sa f e
t o d o s o ) a n d f o l l o w t h e s e fi v e e a s y s t e p s :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
2 . N o w STOP !
A l l o f thi s i n f o r m a t i o n i s w h a t give s t h e b a d f e e l i n g
it s p o w e r , an d yo u wer e unconsciou s o f i t goin g o n
u n t i l a m o m e n t a g o . S o n o w t h a t y o u a r e a w a r e o f it ,
we'r e goin g
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PAU L McKENN A
t o a s k w h a t it s i n t e n t i o n is . W h a t m e s s a g e d o e s t h e e m o
•
tio n w a n t t o giv e you ?
4 . T h e n d r a i n al l t h e c o l o r o u t o f t h e i m a g e , s h r i n
k it , a n d m o v e i t o f f i n t o t h e d i s t a n c e . I f i t h a p p e n s t o
r e ap • pear , as k y o ur s e l f i f th e re ' s a n y t h i n g y o u ' v e missed .
T h e n j u s t d r a i n t h e c o l o r o u t a g a i n , s h r i n k i t s o it ' s
small , a n d m o v e i t fa r awa y o n c e agai n .
5. Fin a ll y , t a k e a f e w m o m e n t s t o i m a g i n e y o u r li f e
a s y o u w o u l d ideall y lik e i t t o b e . H o w d o y o u w a n t t o
be ? W h a t kind s o f thing s w o u l d y o u lik e t o do ? W h a t
w o u l d y o u mo s t w a n t t o have ?
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
PS. In the next chapter, I'll be sharing with you the secrets of a
positive perspective—how to turn any problem into an opportu•
nity to learn, change, and succeed!
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TH E P O W E R O F
A POSITIV E
PERSPECTIV E
The art of refraining
PAU L McKENN A
76
I here is an old, old story about a farmer in China. One year
the weather was very good and his crops grew strong and high.
All his neighbors told him how lucky he was to have such a fine
crop, and he replied, "Maybe." Then the day before he was going
to start the harvest a herd of wild horses came running off the
plains and trampled all his crops flat. His neighbors came by and
said how unlucky he was to lose his fine crop. The farmer replied,
"Maybe." The next day the farmer's son went out with a length of
rope and caught a wild stallion and three mares, and the neigh•
bors came by to admire the horses and told the farmer how lucky he
was. The farmer said, "Maybe. " In the morning the farmer's son
his leg. The neighbors carried him indoors and commiserated with
the farmer, saying how unlucky he was that his only son was so
badly injured. The farmer said, "Maybe." The next day the
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PAU L McKENN A
battle, and all the able-bodied young men were forced into the
army. But the farmer's son was not taken because of his broken
leg. All his neighbors told the farmer how lucky he was that his
son had been saved from the army, and the farmer said, "Maybe."
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TH E P O W E R O F
A P O S IT I V E P E R S P E C T I V E
S o m e p e o p l e a lwa y s m a n a g e t o l o o k a t t h i n g s i n a p o s i •
tiv e way . T h e y h a v e a n a b ili t y t o f r a m e a n y s i t u a t i o n i n a
wa y
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PAU L McKENN A
t h a t l ea v e s t h e m f e e l i n g e m p o w e r e d a n d s t r o n g . T h e y c a
n tak e a s ee m in g l y negativ e situatio n a n d refram e i t t o
f i n d t h e p o s i t i v e . F o r t h e s e p e o p l e , t h e glas s o f w a t e r i s
alwa y s h a l f f ul l , n o m a t t e r h o w e m p t y i t m a y l o o k t o t h e
res t o f us !
A fe w year s a g o I m e t th e f o r m e r R A F office r J o h
n N i c h o l , w h o wa s sho t d o w n whil e o n a missio n d u r i n g
t h e G u l f War . A s a result , J o h n wa s ho rr ib l y t o r t u r e d b
y hi s Iraq i captors . W h e n I ask e d h i m h o w h e m a n a g e d
t o ge t throug h thi s terrifyin g ordeal , he explaine d
ho w h e f r a m e d it in h i s m i n d . He knew that no matter
what, the tor• ture and the pain would stop. E i t h e r h i s c a p t o r
s w o u l d g e t b o r e d o r h e w o u l d pas s out . E v e n t h o u g h i t
wa s a terribl e situatio n t o b e in , th e p o w e r o f hi s
perspectiv e o f know • i n g i t w o u l d sto p wa s w h a t gav e h i m
th e strengt h t o m a k e i t throu gh .
Y o u c a n c h a n g e y o u r l if e w i t h t h e p o w e r o f p o s i t i v
e p e r s p e c t i v e s — t o d a y ' s l esso n wil l t ea c h y o u h o w !
MEDI A A N D M E A N I N G
A h i g h l y effectiv e communicator ca n
refram e anythin g t o creat e a differen t
We're not retreating, perspectiv e o r interpretation . I n fact
we're just advancing , ther e is so muc h spi n in th e
in another direction. m e d i a toda y tha t a b o u t th e onl y thi n g
—-General y o u c a n k n o w fo r sur e i s tha t i f y o u
George S. Patton d o n ' t tak e responsibilit y fo r th e fra m e s
yo u m a k e i n y o u r li f e , t h e n s o m e o n e
e l s e w il l !
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
In much th e sam e wa y a s a p h o to g -
, , . . - ^ . No matter how thin
r a p h e r tell s yo u wha t i s importan t i n
a
, i ^ i i_ j •J you slice it, there are
pictur e b y wha t h e o r sh e decide s to
J
i n o u r live s a r e d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e p a r t
s
o f ou r ex perien c e w e choos e t o m a k e important . O u
r interpretatio n of an y situatio n depend s on wha t
w e includ e o r exclu d e fro m ou r fram e o f perception .
T h e f a c t is , e v e r y t h i n g i s r e l a t i v e . W h e n y o u t h i n k o n
e situati o n i s bad , tha t i s b e c a u s e y o u ar e c o m p a r i n g i t
t o so m ethi n g y o u perceiv e to b e better . On e of my
favorit e
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PAU L McKENN A
e x a m p l e s o f thi s c o m e s i n a le tt e r f r o m a c o l l e g e s t u d e n
t t o h e r parents :
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FLEXIBILIT Y I S P O W E R
83
PAULMcKENNA
l o o k i n g a t t hi ng s h a s t h e m o s t c h o i c e s a n d h e n c e t h e great
•
es t possibilit y o f co nt r o l l i n g t h e o u t c o m e o f a n y situa tion
.
T h e ar t o f re f r a m i n g th e w o r l d wit h a positiv e per
• spectiv e i s n o t a b o u t i g n o r i n g p r o b l e m s b u t a b o u t
h a v i n g sufficien t flexibilit y t o m a k e y o u r p o i n t o f vie w
w o r k fo r y o u instea d o f agains t yo u . W h e n I' m w o r ki n g
wit h chil • d r e n w h o h a v e t o g o t h r o u g h a n un p l e a s a n t
m edica l pro • cedure , I reframeit by turnin g i t int o
a game ; wit h grown-ups , I 'l l ofte n hel p the m refram
e thei r fea r a s e x c i te m e n t a n d thei r procrastinatio n a s
"perfectl y timin g th e universe . "
O n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t lesson s I'v e l e a r n e d f r o
m w o r k i n g wit h successf u l p e o p l e ov e r th e year s i s tha t
fa il • u r e i s a n a t t i t u d e , n o t a n o u t c o m e . T h a t is , it' s g o t
n o t h • i n g t o d o w i t h t h e resul t s y o u p r o d u c e a n d
everythin g t o d o wit h h o w y o u fram e things .
F o r e x a m p l e , afte r T h o m a s Edison ' s seve n h u n d r e d t
h unsuc cessf u l a t te m p t t o inven t th e electri c light , h e
w a s a s k e d b y a New York Times r e p o r t e r , "Ho w doe s i t
fee l t o hav e faile d seve n h u n d r e d times? "
T h e gr e a t i n v e n t o r r e s p o n d e d wi t h a classi c e x a m p l
e o f a positiv e perspectiv e :
" I hav e n o t faile d seve n h u n d r e d times . I hav e n o t faile
d once . I hav e s u c c e e d e d i n pr ovi n g tha t thos e seve n
h u n • d r e d wa y s wil l n o t w o r k . W h e n I h a v e e l i m i n a t e d
al l t h e w a y s t h a t wi l l n o t w o r k , I wil l f i n d t h e w a y t h a t
wi l l w o r k . "
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
T h o u s a n d s m o r e o f thos e successfu l p r oo f s o f w h a
t wil l n o t w o r k f o l l o w e d , b u t E d i s o n finall y f o u n d th e
wa y tha t di d work , a n d i n s o d o i n g h e illuminate d th e
world .
A b o v e all , w h a t E d i s o n s u c c e e d e d i n d o i n g wa s t
o fram e hi s particula r c ha ll e n g e i n a wa y tha t h e l p e d
k e e p h i m motivated . H e wa s flexibl e e n o u g h i n hi s
thinkin g t o giv e himsel f m o r e choices . A n d yo u ca n giv e
y o u r s e l f t h e s a m e flexibility !
Here' s a n exercis e i n puttin g th e powe r o f perspectiv e
t o w o r k i n y o u r o w n l if e :
The Frame G a m e
EXAMPLES:
85
PAULMCKENN A
EXAMPLES'.
EXAMPLES:
A QUESTIO N O F PERSPECTIV E
O n e o f t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l f r a m i n g t o o l s w e al l u s e o
n a d a i l y ba s i s i s a l s o o n e o f t h e s i m p l e s t — t h e p o w e r
o f questions .
Question s de t e r m i n e th e focu s o f o u r pe r ce p t i o n a
s w e l l a s t h e a m o u n t o f s u c c e s s , l o v e , fe a r , a n g e r , j o y ,
o r w o n d e r t h a t w e e x p e r i e n c e o n a n o n g o i n g b a si s . S o m
e o f th e p e o p l e I m e e t a n d w o r k wit h ar e stuc k o r i n
pai n becaus e the y ar e continuall y askin g themselve s
n e g a • ti v e l y o r i e n t a t e d q u e s t i o n s .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
q u e s t i o n a s s u m e s t h a t (a ) t h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g t o b e d o n
e a n d ( b ) y o u c a n ' t d o it .
I n orde r t o eve n unders tan d th e question , yo u r m i n
d automaticall y begin s to searc h o u t al l th e reason s
wh y y o u can' t d o whateve r i t i s tha t y o u perceiv e need s
t o b e d o n e . N o matte r wh a t an swe r y o u give , y o u ar e
a c c e p t i n g th e basi c p r em i s e o f th e question .
Al ternatively , imagin e askin g yo ursel f , "Ho w ca n
I mos t e as il y mak e thi s work? " Thi s questio n
p r e s u p p o s e s t h a t (a ) thi s c a n w o r k , (b ) ther e ar e a
n u m b e r o f w a y s t h i s c a n w o r k , a n d (c ) i t ca n b e don e
easily . T h e s e a ssump • tion s o r pre suppo si tio n s ac t a s a
di rectiona l compass , a n d yo u r m i n d th e n searche s fo r h o
w t o m a k e thing s work .
Q u e s t i o n s d i r e c t y o u r f o c u s , a n d y o u al wa y s g e t m o r
e o f w h a t y o u f o c u s o n i n li f e . I f y o u r q u a l i t y o f li f e i s
poor , examin e you r inne r question s and as k yoursel
f ho w m u c h mo r e em poweri n g yo u ca n mak e them .
S o m e ex am pl e s o f c o m m o n b u t un hel pfu l question
s are :
• W h y d o e s thi s alway s h a p p e n t o m e ?
• W h y d o n ' t I lik e myself ?
• W h y ca n' t I eve r los e weight ?
N ow , as k yo u rs el f a n e w q ues t i o n
S o let' s l e a r n h o w q u e s t i o n s c a n e m p o w e r us . Star t b
y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s t h a t p r e s u p p o s e t h e p o s i t i v e , s u c h as :
87
PAU L McKENN A
TH E W O R K O F B Y R O N KATI
E
Al l to o ofte n h u m a n bein g s b e c o m e e n t r e n c h e d i n a
n unresourcefu l plac e throug h lac k o f emotiona l
flexibilit y . B y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s tha t gentl y fo r c e th e
l istene r t o e x p e • r i e n c e th i n g s differently , I h a v e s e e n
p e o p l e b e c o m e fre e f r o m year s o f painfu l e mo ti o n s i n a
matte r o f minutes .
Byro n Katie , autho r o f th e a m a z i n g b o o k Loving
What Is, u s e s a s i m p l e b u t r e m a r k a b l y e f f e c t i v e s e t o f
question s tha t he l p s p e o p l e o v e r c o m e anger , r e se n tm e n t
, a n d f ea r ve r y quickly . S h e b e g i n s b y as k in g i f t h e r e i s
s o me on e yo u ar e j u d g i n g h a r s h l y — s o m eo n e yo u haven '
t ye t forgive n fo r whateve r i t i s tha t h e o r sh e ha s
d o n e . S h e as k s f o r s p e c i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n , s u c h a s : " H o w
d o yo u wan t th e m t o change ? Wh a t shoul d o r shouldn' t
the y do ? W h a t d o y o u n e e d f ro m the m i n orde r t o b e
happy? "
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
1. Is it true?
W h e n peopl e firs t c o n s i d e r w h e t h e r t h e i r p o i n t o
f vi e w i s t ru e , t h e a n s w e r i s of t e n a r e s o u n d i n g yes .
H o w • ever , s h e foll o w s i t u p wi t h a m o r e s e a r c h i n g
question :
T h i s q u es t i o n get s y o u i n t o u c h wi t h t h e n e ga ti v e c o n
• sequences , st re s s , an d up s e t o f y o u r mind-set . It
quickl y b e c o m e s obviou s tha t continuin g to vie w th
e worl d throug h thi s f r a m e i s unproductiv e a t bes t
a n d d o w n • r igh t d a m a g i n g a t worst .
I n o r d e r t o h o n e st l y an s w e r thi s q u e s t i o n , y o u h a v e t
o mov e outsid e th e limitation s o f th e negativ e
perspecti v e y o u originall y wrot e d o w n . Simultaneously ,
yo u be g i n t o fee l bette r almos t immediately .
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PAU L MCKENN A
A t th i s p o i n t , m o s t p e o p l e a r e r e a d y t o l e t t h e b u r d e
n o f th e upse t g o an d embrac e t h e i r n e w st re s s -f r e e
m i n d • s et . Y o u c a n w o r k w i t h t h e s e q u e s t i o n s a n y t i m e
y o u wa n t t o ste p b e y o n d a li mitin g per spe ctiv e .
PO SS IB I L I T Y Q U E S T I O N S
• W h a t w o u l d h a p p e n i f thi s j u s t w a sn ' t a p r o b l e
m anymore ?
• W h a t w o u l d i t tak e fo r e v e r y t h i n g t o b e al l right ?
• I f I k ne w ther e wa s a simpl e solution , wh a t w o u l
d i t be ?
• W h a t h a v e n ' t I t h o u g h t o f y et ?
• I f I m a d e a n a s t o u n d i n g b r e a k t h r o u g h i n th i s a r e a
, w h a t w o u l d i t b e like ?
R e m e m b e r th e g o l d e n rule :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
S o i t' s v i t al l y i m p o r t a n t t o a c k n o w l e d g e a n d c o n c e n •
trat e o n y o u r suc cesse s , g r e a t a n d s m a l l — o n wha t ' s reall
y health y an d rewardin g arou n d you .
Empowering Question s
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PA U L MCKENN A
A N E W PERSPECTIV E
O N RELATIONSHIP S
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PAU L McKENN A
TH E P O W E R O F B E L I E F S
I n m a n y ways , w h a t w e believ e ha s a fa r g r e a t e r
influ • e n c e on ou r lif e tha n objectiv e trut h . Fo r
example , i t doesn' t reall y matte r ho w fa r yo u t r av e l
aroun d th e
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
w o r l d — y o u w o n ' t fal l o f f it . B u t f o r t h o u s a n d s o f y e a r s ,
t h e c o m m o n l y h e l d b e l i e f t h a t t h e e a r t h w a s fla t m e a n t
t h a t m o s t p e o p l e d i d n ' t e v e n a t t e m p t t o t r av e l b e y o n d t h e
hor i • z o n . I t o n l y t o o k o n e m a n w h o wa s willin g t o se e
t h i n g s dif• f e r e n t l y t o t r a n s f o r m t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e
planet .
Belief s ar e th e wi n do w s t h r o u g h w h i c h y o u vie w th
e world . I f y o u r "belie f win do w " i s c ov e re d wit h to o
m u c h negativity—idea s suc h as "Th e worl d is a
d a n g e r o u s p l a c e " o r " P e o p l e c a n ' t b e t r u s t e d " — y o u wil l
se e a dan • gerou s worl d fille d wit h untrustworth y
people . I f y o u replac e th e belief s on you r windo w
wit h po siti v e one s suc h a s " T h e w o r l d i s a friendl y
p l a c e " a n d " I c a n t r u s t m ys e l f , " y o u g e t t o li v e i n a
friendl y wo r l d w h e r e y o u ar e abl e t o m a k e smar t choice s
a b o u t e v e r y a s p e c t o f y o u r l if e .
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PAU L McKENN A
TH E S E V E N K E Y B E L I E F
S O F HIGH A C H I E V E R S
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
T h e r e i s a n o l d Suf i stor y a b o u t a m a n w h o wa s l o o k i n
g fo r hi s ke y s outsid e hi s hom e unde r th e brigh t
s t r e e t - l a m p s t h a t li t h i s r o a d . M a n y o f h i s n e i g h b o r s
j o i n e d h i m i n hi s s ea r c h , un ti l o n e f in a l l y aske d , " W h e r e
d i d y o u los e y o u r keys? " T h e m a n re pl i e d , "Insid e m y
house. "
A m a z e d , th e n e i g h b o r asked , " T h e n wh y ar e y o u look •
in g ou t here? "
The man replied , "Becaus e there' s m o r e ligh t ou
t here. "
T h e s i m p l e fac t i s th a t n o b o d y k no w s y o u be t t e r t h a
n y o u k n o w yourself . E v e n i f y o u ha v e s p e n t y o u r e n ti r e
l if e s e a r c h i n g f o r a n s w e r s o ut si d e yourself , onc e yo u
star t l o o k i n g w ith i n , th e p e r f e c t answer s t o l i fe ' s
q u e s t i o n s wil l p o p o u t m o r e a n d m o r e .
I n th e n i n e t e e n t h century , th e c o n c e p t o f p e o p l e b e i n
g "broken " grabbe d hol d o f th e nascen t psychiatri c
c o m • mun it y a n d b e c a m e th e standar d fo r m o r e tha n
a hun • dre d years . Geniuse s suc h as Richar d
Bandle r an d
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PAU L McKENN A
m o d e r n psychologist s le d b y s u c h innova to r s a s Ma rt i
n Seligma n an d Mihal y Csikszentmihaly i se e thing s
dif fe r - e n d y . T h e e m e r g i n g f i e l d o f p o s i t i v e p s y c h o l o g y
is buil t o n t h e p r e m i s e th a t i f w e w a n t t o replica t e
m e n t a l h e a l t h , w e n e e d t o st ud y p e o p l e w h o a r e healthy
, n o t t h o s e t h a t a r e s i ck .
I'v e l e a r n e d i n m y year s o f w o r k i n g wit h p e o p l e i n
a l l w a l k s o f li f e t h a t e v e r y o n e d o e s w h a t t h e y d o f o r a
ver y g o o d reason , eve n t h o u g h th e reaso n ma y s e e m
i na p p r o • priat e t o th e outsi d e world . A n y dysfunction a l
b e h a v i o r h a s a positiv e i n t e n t o r o n c e se r v e d a p u r p o s
e th a t ha s sinc e b e e n o u t g r o w n .
Fo r example , i f someon e h a s a f e a r o f fly in g , it
m i g h t b e fo r an y n u m b e r o f reasons , b u t i f w e assum e th e
p h o b i a h a s a p o s i t i v e i n t e n t , w e k n o w i t wil l p r o b a b l y
c o m e d o w n t o t h e d e s i r e t o b e sa f e . A s y o u r u n c o n s c i o u
s m i n d f i n d s n e w wa y s o f k e e p i n g y o u s af e w i t h o u t t h
e unnecessar y phobi c response , th e phobi a it s e l f
b e c o m e s unnecessary .
Thi s i s wh y usin g m o d e r n psychologica l techniques
, w e c a n n o w cu r e lifetim e ph o bia s i n a ma tt e r o f
minutes .
A r e y o u c o n f i de n t a b o u t tyin g y o u r sh o e l a c e s o r s h o p
• pin g fo r groceries ? The n yo u alread y hav e th e
reso urc e o f co n f id e n c e withi n you . T h er ef o r e , y o u ca n
fee l confi • d e n t a b o u t s p e a k i n g i n public , approachin
g a p e r s o n y o u fee l attracte d to , o r an ythi n g els e y o u
desire .
H a v e y o u ev e r fel t lo v e i n y o u r he a r t , fo r a p a r e n t ,
98
Change Your Life in Seven Days
M y p o i n t i s th i s :
99
PAU L McKENN A
W h e n hav e y o u failed ? W h e n y o u d e c i d
e t o sto p learning . Unti l then , ever y
Wouldyou like me to
respons e y o u g e t i s valuabl e informati o n
give you a formula
for success ? It's quite t h a t c a n b e u s e d t o tel l y o u w h e t h e r y o u
100
Change Youf~Life in Seven Days _
101
PAU L McKENN A
T o m y a m a z e m e n t , t h e y a l wa y s k n o w t h e a n s w e r , a n
d m o r e ofte n t h a n n o t tha t answe r i s n o .
O n e o f t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s I' v e notice
d betwee n th e peopl e wh o succee d an d th e one s
w h o struggl e i s wh e t h e r the y l o o k in t o th e pas t o r th e
presen t t o creat e thei r future . I f y o u continuall y l oo k t o
t h e pa s t , y o u wil l alway s f e e l t h a t h i s t o r y i s d o o m e d t o
r e p e a t itself ; i f y o u l o o k t o t h e p r e s e n t , y o u wil l al wa y s
fin d ther e i s s o m e n e w c ho i c e yo u c a n m a k e t o e n h a n c e
y o u r p o ss ib il it i e s .
N o m a tt e r h o w m u c h y o u ' v e s t r u g g l e d i n t h e past
, ever y m o m e n t o f ever y da y provide s y o u wit h a n
o p p o r t u • nit y t o m a k e n e w c h o i c e s a n d c rea t e n e w
results .
102
Change Your Life in Seven Days
W h e n y o u h arnes s t h e p o w e r o f a positiv e p e r s pe c ti v
e i n y o u r o w n l if e , y o u g e t t o m a k e e v e r y d a y a g r e a t
one !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
103
DAY
4
DREA M SETTIN G
Discover what you truly want and
make your dreams come true
PAU L MCKENN A
106
Change Your Life in Seven Days
107
PAU L McKENN A
108
A
I \ man was walking along a beach, reflecting on his life. He
wind.
his feet. Right where he was standing, and for as far as the eye
sands of tiny starfish washed up onto the shore by the ocean waves
and tide.
apparent cruelty of the ocean. After all, those starfish hadn't done
anything wrong! Yet before the day was done, they would be dead,
109
PAU L McKENN A
When he asked her what she was doing, she said she had
starfish that lay dying along the coastline and said, "For every
starfish you throw back into the ocean, three more wash up onto
up another starfish and threw it back into the sea. "Made a differ•
ence to that one," she said, and she smiled the most beautiful
110
TH E G O A L O F S E T T I N G G O A L
S
y o u t o d a y m a y s e e m f a m i li a r . Y o u m a y Robert
Byrne
ha v e e v e n se t goal s i n th e pa s t a n d g o
t al l e x c i t e d a b o u t a ch i e v i n g t h e m , o n l
y
t o fin d tha t yo u r motivatio n w a n e d w h e n wh a t y o u h a
d se t i n m o t i o n d i d n ' t c o m e t o pass . O r p e r h a p s y o u
g o t wha t y o u t h o ug h t y o u wanted , onl y t o discove r i t
w a s n ' t , a n d y o u w e r e l e f t t o r e f l e c t , "I s th i s a l l t h e r e is ? "
B u t d o n ' t b e f o o l e d o r t e m p t e d t o ski p a h e a d — t o d a
y
i s g o i n g t o b e different . T h e cr uci a l dif fe re n c e i s tha t
thi s t i m e w e ' r e goin g t o p u t goal s i n thei r p r o p e r
p l a c e — a s s e r v a n t s o f a b e t t e r l if e .
T od a y y o u ' r e g o i n g t o l e a r n a w h o l e n e w wa y o f think
• i n g a b o u t w h a t i t i s y o u w a n t i n life . G o a l s a r e ac tua l l y
t h e least i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h e three-ste p proces s y o u
wi l l l ear n . Usin g th e amazin g technique s in today' s
l e s s o n , I ' m g o i n g t o h e l p y o u t a k e c o n t r o l o f y o u r li f e
a n d stee r i t i n th e directio n y o u want .
Ill
PAU L McKENN A
T H R E E S T E P S T O A W O N D E R F U L LIF
E
T h e r e ar e essential l y o n l y t h r e e t h in g s y o u n e e d t o h av
e a w o n d e r f u l li f e :
3 . M i l e s t o n e s y o u c a n v is i t a l o n g t h e w a y t o y o u r ul ti •
ma t e destin a tio n (you r goals )
F o r o u r p u r p o s e s , w e c a n t h i n k a b o u t i t lik e this :
112
Change Your Life in Seven Days
W h a t al l t he s e i n no v a t o r s w e r e d o i n g wa s a f o r m o
f v i s u a l i z a t i o n , s e l f - h y p n o s i s , or , a s it' s k n o w n i n t h e
c o r p o • rat e w o rl d , strategi c p l a n n i n g , w h i c h I wil l b e
s h a r i n g w i t h y o u l a t e r i n th i s c h a p t e r . A l l o f u s n e e d t o
e n g a g e i n th i s c r e a t i v e acti vit y . I n f a c t , t h e m o r e t i m e
y o u s p e n d i n creativ e d r e a m i n g , t h e m o r e successfu l y o
u wil l b e c o m e .
W h y i s th i s s t a t e o f c r e a t i v e r e v e r i e s o i m p o r t a n t ?
113
PAU L McKENN A
D I S C O V E R I N G Y O U R BIG D R E A M
114
Change Your Life in Seven Days
I n t h e 1960 s U .S . p r e s i d e n t J o h n F
When asked about
. K e n n e d y talke d o f puttin g a m a n o
the most positive
n th e m o o n . H e tol d American s :
things that came
about as a result of
W e choo s e t o g o t o th e m o o n i n
America's involve•
thi s d e c a d e a n d d o t h e o t h e r t h i n g s ,
ment in the space
no t becaus e the y ar e easy, bu t
race, most scientists
becaus e the y ar e hard—becaus e
agree that it was
th a t g o a l wil l s e r v e t o o r g a n i z e a n
neither the ad•
d measur e th e bes t o f o u r energie s
vances in engineer•
a n d skills . B e c a u s e t h a t c h a l l e n g e i
ing or rocket design
s o n e t h a t w e a r e wi ll i n g t o a c c e p t ,
nor even the dis•
o n e w e ar e unwillin g to postpone
coveries about the
, an d o n e w hi c h w e i nt e n d t o win
geological forma•
.
tions on the moon.
115
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T KN O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t l es s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing cent of us writ e dow n ou r goals .
W e more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r d es t i n y ,
p r e - with a deadline. ferrin g t o stumbl e t h r o u g h life ,
leav e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c ha n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e f e e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • k e tb a l l coac h in colleg e history , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fa i l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f ai l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u wan t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k ab o u t h o w i t m i g h t c o m e about , the n focu s you
r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o ur s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o re aliz e tha t i f I c ar r i e d o n wi t h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t ua l pa tt e r n s o f thinki n g a n d acting ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y mor e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or f in a n c i a l l y . I' d jus t
be fi v e y e a r s older , a l itt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualizatio n s lik e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s ch a p t e r .
Th e r es ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g t hi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o f e e l b e t te r . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
enerey . Opportunitie s floode d my in ,
& / rr
' The talent i s i n the
f in a n c e s t o o k a sign if ican t u p t u r n , a n d I
choices.
b e c a m e ver y wel l known . I bega n t
o
' ° —Robert De Niro
attrac t t h e k i n d o f p e o p l e a r o u n d m
e t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d a lwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s fi n a l l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l life .
B a s e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e t h e n
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e mys e l f
a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T KN O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t le s s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s writ e down ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s t i n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h lif e , l e a v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c ha n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wil l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wil l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • ke tbal l coac h in colleg e history , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u wan t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k ab o u t ho w i t mig h t com e about , the n focu s
y o u r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I s a t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g th e pr e se n t co ur s e I' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carr ie d o n wit h
m y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d a ct in g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financiall y . I' d jus
t be fi v e y e a r s o l d e r , a l i t d e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I 'l l b e s h a r i n
g w i t h y o u t od a y . I d i d v i s u a l i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f th i s c h a p t e r .
T h e r es u l t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g th i s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The latent is in the
finance s to o k a significan t u p t u r n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert lie Mm
t o attrac t t h e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d tim e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alway s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f in al l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l l if e .
B as e d o n tha t e x pe r ie n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e
then , her e is th e seven-st e p syste m I u s e to guid e
mysel f a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d
t r a i n i n g s t o li v e
t h e live s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T K N O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t l es s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing cen t o f u s writ e dow n ou r goals .
W e more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s ti n y ,
p r e - with a deadline. ferrin g t o stumbl e t h r o u g h life ,
leav e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c ha n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • k e tb a l l coac h i n colleg e h is to r y , wa s fon d o f
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fa i l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f ai l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o thin k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u wan t , i m ag i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k abou t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s
y o u r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l at e 1980 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d myself ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carrie d o n wi t h m
y day-to-da y h a bi t u a l p a t t e r n s o f thinkin g a n d acting ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y mor e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionall y , or financially . I' d jus
t be fiv e y e a r s o l d e r , a l itt l e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o da y .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualizatio n s li k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s cha pt e r .
T h e re s ul t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k no w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The talent is in the
finance s too k a significan t u p tu r n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert De Mm
t o attrac t t h e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I a lwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alway s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f i na l l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l life .
B a se d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e t he n
, h e r e i s t h e seven-st e p syste m I u s e t o g u i d e m y s e l f
a n d tho usa n d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e l ive s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T KN O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t les s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s writ e down ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s t i n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h l if e , l e a v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wil l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wil l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
the y wan t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , th e mos t
s u c c e s s f u l b a s • k e t b a l l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e h is to r y , w a s f o n
d o f s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
I n e s s e n c e , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
g y o u w a n t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e l i k e t o h a v e it ,
c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s you r min d
u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o ur s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I ca r r i e d o n wit h
m y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d ac t i n g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t real l y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r financially . I' d ju s t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a l itt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g w i t h y o u t od a y . I d i d v i s u a l i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s c h a p t e r .
Th e r es ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e on e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g t hi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fe e l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The talent is in the
finance s to o k a significan t up t ur n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert DeNiro
t o attrac t th e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d tim e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . No t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f i n al l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l life .
Base d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e mys e l f
a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T K N O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t les s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing cent of us writ e dow n ou r goals .
W e more than a dream don\ b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r d e s t i n y ,
p r e - with a deadline. ferrin g t o stumbl e throug h li f e ,
leav e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wil l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • ketba l l coac h in colleg e h is to r y , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
I n e s s e n c e , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
g y o u w a n t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e l i k e t o h a v e it ,
c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s you r min d
u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o ur s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o reali z e tha t i f I car r i e d o n wi t h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d acting ,
fi v e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financiall y . I' d ju s
t b e f i v e y e a r s o l d e r , a li tt l e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I'l l b e s h a r i n
g w i t h y o u t od a y . I d i d v i s u a l i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s c ha p t e r .
Th e r e s ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , an d ar e on e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g t hi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fe e l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The talent is in the
f in a nc e s t o o k a significan t up t u r n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert De Mm
t o attrac t th e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I alway s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h
,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d a lwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . No t
onl y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g true , b u t I wa s finall y livin g
a w o n • d e r f u l l ife .
Base d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
a n d th o usa n d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e li ve s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T KN O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t les s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal is nothing c e n t Q f u s w r j t e dow n ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s ti n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h l if e , l e a v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r w h y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wil l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y w i l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n lif e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • k e tb a l l coac h in colleg e history , wa s f o n d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o fa i l . "
I n e s s e n c e , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
g y o u w a n t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e l i k e t o h a v e it ,
c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s you r min d
u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 9 8 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g th e p r e s e n t co u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carrie d o n wit h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f think in g a n d acting ,
fiv e year s fro m no w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financially . I' d j u s
t be fiv e y e a r s o l d e r , a lit t i e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I'l l b e s h a r i n
g w i t h y o u t o da y . I d i d v i s u a l i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f th i s c h a p t e r .
T h e r es u l t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
re a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g th i s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The talent is in the
f in anc e s t o o k a s i g n i f i c a n t u p t u r n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert De Niro
t o attrac t th e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d tim e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f i n a l l y li v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l lif e .
B as e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e li ve s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T K N O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t les s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e dow n ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s t i n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h l if e , l e a v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y w i l l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • ke tbal l coac h in colleg e h is to r y , wa s f on d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u w an t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f i t' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k a bo u t h o w i t mig h t com e about , the n focu s
y o u r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 9 8 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o ur s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
wi l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wil l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carri e d o n wit h m
y day-to-da y h a bi t u a l p a t t e r n s o f thinki n g a n d actin g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r f i n a n c i a ll y . I' d jus t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a li tt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g w i t h y o u today . I d i d visu alizatio n s li k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f th i s c h a p t e r .
T h e re s ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
67 rr ;
7 h e talent i s i n the
f in an c e s t o o k a significan t u p t u r n , a n d I .
choices.
b e c a m e ver y wel l k now n . I b e g a n t
o
' ° —Robert De Niro
attrac t t h e k i n d o f p e o p l e a r o u n d m
e
t h a t I alwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d a lwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s fina l l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l lif e .
Ba se d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e th e n
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e mys e l f
a n d thousand s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T KN O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t le s s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r ite dow n ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s ti n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h life , lea v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r w h y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wil l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • ke tba l l coac h in colleg e history , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o fa i l . "
I n e s s e n c e , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
g y o u w a n t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e l i k e t o h a v e it ,
c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s you r min d
u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
wil l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wil l I b e f iv e year s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carrie d o n wit h
m y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p at te r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d ac ti n g ,
fiv e year s fro m no w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financially . I' d ju s
t b e f i v e y e a r s o l d e r , a lit t l e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I'l l b e s h a r i n
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualizatio n s lik e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s ch a p t e r .
T h e r es ul t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
rea • son s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k now . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The latent is in the
f in an c e s t o o k a s i g n i f i c a n t u p t u r n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert De Niro
t o attrac t th e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alway s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
on l y we r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g tr ue , b u t I wa s finall y livin g
a w o n • d e r f u l lif e .
B as e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s th e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T K N O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t les s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e down ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s t i n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h l if e , l e a v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
the y wan t i n lif e . Y e t a s Joh n Wooden , th e mos t
s u c c e s s f u l b a s • k e t b a l l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e h is to r y , w a s f o n
d o f s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u w an t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k ab o u t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s
y o u r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 9 8 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carr ie d o n wit h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t ua l p a t t e r n s o f thinki n g an d actin g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y mor e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r financially . I' d jus t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a l itt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualizatio n s lik e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f th i s c h a p t e r .
T h e r e s ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The talent is in the
finance s to o k a significan t up t ur n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert DeNiro
t o attrac t th e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I a lwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h
,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s fin al l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l lif e .
B a s e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e t h e n
, h e r e i s th e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L MCKENN A
WHA T I F I DON' T K N O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t le s s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e down ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s ti n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h life , lea v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e fe e l s o ba d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y w i l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
the y wan t i n l if e . Y e t a s Joh n Wooden , th e mos t
s uc ces sf u l bas • k et b a l l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e history , w a s f o n
d o f s a y i n g , " I f y o u fa i l t o p l a n , p l a n t o fa i l . "
I n e s s e n ce , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
g y o u w a n t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e l i k e t o h a v e it ,
c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s you r min d
u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g th e p r e s e n t c o u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
wi l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e f i v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o reali z e th a t i f I c ar r i e d o n wit h
m y d ay - t o - d a y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d a c t i n g ,
fiv e year s fro m n o w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r financially . I' d j u s t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a l itt l e b i t m o r e paranoid , an d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualization s lik e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s ch a p t e r .
Th e r es ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , an d ar e o n e o f th e
re a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g t h i s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . O p po r tu n i t i e s f l o o d e d in , m y . .
Ihe talent is in the
finance s t o o k a s i g n i f i c a n t u p t u r n , a n d I .
choices.
b e c a m e ver y wel l k now n . I b e g a n t
o
' —Robert he Niro
a ttrac t t h e k i n d o f p e o p l e a r o u n d m
e
t h a t I a lwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h
,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alway s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f in al l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l l if e .
Base d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s th e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e m ys e l f
a n d tho usa n d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o liv e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L MCKENN A
TH E D R E A M - S E T T I N G S Y S T E M
W h a t m a k e s t h e d r e a m - s e t t i n g s y s t e m d i f f e r e n t f r o m tr a
• ditiona l goa l settin g i s tha t w e be g i n a n d e n d wit h
e v e r y • o n e ' s u l t i m a t e g o a l — l i v i n g a w o n d e r f u l l if e .
I n o r d e r t o d o this , i t wil l f i r s t b e n ec e s s a r y t o
i d e n • tif y y o u r cor e values—thos e thing s tha t mak e
y o u r l if e w o r t h l i v i n g . T h e s e w i l l a c t a s a c o m p a s s f o r
y o u r j o u r • n ey . O n c e y o u ar e clea r o n yo u r values , w
e w i l l i d e n • tif y y o u r b i g d r e a m — t h e t h i n g t h a t g i v e s
yo u a clea r sens e o f directio n a n d purpose . Fi na ll y ,
w h e n y o u r c o m • p as s i s a l i g n e d a n d y o u r d i r e c t i o n i s
clear , w e wil l f o c u s o n mor e traditiona l goals—th e
mil e marker s on th e roa d to you r dream s an d th e
b u i l d i n g b l o c k s o f y o u r w o n d e r f u l lif e .
Wha t woul d yo u d o i f th e w o r l d wa s g o i n g t o en d
o n e w e e k f r o m today ?
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119
PAU L McKENN A
120
Change Your Life in Seven Days
121
PAU L McKEN N A
t o a d a p t t h e w o r l d t o h i m s e l f . T h e r e f o r e , al l
progres s d e p e n d s o n th e unreasonabl e man. "
W i t h y o u r v a l u e s fir ml y i n m i n d , m a k e a list o f
eve ry • t h i n g (y e s , e v e r y t h i n g ) y o u w a n t now , h a v e w a n t e
d i n t h e p as t , o r c a n c o n c e i v e o f w a n t i n g i n th e
f ut ur e . J u s t g e t e v e r y t h i n g o u t o f y o u r h e a d a n d d o w n
o n p a p e r . I t i s n o t n ec es sa r y t o h a v e a n y
You want what you
i n t e n t i o n o f actual l y g e t t i n g a n y o f t h e s
want, whether or not
e things , no r is it n ec es s a r y tha t
you think you can
y o u b e l i e v e g e t t i n g a n y o f t h e i te m s o n
get it.
y o u r lis t i s p o s s i b l e . N o m a t t e r h o w
—Robert Fritz
w e i r d o r i m p o s s i b l e i t m a y s e e m , al l y o
u n e e d t o d o i s writ e i t do wn !
T a k e a t l e a s t fiv e m i n u t e s t o d o thi s n o w b e f o r e m o v •
i n g o n t o ste p 3 .
O n l y y o u k n o w wh a t y o u trul y w a n t o u
Don't ask what the t o f life—wha t make s you r hear t
world needs—ask sing . W h e n y o u ar e answerin g th e
what makes you q u e s t i o n s b e l o w , i t' s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h a t
come alive and then yo u don' t sto p to conside r wheth e r
go and do that. s o m e t h i n g i s possibl e or not . Jus t le
Because what the t th e a n s w e r s flo w . . . .
world needs is people
who have come alive. • W h a t d o y o u lov e t o d o s o m u c h tha
—Howard Martin t y o u ' d p a y t o d o it?
• W h a t d o y o u fee l reall y p a ss io na t
e about ?
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
Answer in g thes e q u e s t i o n s wi l l h e l p y o u t o g e t a
n o v e r a l l i d e a o f w h a t y o u r l if e ' s p u r p o s e is . I t r e m o v e s
t h e limitatio n s o f y o u r p r e s e n t min d- s e t a n d let s y o u
b e c o m e outrageous l y creative .
I f y o u f e e l y o u w a n t a d d i t i o n a l clarit y , a s k y o u r s e l f t h
e followin g questions :
• W h a t di d y o u wan t t o d o a s a child ?
• Wh a t di d yo u wan t t o b e wh e n yo u gre w up ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u d o i f y o u w e r e g u a r a n t e e d success ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y lov e t o h a p p e n ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y li k e t o le ar n ?
• W h a t skil l s d o y o u w a n t t o m a s t e r ?
• H o w m u c h m o n e y d o y o u wan t t o earn ?
• W h a t c h a r a c t e r tr ai t s d o y o u w a n t t o d e v e l o p ?
• W h a t d o y o u w a n t t o giv e b a c k t o th e world ?
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PA U L McKENN A
t o a d a p t t h e w o r l d t o him sel f . T h e r e f o r e , al l p r o g r e s
s depend s o n th e unreasonabl e man. "
W i t h y o u r v a l u e s fi r m l y i n m i n d , m a k e a lis t o f
e ve r y • t h i n g (y e s , e v e r y t h i n g ) y o u w a n t n o w , h a v e w a n t e
d i n t h e pa s t , o r c a n c o n c e i v e o f w a n t i n g i n t h e f u t u r e
. Jus t g e t every th i n g o u t o f y o u r h e a d a n d d o w n
o n paper . I t i s n o t necessar y t o h av e an y
You want what you
i n t e n t i o n o f actuall y ge t t i n g a n y o f thes
want, whether or not
e things , no r is it necessar y tha t
you think you can
y o u believ e gettin g an y o f th e item s o n
get it.
y o u r lis t i s p o s s i b l e . N o matte r ho w
—Robert Fritz
w e i r d o r i m p o s s i b l e i t m a y s e e m , al l y o
u n e e d t o d o i s writ e i t d o w n !
T a k e a t l e a s t fi v e m i n u t e s t o d o t h i s n o w b e f o r e m o v •
i n g o n t o ste p 3 .
O n l y y o u k n o w w h a t y o u trul y w a n t o u
Don't ask what the tof life—wha t make s you r hear t
world needs—ask sing . W h e n yo u ar e answerin g th e
what makes you q u e s t i o n s b e l o w , it' s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h a t
come alive and then y o u d o n ' t sto p to conside r whethe r
go and do that. s o m e th i n g i s possibl e or not . Jus t le t
Because what the th e a n s w e r s flow . . . .
world needs is people
who have come alive. • W h a t d o y o u lov e t o d o s o m u c h tha
—Howard Martin t y o u ' d p a y t o d o it ?
• Wha t d o yo u fee l reall y p assiona t
e about ?
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
An s w er i n g thes e q u es t i o n s wil l h e l p y o u t o g e t a
n o v e r a l l i d e a o f w h a t y o u r l if e ' s p u r p o s e is . I t r e m o v e s
t h e l i m i t a t i o n s o f y o u r p r e s e n t m i n d - s e t a n d le t s y o u
b e c o m e o ut r a g e o us l y creative .
I f y o u f e e l y o u w a n t a d d i t i o n a l cla rit y , a s k y o u r s e l f t h
e followin g questions :
• W h a t di d yo u wan t t o d o a s a child ?
• W h a t di d yo u wan t t o b e w h e n yo u gre w up ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u d o i f y o u w e r e g u a r a n t e e d s uc c e s s ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y lov e t o h a p p e n ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y lik e t o lear n ?
• W h a t skil l s d o y o u w a n t t o m a s t e r ?
• H o w m u c h m o n e y d o y o u w a n t t o earn ?
• W h a t c h a r a c t e r t r ai t s d o y o u w a n t t o d e v e l o p ?
• W h a t d o y o u wa n t t o giv e b a c k t o th e world ?
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PAU L MCKENN A
I n a f e w m o m e n t s , I ' m g o i n g t o as k y o u t o b e g i n t
o formulat e you r bi g dream . A s yo u do , mak e sur e
tha t yo u r d r e a m i s f o cu s e d o n wh a t y o u d o want , n o t o n
wha t y o u don't .
O n e t h i n g t h a t al l o f t h e u n h a p p y p e o p l e I h a v e e ve
r wo r k e d wit h hav e i n c o m m o n i s tha t the y k n o w wh a t
t h e y don't w a n t a n d t h e y f o c u s on it to th e poin t o f
obsession . W h a t the y h a ve n ' t ye t realize d i s tha t y o u
a l wa y s g e t m o r e o f w h a t y o u f o c u s o n .
F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e p e o p l e s p e n d al l t h e i r t i m e thin k
• i n g o f wa y s t o n o t b e fat . O f c o u r s e , t h e p r o b l e m i s t h a
t i n o r d e r t o n o t b e a n y t h i n g y o u firs t h a v e t o t h i n k
a b o u t b e i n g it . S o c o n s t a n t l y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s l i k e " W h y
a m I s o fat? " a n d " H o w c a n I n o t b e fa t a n y m o r e ? " i s lik
e contin • uall y reinforcin g you r min d wit h interna l
r e p r e s e n t a • tion s o f y o u r s e l f a s a fa t p e r s o n .
B y com p ar i s o n , a qu e st i o n lik e " H o w a m I g o i n g t
o becom e fit , healthy , an d strong? " focuse s you r
attentio n o n wha t y o u want .
W h e n y o u focu s o n wh a t y o u d o wan t a s op p os e d t
o wha t yo u don't , yo u ar e makin g sensory-ric h
e x p e r i e n c e s o f w h a t y o u w i l l s e e , h e a r , f e e l , ta st e , a n d
smel l w h e n y o u ge t wha t yo u want . B y regularl y
c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n w h a t y o u d o w a n t , y o u wi l l c o n d i t i o n
y o u r m i n d t o attrac t m o r e o f i t t o y o u .
T a k e a t l eas t f i v e m i n u t e s t o d o s o m e t h i n g c o m p l e t e l
y u n r e l a t e d t o th i s e x e r c i s e , t h e n c o m e b a c k a n d w r i t e
a fi rs t draf t o f y o u r b i g dream . Yo u ca n us e th e
followin g for m a s a guide .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
My Big Dream
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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PAU L McKENN A
I n a fe w m o m e n t s , I ' m g o i n g t o as k y o u t o b e g i n t
o formulat e you r bi g dream . A s yo u do , mak e sur e
tha t y o u r d r e a m i s f o c u s e d o n w h a t y o u d o want , n o t o n
wha t yo u don't .
O n e t h i n g t h a t al l o f t h e u n h a p p y p e o p l e I h a v e e v e
r w or k e d wit h hav e i n c o m m o n i s tha t the y k no w wh a t
t h e y don't w a n t a n d t h e y f o c u s o n i t t o th e poin t o f
obsession . W h a t the y haven ' t ye t realize d i s tha t y o u
a lw a y s g e t m o r e o f w h a t y o u f o c u s o n .
F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e p e o p l e s p e n d al l t h e i r t i m e think
• i n g o f w a y s t o n o t b e fa t . O f c o u r s e , t h e p r o b l e m i s t h a
t i n o r d e r t o n o t b e a n y t h i n g y o u firs t h a v e t o t h i n k
a b o u t b e i n g it . S o c o n s t a n t l y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s l i k e " W h y
a m I s o fat? " a n d " H o w c a n I n o t b e fa t a n y m o r e ? " i s lik
e conti n • uall y reinforcin g you r min d wit h interna l
re pre s e nt a • tion s o f yo urse l f a s a fa t p e r s o n .
B y c o m p a r i s o n , a q u e s t i o n lik e " H o w a m I g o i n g t
o becom e fit , healthy , an d strong? " focuse s you r
attentio n o n wha t y o u want .
W h e n yo u focu s o n wha t yo u d o wan t a s o p p o s e d t
o wha t yo u don't , yo u ar e makin g sensory-ric h
e x p e r i e n c e s o f w h a t y o u wil l s e e , h e a r , f e e l , t as te , a n d
smel l w h e n yo u ge t wha t yo u want . B y regularl y
concentratin g o n w h a t y o u d o w a n t , y o u wi l l c o n d i t i o n
y o u r m i n d t o attrac t m o r e o f i t t o yo u .
T a k e a t l e a s t fiv e m i n u t e s t o d o s o m e t h i n g c o m p l e t e l
y u n r e l a t e d t o thi s e x e r c i s e , t h e n c o m e b a c k a n d writ e
a firs t d r a f t o f y o u r bi g dream . Yo u ca n us e th e
followin g for m a s a guide .
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My Big Dream
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
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PAU L McKENN A
Step 4: Measuring
Success
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
directio n o f y o u r dream s we e k b y w e e k a n d m o m e n
t b y moment .
A s k yoursel f :
• W h a t wi l l y o u s e e a s y o u a c h i e v e y o u r d r e a m ?
• W h a t wil l y o u hea r ?
• W h a t w i l l y o u f e e l , s m e l l , a n d tast e ?
Y o u r an swe r s t o th e s e q u es t i o n s wil l gi v e y o u a w a y
o f kn ow i n g i f y o u ar e gettin g neare r t o o r furthe r fro m
y o u r d r e a m s , a n d wil l k e e p y o u m o t i v a t e d a s y o u b e g i n
l i v i n g t h e li f e o f y o u r d r e a m s .
Step 5: Overcoming
Obstacles
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PAU L McKENN A
A s y o u p r o j e c t y o u r s e l f i n t o t h e f u t u r e , as k y o u r s e l f t h
e f ollo wi n g q ues t i o n s t o e n s u r e tha t livin g y o u r d r e a m
wil l b e g o o d fo r y o u a n d d o e s n ' t h a r m o the rs :
• W h e n I t h i n k a b o u t th i s d r e a m , d o e s i t s e e m c l e a
r o r fu zz y ?
• D o I f ee l fre e i n m y feel in g s o r restricted ?
• I s thi s s o m e t h i n g I a m m o v i n g t o w a r d o r a w a y f r o m ?
• I s t hi s m y d r e a m o r s o m e o t h e r p e r s o n ' s d r e a
m fo r me ?
• W h a t h i d d e n reward s m i g h t th e r e b e t o n o t livin
g th i s d r e a m ?
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
I f y o u l i k e , v i v i d l y li v e e a c h g o a l i n y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n ,
see • i n g w h a t yo u ' l l see , h e a r i n g w h a t y ou ' l l hear , a n d
feelin g h o w goo d you'l l fee l as yo u achiev e eac h
step . M o s t i m p o r t a n t , g e t a clear , big , b r i g h t i m a g e o f
e a c h goa l a s i f i t i s alrea d y h a p p e n i n g now .
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
N o w i s t h e t i m e t o b e g i n t o e x p l o r e w h a t it' s g o i n g
t o tak e to li v e y o u r d r e a m . A g a i n a n d again , I se e
p e op l e relyin g o n th e sam e o n e o r tw o resourc e s t o
bai l t h e m o u t o f tro ubl e o r p r o p e l t h e m fo rw ar d towar d
t h e i r g o a l s a n d d r e a m s . W h e t h e r it ' s t h e i r c h a r m , t h e i r
trus t fund , o r thei r friends , the y hav e becom e s o
h a bi t u a t e d t o us i n g thes e reso u rc e s tha t the y f o rg e t wh a t
e l s e t h e y h a v e av ai l • a b l e t o t h e m .
W h e n t h e y g e t s t u c k , it' s n o t b e c a u s e t h e y ' v e r e a l l
y ru n ou t of options , bu t rathe r becaus e thei r
habitua l knight s in shinin g armo r aren' t workin g o r
a r e n ' t av ai l • a b l e t o t h e m i n th i s p a r t i c u l a r s i t u a t i o n .
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PAU L McKENN A
I n o r d e r t o activ at e y o u r r e s o u r c e s a n d st e p o u t s i d
e y o u r c o m f o r t z o n e , t a k e s o m e t i m e n o w t o lis t t h e
myria d resource s y o u hav e a t y o u r c o m m a n d .
H e r e ar e s o m e ca t e g o ri e s t o g e t y o u started :
Examples:
loving , k ind , a gr ea t dance r , a g o o d negotiator
, fun n y , c a n d r i n k a p i n t o f b e e r i n o n e g o , e t c .
2. Your community
Examples:
• P e op l e y o u wor k wit h
• Peopl e yo u wo r k fo r
• Peopl e wh o wor k fo r yo u
• Famil y
• Friend s
• Neighbor s
• Y o u r "fa n cl u b "
• P e op l e y o u we n t t o schoo l wit h
• Peopl e yo u use d t o wor k wit h
• Customers/client s
Examples:
b a n k a c c o u n t s , i n v e s t m e n t s , h o m e equity , b u s i n e s
s equity , e tc .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
4. Your possessions
Examples:
h o u s e , c o m p u t e r , car , f a x m a c h i n e , p h o t o c o p i e r
, d e s k , c ha i r s , e tc .
O n e r e a s o n it ' s i m p o r t a n t t o l is t o u r r e s o u r c e s i s t h a
t i t force s u s to e x p a n d o u r thinkin g outsid e ou r
c om for t zone . A n d w h e n y o u ar e willin g t o d o wha t
y o u h a v e n e v e r d o n e b e f o r e , al l th i n g s b e c o m e p o ss ib l e
!
131
PAU L McKENN A
PUTTIN G I T A L L TOGETH E R
H e r e ' s a n e x a m p l e o f h o w t h e w h o l e d r e a m - s e t t i n g sys •
t e m fit s t o g e t h e r :
My Big Dream
±. Making a difference
2.. Happiness
3. Loving-kindness
Gtood keattk
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products
2_. Choose a
job
people's lives
133
PAU L McKENN A
N o w it ' s y o u r t u r n . Fi l l i n t h e f o r m b e l o w o r c o p y i t
int o a no teb oo k o r journal .
My Big Dream
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
134
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
135
Change Your Life in Seven Days
TAKING ACTIO N
137
PAU L McKENN A
A s you'l l r e m e m b e r f r o m da y two
At the height of his , wheneve r we do somethin g new , w
success, Hall of e creat e a neura l pathway , so we
Fame basketball c a n acces s tha t experienc e agai n
player Larry Bird easily . E a c h t i m e w e r e p e a t a p a r t i c u l a r
was filming a cola b e h a v • i or , w e strengthe n th e
commercial that a ss ociat e d n e u • ra l pathwa y .
called for him to Thi s i s wh y i t i s so importan t t
shoot for the basket o mentall y rehears e success . Mos t o f
and miss the shot. th e to p athl et e s I hav e w o r k e d wit h
The film crew had playe d hundred s o f successfu l
to film the shot matche s an d wo n thousand s o f race s
seven separate times i n thei r o w n mi nd s bef o r e eve r settin
because he couldn 'I g foo t o n th e playin g field . As yo u
help getting the ball visualiz e l i v i n g y o u r d r e a m e v e r y day ,
in the basket, even y o u wi l l b u i l d s t r o n g e r n e u r a l p a t h w a y
when he was trying s t o success .
to miss! Here' s a simpl e exercis e y o u ca n d
o ever y da y to progra m you r min d
fo r
success :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
T AK I N G A C T I O N
O f c o u r s e , i f al l y o u h a d t o d o wa s t h i n k a b o u t w h a t
y o u w a n t e d a n d i t magicall y sh o w e d u p a fe w m o m e n t s
lat e r , e v e r y o n e w o u l d b e d r i v i n g a F e r r a r i ,
livin g i n a m an s i o n , w e ar i n g e x p e n
You can't build a
• siv e j e w e l r y , an d sleepin g wit h
reputation on what
beauti • fu l lovers . I t w o u l d als o be
you 're going to do.
chaos ! That' s wh y th e univers e
It's simple, fantasize,
put s on e mor e ste p in betwee n
rehearse, then go out
thinkin g o f wha t yo u wan t an d
into the world and
actua ll y g e t t i n g i t — t h e a c ti o n step .
do it!
S o m e p e o p l e si t a r o u n d a n d day •
—Henry Ford
d r e a m wi tho u t eve r d o i n g anything
.
137
PAU L McKENN A
Ho w ev e r , b y c r e at i n g a vivi d r e p r e s e n t a ti o n o f h o w y o
u i d e a l l y w a n t t o li v e y o u r l if e a n d f o c u s i n g o n i t e v e r y
day , y o u wi l l b e c o m e m o t i v a t e d t o t a k e a c t i o n a n d y o
u wi l l k n o w w h e r e y o u a r e g o i n g .
As th e sayin g go es , a j o u r n e y o f a thousan d mile
s b e g i n s w i t h a si ng l e ste p . T h i n k o f a t leas t o n e t h i n g
t h a t y o u c a n d o t o d a y t h a t wi l l t a k e y o u i n t h e d i r e c t i o n
o f liv• i n g y o u r d r e a m , a n d d o it . E v e n a s m a l l s t e p i s
f i n e — f o r e x a m p l e , a p h o n e c a l l o r a li tt l e b i t o f r e s e a r c h .
R e m e m b e r tha t th e m o m e n t y o u c o m •
138
DAY
5
HEALTH Y
FOUNDATION S
Creating and maintaining a healthy
body, mind, and spirit
PAU L McKENN A
140
I here was a hunter walking through the jungle. Suddenly he
hungrily.
He felt a little dirt fall upon his face. He looked up and saw two
To his right he saw a bee fly to a crevice. There he saw a bees' nest
overflowing with honey. He reached out and tasted the honey on his
141
W H A T I S TH E N U M B E R O N E C A U S
E O F ILLNES S A N D D IS E A S E ?
A startlin g r e c e n t st ud y b y Dr . B e r n a r d St ewa r t p re d i c t
s tha t unles s peopl e begi n takin g responsibilit y fo r
the i r h e al t h a n d well-bein g , gl o b a l rate s o f c a n c e r c o u l
d ris e
5 0 p e r c e n t t o 1 5 m i l l i o n n e w c a s e s a y e a r b y 2 02 0 . T h
e s t u d y w e n t o n t o sa y t h a t a s m a n y a s t w o - t h i r d s o f
t he s e case s ca n be prevente d and/ o r cure d throug h
l ife s t y l e c h a n g e s .
W h i l e s o m e o f t h e s e l ife s t y l e c h a n g e s a r e o u t s i d e t h
e s c o p e o f thi s b o o k , t h e m aj or i t y o f t h e m c a n b e
summed
u p qu i t e simply :
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WHA T I S STRESS ?
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e d i c t i o n a r y , st re s s is
:
143
PAU L McKENN A
H o w e v e r , t h e str es s w e e x p e r i e n c e i n o u r o w n live
s doe s no t com e fro m outsid e us—i t is ou r body' s
re • s p o n s e t o l if e ' s c h a l l e n g e s , b o t h r e a l a n d i m a g i n e d .
T h i s stres s r e s p o n s e g o e s b a c k t o t h e e a r l i e s t h u m a n s , a
s o u r ancesto r s n e e d e d e x t r e m e physica l reaction s a n d
a burs t o f e ner g y t o en a bl e t h e m t o figh t a wil d anima
l o r r u n away . E v e n n o w , a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f st re s s i n
o u r live s h e l p s u s t o f u n c t i o n — a p p r o p r i a t e a r o u s a l o f
th e aut o • n o m i c n erv ou s syste m actuall y motivate s u s t o
d o thin g s lik e ge t ou t o f th e wa y o f a n oncomin g
vehicl e o r ad d energ y t o a presentatio n o r workout .
Fo r ex a m p l e , w h e n th e m i n d perceive s a threat , th
e heartbea t immediatel y quickens . Pupil s dilat e
a u t o m a t i • call y , muscle s tighten , an d adrenalin e i s
release d int o th e bloodstream . Th e digestiv e proces s
halts , you r bl oo d pressur e r is e s , an d th e immun e
syste m i s su p pr e s s e d . T hi s i s k n o w n a s th e fight-or-fligh
t response .
Now , i f y o u ar e ab o u t t o b e attacke d (say , by a
saber - t o o t h e d tiger) , yo u nee d energ y an d
adrenalin e t o respon d appropriatel y to th e situation .
The p r o b l e m arise s w h e n w e a r e c on t i n ua l l y p r e p a r i n g
fo r e m e r g e n • cie s tha t n ev e r h a p p e n . Thi s put s a n
u n n e c e s s a r y strai n o n ou r immune system s , ultimatel y
burnin g ou t o u r a d r e n a l gla n d s a n d s p r e a d i n g nast y
toxin s i n th e body .
I 'l l sa y i t a g a i n :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
A n d a l t h o u g h th i s s o - c a l l e d n e g a t i v e
st re s s u s e d t o b e c o n s i d e r e d s o m e t h i n g M y ^fi ^ been full
as
145
PAU L McKENN A
st re s s r e s p o n s e i s b e i n g unnecessarily a r o u s e d a l l d a y l o n g
, a n d thi s b ui l d s u p o v e r t i m e , c a u s i n g p r o b l e m s .
T h e firs t r e s e a r c h e r o f t h e p h y s i o l o g i c a l c o n s e q u e n c e
s o f st re s s , H a n s S e l y e , r e m a r k e d ,
"The mos t importan t s t r es s e s fo r man ar e emo
• tional . . . . I t i s no t th e even t bu t rathe r ou r
interpreta • tio n o f i t tha t cause s o u r e m o t i o n a l re action.
"
B y b r i n g i n g a positiv e perspectiv e t o o u r l ive s a n
d i n t e r p r e t i n g o u r e x p e r i e n c e s differently , w e c a n b e g i n
t o r e s p o n d b e n e f i c i a l l y t o t h e e v e n t s i n o u r l if e , r a t h e r
tha n
chaoticall y .
W h e n e v e r you'v e fel t ba d in you
r I f you want t o know l i f e , i t w a s a p r o d u c t o f y o u r o w n
st re s s what your thoughts response . Tha t i s wh y i n ou r
c u l t u r e were like yesterday s o m e p e o p l e tur n t o al co hol ,
c i g a r e t t e s , then check how your o r drug s t o c h a n g e th e wa y
t h e y f e e l — body feels today. t o c o p e w i t h s tr e s s . A s
continua l nega -
—Indian proverb t iv e st re s s c a n l e a d t o d i s e a s e s , i t i s
a p r o b l e m tha t n e e d s t o b e deal t with .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
s t r e ss , t h e m o r e o f t e n w e w i l l p e r f o r m a t t h e p e a k o f
o u r abilities , pa rt ic u l a r l y i n h ig h - p r e s s u r e situat ion s . H o
w d o w e d e v e l o p o u r st re s s c a p a c i t y ?
S i m p l e — w e s y s t e m a t i c a l l y i n c r e a s e o u r st re s s e x p o
• sur e whil e balancin g ou r e f fo r t s wit h wha t s tr e s s
a n d p e r f o r m a n c e specialis t Dr . J a m e s L o e h r call s "qualit
y re • cov er y time. "
T h e f o r m u l a l o o k s l i k e t hi s :
W h y d o m a r a t h o n r u n ne r s a n d triathlete s p u t su c h
a heav y e m p h a s i s o n interva l trainin g ? B e c a u s e i t follow s
th e sam e pattern . B y alternatin g betw e e n period s of
i n t e n s e activ ity , suc h a s sprintin g o r racin g ( stres s
exposu re ) , an d gentl e activi ty , suc h as walkin g or
coastin g (recover y
147
PAU L M c K E N N A
t i m e ) , t h e y systematicall y d e v e l o p thei
Famous Nappers
r st re ng t h an d stamin a (stress
Thomas Edison and capacity ) .
Salvador Dali were O s c il l a t i n g betwe e n stress ex p o
both prodigious nap• • su r e an d r e co v e r y i s n o t j u s t a
pers who used an g o o d i d e a , i t i s a n inevitability . T h
interesting variation e m o s t e x t r e m e e x a m p l e o f thi s c a n
of the power nap to b e f o u n d i n J a p a n , w h e r e karoshi, o r
recharge their mental de a t h fr o m o v e r w o r k i n g , ha s a t time
and physical batteries. s t hr e at en e d t o b e c o m e a na tiona l
148
Change Your Life in Seven Days
T h i s h a s b e c o m e k n o w n a s t h e u l t r a d i a n r h y t h m . It'
s thos e m o m e n t s w h e n y o u fin d yoursel f da y dr e am i n g a n
d a g e n t l e , s w e e t , so f t f e e l i n g i s p r e s e n t i n y o u r b o d y . I t i s
qui t e simpl y th e body' s ow n natura l s t r e s s - co n t r o l
mechanism .
Unfor tun at el y , m a n y p e o p l e i g n o r e thi s m e ss a g e f r o
m thei r b o d y tha t i t i s tim e t o rela x a litde , a n d instea d
t h e y h a v e a n o t h e r c u p o f c o f f e e o r tr y e v e n h a r d e r t o
c o n c e n • trate . A f t e r a wh i l e th e y e sta bl i s h a p a t t e r n o f
overridin g th e ultradia n rhythm .
I n future , w he n ev e r y o u fin d your - ^, ,
,. , , . I he. hypnotic
s e l f d a y d r e a m i n g a n d a feeline r o f c o m -
trance (www.
f o r t s t a r t i n g i n y o u r b o d y , aro w i t h i t a n d , . .
paulmckenna.com/
a ll o w yo u rse l f t o reall y r e l a x f o r t e n t o . . , . ,
' „ , • trance) is designed
fi f t e e n m i n u t e s . Y o u wi l l t h e n a r i s e f e e l - , ,
_ , . to help you relax
m g refreshe d an d wit h bette r c onc en - ,
deeply so that you
tratio n afterward .
, gain healthy
Y o u c a n d e e p e n th i s e x p e r i e n c e e v e n , . ,
„ , , replenishment
furthe r b y practicin g s e l f- h y p n o s i s . I
r
149
PAU L McKENN A
t i m e ) , th e y systematicall y d e v e l o p t hei
Famous Nappers
r strengt h an d stamin a (stres s
Thomas Edison and capacity) .
Salvador Dull were Oscillatin g betwee n s tres s expo
both prodigious nap• • sur e a n d recover y i s n o t j u s t a g o o
pers who used an d idea , it is an in e vi ta bi li ty . Th e
interesting variation m o s t e x t r e m e e x a m p l e o f thi s c a n b e
of the power nap to f o u n d i n J a p a n , w h e r e karoshi, o r d e a t
recharge their mental h fr o m overworking , ha s a t time s
and physical batteries. threatene d t o becom e a nationa l
They would sit in epidemic . Whil e deat h ma y b e th e
their favorite chair ul tima t e i n qualit y
by the fire while recover y t im e , j o b bur no ut , exhaus •
holding a spoon or tion , an d mysteriou s i ll n e s s e s tha
other metal object in t k e e p u s fr o m wo rki n g ar e th e m o r
their hand. e familia r way s w e unconsciousl y
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
T h i s h a s b e c o m e k n o w n a s t h e u l t r a d i a n r h y t h m . It'
s thos e m o m e n t s w h e n y o u fin d yoursel f da y d re a m i n g a n
d a g e n d e , s w e e t , so f t f e e l i n g i s p r e s e n t i n y o u r b o d y . I t i s
quit e simpl y th e body' s ow n natura l s t r e s s -c on tr o l
mechanism .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , m a n y p e o p l e i g n o r e thi s m e s s a g e f r o
m thei r b o d y tha t i t i s tim e t o rel a x a litde , a n d inste a d
t he y h av e a n o t h e r c u p o f coff e e o r tr y e v e n h a r d e r t o
c o n c e n • trate . A f t e r a w h i l e t h e y e st ab l i s h a p a t t e r n o f
overridin g th e ultradia n rhythm .
I n future , w h e ne v e r y o u fin d your -
The hypnotic
sel f d a y d r e a m i n g a n d a fe el i n g o f c o m
trance (www.
• fo r t startin g i n y o u r body , g o wit h i t
paulmckenna. com/
a n d allo w yo u r s e l f t o reall y rel a x f o r
trance) is designed
te n t o f i f t e e n m i n u t e s . Y o u wi l l t h e n
to help you relax
aris e feel • i n g refreshe d an d wit h
deeply so that you
bet te r co n c e n • tratio n afterward .
gain healthy
Y o u c a n d e e p e n th i s e x p e r i e n c e e v e
replenishment
n f urthe r by practicin g self-hypnosis .
every time you
I ofte n rela x int o tranc e an d
USB tt
imagin e
mysel f s un ba t h i n g o n a n exoti c b e a c h
. Gi v e n tha t th e ner vo u s syste m d o e s
no t
d i f f e r e n t i a t e b e t w e e n a r e a l e v e n t a n d a v iv idl y i m a g i n e
d o n e , w h e n I a w a k e n fr o m a tran c e lik e tha t I fee l a s
t h o u g h I h a v e j u s t b e e n o n v a c a t i o n — a n d a s fa r a s m y
n e r v o u s sys• t e m i s c o n c e r n e d , I h a v e .
T h e grea t t h in g a b o u t r ec h a rg in g y o u r batterie s wit
h p ow e r nap s i s tha t y o u ca n d o i t an y w h e r e — af t e r a bi t
o f pr a ctic e , n o o n e wil l n o t i c e . I f y o u d o i t o n t h e b u s o r
t h e train , e v e r y o n e wil l j u s t t hi n k y o u a r e d o z i n g .
T h e followin g exercis e i s th e versio n o f p o w e r n a p p i n g
149
PAU L McKENN A
I us e m o s t d a y s — i t d o e sn ' t tak e l o ng , a n d i t i s a g o o d
h a b i t t o e s t a b l i s h t h a t wil l r e i n f o r c e al l y o u r o t h e r s t r e s s -
r e d u c i n g e ffort s . E v e n i f y o u w o r k i n a n o p e n - p l a n o f f i c e
o r f ac to r y , y o u c a n al wa y s f i n d a n e x c u s e t o g e t o u t f o r fiv
e m i n u t e s — remember , repedtio n i s th e m ot h e r o f
success !
The Power Na p
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151
PAU L McKENN A
ESSENTIA L EXERCIS E
N o w , b e f o r e y o u t h r o w u p y o u r h a n d s i n h o r r o r , real
• iz e tha t yo u r exercis e d o esn ' t hav e t o b e anythin g
gra n d . I f y o u ar e n o t u s e d t o exercise , eve n a bris k wal
k wil l b e h e l p f u l . T h e p o i n t i s t o u s e u p t h e e x c e s s
tensio n a n d energ y flowin g t h r ou g h yo u r bo d y a n d t
o trigge r th e
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b o d y ' s n a t u r a l i m p u l s e t o w a r d rest , r e l ax a t i o n , a n d r e c u
•
p er a ti o n , als o k n o w n a s th e pa ra symp a the t i c r es p on s e
.
T h e p a r a s y m p a t h e t i c r e s p o n s e i s t h e s w e e t , so f t f e e l
• i n g y o u g e t i n y o u r m usc l e s w h e n y o u hav e finishe d
s o m e heav y w o r k o r v i g or o u s m o v e m e n t . Y o u als o fee l a
natura l h i g h ca use d b y th e releas e o f en do rp hi n s , th e
bo d y ' s nat • u ra l o pi at e s . ( W e'l l tal k m o r e a b o u t th e s e o
n d a y s e v e n . ) W h i l e m u c h h a s b e e n m a d e i n t h e la s t
twent y year s a b o u t t h e v alu e o f a er ob i c ex e rc i s e i n
i n c r e a s i n g o u r g e n e r a l fitnes s l evels , stu d ie s h a v e s h o w n
t h a t i t i s e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t i n c o n t r o l l i n g s t r es s .
S w imm in g , r un n in g , o r an y exercis e tha t oxygenate s th
e b l o o d make s control •
l i n g s t r es s e a s i e r
.
S o ev e n b efo r e y o u maste r th e pattern s o f thin ki n
g a n d f e e li n g tha t y o u ha v e l e a r n e d thu s fa r i n t h e
p r o • g r a m , y o u c a n g i v e y o u r s e l f a s i m p l e , easy , p o s i t i v e
b o o s t si m p l y b y g e t t i n g t e n t o fif tee n m i n u t e s o f b ris k
e x e r c i s e e a c h a n d e v e r y day .
E N E R G E T I C EATIN G
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PA U L McKENN A
ESSENTIA L EXERCIS E
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b o d y ' s n a t u r a l i m p u l s e t o w a r d rest , r e l a x a t i o n , a n d r ec u
•
p e ra ti o n , als o k n o w n a s th e pa ra symp athe ti c res p ons e
.
T h e p a r a s y m p a t h e t i c r e s p o n s e i s t h e s w e e t , so f t f e e l
• i n g y o u g e t i n y o u r muscl e s w h e n y o u hav e finishe d
s o m e heav y w o r k o r vig or ou s m o v e m e n t . Y o u als o fee l a
natura l h i g h ca use d b y th e releas e o f e n d or ph i n s , th e
bo d y ' s nat • u ra l o pi at e s . ( We'l l tal k m o r e a b o u t th e s e o
n d a y s e v e n . ) W h i l e m u c h h a s b e e n m a d e i n t h e la s t
twent y year s a b o u t th e va lu e o f aerobi c exercis e i n
i n c r e a s i n g o u r g e n e r a l fitnes s levels , s tud ie s h a v e s h o w n
t h a t i t i s e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t i n c o n t r o l l i n g s tr es s .
Swimm in g , running , o r an y exercis e tha t oxygenate s th
e b l o o d make s control •
l i n g s tr e s s e a s i e r
.
S o ev e n befo r e y o u ma st e r th e pattern s o f thi nki n
g a n d feelin g tha t y o u hav e learne d thu s fa r i n th e
p r o • g r a m , y o u c a n g i v e y o u r s e l f a s i m p l e , easy , p o s i t i v e
b o o s t si mp l y b y g e t ti n g te n t o fiftee n m i n u t e s o f bris k
e x e r c i s e e a c h a n d e v e r y day .
E N E R G E T I C EATIN G
Literall y th o us a n d s o f b o o k s ha v e b e e n writte n o n w h a
t constitute s a he a lt h y diet , man y o f whic h directl y
contra • dic t on e another . In orde r to mor e easil y
navigat e th e volume s o f informatio n an d
misinformatio n th a t f i l l bo o ks to r e s , libraries , a n d th e
I n tern e t , I s u gg e s t follow • i n g o n e si m p l e rule :
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PAU L McKENN A
I n Dr . H e n d r i c k s ' s r e s e a r c h , h e d i s c o v e r e d t h a t w h e
n p e o p l e fel t e n er g i z e d a n h o u r afte r eating , th a t fe eli n g
of
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M E D IC IN A L L A U G H T E R
R e c e n t re s e a r c h ha s s h o w n th a t h ea l t h y p e o p l e ar e usu
• al l y h a p p y p e o p l e . T h a t ' s w h y a g o o d s e n s e o f h u m o r
i s s o i m p o r t a n t . H a v i n g a se n s e o f h u m o r i s vital , n o t j u s
t to
155
PAU L McKENN A
T ao i s t Sa g e s sa y t h a t w h e n y o u smile , y o u r
o rg a n s releas e a honey-lik e secretio n whic h
n o u r i s h e s t h e w h o l e b o d y . W h e n y o u a r e an g r y ,
f e a r f u l o r u n d e r stress , the y p r o d u c e a po iso no u
s secretio n whic h block s u p th e en er g y channels .
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157
PAU L MCKENN A
Ta o i s t S a g e s sa y t h a t w h e n y o u s m il e , y o u r
o rg a n s releas e a honey-lik e secretio n whic h
n o u r i s h e s t h e w h o l e b o d y . W h e n y o u a r e an g r y ,
f e a r f u l o r u n d e r stress , t h e y p r o d u c e a p o i s o n o u
s secretio n whi c h block s u p th e en erg y channels .
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157
PAU L McKENN A
B E LI E V E Y O U R S E L F W E L L
A f e w year s a g o a n i nt er e st in g stud y wa s c o n d u c t e d t o
tr y t o d i s c o v e r w h y a s m a l l n u m b e r o f p e o p l e s u r v i v e
cance r whil e t h e vas t m aj o ri t y o f p e o p l e d o no t . Th e
researcher s interviewe d a h u n d r e d p e op l e w h o h a d a t o n
e t i m e b e e n d i a g n o s e d a s t e r m i n a l l y il l b u t w e r e stil l
aliv e a t leas t twelv e ye ar s afte r t h e initia l d ia g n o s i s wa s
made .
Th e intentio n o f th e stud y wa s to discove r an y
pat • te r n s o f t h i n k i n g o r b e h a v i o r s h a r e d b y th e s e l o n g -
t e r m survivor s . T h e result s w e r e startl in g b u t co n cl u s iv e .
W h i l e t h e surv iv or s h a d al l u s e d di f f e r e n t t r e a t m e n t s ,
rangi n g fro m surger y a n d c h em o t h er a p y t o ac u pu n c tu r e
a n d nat • u r a l die ts , a n d s o m e h a d e v e n r e l i e d o n p u r e l
y p s yc h o • l o g i c a l t e c h n i q u e s o r r e l ig i o u s pr a ct ic e s , al l o n
e h u n d r e d p e o p l e s h a r e d o n e e s s e n t i a l t rait :
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
159
PAU L MCKENN A
I n m e d i c a l h is to r y , t h e r e i s a n i n t e r e s t i n g d e m o n s t r a
• ti o n o f t h e p o w e r o f b el i e f k n o w n a s t h e p l a c e b o effect .
A placeb o i s a table t wit h n o inheren t curativ e
p ro p e rt ie s . B e c a u s e t h e U n i t e d State s re q ui re s al l n e w
drug s t o b e teste d agains t plac ebos , there' s a n unusu a
l am o u n t o f researc h o n them .
O n a v e r a g e , p l a c e b o s a r e a b o u t 3 0 p e r c e n t a s e ff ec
• ti v e a s a m e d i c a l d r u g . However , i n s o m e specifi c
case s th e i r effectivenes s is muc h higher . Compare d
agains t m o r p h i n e , placebo s ar e 5 4 percen t a s
effective , e v e n t h o u g h m o r p h i n e i s c o n s i d e r e d a cl as s - A
narcotic .
W e ar e onl y b e g i n n i n g t o un der s t a n d th e incredibl
e p o w e r o f h y p n o s i s a n d it s p o s s i b l e r o l e i n m e d i c i n e
a n d th e ra p y i n th e f uture . S o m e d octor s hav e recentl y
p r o v e n h o w ju s t usi n g th e imag inati o n c a n affec t y o u r
health . O t h e r researc h ha s s h o w n tha t p e o p l e w h o
be lie v e the y c a n c o n tr o l the i r i m m u n e syste m fi n d tha t
t h e y c a n e as i l y d o so b y usin g hypnoti c o r guide d
imager y techniques . Man y individua l s coul d actuall y
increas e th e n u m b e r o f protectiv e bloo d cel l s in thei
r bodie s almos t at will , instantl y i m p r o v i n g th e i r
res is tan c e t o illness .
I n a r e l a t e d st ud y , tw o do ct o r s a t a universit y i n
Yoko • hama , Japan , demo nstrate d tha t 8 4 per ce n t o f
subject s c o u l d e l im in a t e t h e st anda r d hi s t a m i n e r e s p o n s
e t o poi • so n ivy. Th e itching , swellin g , a n d blister s
d i s a p p e a r e d w h e n t h e subject s u n d e r hy p nos i s simpl y
i m a g i n e d t h e p o i s o n iv y t o b e a h a r m l e s s p l a n t . J u s t a s
importan t i n ou r understandi n g o f th e impac t o f th e
m i n d o n well ness , a lar g e n u m b e r o f subject s b r o k e o u t
i n blister s w h e n t he y
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O n e o f t h e firs t t e r m i n a l l y il l p e o p l e I e v e r w o r k e
d wit h wa s a lad y w h o ha d cancer . Eac h tim e sh e
ha d chemotherap y he r immun e syste m becam e
depleted ,
w h i c h lef t he r feelin g low , bot h physicall y an d
mentally .
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PAU L McKENN A
H e r d o c t o r h a d e x p l a i n e d t o h e r th a t i t usual l y take
s a b o u t tw o we e k s f o r th e i m m u n e syste m t o r e t u r n t o
nor • m a l afte r th e typ e o f c h e m o t h e r a p y sh e wa s
having , b u t o n c e sh e l e a r n e d th e simpl e visualizatio n
t e c h n i q u e t h a t I wi l l s h a r e w i t h y o u i n a f e w m o m e n t s ,
h e r syste m wa s c o m p l et e l y rejuvenate d afte r j u s t fiv e
d a y s . T h e d o c t o r c o u l d h a r d l y b e l i e v e it .
A les s s e r i o u s b u t e q u a l l y d r a m a t i c e x a m p l e w a s a
n actres s f r i e n d o f m i n e w h o n o t i c e d s h e w a s g e t t i n g a
c o l d s o r e , w h i c h n o r m a l l y w o u l d las t f o r u p t o fi v e
days . S h e wa s d u e t o b e g i n f i l m i n g l ate r th a t e v e n i n g .
Sh e relaxe d he r body , the n visualize d hersel f usin g
th e i m m u n e - s y s t e m b o o s t e r e a c h d a y f o r fiv e days ,
cro ssi n g t h e day s of f a m e n t a l c a l e n d a r o n e a t a ti m e .
Fiv e "inne r d a y s " la te r , s h e v i s u a l i z e d t h e c o l d s o r e
g o n e . W h e n sh e c a m e b a c k o u t o f r e l a x e d visualizatio n
o r trance , th e tingl e tha t usuall y signifie d th e
i mm i n e n t onse t o f a col d sor e h a d disappeared , a n d i t
neve r c am e back .
W h e n t h e v i d e o w a s ove r , t h e c h i l d r e n w e r e t o l d t
o c l o s e t h e i r e y e s , r e l a x , a n d i m a g i n e lot s o f p o l i c e m e n
p up • pet s r u n n i n g a r o u n d thei r bodies . Sa li v a s a m p l e s
wer e
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
t h e n t a k e n f r o m e a c h chil d , a n d t h e result s s h o w e d
tha t thei r immunoglobuli n l ev el s ha d s ub s t a n t i a l l y
i n c r e a s e d — t h a t is , thei r i m m u n e sy st e m s ha d begu n
w o r k i n g a s t h o u g h the y w e r e fi ghti n g of f rea l inf ections .
I b e g a n w a d i n g t h r o u g h t h e cl in ic a l re s ea r c h i n a rela
• tivel y ne w are a know n as psychoneuroimmunology ,
o r PNI . T h e r e , I f o u n d masse s o f irrefutabl e ev i d e n c e
c o n • f i r m i n g t h a t it' s p o s s i b l e t o b o o s t y o u r i m m u n e s y s t e
m j u s t b y t hi nk i n g a b o u t i t i n c erta i n ways . T h e i de a
behin d PN I
i s t h a t o u r b o d y k n o w s h o w t o r e p a i r i ts el f a n d m a i n t a i
n perfec t holisti c health . Programme d int o you r
i m m u n e s ys t e m i s t h e ab i li t y t o r e c o g n i z e t h o s e c el l s t h a t
belon g t o yo u an d thos e tha t ar e invader s f r o m th e
outside , whic h mus t b e destroye d o r appropriatel y
consumed .
The Immune-System
Booster
A n o r m a l , h e a l t h y i m m u n e syste m i s a w o n d e r f u l t h i n
g an d ha s almos t miraculou s healin g powers . Bu t
thos e power s ca n b e e n h a n c e d t h r ou g h th e applicati o n
o f t h e s i m p l e v i s u a l i z a t i o n I wi l l b e s h a r i n g w i t h y o u .
H e r e ' s a lette r I r e c e i v e d rece nt l y f r o m o n e o f m y
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PAU L McKENN A
Dear Paul,
A b o u t fiv e y e ar s a g o , I r e c e i v e d t h e w o r s t n e w s I c o u l
d h a v e f e a r e d . A suc ce s s f u l sale s e x e c u t i v e , I ha d
be e n trouble d b y stran g e bout s o f di z z i ne s s ,
n u m b n e s s , a n d s l u r r i n g . A t o n e sale s p r e s e n t a t i o n , I
h a d ev e n b e e n struc k d u m b i n m id se n t e n c e . Af te r
extensiv e m e d i c a l tests , th e neurolo gis t gav e th e
dreadf u l dia gn osi s mul • ti p l e sclerosi s (MS) , th e
i n c u r a b l e a n d d e g e n e r a t i v e n e r v e dis ea se . T h e n e w s
c a m e a s a h a m m e r blow . M y d r e a m s f o r t h e f u t u r e
w e r e s w e p t away , a n d t h e d o c • to r s t o l d m e t o b r a c
e m y s e l f f o r " m a n a g e d d e c l i n e " — t h e h e a r t l e s s cl i n i c a
l t e r m f o r t h e i n e x o r a b l e slid e i n t o d e p e n d e n c y ,
di s e a s e , a n d d e a t h . W i t h c a r e f u l m a n a g e • m e n t , th e
d o c t o r s sai d , I m i g h t l o o k f o r w a r d t o a p e r i o d o f
re la ti ve l y n o r m a l l i v i n g — p e r h a p s a year , p o s s i b l y a
littl e more—befor e th e dreade d illnes s s t ar t e d t o
r o t m y n e r v e s o n c e m o r e . I wa s e n c o u r a g e d t o g o
aw a y a n d cry, a s I n e e d e d t o c o m e t o t e r m s wit h m y
plight . Tw o exacerbatio n s o f th e di s e a s e in th e
spac e o f tw o m o nt h s in dicat e d t o m y neur ol ogi s t tha
t M S wa s v e r y a ct iv e i n m y bo d y , a n d hi s v ie w wa s
t h a t thi s wa s lik el y t o b r i n g a b o u t m y swif t d e c l i n e .
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I n thi s t i m e I al s o d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t r a d i t i o n a l
Chi • nes e m e d i c i n e — d e v e l o p e d ove r thousand s of
y e a r s — o f f e r e d i n t e r e s t i n g po s si bi lit ie s . I t h r e w m y s e l
f int o a n in t e ns i v e educatio n i n th e subject ,
becomin g first a patien t of, an d subsequentl y
accomplish e d in , t h e a n c i e n t C h i n e s e h e a l i n g arts ,
particularl y a cu p u n c • tur e a n d th e a d v a nc e d e n e r g y
a n d m i n d - h e a l i n g sys• t e m o f m e d i c a l q i g o n g . I h a v
e studie d wit h l ea di n g grandmaster s i n C h i n a a n d th
e U n i t e d State s a n d I a m n o w on e o f Europe' s
foremos t exponent s o f medica l qigong , teachin g
a c u p u n c t u r i s t s h o w t o uti li z e thi s p o w e r f u l h e a l i n g
syste m .
I a m n o w i n d i e b es t physica l a n d m e n t a l h e a l t h o f
m y life . I c o n t i n u e t o h ar ne s s t h e p o w e r o f m y
u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d a s m y lif e a n d h e al t h c o n t i n u e t o
flouris h . A m a z • ingly , fiv e year s afte r t h e e v e n i n g I
first li st en e d t o y o u r C D , I h a v e n o t h a d a sing l e
e x a c e r b a t i o n o f M S , a n d I ha v e b e e n c o m p l e t e l y
s y m p t o m f re e f o r m o r e t h a n f o u r years . I a m h o n o r e d
t o ha v e n o w b e c o m e a s t u d e n t o f
165
PAU L MCKENN A
P a u l M c K e n n a , a n d a s a C h i n e s e m e d i c a l p ra ctitioner ,
I r eg ul ar l y a n d successfull y trea t p e o p l e suffer in g f r o
m M S a n d o t h e r " i n c u r a b l e " diseases . A s p a r t o f m y
treat • m e n t I o ft e n p r e s c r i b e P a u l M c K e n n a C D s .
P e o p l e li k e m e — h o p e l e s s ca se s , a s j u d g e d b y Wes t
• er n medica l standards—ar e li v i n g proo f tha t
th e po w e r o f th e un c on s c i o u s m i n d ha s p r o f o u n d
le ss o n s f o r u s al l . F o r m e , h e a l i n g o t h e r s i s n o w m o r e
t h a n j u s t a m i s s i o n — i t i s al s o a n a m a z i n g a d v e n t u r e i
n lif e , a n d i n li v i ng .
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Immune-System Booste r
167
PAU L McKENN A
168
DAY
6
CREATIN G
MONE Y
Discovering the secrets of
the millionaire's mind
PAU L McKENN A
170
I n days gone by, there was a wealthy man who had a wonderful
a foreign land, the engine failed and no one could get it going
again.
One by one every mechanic and engineer in tlie land was sum•
moned to try to fix the engine, and one by one they failed. Finally,
word came to the wealthy man of a wise old shipmaker who might
once.
Soon an old man who looked like he must have been fixing
171
PAU L McKENN A
Finally, the old shipmaker reached into his bag and pulled out
heard, and the engine lurched into life as the shipmaker carefully
When the wealthy man asked the shipmaker what he owed him,
days.
did anything at all! Justify your bill or I will have you thrown
into jail."
piece of paper he pulled from his pocket. The wealthy man smiled
172
T H E W E A L T H O F TH E W O R L D
173
PAU L MCKENN A
AL L A BO U T MONE Y
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B e c a u s e o f o u r c on f i d e n c e o r fait h i n th e so ur c e o f th e
m o n e y — i n t h i s c a s e , t h e g o v e r n m e n t t h a t i s s u e d it . T h i
s lead s us to a simpl e ye t radica l wa y o f thinkin g
abou t money :
H e r e ' s h o w a u t h o r S e r g e K a h i l i K i n g p u t s it :
P e o p l e c a n fail , t o o , w h e n [we ] l os e c o n f i d e n c e i
n the m o r whe n the y los e confidenc e i n
t he m se lv e s , re ga rdle s s o f t h e v a l u e o f t h e i r g o o d s
a n d ser vices . Li ke wis e , peopl e ca n succee d whe n
peopl e hav e extraordinar y confiden c e i n t he m o r
whe n the y hav e extraordinar y con fide n c e i n
t he m s e l v e s , al s o re g a r d • less o f t h e v a l u e o f th e i r
g o od s a n d services. . . .
I f y o u wan t t o hav e m o r e m o n e y i n yo u r l i f e — f o
r yo ursel f o r t o h e l p othe r s o r b o t h — t h e n y o u
h a v e t o m a k e y o u r s e l f m o r e v a l u a b l e i n t h e e ye s o f
othe r peopl e . I t won' t be enoug h to provid e
v a l u a b l e g o o d s a n d s e r v ic e s , o r t o b e i n t h e r i g h t
p l a c e a t t h e r i g h t t im e , o r e v e n t o p i c k t h e r i g h t
n u m b e r s . Y o u ' l l ha v e t o b e m o r e spiritua l t h a n
that . You'l l hav e t o h a v e m o r e fait h , mor e
c o n f i d e n c e , i n y o u r o w n v al u e , a s a p r o v i d e r o r a s a
person .
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PA U L McKENN A
H O W I B E C A M E A MILLIONAIR E
B e f o r e I s t a r t e d u s i n g t h e t e c h n i q u e s I wi l l b e s h a r i n g w i t
h y o u i n thi s c h a p t e r , I w a s i n d e b t , l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o d a
y i n a tin y r o o m I r e n t e d i n s o m e o n e else' s a p a r t m e n t . I
h a d a sma l l circl e o f fr ie n d s a n d a j o b I d i d n ' t reall y like .
I t wa s a n effo r t t o g e t myse l f u p a n d o u t o f b e d i n t h e
morning .
Withi n a fe w months , I ha d completel y transforme d
m y financia l situation . I m a d e m o r e m o n e y i n thos e fe
w m o n t h s t h a n I h a d i n th e pre vio u s fe w years . Thi s
n e w p a t t e r n i n m y li f e s t a r t e d a c h a i n r e a c t i o n , a n d I
bega n creatin g mone y everywher e I looked . I
develope d a n a m a z i n g l y successfu l s e c o n d career , th e
succe s s o f w h i c h i s probabl y wh y you'r e r e a d i n g th i s
b o o k , a n d m y circl e e x p a n d e d to includ e peopl e I' m
proud to n u m b e r a m o n g m y friend s nearl y tw o d ec a d e
s la te r . W i t h i n a f e w
years , I h a d b e c o m e a mi llio nai r e .
W h a t ' s f a s c i n a t i n g i s t h a t u n t i l t h a t p o i n t , I h a d al w a y
s believe d tha t i n orde r t o m a k e m o n e y I ha d t o g o
o u t int o th e w or l d a n d g e t i t f r o m o t h e r p e o pl e . Instead ,
as I
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HO W T O OVERCOM E
TH E P O V E R T Y C O N S C I O U S N E S S
R e s e a r c h h a s s h o w n th a t a massiv e p r o •
port i o n o f thos e w h o sudden l y g e t larg e I f someone hands
s u m s o f m o n e y — f o r e x a m p l e , f r o m lot - you a million
terie s o r i n h e r i t a n c e s — a r e a lm o s t guar - dollars, best you
a n t e e d t o l o s e i t a l l v e r y q u i c k l y . I n fa c t , become a millionaire,
8 0 p e r c e n t ar e actuall y wo rs e of f finan - o r you won't get t o
d a i l y j u s t t w o y e a r s la te r . T h a t ' s b e c a u s e keep the money.
i n s i d e t h e y stil l f e e l p o o r . —Jim Rohn
I n p sy ch o lo g y , thi s i s r e f e r r e d t o a s
t h e P y g m a l i o n e ff e c t , o r t h e se lf -f ulfi lli n g p r o p h e c y , w h i c
h I'v e t a l k e d a b o u t already . W h a t w e e x p e c t t o b e t r u e
i n o u r m i n d s w i l l t e n d t o b e c o m e t r u e i n reality . E v e n i f
o u r e x p e c t a t i o n s a r e n ' t initiall y a c c u r a t e , w e a c t i n way s
tha t ar e consisten t wit h o u r expec ta tion s . T h o s e action s
th e n creat e th e result s w e expected , an d th e
" p r o p h e c y " o f o u r e x p e c t a t i o n s i s fulfilled .
177
PAU L MCKENN A
r a t i o n i n g o f f o o d a n d essential s d u r i n
g
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
W o r l d W a r II , stil l c a r r y a n u n c o n s c i o u s b e l i e f t h a t t h e r
e jus t won' t b e enoug h to go around . A n d man y o f
t h e m hav e unconsciousl y passe d thes e limitin g belief s
o n t o thei r children .
E v e n i f y o u believ e s o m e o f thes e thing s ar e true , i t
i s i mpo rt a n t tha t y o u rec o gn i z e th e i n h e r e n t p r o b l e m :
I' v e f o u n d t h a t m o s t w e a l t h y , s u c c e s s f u l p e o p l e t e n d t
o shar e th e sam e simpl e habit s an d belief s abou t
prosperity . H o w e v e r , I believ e tha t man y peopl e
u n k n o w i n g l y u s e th i s s a m e p o w e r f u l p r i n c i p l e t o k e e p
themselve s poor , t hr ou g h th e belief s a n d habit s the y
hav e towar d money .
I n st ea d o f t a k i n g responsibilit y f o r the i r belief s a n
d action s (an d therefor e thei r weal th) , the y us e thei r
lac k o f m o n e y a s " p r o o f tha t the y ar e m e a n t t o b e poor .
T h e y hav e affirme d thei r povert y ove r a n d ove r s o m a n y
time s tha t i t unwittingl y becam e a self-fulfillin g
p roph ecy, . a povert y consciousness .
T h i s i s n o t t o sa y t h a t i f y o u a r e p o o r t h a t i t i s i n
a n y w a y y o u r fault . W e a r e n o t re s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e h a n
d w e ar e dealt , bu t w e ca n an d mus t tak e ful l
responsibilit y fo r h o w w e pla y tha t h a n d .
F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e artis t s b e l i e v e t h a t t h e y c a n n o
t hav e c o m m e r c i a l succes s be c au s e i t w o u l d c o m p r o m i s
e t h e i r a rt ist i c i n t e g r i t y . O t h e r p e o p l e b e l i e v e t h a t y o u
can' t
77 9
PAU L McKENN A
b e a g o o d p e r s o n u n l e s s y o u a r e alwa y s p u t t i n g o t h e r s
first , e v e n i f it' s t o y o u r o w n d e t r i m e n t . S o m e p e o p l e sta
y p o o r b e c a u s e i t feel s s a f e r — i t ' s w h a t th e y know .
A s yo u us e th e Change Your Life i n Seven Days s y s t e m
, y o u ar e g o i n g t o le t g o o f an y o l d limitin g idea s y o u
ha d abou t mo ne y an d reprogra m you r m i n d t o be c o m e
m o r e p r o s p e r o u s a n d t h i n k lik e a mil li on air e . H e r e a r
e t w o m e n t a l la w s t h a t e x p l a i n w h y s o m e p e o p l e b e c o m
e stuc k i n a never-en di n g l o o p o f povert y whil e o ther s
see m t o
tur n everythin g the y touc h t o gold
.
A particular train TH E L A W O F R E V E R S E
of thought D EFFOR T
persisted in, be it
good or bad, One o f th e mos t importan t idea s i
A man cannot
directly choose his What you resist persists.
circumstances, but
he can choose his Som e peopl e hav e deep-roote d be
180
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TH E LA W O F ATTRACTI O N
181
PA U L MCKENN A
I f y o u f o c u s o n p o v e r t y a n d la c k , y o
When asked the u wil l ten d to ge t mor e o f tha t in
secret to great y o u r life * I f y o u f o c u s o n t h e w e a l t h
wealth, billionaire tha t i s alread y there , yo u wil l ten d
H. L. Hunt gave a to ge t m ore . T h o s e w h o focu s u p o n
simple four-step t h e p o s i • t iv e i n l i f e a n d a t t r a c t i t t o
formula: the m ar e calle d lu ck y . I personall y
believ e w e ca n creat e ou r ow n luck .
I. Decide on what Tha t is w h a t ' s m e a n t w h e n i t say s i n
it is that you th e Bible , "A s a m a n think e t h , s o i s
want. he. "
Whethe r or no t yo u choos e t
2. Decide what
o believ e in th e la w of attraction ,
you are willing
i t' s i n t e r e s t i n g to not e tha t man y
to give up to
hi gh l y successfu l peopl e do . Thi s is
get it.
o n e rea • so n w h y ric h p e o p l e t e n d t o
3. Set your associat e wit h o t h e r ric h p e o p l e a n d wh
priorities y the y g e t richer . You r thought s ar e
accordingly. an energ y tha t i s b ot h powerf u l a n d
creative .
4. Go about it!
S o m e p e o p l e bel ie v e t h e m i n d i s lik
e a magnet , an d wha t w e hol d
u p p e r m o s t i n o u r atten ti o n w e attrac t
t o us . In
m u s ic , thi s i s ca l l e d t h e p r i n c i p l e o f sym •
patheti c reso nan ce . I f y o u hav e tw o piano s i n th e sam
e r o o m a n d y o u h i t a C o n o n e p i a n o , y o u wil l f i n d t h a t
t h e C s t r i n g o n t h e o t h e r p i a n o start s v i b r a t i n g a t t h e
s a m e r a t e . I n t h e s a m e way , y o u a r e a l wa y s a t t r a c t i n g
p e o p l e a n d c ir cum st a nc e s tha t re s on a t e wit h y o u r
pr e do m i na n t thoughts . Wo uldn' t i t b e g o o d t o attun e
you r m i n d t o notic e ho w man y opportunitie s ther e
ar e to become
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
w e a l t h i e r ? I f y o u w a n t t o b e c o m e r i c h a n d st a y r i c h , y o
u nee d to begi n thinkin g o f yoursel f as someon e
w h o deserve s grea t wealth . Y o u m u s t beg i n b y f eeli n g
r ic h withi n fo r i t t o ma n if es t outwardly . A s y o u b e g i n t o
trul y se e y o u r s e l f a s a w ea l t h y p e r s o n , y o u wil l s e e y o u r
fina n • cia l a b u n d a n c e gro w .
CREATIN G WEALT H C O N S C I O U S N E S S
W h a t w e a r e g o i n g t o d o n e x t wi l l h e l p y o u d e v e l o p a n
d in s t al l i n y o u r m i n d a w e a l t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h i s i s
a b o u t m u c h m o r e t h a n attractin g m o n e y — i t ' s a c h a n g e i
n y o u r self-imag e t o o n e o f gr eat e r c o n f i d e n c e
a n d greate r ha r m o n y s o tha t y o u begi n Some men see things t
o no tic e th e a b u n d a n c e tha t surro und s a s they are and ask,
y o u . A n d i t wi l l g r e a t l y e n h a n c e y o u r Why ? I dream things
e x p e r i e n c e o f b e i n g alive . that never were and
I' d lik e t o s ha r e wit h y o u t h e s a m e ask, Why not?
techniqu e s tha t I us e d mysel f t o dramat - —George Bernard Shaw
i c al l y increas e my persona l financia l
weal th . I t a ug h t t h e m t o ot her s , a n d the y als o i n c r e a s e
d thei r financia l wealth . N o w I' m g o i n g t o shar e t h e m
wit h you .
W h e n I firs t d e c i d e d t o m a k e t h e s h i f t f r o m a p o v e r t
y consciousnes s t o on e o f wealth , I wa s constantl y
worryin g ab o u t b e i n g p o o r o r h o w n o t t o b e poor . I h a
d a s cr uf f y l it t l e checkboo k tha t reflecte d m y s cr uf f y
li tt l e f i n a n c e s a t t h e t i m e . W h e n a b i l l c a m e i n t h e m a i l ,
I' d worr y a b o u t
183
PAU L MCKENN A
h o w I w a s g o i n g t o p a y it , a n d I ' d f e e l p o o r i n s i d e .
Thi s co ntin ua l focu s o n povert y ke p t m e stuc k i n p o o r
think • i n g a n d p o o r de c is i o n m a k i n g .
O n c e I' d m a d e t h e d ec is i o n t o affir m w ea l t h i nstead ,
I b e g a n t o o p e n m y bill s a n d vi v i d l y i m a g i n e t h a t I h a d
t ho u • sand s i n t h e b a n k , fa r m o r e t h a n I n e e d e d t o p a y
t h e bill . Y o u c a n i m a g i n e h o w g o o d tha t feels . I wa s
sen di n g a n e w messag e t o m y unconscious . S o m e p e o p l e
tr y t o g e t t h e s a m e e f f e c t b y s a y i n g a f f i r m a t i o n s l i k e " I a
m wealthy , I a m wealthy , I a m wealthy, " b u t i f t h e r e i s a
b e l i e f i n t h e u n c o n • sciou s a b o u t poverty , t h e affirmati o n i
s n e x t t o u s e l e s s . It' s n o t e n o u g h t o h i d e y o u r h e a d i n t h
e san d a n d p r e t e n d — y o u hav e t o actuall y creat e th e
feeling o f w e a l t h b y vi vid l y i m a g i n i n g y o u r s e l f a s w e a l t h y
ove r a n d ove r again .
O f c o u r s e , y o u d o h a v e t o p a y t h e b i ll s , b u t c r e a t i n
g th e f e e l i n g o f w e a l t h wil l mak e th e proces s mor e
enjoy • a bl e an d sen d yo u o n th e roa d t o greate r
abundance .
T h e m i n d i s s e n s i t i v e , s o i t' s i m p o r t a n t t o s i g n a l t
o yoursel f tha t positiv e change s ar e happening . I
c ha ng e d bank s a n d go t a clea n ne w che ck bo o k t o hel p
m e star t t o f e e l di f f er en t . T h e n t h e r e a l f u n b e g a n .
I n e e d e d t o ge t a stron g sens e o f wha t greate r wealt
h w o u l d b e like , s o I g o t a n o l d b a n k statement , c u t i t
u p , r e m o v e d t h e bi t t h a t sa i d " o v e r d r a w n , " r e a r r a n g e d
th e figures , a n d glue d it bac k togethe r so tha t it
s h o w e d t h o u s a n d s i n credit . A s s o o n a s I' d finished , I
burs t ou t laughing . Someho w , eve n t h o u g h I k ne w I' d
m a d e i t u p , actuall y h o l d i n g i t i n m y h a n d s m a d e i t
begi n to fee l m o r e real . I f o c u s e d o n i t severa l tim e s
e v e r y da y .
A n o t h e r te ch n i q u e I u s e d wa s t o practic e writin g o u t
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
d e p o s i t slip s a n d c h e c k s f o r m i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s u n t i l I
f e l t c o m f o r t a b l e d o i n g it . B y t h e t i m e I w a s a b l e t o f e e l
c o m • fortabl e "depositin g " a n d "s pen din g " s uc h larg e
a m o u n t s , i t wa s eas y f o r m e t o se e m y se l f a s a trul y
wealth y perso n .
T o m y surprise , w i th i n a f e w m o n t h s th e i m a g i na r
y a moun t o n m y h o m e m a d e ban k statemen t ha d b e c o m e
a r ea li ty . Havin g tha t tangibl e piec e o f paper , th e
b a n k statement , h a d reall y h e l p e d . S o I searche d fo r
o t h e r wa y s t o m a k e m y w e a l t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s t a n g i b l e .
I d e c i d e d t o m a k e a "wealt h scr apb o o k , " c o ll ec ti n
g p i c t u r e s o f t h i n g s I w a n t e d , p l a c e s I w a n t e d t o visi t ,
an d peopl e I wante d t o meet . I n orde r t o mak e you r
o w n w e a l t h s c r a p b o o k , star t c o l l e c t i n g p ic t u r e s o f t hi n g s
y o u wan t , p e o p l e y o u ' d lik e t o m e et , a n d place s y o u ' d
l i k e t o g o . A n y t h i n g y o u ' d l i k e t o b r i n g i n t o y o u r li f e ,
brin g int o yo u r scrapbook .
T h e n , ever y tim e y o u l o o k t h r o u g h y o u r b o o k , prac
• tic e c r ea t i n g sensory-ric h e x p e r i e n c e s o f y o u r goals . I f
it' s a p a r t i c u l a r car , g o t a k e a t e s t d r i v e s o t h a t a f t e r w a r
d y o u c a n vividl y i m a g i n e d r i v i n g o n e , o v e r a n d o v e r
a g a i n . I f it' s a b e a u t i f u l h o u s e , i m a g i n e w a l k i n g a r o u n
d i t unti l y o u k n o w ever y in c h o f i t — t h e feeli n g o f th e
carpet , t h e s m e l l o f t h e h a ll wa y , t h e t e x t u r e o f t h e
f u r n i t u r e , a n d s o o n . It' s v e r y s i m p l e , b u t i t d o e s t a k e
r e g u l a r p r ac ti c e . Y o u a r e r e h e a r s i n g b e i n g weal thy , a n d
lik e a Metho d actor , y o u n e e d t o totall y g e t i n t o t h e
part .
O n e t i m e I w e n t i n t o a M e r c e d e s s h o w r o o m a n d sa t i
n a ca r t o g e t co m f o r t a b l e . I s m e l l e d t h e leather , w e n t fo
r a tes t drive , a n d i m a g i n e d i t wa s m y own . I too k
awa y a b r o c h u r e t o a d d t o m y s c r a p b o o k a n d i m a g i n e d
drivin g
185
PAU L McKENN A
i t e v e r y day . P r e t t y s o o n m y m i n d w a s s o f o c u s e d u p o
n gettin g me on e tha t I starte d to se e Mercede s
every • w h e r e . Befor e long * a seemin g coincidenc e
b r o u g h t a b a r g a i n d e a l m y wa y , a n d I b o u g h t m y firs t
Mercedes .
A f r i e n d o f m i n e reall y g o t i n t o thi s ty p e o f cre at iv
e visualizatio n . H e ' d b e e n prac ti ci n g visualizin g p ark i n
g spaces , a n d amazingly , i t s e e m e d t o work . So he
d e c i d e d t o g o fo r bi g g e r things .
Althoug h he' d neve r bee n outsid e England , h
e d e c i d e d t h a t h e w a n t e d t o t r a v e l t h e w o r l d i n styl e .
H e didn' t hav e muc h money , bu t h e collecte d som e
t r av e l b r o c h u r e s , c u t o u t t h e p i c t u r e s o f a l l t h e e x o t i c
place s h e wante d t o g o t o , a n d s t u c k t h e m i n hi s
s c r ap b oo k . T h e n , i n o r d e r t o m a k e i t rea l t o himsel f , e a c
h S u n d a y f o r a m o n t h h e p a c k e d h i s su i tc a s e a n d w e n t t o
t h e a i r p o r t , e v e n s t a n d • i n g i n l i n e b e f o r e f in al l y t u r n i n g
aroun d an d goin g home .
W h e n h e arrive d h o m e , h e ' d watc h a vide o o f a pro
• gra m abou t travelin g fir s t cl a s s an d spen d tim e
l o o k i n g t h r o u g h hi s s c r a p b o o k a t al l th e p la c e s h e
w a n t e d t o g o . H e reall y g av e himself , hi s un c o n s c i o u s ,
tha t ex p e r i e n c e o f travelin g t o a n d enjoyin g exoti c
locations . H e fo cus e d o n i t fo r a m o n t h no n st o p .
O n e day , w i t h n o w a r n i n g , h e w a s c a l l e d i n t o h i
s b os s ' s o f f i c e a n d a s k e d i f h e w o u l d l i k e t o b e c o m e
thei r internationa l reporter . Hi s bos s e x p l a i n e d i t w o u l d
m e a n t r a v e l i n g al l o v e r t h e w o r l d — f i r s t class . H e c o u l d
h a r d l y b e l i e v e it !
M o s t a m a z i n g o f al l , a f t e r a f e w m o n t h s o f t r a v e l i n g
,he arrive d a t a smal l villag e in Switzerlan d w h e r e
he
b e g a n t o ge t a feelin g o f dej a vu . I t wa s onl y w h e n h e
got
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
b ac k t o E n g l a n d a n d c h e c k e d i n hi s s c r a p bo o k tha t h
e realiz e d h e ' d b e e n stayin g i n t h e e x a c t s a m e villag e
he' d cu t ou t an d paste d int o hi s scrapboo k an d
ul timatel y hi s u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d .
Extraordinar y a s i t ma y seem , I hav e witnesse d s
o man y suc h occurrence s tha t I hav e becom e
skeptica l a b o u t th e i d e a o f c oi n ci d en c e s a n d a m willin
g t o co n • side r th a t a l t h o u g h I d o n ' t k n o w exactl y h o
w i t w o rk s , o u r m i n d s m a y act ual l y h a v e t h e abilit y t o
attrac t events ,
t h i n g s , o r p e o p l e i n t o o u r li ve s
.
MON E Y , H A P P I N E S S , A N D Y O U
B e f o r e w e g o a n y further , le t m e as k y o u a questio n :
W h e n e v e r I a s k t hi s q u e s t i o n i n m y s e m i n a r s , p e o p l
e g iv e a n s w e r s li k e h a p p i n e s s , f r e e d o m , security , or
p o w e r . H o w e v e r , m o n e y itsel f i s n o t t h e s o u r c e o f a n y
o f t h e s e t h i n g s . E a c h o f t h e s e w o r d s r e p r e s e n t s a st a t e
y o u c a n g en er a t e withi n y o u , a n e u r o c h e m i c a l eve n t i n
y o u r b o d y a n d m in d . Let' s fa c e i t — i f m o n e y wa s
really t h e k e y t o h a p p i n e s s , f r e e d o m , All the money i n the
security , or power , peopl e lik e Kur t world i s spent o n
C ob ai n , H o w a r d H u g h e s , Marily n M o n - feeling good.
r o e , a n d J o h n B e l u s h i w o u l d stil l b e _ # y cooder
w i t h u s t o da y .
187
PAU L MCKENN A
H e r e ' s a co r o l l a r y t o t h e la w o f r e v e r s e d effort :
T r y t h e f o l l o w i n g t e c h n i q u e t o a p p l y thi s p r i n c i p l e t
o crea tin g financia l a b u n d a n c e !
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
S U C C E S S , MON EY , A N D TIME
A n o t h e r o n e o f th e f u n d a m e n t a l aspect s o f th e million
• aire' s mind-se t is separatin g ou t you r abilit y to
m a k e m o n e y f r o m t h e n e c e s s i t y o f s p e n d i n g t i m e t o d o it
. Trad • in g y o u r ti m e fo r m o n e y i s th e corn ersto n e o f
povert y consciousness . (That' s wh y you'l l nev e r m e e t a
million • air e w o r k i n g fo r a n ho u r l y wage! )
I f y o u w a n t t o c re a t e massiv e fi nan ci a l a b u n d a n c e , i t i
s necessar y to firs t recogniz e tha t you r abilit y to
m a k e m o n e y i s i n t i m a t e l y l i n k e d t o y o u r a b il i t y t o a d d ,
create , a n d provid e value , w h e t h e r t o a pers o n , a project ,
a c o m • p a n y , o r a n e n t e r p r i s e . I n f a c t , I' l l sa y i t e v e n m o r
e c le ar l y :
T h e r e a r e e s s e n t i al l y f o u r k e y s t o m a k i n g m o r e m o n e
y b y a d d i n g m o r e value :
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PAU L MCKENN A
/. Uniqueness
2. Scope
T h e m o r e p e o p l e y o u a d d valu e to , th e m o r e m o n e y y o
u g e t t o m a k e . W h a t e v e r y o u m i g h t t h i n k o f Bil l G at e s
a n d Microsof t , thei r billion s o f dollar s i n n e t wor t h i s
largel y a c c o un t e d fo r b y th e million s o f p e o p l e wh o s e
live s ar e im p act e d dail y b y th e developmen t o f
W i n d o w s a n d it s c o m p e t i t i v e o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m s .
3. Impact
T h e m o r e o f a d i f f e r e n c e y o u m a k e i n t h e liv e s o f
others , th e m o r e mone y yo u ca n deman d in return .
W h y d o m o s t do cto r s g e t p ai d m o r e tha n m o s t teachers
? B ec a u s e m o s t p e o p l e valu e thei r healt h abov e thei r
education .
4. Perception
T h e r e a r e m a n y s t o r i e s o f p e o p l e w o r k i n g ti r e l e s s l y a n
d a n o ny m o us l y b e h i n d th e scene s t o m a k e a differenc e
i n th e world . Whil e i t ma y b e tru e tha t thes e u n s u n g
h e r o e s ar e th e rea l r easo n w h y th e w or l d work s a s wel l a
s i t does ,
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191
"1
PAU L McKENN A
K EEP I N G S C O R E WIT H M O N E Y
Y o u wi l l n e e d t o g e t s o m e p a p e r , a c a l c u l a t o r , a n d v e r
y possibl y a se n s e o f h u m o r !
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
Assets Liabilities
H o u s e : $150,00 0 M o r t g a g e : $100,00 0
C a r lo a n : $3,00 0
C ar : $10,00 0
S t u d e n t l o a n : $15,00 0
IRA : $35,00 0
O u t s t a n d i n g bills : $2,50 0
M o n e y o w e d m e : $3,50
0
T ot a l asset s = $2 13, 5 0 0
T ot a l liabilitie s = $ 125,00 0
$ 2 1 3, 50 0- $ 1 2 5 , 0 0 0 = $88,50 0
N e t w o r t h = $88,50 0
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PAU L McKENN A
K EE PI N G S C O R E W IT H M O N E Y
Y o u wil l n e e d t o g e t s o m e p a p e r , a ca lcula to r , a n d ve r
y possibl y a sen s e o f h u m o r !
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
Assets Liabilities
H o u s e : $150,00 0 M o r t g a g e : $100,00 0
Ca r : $10,00 0 C a r l o a n : $3,00 0
IRA : $35,00 0 S t u d e n t lo a n : $15,00 0
M o n e y o w e d m e : $3,50 0 O u t s t a n d i n g bills : $2,50 0
Li f e i n s u r a n c e cas h v al u e : $15,00 0 C r e d i t car ds : $4,50 0
T ot a l asset s = $ 21 3, 5 0 0
T ot a l liabilitie s = $125,0 0 0
$ 2 1 3 , 5 0 0 - $ 125,00 0 = $88,50 0
N e t w o r t h = $88,50 0
193
PAU L MCKENN A
EXAMPL E
Y o u ha v e a n e t w o r t h o f $100,00 0 a n d m o n t h l y e x p e n s e
s o f $5,000 . $5,00 0 d i v i d e d b y 3 0 i s $ 1 6 6. 6 6 , o r $ 1 6 7 .
T h i s i s y o u r dail y rate . $100,00 0 divide d b y $16 7 i s
598.8 , o r
599 . Thi s m e a n s tha t i f y o u h a d to , y o u c o u l d mai ntai
n you r curren t l if e s t y l e withou t earnin g an y mor e
m o n e y f o r 59 9 day s (a bo u t I K years) .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
l e a r n e d t o relax . Th i s i s o n e o f m y favorit e m ea s ur e s
o f w e a l t h , b e c a u s e it' s p o s s i b l e t o i n c r e a s e i t w i t h o u t
earn • in g an y m o r e m on e y !
1 . M a k e a lis t o f a l l t h e o n e t i m e p u r c h a s e s y o u w o u l
d li k e t o m a k e i n y o u r l i f e t i m e a n d t h e a p p r o x i m a t e
p r i c e — pa rt icul arl y a n y big- ticke t item s .
EXAMPLE
H o u s e : $250,00 0
C a r s : $ 50, 0 0 0
A l u x u r y v a c a t i o n : $ 5,00 0
C o l l e g e ed u c a t i o n ( x 3) : $1 50,00 0
M i s c e l l a n e o u s f u n : $45,00 0
2 . T o t a l u p al l t h e i t e m s — t h i s i s f i g u r e A .
EXAMPL E
195
1
PAU L McKENN A
3 . D e c i d e o n a c o m f o r t a b l e a n n u a l s a l a r y f o r l if e . (I
f i n d o u b t , j u s t d o u b l e y o u r e x i s t i n g salary! )
EXAMPL E
I f y o u c u r r e n d y e a r n $ 2 5 ,0 0 0 , f i g u r e t h a t $50,0 0 0 a y e a r
f o r lif e w o u l d p r o b a b l y c o v e r y o u r o n g o i n g n e e d s a n d
wants .
4 . M u l t i p l y t h a t s a la r y b y 1 2 (approximatel y 8 per
• cen t return ) o r b y 1 5 (approximatel y 6 percen t
re t u r n ) . Thi s i s th e figur e y o u w o u l d n e e d t o inves t a t a
fa i r l y c o n • s e r v a t i v e r a t e o f r e t u r n t o " e a r n " y o u r a n n u a
l salar y f o r l i f e — w e ' l l cal l i t f i g u r e B .
EXAMPLE
B e t w e e n $ 6 00, 0 0 0 a n d $ 7 5 0 , 0 0 0
EXAMPLE
M a g i c n u m b e r = 50 0, 0 0 0 ( A ) + 7 5 0 , 0 0 0 ( B ) = $ 1 . 2 5 m i l •
lio n fo r financia l i n d e p e n d e n c e
TH E TE N S E C R E T S O F A B U N D A N C
E
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
Fa r to o m a n y pe op l e ar e scare d t o accep t th e
r e s p o n s i b i l • it y o f h u g e f i n a n c i a l w e a l t h . W h e n y o u g e t
m o r e m o n e y y o u r financi a l pressu re s d o n ' t g e t smaller ,
th e y g e t bigger . W h a t m o s t p e o p l e d o n ' t realiz e i s tha t
that's the fun o f it\ A s y o u a c c e p t t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t h a t
c o m e s w i t h pla y •
in g th e bigge r m o n e y game , yo u b e c o m e a m o r e capabl
e person . Th e mor e substantia l th e challenges , th e
m o r e substantia l th e rewards , n o t o n l y financiall y b u t
s p i r i t u • al l y a n d e m o t i o n a l l y a s w e l l . A n d a s y o u t a k e
r e s p o n s i b i l • it y f o r y o u r o w n f i n a n c i a l s u c c e s s , g e t t i n g
w e a l t h i e r w i l l s e e m les s a n d le s s o v e r w h e l m i n g a n d m o r
e l i k e t h e p l e a • s u r e i t w a s al wa y s m e a n t t o b e .
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PA U L McKENN A
X C o n s i d e r t a k i n g t h e firs t 1 0 p e r
The difference between • cen t o f you r monthl y incom e an
poor people and rich d immediatel y usin g it to pa y
people is easy. The poor dow n you r de b t a n d / o r buil d you r
spend their money and savings . A s y o u tak e step s t o r e d u c e
then save what's left you r deb t an d increas e you r ne t
over; the rich save their wort h mont h b y month , you'l l
money and then spend quickl y mak e t h e transitio n fro m
what's left over. tryin g t o kee p you r hea d abov e
—-Jim Rohn wate r t o layin g th e foun • dation s o f
wealth .
3. Study Wealthy
People
O n e o f t h e q u ic k e s t way s t o b e c o m e w ea l t h y i s t o s p e n
d tim e wit h peopl e wh o hav e alread y achieve d
wealth . R e m e m b e r , wealt h is mor e tha n financia l
a b u n d a n c e . M a n y p e o p l e hav e b e c o m e millionaire s onl y
t o disco v e r tha t a l o n g t h e wa y th e y los t s o m e t h i n g fa r
m o r e i m p o r • t a n t — t h e i r s e l f - r e s p e c t a n d s e n s e o f self .
Tak e s om e tim e t o researc h a n d discove r yo u r ow
n "heroe s o f wea l th" —tho s e peop l e who'v e foun d a wa y
t o creat e m as s i v e financia l abundanc e withou t
s a c r i f i c i n g t h e i r li ve s o r t h e i r s o u l s a l o n g t h e way . F i n d
o u t w h a t the y ar e d o i n g tha t y o u aren't . See k t o
If you want to learn understan d ho w the y thin k an
d about money, learn from behav e towar d m o n e y a n d wealth .
I f somebody who has a lot possible , contac t th e m a n d as k
fo r
of it. advice . N o t onl y d oe s askin g m a k
e
—Charles Givens ot h e r p e op l e awar e o f w h o y o u are , i
t als o let s t h e m k n o w th a t y o u a r e
tak -
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
i n g y o u r p u r s u i t o f w e a l t h seriously . W h i l e n o t e v e r y o n
e w i l l o f f e r t o h e l p , it' s b e e n m y e x p e r i e n c e t h a t a s l o n g
a s y o u ar e polit e a n d respectful , m a n y wealth y p e o p l e
ar e grat efu l f o r t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o b e o f servic e .
T h e m o r e m o n e y y o u h a v e i n t h e b a n k , t h e l es s f r i g h t e n
• i n g i t i s t o e x p e r i m e n t wit h n e w a n d differe n t way s
o f m aki n g money . Thi s i s wh y th e mos t powerfu l
in vestme n t y o u c a n m a k e i s t o bu il d yo u r financia l
reservoir— a sav • i n g s a c c o u n t wit h betwee n thre e
m o n t h s ' a n d t w o y e a r s ' s a l a r y i n it .
I n Dr . Richar d Carlson' s b o o k Don't Worry, Make
Money, h e tell s th e stor y o f tw o m e n w h o w e r e b o t h
offer e d th e sam e j o b wit h a n e w c o m p a n y i n th e 1970s .
T h e of f e r wa s fo r ve r y lo w p a y b u t a lar g e a m o u n t o f stock
. T h e m a n w h o wa s liv in g f r o m p a y c h e c k t o p a y c h e c k
t h o u g h t i t w a s t o o risk y a n d p a s s e d ; t h e o n e w h o h a d
a financia l r e s e r v o i r t o o k t h e offer . T h e c o m p a n y w a s
M i c r o s o f t , a n d n e e d l e s s t o say, w i t h i n a f e w y e a r s t h e
m a n w h o t o o k t h e ris k h a d a m a s s e d a h u g e f o r t u n e .
T h e m o r a l o f t h e stor y i s th a t i n m o s t case s , c r e a t i n
g abundanc e usuall y involv e s som e r is k , an d
nothin g make s ris k m o r e tolerabl e tha n havin g m o n e
y i n t h e b a n k . A s a u t h o r S t u a r t W i l d e say s , " T h e t r i c k t
o m o n e y i s havin g some. "
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PAU L MCKENN A
5 . The 80/20
Rule
I r e m e m b e r t h a t y e a r s a g o , w h e n I firs t g o t i n t e r e s t e d i
n hypnosis , o n e o f t h e o l d stag e p e r f o r m e r s I wa s
l e a r n i n g f r o m wa s als o a salesman . Th i s wasn ' t j u s t hi s j o
b — i t wa s hi s pa ssio n . I n e v e r sa w h i m g o m o r e t h a n a
c o u p l e o f hour s witho u t sellin g so m e t h i n g t o s o m e o n e .
W e ' d b e a t a re staur an t a n d h e ' d strik e u p a
conve rsati o n wit h th e p e o p l e a t th e n e x t table . B e f o r e
l o n g , h e ' d fi n d o u t al l a b o u t t h e i r n e e d s a n d o ff e r t o
sel l t h e m e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y w a n t e d . M o s t o f t h e t i m e , h e
didn' t eve n hav e wha t h e ' d
jus t s o l d — h e ' d hav e t o g o ou t an d bu y i t himsel f i n
orde r t o tur n aroun d an d delive r i t to th e peopl e
who ' d jus t bough t i t fro m him . H e simpl y lo ve d th e
thril l o f per • s u a d i n g p e o p l e .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
W h e n I a s k e d h i m w h a t h e t h o u g h t hi s se cr e t was
, h e said :
" Exc it e m e n t a n d passio n ar e contagious . W h e n y o
u g e t trul y p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t w h a t y o u w a n t t o d o ,
other s
wil l fi n d t h em s el v e s d r a w n t o y o u . "
1 . Writ e d o w n th e a m o u n t o f m o n e y y o u e xp e c t t
o e a r n thi s year .
Example: A n n u a l e a r n i n g s = $3 0, 00 0 . L e s s la s t t h r e
e n u m b e r s = $30 . D i v i d e d b y tw o = $ 1 5 . Y o u r
hourl y "wage " i s $15 .
201
PAU L MCKENN A
J u s t f o r t o da y , i m a g i n e y o u r h o u r l y w a g e h a s d o u b l e d
. I f y o u wer e b e i n g p ai d twic e a s m u c h p e r h o u r fo r
w h a t y o u d o , w h a t w o u l d y o u d o differently ?
Y o u m a y n o t g e t i n s t a n t r e s ul t s , b u t y o u wi l l a t t r a c t t
o yoursel f i n o n e wa y o r a n oth e r whateve r y o u thin k
a b o u t most . Us e you r favori t e technique s dail y to
c o n d i t i o n yo u rs e l f f o r success !
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
r e f l e c t i n g o n al l t h e g o o d t h i n g s i n y o u r happiness
lif e a s y o u dr i f t o f f t o s l e e p e a c h n i g h t . -Michael McMillian
A s y o u sa y t h a n k y o u t o lif e , G o d , t h
e universe , o r wha te ve r y o u fee l m o s t
com •
fortabl e wi t h a n d c o n n e c t e d to , y o u ar e cultivatin g w h a t
A m e r i c a n s cal l "a n attitud e o f gratit ude . "
T h e r e i s a s t o r y t h a t i n a n c i e n t T i b e t , al l t h e m o n k s
w e r e g a t h e r e d t o g e t h e r o n c e eve r y h u n d r e d year s a n d
give n a n opportunit y fo r guarante e d e n l i g h t e n m e n t — a l l
th e y h a d t o d o wa s wal k t h r o u g h th e R o o m o f a T h o u s a n
d D e m o n s a n d c o m e o u t aliv e . T h e R o o m o f a T h o u s a n d
D e m o n s w a s a p i t c h - b l a c k r o o m f il l e d w i t h a t h o u s a n d
d e m o n s w h o w o u l d a pp e a r t o th e m on k s i n th e guis e o
f th e i r big ges t a n d wor s t fears : spiders , snakes , shee r
p r e c i p i c e s — w h a t • e v e r t h e y s e n s e d w o u l d fil l t h e m o n k s '
hea rt s wi t h terror . T h e o n l y rule s w e r e tha t o n c e t h e
monk s entered , n o on e
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PAU L McKENN A
c ou l d c o m e i n a n d rescu e them , a n d i
Never give in. Never
t wa s impossib l e t o leav e b y th e d o o r
give in. Never, never,
the y w e n t in . F o r t ho s e fe w br av e soul
never, never—in
s wh o dare d to fac e thei r fear s in
nothing, great or
pursui t o f happiness , success , an d
small, large or petty—
e n l i g h t e n m e n t , th e r e wa s o n e crucia l
never give in,
p i e c e o f advice :
except to convictions
of honor and good
No matter what you think you see,
sense. Never yield to
hear, think, or feel, keep your feet
force. Never yield to
moving. If you keep your feet
the apparently
moving, you will eventually get to
overwhelming might
where it is you want to go!
of the enemy.
—Sir Winston Churchill
Perhap s m y favorit e quot e on th
e powe r o f persisten c e come s fro m
Presi • d e n t Cal vi n C o o l i d g e :
IN C O N C L U S I O N
Fin al l y , I w a n t y o u t o r e m e m b e r t h a t r e a l w e a l t h i s
n o t m e a s u r e d b y m o n e y a l o n e . Star t today . C r e a t e a p l a
n f o r f i n a n c i a l a b u n d a n c e a n d star t m o v i n g f o r w a r d .
Mak e th e
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c h a n g e s y o u n e e d t o m a k e , b o t h a t th e leve l o f y o u r
con • sciousnes s a n d i n actio n . Afte r y o u hav e b e g u n t o
en jo y m o r e o f t h e succes s th a t y o u desir e , y o u wil l l o o
k b ac k a n d b e thankfu l tha t y o u did !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
205
DAY
7
HAPPIL Y EVE
R AFTE R
Live the secrets of lifelong
happiness—now
PAU L MCKENN A
208
^*^ne day, a wealthy businessman hired a fishing boat to take
him out to sea for a day of relaxation. The sun was shining, and
the wealthy man took a liking to the happy young fisherman who
"Young man, " said the wealthy businessman, "I can teach you
morning's catch.
"First off, double your prices. You run a good, clean boat and
shore.
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PAU L Mc K E N N A
"Because then you will be able to buy a second boat, and a third,
and you will be able to take on more tourists and catch more fish.
If you work hard, you will earn enough to buy a whole fleet of
boats."
as he rolled over onto his back to soak up the last gentle rays of the
afternoon sun.
become rich, and you can hire people to do your work for you while
wonderful!"
210
T W O KIN D S O F H A P P I N E S S
I n t h e West , o u r c ul tu r e e m p h a s i z e
/ have come to
s th e pursui t o f happines s throug h
understand that life
exter • na l m e a n s . Mos t peopl e woul d
is best to be lived
c o m p l e t e t h e s e n t e n c e "I ' l l b e h a p p y
and not to be
whe n " w i t h e x t e r n a l s li k e " W h e n
conceptualized. I am
I' v e m a d e a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s , " " W h e n I '
happy because I am
m marrie d t o th e pe r s o n o f m y dreams, "
growing daily and I
"Wh e n I fin d a j o b . " W e ar e tol d fro m a
am honestly not
ver y earl y a g e tha t thes e ar e th e thing s
knowing where the
t h a t wil l m a k e u s h a p p y , b u t a q u i c k limit lies.
glanc e a t th e new s e a c h d a y reveal s
—Bruce Lee
clearl y tha t h avi n g t h e g o o d thing s i n
lif e c a n o n l y b e p a r t o f
t h e story .
I n t h e East , t r a di t i on a l c u l t u r e e m •
pha si z e s a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f e x i s te n c e , posit •
in g th e ide a tha t happines s i s f o u n d within . M y ow n
211
PAU L McKENN A
T h e g o o d n e w s i s t h a t y o u a l r e a d y k n o w h o w e as y i t i s
t o c r e a t e state s , a n d y o u c a n l e a r n t o e x p e r i e n c e t h a t st a t
e w e cal l ha p pi n e s s m u c h m o r e of te n t h a n y o u d o rig h t
now .
T h i n k a l itt l e m o r e d e e p l y n o w — w h a t d o e s h a p p i n e s
s fee l lik e i n y o u r b o dy ?
Fo r some , it ' s a warm , peaceful , glowin g feelin g
. O t h e r p e o p l e descri b e i t a s a k in d o f delightfu l sens e
o f i n n e r satisfactio n . W h i l e I d o n ' t k n o w p r ec i s el y w h a t
h a p • pin es s feel s lik e fo r y o u , I d o k n o w th a t i f y o u
be g a n t o hav e th e f eel i n g tha t y o u cal l h a p p i n e s s i n
y o u r b o d y ri g h t now , y o u c o u l d identif y i t i n a n instant .
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Change Your Life in Seven Days
TH E S C I E N C E O F H A P P I N E S S
A f e w year s a g o I h e a r d a b o u t a m e d i c a l d o c t o r i n N e
w
Yor k w h o h e l p e d d r u g addict s o ve r c o m e thei r addiction
s
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W h e n I h e a r d a b o u t th e d o c t o r w h o wa s h e l p i n g d r u
g addict s t o overcom e thei r addictio n b y gettin g
naturall y h ig h us i n g hypnosis , I starte d ex p e r i m en t i n g
t o se e i f I c o u l d g e t p e o p l e t o h av e e n d o r p h i n releas e s
usin g imag • inatio n exercises . Not onl y wer e man y o
f the m a b l e instantl y t o experienc e thos e grea t
f eel in gs , b u t als o i t
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W h e n I firs t d i s c o v e r e d t h i s t e c h n i q u e , I thought
, " F a n t a s t i c — I ' l l j u s t fee l g r e a t al l t h e time! " Ho we v e r ,
a s w i t h a n y e m o t i o n a l s ta t e , i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o h a v e a
sens e o f context . W h e n you 'r e crossin g th e road , i t i s
n o t t h e wises t i d e a t o b e b u z z e d o u t o f y o u r m i n d o
n e n do r • p hins . W h e n y o u ' r e driving , y o u wa n t t o hav e
y o u r wi t s a b o u t y o u w h i l e n e g o t i a t i n g t h e tr af fi c .
H o w e v e r , w h e n e v e r it ' s a p p r o p r i a t e t o f e e l w o n d e r f u l
, w h y n o t m a k e u s e o f thi s g r e a t n a t u r a l t e c h n i q u e ?
DESIGNE R HAPPINES S
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th i r t y y e a r s s t u d y i n g h a p p i n e s s . B e c a u s e h e c o u l d n ' t g e
t fundin g to researc h happines s directl y (i t w a s n ' t
consid • e r e d a sufficiend y seriou s sub je c t f o r scientifi c
s t u d y ) , h i s s t ud i e s f o c u s o n wha t h e call s "optima l
e x p e r i e n c e s , " o r "flow. "
As a resul t o f hi s research , he ha s identifie d
e i g h t characteristic s tha t ar e invariabl y pr e se n t d u r i n g
optima l e x p e r i e n c e — t h a t is , th e experienc e o f
h a p p i n e s s , enjoy • m e n t , a n d f u l f il l m e n t i n t h e m o m e n t
o f d o i n g whate ve r i t i s y o u ar e doin g .
E a c h o f th e characteristic s serve s a s a po te n ti a l ha pp i
• nes s t r i g g e r — a wa y o f turn i n g a n ordin ar y situatio n
int o a n optimal , enjoyabl e flo w e x pe r ie n c e . A s y o u rea d
t h e m now , y o u ma y wel l hav e idea s a b o u t w h e r e y o u c a n
creat e m o r e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e m i n y o u r li f e an d
b e g i n t o f e e l t h e f l o w s ta t e s t a r t h a p p e n i n g .
T h e e ig h t ha ppin e s s trigger s are :
1. Clear Goals
H a v i n g a c le a r go a l , p u r p o s e , o r i n t e n t i o n act s a s a sor t
o f o r g a n i z i n g p r in c i p l e fo r o u r a tte n ti o n , filterin g o u r
ex • p e r i e n c e d o w n f r o m a w o r l d o f i nfini t e possibil itie s
t o a selecti v e c o l l ec t i o n o f e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t allow s u s t o
focus , fee l i n contro l , m a k e sens e o f wha t i s h a p p e n i n
g t o us , a n d r e s p o n d deliberatel y .
T h e r e f o r e , t h e s i m p l e s t w a y t o t r a n s f o r m a n y ta s k i n t
o a po tent i a l flo w e x p e r i e n c e is to se t ourselve s an
i n t e n • t i o n , p u r p o s e , o r g o a l i n r e l a t i o n t o t h a t ta sk .
I n case s w h e r e t h e tas k i s m u n d a n e , r e pe t i ti v e , o r sim -
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2. Immediate
Feedback
D o y o u r e m e m b e r a s a chil d playin g th e w a r m e r/ c o l d e
r g ame ? T h e close r y o u go t t o you r goal , th e h i d d e n
objec t y o u wer e seeking , th e warme r y o u were ; th e
f a r t h e r away , t h e c o l d e r .
T h e r e a s o n thi s g a m e i s s o p o p u l a r cross-cul tu ral l
yis tha t th e huma n brai n is designe d as a
c y b e r n e t i c m e c h a n i s m — t h a t is , i t t h r i v e s o n h a v i n g a
clea r go a l a n d m a k i n g constan t adjustment s i n pursui t o
f tha t g o a l , j u s t lik e a h ea t- s ee ki n g missile . However , i
n o r d e r f o r o u r b r a i n t o f u n c t i o n a t it s f u l l c a p a c i t y , w
e mu s t giv e i t con • tinua l fe e d b a c k a s t o w h e t h e r w e ar e
o n track .
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t h e t h e o r y o f g r av i t y , S i r I s a a c N e w t o n i s r e p u t e d t o
h a v e said , ' Y o u w o u l d ha v e c o m e u p wi t h i t t o o i f y o
u h a d s p e n t al l y o u r t i m e t h i n k i n g o f n o t h i n g el se ! "
5 . Total Involvement
R o c k c l i m b i n g i s s o m e t h i n g t h a t al wa y s p u z z l e d m e . W h
y w o u l d a n y o n e w a n t t o d o that ? W h y w o u l d a n y o n e
aspir e t o th e sam e s ki l l leve l tha t a smal l lizar d
demonstrates ? T h e r e doesn' t appe a r t o b e an y gai n i n
it . E v e n m o r e
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c o n f u s i n g , c l i m b s a r e n ' t r a t e d b y y o u r abilit y t o g e t t o t h
e top , bu t rathe r b y th e rout e yo u choos e to take .
Fello w climber s ar e fa r mor e impresse d b y a n
interestin g jou r • ne y tha n b y re achi n g th e destination .
A n d that' s par t o f th e a p pe a l : c li m b i n g fo r c l i m bi n g '
s sake . Man y climber s repor t tha t whe n they'v e
r e a c h e d th e to p o f a rock , afte r th e relie f ha s subsided ,
there' s a desir e t o co n t i n u e cl im b i n g .
O n e c l i m b i n g i n s tr u ct o r I k n e w c r e a t e d a n interest
• in g "entranc e exam " fo r hi s advance d climbin g
course . H e assigne d al l th e potentia l student s a n
e x t r e m e l y diffi • c u l t c l i m b . T h e instructo r tol d th e
aspirin g student s tha t h e w o u l d m a k e hi s decisi o n w h e n
the y r e a c h e d th e top , the n secrete d himsel f b e h i n d a roc
k partwa y u p a t wha t i s k n o w n a s a f al s e summit—
s o m e t h i n g tha t appear s t o b e th e to p o f th e m o u n t a i n
b u t isn't .
When th e student s reache d th e f al s e summit , h
e w o u l d wa tc h th e i r face s a s the y realiz e d tha t r a th e r
t h a n b e i n g d o n e , t h e y w e r e stil l o n l y p a r t w a y t o t h e t o p .
T h o s e w h o a p p e a r e d di s ap poi n te d we r e politel y refuse
d en tr y t o t h e a d v a n c e d g r o u p , b u t th o s e w h o s e eye s
wide n e d i n ex ci temen t a t th e prospec t o f m o r e climbin g
a h e a d wer e w e l c o m e d wit h o p e n arms .
A c c o r d i n g t o Csikszentmihalyi , mo s t optim a l experi
• enc e i s th e resul t o f th i s kin d o f teleologica l
a c t i v i t y — t h a t is , act i v i t y t h a t i s i n t r i n s i c a l l y s at is fy i n g a s
o p p o s e d t o goal-oriented . W h e n w e d o thing s n o t becau s
e w e b e l i e v e t h e y wi l l n e c e s s a r i l y m a k e u s l o o k g o o d o r
m a k e u s m o n e y b u t fo r th e s h ee r lov e o f d o i n g th e thin g
, w e increas e th e
l i k e l i h o o d o f e x p e r i e n c i n g flow
.
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6. Loss of Self-Consciousness
7. A Sense of
Control
T h e f e e l i n g o f b e i n g i n c o n t r o l , o f h a v i n g a sa
y i n w h a t h a p p e n s i n o n e ' s life , ha s f a r - r e a c h i n g
con • sequence s fo r physica l an d menta l health
. . . . Incr e asi n g th e sens e o f contr o l a m o n g m e
n a n d w o m e n livin g i n con va le sce n t h o m e s m a d
e t h e m happier , increase d thei r a le r t n e s s and—
p e r h a p s mos t dramatically—lowere d thei r
mortali t y rate , o ve r a p e r i o d o f 1 8 m o n th s , b y 5 0
percent .
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s h a d e . D r i v i n g o n difficul t terrain
. Dancing , hearin g th e bea t an
d melod y o f a song , an d movin g i
n a n e x p r e s s i v e w a y t o it .
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BALANCIN G CHALLENG E
A N D MASTER Y
W h i l e e a c h o n e o f the s e e i g h t characteristic s i s im p o r t a n t
, p er h a p s t h e m o s t usefu l o n e , i f w e w a n t t o de s i g n o u r
o w n o ptim a l e xp e ri en c e s , i s a n int h metacharacteristi c :
F o rt un a te l y , m o s t o f u s h a v e a t leas
t Enjoyment appears occasionall y e x p e r i e n c e d th e cal m , fo
- a l the boundary c us e d e ne r g y tha t c o m e s wit h p e rf o r m
- between boredom m g m ^ e fj o w z o n e w h e n w e fee l u p t o
and anxiety, when t n e cha l l en g e s w e ar e f ac e d with .
the challenges are jjf C j a t i t e b e s t ) j s a constan t shuttl e
just balanced with bet we e n master y a n d challeng e , a con -
the person s capacity tinua l proces s o f stretchi n g a n d consol -
i o a c t
' idatin g o u r gain s a n d learning .
Mihaly § Q h o w d 0 w e d es i g n a n d adjus t o u r
J
exp e ri en c e t o ensur e w e hav e th e high •
es t p o ssib l e c h a n c e o f b o t h e n j o y i n g a
n a ct iv i t y a n d p e r f o r m i n g a t o u r b e s t ?
T h e k e y i s i n t h e w o r d perception—that is , b y a d j u s t i n
g
ou r perception s (o f th e cha ll eng e s w e fac e a n d o f o u
r abilit y t o m e e t t h o s e c h a l l e n g e s ) , w e c a n literall y re-
creat e o u r e x p e r i e n c e fo r o pti m a l p e r f o r m a n c e .
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T R A N S F O R M I N G F E A R INT O F L O W
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Focus on Past
Success
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B A C K G RO U N D HAPPINES S
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Ok ay , let' s d o i t no w . . . .
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A s k y o u r u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d t o t r ig g e r t h a t fl o w stat
e t h r o u g h o u t t h e day . A s y o u b e g i n t o f i n d y o u r s e l f
e x pe r i • e n c i n g flo w m o r e a n d m o r e o f t h e t i m e , t h e
n e u r a l p a t h • wa y s i n yo u r brai n tha t creat e flo w a n d
b ac k g r ou n d happines s b e c o m e stronge r a n d stronge r
u n t i l y o u ha r d • w i r e yo u r s e l f t o b e i n f l o w al l t h e ti m e .
TH E P R O B L E M W IT H P L E A S U R E
A n u m b e r o f p e o p l e ha v e c o m e t o m e o ve r th e year s
suf•
ferin g fro m wh a t I ca n onl y describ e a s "a n exces s o
f
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D o e s th i s m e a n p l e a s u r e i s b a d ?
Every heart that has
N o t a t al l . Bu t th e p r o b l e m wit
beat strongly and
h pleasur e i s tha t i t feel s s o da r n g o o d ,
cheerfully has left a
w e c a n b e easil y t e m p t e d t o p u t i t a t
hopeful impulse
t h e t o p o f o u r p r i o r i t y lis t a s w e p u r s u e
behind it in the t h e g o o d li f e a t a l l c o s t s . B u t t h e g o o d
world, and bettered lif e i s la r ge l y d e v o i d o f t h e satisfactio n
the tradition of s tha t c o m e w h e n w e pi t ourselve s
mankind. agains t a worth y challenge . Perhap s
—Robert Louis thi s i s w h y Si r R i c h a r d B r a n s o n
Stevenson c o n t i n u e s t o r i s k li f e a n d l i m b in a
heliu m b a l l o o n — becaus e h e recognize
s tha t to o m u c h o f
t h e s o - c a l l e d g o o d l if e c a n b e b a d f o r y o u .
I n f a c t , p l e a s u r e p u r s u e d f o r it s o w n s a k e a c t u a l l
y s e e m s t o g e t i n t h e w a y o f h a p p i n e s s . A l i z a r d wi l l
s t a r v e t o d e a t h i f y o u t r y t o h a n d - f e e d it , y e t i t w i l l
t h r i v e w h e n a l l o w e d t o h u n t it s o w n f o o d ; a n e a r o f c o r
n wi l l r o t o n t h e s t a l k i f n o t c h a l l e n g e d b y w i n d a n d
rain . A n d i f y o u wa n t t o b e happy , y o u n e e d t o tak e
o n a w o r t h y c h a l • l e n g e — e v e n i f t h a t ' s t h e la s t t h i n g y o
u fee l y o u want !
S o h o w d o w e c r e a t e a h a p p i e r , m o r e s a ti s f y i n g lif e
?
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T h i s m a y s e e m t o g o a g a i n s t e v e r y t h i n g I h a v e b e e n say
• in g , b u t f o r m o s t o f us , o u r lus t fo r p l e a su r e i s ti e d i n
t o t h e a p p e a l o f f o r b i d d e n fruit . I n fact , t h e w o r d i n
o u r societ y m o s t c o m m o n l y p ai r e d wit h pleasur e is
guilty. B y m a k i n g i t o k a y t o t a k e t i m e o u t t o l i s t e n t o t h e
rai n whil e takin g a w ar m , candl eli t b a t h (o r w a t ch i n g
footbal l whil e d rinkin g a b e e r ) , w e c a n sto p s p en d i n g
s o m u c h tim e po l i c in g ourselve s a n d be g i n takin g m o r
e tim e t o chal • l e n g e ourselves .
W e t e n d t o f ee l o u r b es t w h e n w e a r e d o i n g o u r best , a n
d w e c a n on l y d o o u r bes t w h e n w e ar e d o i n g wha t w e
d o best—tha t is , playin g to ou r strengths . Whil e
conven • tiona l wisdo m encourage s u s t o develo p ou r
wea kn esses , resear c h i nt o succes s a n d fulfillmen t po int s
o u t tha t w h e n w e pla y t o o u r s treng th s a n d manage o u
r weakness , w e n o t onl y p er f o r m bette r bu t w e ge t m o r e
satisfactio n f r o m o u r p e r f o r m a n c e .
T o identif y y o u r strengths , e m p l o y w h a t m a n a g e m e n
t consultant s cal l "360-degre e feedback"—tha t is ,
a s k p e o p l e i n e v e r y a r e a o f y o u r l if e w h a t t h e y c o n s i d e r
y o u r s t re ng t h s t o b e un t i l y o u c a n cl earl y identif y t h e
common
characteristic s a n d standards .
231
PAU L MCKENN A
232
>o<o
H Z O I
m c>
5
-r
m
m — —
m "n Z
* .m CD
'
t was registration day at the university, and the young man was
in thought, his mind racing with possibilities for what lay ahead,
"Oh, I'm not a professor, " the old man replied. "I'm a new stu•
"But how old are you?" the young man said in shock.
"I'm seventy-three, " the old man said with a twinkle in his eye.
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PA U L McKENN A
The young man seemed quite shocked. "No disrespect, sir, but to
The old man put his hand on the young man's shoulder and
"God willing," the old man said with a smile, "I'll be eighty
236
TH E P O W E R O F S U G G E S T I O N
I n o r d e r t o fa c i l i t a t e a n d r e i n f o r c e y o u r o n g o i n g su c
• cess , I hav e create d th e followin g dail y succes s
wo rko u t . Thi s i s th e sam e routin e I us e ever y m o r n i n g t o
s e t m y s e l f u p f o r a w o n d e r f u l day . I s u g g e s t t h a t f o r t h e
n e x t w e e k o r so , y o u f ol l o w thi s r o u t i n e e xa ctl y a s I h a v e
designe d i t fo r
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HO W G O O D CA N I T GET ?
Fi n all y , a s w e r e a c h t h e e n d o f t h e b o o k , I ' d l i k e t o
tal k a b o u t th e f uture . Y o u m a y r e m e m b e r th a t I starte
d t h i s b o o k b y t a l k i n g a b o u t h o w w e li v e i n a t r u l y
e x c i t i n g t i m e i n o u r p l a n e t ' s history . T h e s e day s t h e r e i s
m o r e informa • tio n t o absorb , m o r e t o learn , a n d m o r
e opportunitie s tha n eve r before .
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HO W G O O D CA N I T GET ?
Fi n al l y , a s w e r e a c h t h e e n d o f t h e b o o k , I ' d l i k e t o
tal k a b o u t t h e f u t u r e . Y o u m a y r e m e m b e r t h a t I s ta r te d
t h i s b o o k b y t a l k i n g a b o u t h o w w e li v e i n a t r u l y e x c i t i n g
t i m e i n o u r p l a n e t ' s history . T h e s e day s t h e r e i s m o r e
informa • tio n to absorb , mor e to learn , an d mor e
opportunitie s tha n eve r before .
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PA U L McKENN A
T o m a k e thi s l e a p , w e n e e d a r ad i c a l shif t i n o u r
val • ue s . R a t h e r t h a n c o n t i n u a l l y l o o k i n g f o r f ul f i l l m e n
t i n th e outsi d e wo r ld , w h i c h ha s m a d e u s overl y
competitiv e
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a n d selfish , w e n e e d t o b e g i n t o f i n d m o r e c o n t e n t m e n
t within . I believ e tha t a n e w a g e o f p s y c h o t e c h n o l o g y
i s u p o n us , a n d th e kin d o f tech ni que s we'v e b e e n usi n g
i n t h i s b o o k wi l l b e c o m e w h a t m o r e a n d m o r e p e o p l e
tur n t o i n o r d e r t o h e l p b rin g a b o u t positiv e c ha n g e s a t
e v e r y l e v e l o f so c ie t y .
T h e s e days , a co unt ry ' s we al t h i s n o l o n g e r g a u g e d b y
its p h y s i c a l r e s o u r c e s . Instea d , i t i s idea s a n d thei r
i m p l e m e n • tatio n tha t crea t e wealth . T h e rea l s o ur c e o f
we al t h i s i n o u r m i n d s , a n d thos e o f u s wit h th e riches t
i d e a s wil l c r e a t e t h e g r e a t e s t w e a l t h i n t h e w o r l d . J u s t t h i n
k f o r a m o m e n t — y o u posses s o n e o f t h e m o s t v a luab l e
an d powerfu l piece s o f e q u i pm e n t i n th e worl d righ t
b e t w e e n y o u r ears !
Y o u h av e l e a r n e d s o m e p o w e r f u l way s t o r u n y o u
r o w n b r a i n . T h e positi v e sof twar e t h a t y o u h a v e p u t
i n t o y o u r m i n d wil l b e g i n t o m a n i f e s t m o r e a n d m o r e
b e n e f i • c i a l r e s u l t s e a c h day . T h e f a c t t h a t y o u ' v e c h o s e n
t o i n v e s t i n y o u r o w n e v o l u t i o n set s y o u a p a r t f r o m t h e
m a s s e s . I t' s a d e c i s i o n t h a t w i l l e n r i c h th e qualit y o f
y o u r li f e m a n y t i m e s o v e r , b e c a u s e l i f e i s o n l y a s a m a z i n
g a s t h e w a y y o u c h o o s e t o li v e it .
A s y o u p r a c t i c e t h e t e c h n i q u e s i n thi s b o o k , t a k i n
g responsibilit y f o r p r o g r a m m i n g y o u r o w n m i n d , y o u
ar e putt in g yoursel f a t th e foref ro n t o f o u r culture . Y o u
ar e b e c o m i n g a leader , a n d th e choice s y o u m a k e a b o u t
wher e an d ho w yo u lea d wi l l becom e increasingl y
significant .
As yo u continu e on you r journe y to th e lif e
o f y o u r d r e a m s , I w o u l d li k e t o lea v e y o u w i t h thi s
B ud dhi s t blessing :
241
About the Author
s
b y mor e than 500 milli o n p e o p l e a r o u n d t h e world-
He has appeare d on Good Morning America, The ^* > eW
His award-winning c o m e d y h y p n o t i c s h o w p l a y * e( o n
reviews.
H e i s a bestselling autho r , a n d hi s privat e clien t
Unti l ne x t w e meet ,
Paul McKenna
242
About the Author
PAUL M C K E N N A , P H . D . , i s t h e w o r l d ' s l e a d i n g h y p n o t i s t
. Hi s T V show s hav e b e e n watch e d i n for ty-t w o countrie
s b y m o r e t h a n 50 0 m i l l i o n p e o p l e a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .