Paul McKenna - Change Your Life in 7 Days

ALSO BY PAUL McKENNA
The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna

How to Mend Your Broken Heart
( wi t h H u g h Wi l l b o u r n )
Mantesh
CHANGE
Y OUR LI FE IN
7 DAYS
The World's Leading Hypnotist
Shows You How
PAUL Mc KENNA, Ph. D.
E d i t e d b y Mi c h a e l Nei l l
H A R M O N Y B O O K S
NEW YORK
Mantesh
Copyright 2004 by Paul McKenna
All rights reserved.
Published in the United States by Harmony Books, an imprint of the
Crown Publishing Group, a division of Random House, Inc., New York,
www. crownpublishing. com
HARMONY BOOKS is a registered trademark and the Harmony Books
colophon is a trademark of Random House, Inc.
Originally published in Great Britain by Bantam Press, a division of
Transworld Publishers, London, in 2004.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
McKenna, Paul, 1963-
Change your life in seven days : the world's leading hypnotist shows
you how / Paul McKenna.1st ed.
p. cm.
1. Self-actualization (Psychology) 2. Self-perception. 3. Autogenic
training. I. Title.
BF637.S4M3926 2005 2004018135
158.1dc22
ISBN 1-4000-8287-0
Printed in the United States of America
1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
First American Edition
Mantesh
To my parents,
who gave me more than I realized
Mantesh
Acknowledgments
I wo u l d l i ke t o t ha nk al l of my c ol l e a g ue s , cl i ent s , a n d
s t ude nt s wh o ha v e c o nt r i b ut e d t o t hi s b o o k .
I wo u l d especi al l y l i ke t o t ha nk Ri c ha r d Bandl er ,
Mi c ha e l Nei l l , Mi c ha e l Br e e n, Di a na Beaver , Do u g Yo u n g ,
Cl ar e St apl es, Mi k e Os b o r ne , a n d Paul Du d d r i d g e .
Mantesh
Contents
Author's Note
xi
Introduction
1
DAY 1 Who Are You, Really ?
15
DAY 2 A User's Manual for Your Brain
39
DAY 3 The Power of a Positive Perspective
75
DAY 4 Dream Setting
105
ix
Mantesh
PAUL Mc KENNA
DAY 5 Healthy Foundations
139
DAY 6 Creating Money
169
DAY 7 Happily Ever After
207
Conclusion: Changing Your Life, One Week at a Time
233
x
Mantesh
S I M P O R T A N T I
I (
| There is a special hypnotic recording to accompany |
' this hook. It will help von re-enforce I lit: positive J
C benefits von gel from the techniques yon are about
\ lo use.
5 Yon can download it for free by visiting:
f. www.paiiliiickenna.coni/trance
Mantesh
PAUL Mc KENNA
DAY 5 Healthy Foundations
139
DAY 6 Creating Money
169
DAY 7 Happily Ever After
207
Conclusion: Changing Your Life, One Week at a Time
233
I M P O R T A N T
There is a special hypnotic recording to accompany
this book. It. will help Y OU re-enforce I he positive
benefits von gel from the techniques you are about
to use.
You can download it for free by visiting:
www.paulinckcnna.eom/t ranee
I NTRODUCTI ON
_ l l TMt t HM. '
Y o u HOLD i n y o ur ha nd s a b o o k t hat has t he p o we r t o
c h a n g e y o u r l i f e f or ever .
Do e s t hat s e e m l i ke a n out l a ndi s h cl ai m? So ma n y o f
t he p e o p l e I ' ve g u i d e d t o a c hi e v i ng t hei r des i r es s t ar t ed
o u t wo n d e r i n g h o w i t i s pos s i bl e a n d e n d e d up a s t ound-
i n g t he ms e l v e s . No w i t' s y o u r t ur n. Do n ' t unde r e s t i ma t e
t he p o we r of t he syst em i n t hi s b o o k . I pr o mi s e y o u i t
wi l l c h a n g e y o u r l i f e!
Suc c e s s a n d ha ppi ne s s ar e n o t a c c i de nt s t hat j us t ha p-
p e n t o s o me p e o p l e a n d n o t t o o t h e r s t h e y ar e pr e-
di c t abl e resul t s c r e a t e d by de l i be r a t e ways of t hi nk i ng
a n d ac t i ng, ways t hat I' l l be s ha r i ng wi t h y o u ov e r t he
n e x t s e v e n days. As t he s ayi ng g o e s , s ucces s i s al l a b o u t
l u c k a s k any f ai l ur e!
CAN I REALLY CHANGE MY
LIFE IN SEVEN DAYS?
P e o p l e wh o a t t e nd my s e mi nar s ar e
al ways a ma z e d wh e n we c ur e l i f e l ong
pho b i a s i n l ess t ha n a n hour , or c l e ar
up s uppo s e dl y de e p- s e a t e d i ssues i n j u s t
Whether you think
you can or you think
you can't, you're
probably right.
Henry Ford
3
PAUL Mc KENNA
a f ew days. Bu t mo s t p e o p l e c a n t hi nk of a t i me wh e n
t he i r l i ves c h a n g e d i n j u s t a f e w mo me n t s . Pe r ha ps i t was
g e t t i ng a n e w pi e c e of i mp o r t a nt i nf o r ma t i o n, or me e t -
i n g a s peci al s o me o n e a n d k n o wi n g t hat y o u r l i f e wo u l d
ne v e r a g a i n be t he s a me .
He r e i s t he r e a s o n why c h a n g e c a n h a p p e n s o qui ckl y:
The changes that matter most are more often
changes in perception than changes in the
world outside us. And we can change the way
we perceive the world in a heartbeat.
I n f act , t he my t h t hat i t t akes a l o n g t i me t o c h a n g e
has onl y b e e n a r o u n d f or a b o u t a h u n d r e d year s , wh e n
Fr e u d i a n anal ysi s b e c a me t he d o mi n a n t i nf l ue nc e i n t he
t r e a t me nt of ps y c hos oma t i c i l l ness. Wh a t ma k e s t hi s
p o i nt of vi ew i r oni c i s t hat t he g oa l of ps yc hoanal ys i s has
ne v e r b e e n t o change p e o p l e , b ut r a t he r t o h e l p t h e m
g a i n a d e e p e r u n d e r s t a n d i n g of why t he y ar e t he way
t he y ar e. I n my wor k, u n d e r s t a n d i n g i s t he b o o b y pr i z e!
So me t i me s e v e n a smal l c ha ng e c a n ma k e a h u g e dif-
f e r e nc e . For e x a mpl e , i ma g i ne y o u a n d a no t he r pe r s on
ar e dr i vi ng a l o ng t wo st r ai ght r oads , s t r et c hi ng si de by si de
of f i nt o t he i nf i ni t e di s t ance. No w i ma g i ne t hat o n e of
t hos e r oads shifts e v e n a t i ny bi t away f r o m t he ot her . At
fi rst t he di f f er enc e mi g h t s e e m i mpe r c e pt i bl e . But over
t i me, t hat smal l c h a n g e i n di r e c t i on wo u l d t ake y o u t o an
ent i r el y di f f er ent des t i nat i on f r o m t he o t he r pe r s on.
T h e t e c hni que s c o nt a i ne d in Change Your Life in Seven
Days ar e st at e of t he art , of f e r i ng n o t onl y t he l at est soft-
4
Change Your Life in Seven Days
5
wa r e b u t al so a wh o l e n e w o p e r a t i ng syst em f or y o u r
b o d y a n d mi n d .
Ea c h day, y o u wi l l ma k e t i ny c ha ng e s , c h a n g e s t hat
ma y be i mpe r c e pt i b l e t o y o u a t first. Bu t a s y o u c o n t i n u e
mo v i n g f or wa r d, y o u wi l l b e g i n t o r eal i z e j u s t h o w f ar y o u
have al r e ady c o me a n d j us t h o w mu c h y o u have c h a n g e d .
Let ' s f a c e i t i f y o u do vi rt ual l y a ny t hi ng cons i s t ent l y
f or s e v e n days, i t wi l l c h a n g e y o u. Wh a t ma k e s t hi s syst em
di f f e r e nt i s t hat ma n y of t he t e c hni q ue s y o u wi l l be l e ar n-
i ng a s y o u r e a d wi l l g o o n wo r k i ng , h e l p i n g y o u l o n g
af t er y o u s t op us i ng t he m. Ov e r t he n e x t s even days t he
ac t i ons y o u t ake wi l l set up a wave of c h a n g e i n y o u r l i f e
t hat wi l l i n t ur n af f ect ma n y o t he r ar eas of y o u r l i f e,
whi c h i n t ur n af f ect ot he r s . Jus t as an oi l t a nk e r t akes a
l i ttl e whi l e t o st art mo v i ng , i t b e c o me s di f f i cul t t o s t op
o n c e i t bui l ds up suf f i ci ent mo me n t u m.
Fo r c e nt ur i e s p e o p l e t h o u g h t i t was i mpos s i bl e t o r u n
a f our - mi nut e mi l e . T h e n on Ma r c h 6, 1 954, Ro g e r Ba n-
ni s t er di d wha t al l g r e a t p i o ne e r s d o h e ma d e t he
i mpos s i bl e h a p p e n .
Recent l y, I me t Dr. Ba nni s t e r a n d we
t al ke d a b o u t h o w a ma z i n g i t was t hat
wi t hi n a y e a r of hi s b r e a k i ng t he f our -
mi n u t e mi l e , t hi rt y- seven o t h e r p e o p l e
a r o u n d t he wo r l d di d s o as wel l . I n t he
f ol l owi ng year, an i nc r e di bl e three hundred r unne r s b r o k e
t h r o u g h t hat pr evi ous l y i mp e ne t r a b l e bar r i er .
T h e f i nest mi nds of t he a g e h a d be l i e v e d i t was i mpos -
si bl e t o d o , a n d t he i r bel i ef s b e c a me a sel f -f ul f i l l i ng
pr o phe c y . ( S o me n o t e d sci ent i st s act ual l y s ug g e s t e d t hat
PAUL Mc KENNA
t he h u ma n b o d y wo u l d explode i f p u s h e d t o do a f our -
mi nu t e mi l e! )
I t onl y t o o k o n e c o u n t e r e x a mp l e o n e p e r s o n pr ov-
i ng t hat wha t ot he r s h a d pr evi ous l y t h o u g h t c o u l d n o t b e
d o n e was i n f act p o s s i b l e f o r e v e r y o ne el se t o t ap i nt o
t hat possi bi l i t y wi t hi n t he ms e l ve s .
T h e h u ma n mi n d g e ne r a l i z e s a s a l e a r ni ng pr i nc i pl e .
Fo r e x a mp l e , as a c hi l d y o u l e a r n h o w a d o o r o p e n s a n d
cl os es . Yo u r mi n d t h e n g e ne r a l i z e s t hat l e a r ni ng t o a ppl y
t o al l do o r s e v e r y whe r e .
Thi s wor k s equal l y we l l wh e t h e r t he l e a r ni ng s ar e use-
f ul or pai nf ul . Ov e r t he n e x t s even days, we ar e g o i n g t o
d i s ma n d e ma n y o f t he ne gat i v e g e ne r a l i z a t i ons y o u have
ma d e a b o u t t he wor l d, a n d bui l d posi t i ve n e w one s .
MY STORY
I b e c a me i nt e r e s t e d i n al l t hi ngs s e l f - i mpr ov e me nt
s ho r dy af t er I l ef t s c ho o l . I t di dn' t t ake l o n g f or me t o
r e a d ne ar l y ever y sel f - hel p b o o k , try e ve r y t e c hni q ue , a n d
a ppl y e v e r y t hi ng I was l e a r ni ng t o my o wn l i f e. As a
r esul t , my l i f e c h a n g e d dr amat i c al l y f or t he bet t er. I n
f act , s i nc e I b e g a n us i ng t he t e c hni q ue s I am a b o u t t o
s ha r e wi t h y o u, I qui c kl y no t i c e d an i mp r o v e me n t i n my
c o nf i d e nc e , my f i na nc e s , my c ar eer , a n d t he way p e o p l e
t r e a t e d me . I b e c a me weal t hy, f a mo us , a n d my l i f e
b e c a me i nf i ni t el y mo r e g l a mo r o u s t ha n i t was b e f o r e
al l i n a s hor t s pa c e of t i me. Al l of t he be s t t e c hni que s t hat
6
I us e d t o c r e a t e t he l i f e I l i ve t oda y ar e c o n t a i n e d i n t he
b o o k y o u n o w h o l d i n y o u r ha nds !
My p u r p o s e i n l i f e, a n d t he g oa l of thi s b o o k , i s t o
h e l p y o u g e t g r e a t e r c o nt r o l o f y our s e l f a n d y o u r l i f e.
Si nc e 1 9 8 5 , 1 have b e e n wo r k i n g on a r e v ol ut i ona r y self-
i mp r o v e me n t syst em t hat wi l l wo r k f or e v e r y o ne . T h e
u n i q u e s uc c e s s - c ondi t i oni ng syst em y o u ar e a b o u t t o
l e a r n has n o w b e e n p e r f e c t e d y o u wi l l b e g i n ma k i n g
p r o f o u n d c h a n g e s wi t hi n t he ve r y fi rst day.
Be s t o f al l , y o u c a n r e l a x i t ' s ve r y easy, a n d y o u d o n ' t
ha v e t o ha v e any pr e v i ous e x p e r i e n c e or ski l l . I n f act , i f
y o u c a n c l os e y o u r eyes, t al k t o y our s e l f a n d ot he r s , a n d
mo v e y o u r body, y o u c a n c ont r ol y o u r t hi nk i ng a n d
behavi or , a n d ul t i mat el y y o u c a n l i ve t he l i f e of y o u r
dr e a ms . Al l y o u ha v e t o do i s f ol l ow my i ns t r uc t i ons s t ep
by s t ep, e v e n i f a t t i mes y o u ' r e n o t s ur e y o u ' r e d o i n g i t
r i ght . Tog e t he r , we ar e g o i n g t o de s i g n a n d i nst al l " posi -
t i v e s of t war e" f or y o ur mi n d !
THE POWER OF NOW
Thi s i s an e x c i t i ng t i me i n hi story. O u r wo r l d i s t r ans f or m-
i ng ever y day. T h e sci ent i f i c a n d t e c hno l o g i c a l t ransf or-
ma t i o ns a n d b r e a k t h r o u g h s t hat ar e t aki ng pl a c e al l
a r o u n d us ar e i nc r e a s i ng at e x po ne nt i a l rat es. We , as a
h u ma n r ac e , ar e c o n n e c t i n g ov e r g r e a t di s t ances , e xpl or -
i ng a n d r e s ha pi ng o u r wor l d. J o ur ne y s t hat us e d t o t ake
mo n t h s ar e n o w ma d e i n hour s ; c al c ul at i ons t hat us e d t o
7
PAUL Mc KENNA
t ake year s ar e n o w d o n e i n mi nut e s . T h e que s t i on i s no t
will y o ur l i f e c h a n g e t h e que s t i on i s wha t wi l l i t c h a n g e
i nt o?
Ri g ht n o w we l i ve i n a di gi t al i nf o r ma t i o n a ge . Faxe s ,
mo b i l e t e l e pho ne s , c o mp u t e r s , a n d sat el l i t e t e c hnol og y ,
u nt hi nk a b l e e v e n fifty year s a g o , ar e n o w c o ns i de r e d a
n o r ma l pa r t of t went y- f i rst - cent ury l i f e. S o me t h i n g ha p-
p e ns o n o n e si de o f t he wo r l d a n d we c a n wa t c h i t o n
o u r t el evi si on s c r eens mo me n t s l ater. Gl o ba l c o mmu n i c a -
t i ons syst ems c a n c o n n e c t mi n d t o mi n d l i ke ne r v e cel l s
i n a h u g e g l oba l br ai n. Wh e r e v e r i t i s we ar e g o i ng , we
ar e g o i n g t he r e fast!
We s t and on t he t hr e s hol d of a n e n o r mo u s l e ap i n o u r
evol ut i on, a n d I bel i eve t hat t he ne x t gr e at st age i n h u ma n
d e v e l o p me nt wi l l be a mo v e o u t of t he i nf or ma t i on a g e
a n d i nt o a n e w t i me i n whi c h p e o p l e wi l l b e g i n t o de v e l op
t hei r i nne r r es our c es . I cal l thi s ti me t he a g e of psychotech-
nologya t i me wh e n we wi l l be g i n t o unl e a s h t he a ma z i ng
powe r s a n d i nne r abi l i t i es t hat we ar e al l b o r n wi t h. I s ee
t he unde r s t a ndi ng a n d pr ac t i c e of ps y c ho t e c hno l o g y as
b e i ng l i ke ha v i ng a n owne r ' s ma n u a l f or y o ur br ai n.
Unf or t unat e l y , mo s t p e o p l e s p e n d mo r e t i me l ear n-
i ng t o wo r k t he i r D V D pl ay e r t ha n t hey do t he i r o wn
mi n d . By t aki ng t he n e x t we e k t o r e a d a n d pr a c t i c e t he
e xe r c i s e s i n t hi s b o o k , y o u ar e ma r k i n g y our s e l f o u t a s
di f f e r e nt f r o m t he 98 p e r c e n t o f p e o p l e wh o , t o q u o t e
Wi ns t o n Chur c hi l l , " s t umbl e ov e r t he t r ut h f r o m t i me t o
t i me , b u t mo s t pi c k t he ms e l v e s up a n d hur r y of f a s i f
n o t h i n g h a p p e n e d . "
I n t hi s b o o k , y ou' l l di s c ove r t he t e c hni q ue s t hat have
8
9
h e l p e d ma n y p e o p l e br e a k t h r o u g h t hei r l i mi t at i ons a n d
r el eas e t he i r t r ue pot e nt i al . Tog e t he r , we ar e g o i n g t o
p r o g r a m y o ur mi n d t o ma k e y o u a ha ppi e r , mo r e conf i -
de nt , a n d po we r f ul pe r s o n.
GETTING STARTED
Be f o r e y o u b e g i n o n t hi s j o u r n e y i nt o y o u r t r ue po t e n-
t i al , I ' d l i ke y o u t o s t op a n d c o ns i de r t hi s:
What would it be like if you woke up one morn-
ing and a miracle had happenedyour life had
become exactly what you wanted it to be?
Do i t n o w s t o p a n d vi vi dl y i ma g i ne it.
Ho w wo u l d y o u k n o w t hat t he mi r a c l e h a d t a k e n
pl ac e?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u see?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u he ar ?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u f eel i ns i de?
Wh a t c h a ng e s wo u l d have h a p p e n e d i n y o u r
c ar eer ?
In y o ur r el at i ons hi ps ?
Y o u r fi nances?
Y o u r he al t h?
As you use the ideas and practice the tech-
niques you will learn from this book, you are
going to make these dreams come true.
PAUL Mc KENNA
Si mpl y r el ax, r e ad, a n d al l ow t he i deas a n d exer c i s es
i n t he b o o k t o t ake r oot .
Jus t as a g a r d e n e r pl ant s s eeds a n d pat i ent l y wai t s f or
t h e m t o grow, ever y t i me y o u wo r k wi t h t hi s b o o k , y o u ' r e
pl a nt i ng posi t i ve s ugge s t i ons i n y o ur mi n d t hat wi l l g r o w
i nt o po we r f ul n e w ways t o o pe r a t e t he wor l d' s mo s t
a d v a nc e d b i o c o mp u t e r y o u r br ai n!
Ev e n t h o u g h y o u c a n a c hi e v e dr a ma t i c resul t s i n y o ur
ver y fi rst we e k, y o u ma y wa nt t o r e t ur n
t o t he b o o k s ever al t i mes i n t he fi rst f ew
mo n t h s . I t i s vi t al l y i mpo r t a nt t o do t he
e xe r c i s e s i n o r d e r t o g e t t he k i nd of
resul t s y o u want . No s i ngl e t e c h n i q u e i s
a ma g i c pi l l f or s ucces s , b ut wh e n y o u
pr ac t i c e t h e m agai n a n d a g a i n t hey wi l l
b e c o me s e c o nd na t ur e t o y ou.
Wha t e v e r y o u a c hi e v e i n t he ne x t
t e n year s wi l l be t he r es ul t of wha t y o u
do now. As t he s ayi ng g oe s , i f y o u k e e p
d o i n g wha t y o u' v e al ways d o n e y ou' l l
j u s t g e t mo r e o f wha t y o u' v e al r e ady
got . But y o u do have t he p o we r t o ma k e
an i nc r e di bl e di f f e r e nc e t o y o ur l i fe.
A n d i t starts r i ght he r e .
People are always
blaming circum-
stances for what they
are. I don't believe in
circumstances. The
people who get ahead
in this world are the
people who get up
and look for the
circumstances they_
want, and if they
can't find them,
make them.
George Bernard Shaw
10
11
THE DI FFERENCE THAT
MAKES THE DI FFERENCE
Ma n y p e o p l e b e g i n a sel f - hel p b o o k or pe r s o na l t r a i ni ng
p r o g r a m b u t qui t hal f way t hr o u g h. T h e y c o nv i nc e t he m-
sel ves t hat it' s t oo h a r d or t hat t hey d o n ' t have wha t i t
t akes. He r e ' s t he p r o b l e m wi t h t hat a p p r o a c h :
If you don't take control of your life, someone
else will.
Now, I k n o w responsibility i sn' t a ver y p o p u l a r wo r d
t hes e days. Bi l l i ons of dol l ar s c h a n g e ha nd s e a c h y e a r as
p e o p l e l i t eral l y pass t he b u c k on who s e f aul t i t i s t hat
t hei r c of f ee was t oo hot , t hei r b o d y was t oo we a k, or t hei r
d o g was po o r l y t r ai ned.
But a no t he r way of t hi nki ng a bo ut responsi bi l i t y i s t hat
i t i s real l y a b o u t c ont r ol . Do y o u wa nt t o c ont r ol y o u r l i f e
o r h a n d ov e r t hat c o nt r o l t o o t he r p e o p l e y o u r f ami l y,
t he me di a , o r e v e n soci et y i n ge ne r a l ? Do y o u wa n t t o be
t he mas t er of y our f at e or t he vi ct i m of y our ci r cums t ances ?
Taking responsibility is taking control of those
parts of your life that are within your control,
while letting go of trying to control what is not.
It' s easy t o b l a me y o ur pa r e nt s , y o u r e mpl o y e r s , or t he
g o v e r n me n t f or y o ur pr o b l e ms , b ut unt i l y o u d e c i d e t o
s ee y our s e l f as r e s pons i bl e f or y o ur s i t uat i on t he n y o u
PAUL Mc KENNA
d o n ' t ha v e any p o we r t o c h a n g e it. Al l g r e a t ac hi ever s
k n o w t hat t a ki ng r es pons i bi l i t y i s t he f i r s t s t ep t owar d
ha v i ng a successf ul ari d f ul f i l l i ng l i f e.
Dr. S t e p h e n R. Co v e y de s c r i be s i t l i ke t hi s:
Wh e n y o u pi ck up o ne e nd of t he stick, y ou pi ck up
t he ot her. The r e f or e , i f y ou de c i de t o t ake responsi -
bi l i ty f or your ci r cumst ances, y ou aut omat i cal l y t ap
i nt o t he powe r t o c ha ng e t hem.
Wh e n I s ha r e t hes e i deas i n my s e mi nar s , oc c as i onal l y
a pa r t i c i pa nt wi l l say t o me , " Do e s t hat me a n t hat i f I ' m
wa l k i ng acr oss t he r o a d a n d I g e t r u n over, it' s my f aul t ?"
T h e a ns we r i s s i mp l e t a k i n g r es pons i bi l i t y i s n o t t he
s a me as t aki ng t he b l a me . Y o u ar e not r e s pons i bl e f or t he
h a n d y o u have b e e n deal t , b u t i t i s al ways up t o y o u h o w
y o u pl ay it.
St o p f or a mo me n t a n d i ma g i ne wha t i t wo u l d be l i ke
t o t ake r es pons i bi l i t y f or y o ur l i f e t o have t he p o we r t o
ma k e c hoi c e s a n d c h a n g e s i n ever y a r e a o f y o u r l i f e. To
b e i n c o nt r o l o f y o u r f i nanc e s , y o u r r el at i ons hi ps , a n d
y o u r s ens e of wel l - bei ng. To be a t p e a c e wi t h t hos e t hi ngs
t hat ar e n o t i n y o u r c o nt r o l a n d i n f ul l c o mma n d o f
t hos e t hat ar e.
I f y o u l i ke wha t y o u ar e i ma g i ni ng , ma k e t he de c i s i on
r i g ht n o w t o t ake r es pons i bi l i t y f or y o u r l i f e at a wh o l e
n e w l evel . T h e mo r e I wo r k wi t h p e o p l e wh o a c hi e v e
a s t o u nd i ng resul t s, t he mo r e I am i ns pi r e d by t he wor ds
of W. H. Mur r ay:
12
Unt i l o ne i s c ommi t t e d, t her e i s hesi tancy, t he
c ha nc e t o draw back, always i nef f ect i veness. Con-
c e r ni ng al l acts of i ni ti ati ve ( and c r eat i on) , t her e i s
o ne el ement ar y t rut h t he i gnor anc e of whi c h kills
count l ess i deas and spl endi d pl ans: t hat t he mo me n t
o ne def i ni t el y c ommi t s onesel f , t he n pr ovi de nc e
moves t oo. A whol e st r eam of event s i ssues f r om
t he deci si on, rai si ng i n one' s f avor all ma nne r of
unf or e s e e n i nci dent s, meet i ngs a nd mat er i al assis-
t ance, whi c h no ma n c oul d have dr e amt woul d have
c o me hi s way.
Ar e y o u c o mmi t t e d ? Ar e y o u r e a dy t o t ake b a c k y o u r
powe r ? A r e y o u wi l l i ng t o ma k e thi s b o o k i mp o r t a nt
e n o u g h t o f ol l ow t he s i mpl e i ns t r uc t i ons t hat wi l l c h a n g e
y o u r l i fe? Ev e n i f y o u ' r e n o t c o n v i n c e d at f i r s t , i t i s i mpo r -
t ant t o r eal i z e t hat y o u c a n s u c c e e d i n spi t e of your sel f ! I t
al l h a p p e n s o n e c ha p t e r at a t i me.
HOW TO USE THIS BOOK
Thi s b o o k i s l ai d o u t i n s e v e n c h a p t e r s s e v e n ke y l es-
s ons t hat wi l l g u i d e y o u f r o m whe r e v e r y o u ar e i n t he
di r e c t i on o f y o ur mo s t de e pl y f el t val ues a n d mo s t f o ndl y
ho pe d- f o r d r e a m. As y o u pi c k up t hi s b o o k e a c h day, t ry
t o f i l l y o u r mi n d wi t h posi t i ve e ne r g y a n d p r e p a r e y o u r
br ai n f or t he v a l ua bl e i nf o r ma t i o n y o u wi l l be r e c e i v i ng
i n t hat day' s r e a di ng .
13
PAUL MCKENNA
I n j u s t s even clays, y o u wi l l j o i n t he r anks of t hos e
p e o p l e wh o ar e s o wel l p r o g r a mme d t o s u c c e e d t hat t he y
c a n n o t h e l p b ut be s ucces s f ul a t wha t t hey do . Y o u wi l l be
abl e t o h a nd l e wha t e v e r c ha l l e ng e s l i fe of f ers y o u wi t h a
s ens e of ease a n d c o nf i de nc e . Yo u r j o u r n e y wi l l b e g i n i n
t he n e x t c hapt er , a s y o u di s c over wh o y o u ar e b e c o mi n g
a n d u nc o v e r y o ur t r ue pot e nt i a l t o b e c o me t he pe r s o n
y o u real l y wa nt to be . . . .
14
DAY
1
WHO ARE YOU,
REALLY?
Discover your true potential
and become the person you
truly want to be
Imagine you woke up one day in a land populated almost
entirely by giants. At first you would no doubt be terrified, and the
deafening roar of loud noises and the uncomfortable sinking feel-
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
that one giant in particular was taking a special interest in your
safety and well-being.
Then imagine that one day, for no reason whatsoever, the giant
you had learned to trust completely yelled at you, threatened you,
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
could learn to help you survive.
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
PAUL Mc KENNA
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
married. Have children to support you in your old age. Do as you
are told.
The list grows longer as your once tiny body grows larger (nur-
tured no doubt by the special food produced in the land of the
giants), and eventually you come to realize that there are no
giants left.
And then one day you wake up, and there is a tiny little crea-
ture staring up at you. She has awakened in a land of giants.
And because you love her, you begin to teach her everything you've
learned about how to survive in this land of giants.
And so the cycle continues. . . .
18
THE POWER OF BRAI NWASHI NG
Du r i n g t he Ko r e a n ci vi l wa r of t he l at e 1950s, t he Chi -
ne s e Ko r e a ns successf ul l y c o nv e r t e d a n u n p r e c e d e n t e d
n u mb e r o f Ame r i c a n P OWs t o t he " r e l i g i on" o f c o mmu -
ni s m. T h e y di dn' t do i t t h r o u g h t hr e at o f t or t ur e o r e v e n
pr o mi s e of r e wa r d t h e y di d i t by s i mpl y c h a n g i n g t he
s ol di er ' s sel f - i mage.
Wh a t t he Ch i n e s e u n d e r s t o o d was t hat o u r be ha v i o r
i s a di r e c t r es ul t of t he p e r s o n we believe-we a r e o u r self-
i ma g e . T h i n k of i t l i ke a l o o p w e ar e c ons t ant l y c on-
f i r mi ng t o our s el ves t hat we ar e t he p e r s o n we t hi nk we
ar e , b u t t he s ys t em we us e t o i nt e r pr e t o u r be ha v i o r a n d
f e e d b a c k i s o u r o wn s el f - i mage. It' s a c at c h- 22.
S o t he Ch i n e s e i nt e r r upt e d t he l o o p. Y o u mi g h t t hi nk
i t was a bi g t ask r e p r o g r a mmi n g me n wh o h a d b e e n
hi g hl y t r a i ne d onl y t o gi ve t hei r n a me , r ank, a n d seri al
nu mb e r , b ut t he Ch i n e s e d i d i t bi t by bi t .
Du r i n g a n i nt e r r og a t i on, pr i s one r s we r e p e r s u a d e d t o
ma k e o n e o r t wo mi l dl y a nt i - Ame r i c a n o r p r o - c o mmu ni s t
s t at ement s . ( For e x a mp l e , " T h e Un i t e d St at es i s n o t pe r -
f ec t , " or " I n a c o mmu n i s t c ount r y, t he r e i s l ess u n e m-
p l o y me n t a n d c r i me . " ) O n c e t hes e a ppa r e nt l y mi n o r
s t at e me nt s h a d b e e n e x t r a c t e d, t he pr i s o ne r wo u l d t he n
be a s ke d t o de f i ne exac t l y h o w t he Un i t e d St at es was n o t
pe r f e c t . Wh e n he was wo r n d o wn a n d weary, he wo u l d
t he n be a s ke d t o s i gn hi s n a me t o t he list of r e as ons he
h a d c o me u p wi t h.
19
PAUL Mc KENNA
Lat er , t he pr i s one r wo u l d be ma d e t o r e a d hi s l i st i n a
di s cus s i on g r o u p wi t h o t h e r pr i s one r s . T h e Ch i n e s e
wo u l d t he n br o a dc a s t hi s n a me a n d list o f r e as ons d u r i n g
a n a nt i - Ame r i c a n r a di o br oa dc a s t n o t onl y t o hi s o wn
c a mp b ut t o al l t he o t h e r No r t h Ko r e a n P O W c a mp s a n d
t he r est of t he Ame r i c a n f or c es i n S o u t h Ko r e a as wel l .
Suddenl y, t he pr i s one r f o u n d hi ms e l f l a be l e d a col -
l abor at or , s o me o n e wh o pa r t i c i pa t e d i n t he k i nd o f
be ha v i o r t hat h e l p e d t he e ne my . Wh e n f el l ow pr i s one r s
a s ke d why he h a d d o n e it, he c o u l d n' t c l ai m he h a d b e e n
t or t ur e d. Af t e r al l , he h a d sai d t hos e t hi ngs a n d s i g ne d
hi s n a me t o t he m.
Ps yc hol ogi c al r es ear c h has s hown t hat h u ma n bei ngs
c a n t ol er at e onl y a c er t ai n a mo u n t of di s c r epanc y be t we e n
t hei r t hought s a n d t hei r behavi or . Li ke a ny o ne una wa r e of
t he p o we r of hi s o wn s el f - i mage, t he pr i s o ne r f el t he h a d
t o j ust i f y hi s ac t i ons i n o r d e r t o ma i nt a i n c ons i s t enc y
wi t h hi s o wn i nt er nal s ens e of i denti ty. He wo ul d say t hat
wha t he h a d sai d was t r ue. I n t hat mo me n t hi s s el f - i mage
c h a n g e d . He no w be l i e ve d t hat he was pr o- c ommuni s t ,
a n d hi s f el l ow pr i s oner s r e i nf or c e d hi s ne w i dent i t y by
t r eat i ng h i m di f f erent l y. T h e l o o p was c ompl e t e .
Be f o r e l o ng , hi s des i r e t o act cons i s t ent l y wi t h hi s n e w
sel f - i mage wo u l d dr i ve h i m t o c ol l a bor a t e wi t h t he Chi -
ne s e e v e n mo r e , t he r e by f ur t he r r e i nf o r c i ng hi s n e w self-
i ma g e unt i l he no l o n g e r e v e n q ue s t i o ne d i t was t r ue.
20
WHAT IS A SELF- I MAGE?
Yo u r s el f - i mage i s t he way y o u s ee y our s e l f i n y o ur i magi -
na t i on. T h e r e a s on y o u r sel f - i mage i s s o po we r f ul i s
b e c a us e y o u r be ha v i o r wi l l a l mos t ne v e r devi at e f r o m t hi s
i nt e r nal ma p . I t act s as a s or t of sel f -f ul f i l l i ng pr ophe c y ,
t el l i ng y o u h o w t o be ha v e or p e r f o r m t o ac t c ons i s t e ndy
wi t h t he k i nd o f p e r s o n y o u t hi nk y o u ar e. Yet ma n y
p e o p l e d o n ' t e v e n r eal i z e t he y have a n i ma g e o f t he m-
sel ves unt i l t hey l ook.
We ' v e al l me t p e o p l e wh o ar e at t ract i ve b ut wh o t hi nk
of t hems el ves a s u g l y t o o f at or t oo t hi n or t oo ol d or
t oo y o u ng . I f y o u t rul y bel i eve y o u ar e unat t r act i ve, y o u
wi l l unc ons c i ous l y s abot age any at t empt s t o ma k e your s el f
a p p e a r at t ract i ve. Be c a us e y o u wo n ' t r e pr e s e nt y our s e l f a t
y o ur best , p e o p l e wi l l i nevi t abl y f i nd y o u unat t r act i ve, a n d
t he p r o p h e c y i s f ul f i l l ed.
St udi es have s ho wn t hat a n e x t r a or di na r y n u mb e r o f
p e o p l e wh o s udde nl y r e c e i ve l ar ge s ums o f mo n e y
t h r o u g h l ot t er y wi ns or i nhe r i t a nc e a r e l i kel y t o l os e i t
a g a i n a l mos t a s qui ckl y. Ev e n p e o p l e wh o e a r n t hei r
mo n e y ar e l i kel y t o l os e i t i f wha t t hey ar e e a r n i n g i s
mo r e t ha n t hey be l i e v e t hey ar e wor t h. T h e y f eel u n c o m-
f or t abl e wi t h t he e x t r a mo ne y , s o t hey s p e n d it, l e n d i t, or
f i nd s o me o t he r way t o g e t r i d of it.
Ce l e br i t i e s who s e star ri ses t o o h i g h t o o f ast c a n al so
be b r o u g h t b a c k t o e ar t h by t he gr avi t at i onal pul l of a
l i mi t e d sel f - i mage. I n f act , s o ma n y c el ebr i t i es s uf f er
f r o m sel f - dest ruct i ve be ha v i o r b r o u g h t o n by f eel i ngs o f
21
PAUL Mc KENNA
unwo r t hi ne s s t hat ps yc hol ogi s t s have c r e a t e d a n a me f or
t he pat t e r n: t he par adi s e s y ndr o me .
Ho w y o u t hi nk of y our s e l f al so af f ect s h o w other people
f eel a b o u t y o u. Be c a us e mo r e t ha n 90 p e r c e n t o f wh a t
y o u c o mmu n i c a t e i s unc o ns c i o us , t he p e o p l e a r o u n d y o u
ar e c ont i nual l y r e s p o n d i n g t o y o u r b o d y l a ng ua g e , t one
of v oi c e , a n d t he e mo t i o n a l si gnal s y o u ar e t r ans mi t t i ng.
Ev e n i f t he wo r ds y o u us e s o u n d posi t i ve, y o u ma y wel l
f i nd y our s e l f c o nv e y i ng o n e me s s a g e ver bal l y a n d a c o m-
pl et el y di f f e r e nt me s s a g e wi t h y o ur b o d y l a ng ua g e .
He r e ' s t he poi nt :
You are constantly letting other people know
how to treat you by the way you treat yourself.
In t he b o o k The Mastery of Love, D o n
We seek the teeth that M i g u d R u i z s h a r g s t h e a n a l o g y o f l i v i n g
made the wounds. { n a r e s t a u r a n t w h e r e f o o d ^ p l e n t i .
-Anonymous M T f s o m e o n e c a m e t o t h e d o o r a n d
of f e r e d y o u a pi z z a b u t y o u ' d ha v e t o l et
t h e m a bus e y o u f or t he r est of y o u r l i f e, y o u ' d l a u g h i n
hi s f ac e . Bu t i f y o u we r e l i vi ng i n t he s t r eet a n d h a d n ' t
e a t e n f or days a n d t hat s a me p e r s o n ma d e y o u t hat s a me
of f er, y o u ' d be l i kel y t o c o ns i de r it. We s e t de f or wha t we
f eel we ar e wo r t h t h a t i s, we wi l l ne v e r al l ow a n y o n e t o
a bus e us mo r e t ha n we a bus e our s el ves .
22
S UCCES S AND THE SELF- I MAGE
Unf or t unat e l y , whi l e e a c h f ai l ur e r e i nf or c e s t he self-
f ul f i l l i ng p r o p h e c y of y o u r ne gat i v e s el f - i mage, y o u r
o u t e r s ucces s es r ar el y c h a n g e i t f or t he bet t er . No ma t t e r
h o w mu c h y o u ha v e o n t he o u t s i d e b i g h o u s e , bi g car,
mo n e y i t wi l l n o t ul t i mat el y satisfy y o u i f y o u d o n ' t
al r e ady f e e l g o o d a b o u t y our s e l f o n t he i ns i de.
Ov e r t he year s I have h a d t he oppor t uni t y t o me e t a n d
wo r k wi t h a l ar ge n u mb e r of successf ul pe o pl e . I am c on-
t i nua l l y st r uck by h o w ma ny of t h e m c r eat e a n out e r
v e ne e r as a way of hi di ng pe r s onal f eel i ngs of i nadequac y.
Fo r e x a mpl e , t hey pr oj e c t any n u mb e r of t hi ngs t o c o m-
pe ns at e f or a l ac k of i nne r sel f -wort h, f l out i ng t hei r
weal t h, status, i nt el l ect ual a c hi e v e me nt , physi cal s t r engt h,
soci al c onne c t i ons , or mor a l "super i or i t y" i n an a t t e mpt t o
pr ov e t hat t hey ar e no t as wor t hl es s as t hey f eel i nsi de.
S o me t i me s i t starts o u t wi t h a l i t t l e l i e or a s mal l af f ec-
t at i on, b u t ov e r t he year s i t de v e l ops i nt o an e nt i r e o ut e r
p e r s o na t hat i s t he c o mp l e t e o ppo s i t e of h o w t hey f eel on
t he i ns i de. T h e y c ont i nua l l y f eel l i ke a f r aud, f e a r i ng t hat
a t any mo me n t t hey ar e g o i n g t o be " f o u n d o ut " a n d i t
wi l l al l be t a ke n away f r o m t he m. I n f act , ma n y p e o p l e
w h o m we c o ns i de r i n o u r c ul t ur e t o have e v e r y t hi ng ar e
s ec r et sel f - hat ers. I cal l t hi s t he " bl i ng- bl i ng f a c t o r " t h e
b i g g e r t he j ewel r y, t he s mal l e r t he sel f - i mage.
Howe v e r , t he bl i ng- bl i ng f ac t or i s by no me a n s e x c l u-
si vel y a p r o b l e m of t he r i c h a n d f a mo us . I n f act , ha v i ng
wo r k e d wi t h p e o p l e f r o m al l wal ks of l i f e, I ha v e c o me t o
23
PAUL Mc KENNA
t he c o nc l us i o n t hat a l mos t everybody i s t o s o me e x t e nt
h i d i n g or c o mp e n s a t i n g f or a pa r t of t he ms e l v e s t hat
t hey d o n ' t l i ke.
Fo r a l o n g t i me I f el t t hat i f onl y I c o u l d be r i c h
e n o u g h o r f a mo u s e n o u g h , o r dat e l ot s o f be aut i f ul
wo me n , t he n I wo u l d f eel be t t e r a b o u t mysel f . I h a d b e e n
a ne r dy ki d, a n d my s ol ut i on t o t ha t was t o af f i x a v e n e e r
of s ucces s t o mys el f s o t hat no o n e ( i nc l udi ng mysel f )
wo u l d not i c e h o w i na d e q u a t e I real l y f el t .
Ov e r a rel at i vel y s hor t p e r i o d of t i me , I wo r k e d
i nc r e di bl y h a r d at a c hi e v i ng a n d di d ver y wel l . I b e c a me
f a mo us , ma d e mone y , a n d c r e a t e d al l t he t r a ppi ng s of a
g l a mo r o u s l i f e. My TV s hows we r e a h u g e hi t ; I h a d mo r e
mo n e y t ha n e ve r be f o r e a n d a beaut i f ul mo d e l gi rl -
f r i e nd. Ro c k stars, mo v i e stars, e v e n r oyal t y wa n t e d me t o
wo r k wi t h t he m.
Howe v e r , I k e p t t hi nki ng , "I ha v e e v e r y t hi ng I have
e ve r w a n t e d h o w c o me I still f eel e mpt y ? "
SO HOW I S YOUR SELF- I MAGE
FORMED?
We are born princes,
and the civilizing
process makes us into
frogs.
Eric Berne
Wh i l e s o me of t he earl i est me s s a ge s
y o u g o t f r o m y o u r f ami l y we r e n o d o u b t
pos i t i ve, ma n y o f t h e m we r e not .
Wh e t h e r y o u we r e t ol d y o u we r e a "stu-
pi d c hi l d, " " ungr a t e f ul , " or " cl umsy, "
y o u s o a k e d up all t he ne gat i v e s ugges -
24
t i ons a l o n g wi t h wha t e v e r posi t i ve r e i n f o r c e me n t c a me
y o u r way. A r e c e nt s t udy r e v e a l e d t hat t he a v e r a ge Ame r -
i c a n p a r e n t cr i t i ci zes hi s or h e r c hi l dr e n e i g ht t i me s f or
ever y o n e t i me t he y pr ai s e t h e m.
Wh e n y o u st art s c ho o l , s o ma n y p e o p l e ar e b i g g e r
t ha n y o u a n d s e e m t o k n o w mo r e t ha n y o u d o . A wh o l e
n e w wo r l d o f p r o b l e ms c o me s y o u r way. Te a c he r s unwi t -
t i ngl y de - ge ni us y o u at s c ho o l by t hei r ef f ort s t o mo l d
y o u. Y o u r s p o nt a ne o u s c hi l dl i ke qual i t y b e c o me s di ssi -
p a t e d i n t he r ac e t o s ha pe y o u i nt o a n adul t .
Jus t as y o u ' r e g e t t i ng t he h a n g of i t, pube r t y arri ves.
Ha i r gr ows , b o d y par t s c h a n g e si ze, a n d j us t b e i n g al i ve i s
e mba r r a s s i ng . T h e n o f c our s e t he r e ar e t hos e p e o p l e
a r o u n d y o u wi t h l ow s el f - es t eem wh o c o v e r dy u n d e r mi n e
y o u t o ma k e t he ms e l v e s f eel bet t er .
Re s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat by t he a g e of f o ur t e e n, 98
p e r c e n t of c hi l dr e n ha v e a ne gat i v e sel f - i mage. A n d i t
onl y get s wor s e . I ri sh a u t h o r J. H. Br e n n a n de s c r i be s i t
l i ke t hi s:
I f t her e i s one wor d whi c h abl y descr i bes adol es-
c e nc e , t hat wor d i s conf us i on. A n d t he conf us i on
i s so st rongl y f el t t hat i t c an easil y i mpi ng e on
your basi c sel f -i mage. It' s a sorry pi ct ur e: s ma l l . . .
hel pl ess . . . powerl ess . . . dirty . . . soci al l y unaccept -
abl e . . . i nf er i or . . . c o n f u s e d a n d in part i cul arl y
ba d cases, unl ov e d a nd unwant e d as wel l . A n d sorry
t ho ug h i t is, t he i mage was l argel y accur at e whe n i t
was l ai d d o wn n o t by yoursel f , but by t he act i ons
25
PAUL Mc KENNA
a nd opi ni ons of ot her s. A n d at this st age, Nat ur e
pl ayed you t he di rti est tri ck i magi nabl e. You gr ew
up, but your sel f -i mage di dn' t .
No wonde r t her e are s o ma ny pe opl e who ar en' t
achi evi ng what t hey woul d l i ke i n t hei r lives!
As I r el at ed J. H. Br e nna n' s wor ds t o my o wn l i f e, I was
abl e t o r e c og ni z e t hat my f unda me nt a l p r o b l e m was a
sense of p o we r l e s s ne s s d e e p do wn, I still saw mys el f as a
nerdy, hel pl es s chi l d. Wha t e v e r sense of po we r I ha d i n my
l i fe di d no t c o me f r o m my aut he nt i c sel f b ut was dr a wn
sol el y f r o m t he r ef l ec t ed status I f el t f r o m my successf ul
car eer , beaut i f ul gi r l f r i end, a n d f i nanci al r es our c es .
F r o m me e t i n g a n d wo r k i n g wi t h ma n y f a mo u s a nd
successf ul p e o p l e I al r e ady k n e w h o w mu c h of wha t t hey
h a d a c hi e v e d was t o c o mp e n s a t e f or t hei r f eel i ngs of
i nadequac y. I t h a d ne v e r be f or e o c c u r r e d t o me t hat I
was o n e o f t he m.
O n c e I g o t r eal l y c l e ar on t he c o nt e nt of my ne gat i ve
s el f - i mage, I k n e w i t was t i me t o ma k e s o me f u n d a me n t a l
c ha ng e s . I h a d al r e ady ma d e t he de c i s i on t o t ake r e s pon-
si bi l i ty f or my l i f e, so i t was onl y a smal l s t ep f r o m t he r e t o
t ake responsi bi l i t y f or h o w I c hos e t o see mysel f . I r es ol ved
t he n a n d t he r e t o b e g i n p u r s u i ng a n e w d r e a m. I wa n t e d
t o de v e l o p a n a p p r o a c h t o u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d c r e a t i ng
h u ma n e x c e l l e nc e wi t h a h e a r t n o t j us t s ucces s , b ut
ha ppi ne s s a n d f ul f i l l ment as wel l . I d e t e r mi n e d t o f i nd a
way t o he a l t he n e r d wi t hi n!
26
THE BEST ADVI CE IN THE WORL D
I n t he mi d- 1 980s , J o h n Op e l , t h e n c h a i r ma n o f I BM,
gave a t al k t o an a u d i e n c e of St a nf or d MBAs . I n r e s po ns e
t o a r e que s t f or hi s advi c e a b o u t h o w newl y mi n t e d MBAs
s ho u l d e mb a r k o n t hei r c ar e e r s , he sai d he wo u l d s ha r e
o n e of hi s s ecr et s f or t r ue s ucces s . As t he e a g e r y o u n g
mi nd s i n t he a u d i e nc e l e a n e d f or wa r d, Op e l whi s pe r e d:
" Do n' t f ake i t ! "
He p a u s e d a n d r e a d t he b o d y l a n g u a g e i n t he r o o m.
He t h e n sai d, wi t h g r e a t pas s i on:
" No , real l y, I me a n i t ! "
T h e r o o m e r u p t e d i n l aught er . He we n t o n t o say t hat
we ar e al l s mar t e n o u g h a n d s mo o t h e n o u g h t o f ake i t
a n d g e t away wi t h i t f or a whi l e , b u t event ual l y o u r f ai t h
i n our s el ves wi l l be u n d e r mi n e d , a n d wi t h i t o u r self-
t rust , sel f - r espect , a n d sel f - est eem.
Here is today's key lesson:
The reason you are not yet living the life of
your dreams is that you are wasting so much of
your time and energy hiding your negative
self-image from the world.
Wh e n al l y o ur e ne r g y i s g o i n g i nt o ma i nt a i ni ng t he
i l l usi on of y o ur pr oj e c t e d sel f a n d hi di ng t he i ma g e of
y o ur f e a r e d sel f f r o m t he wor l d, t he still, smal l voi c e of t he
aut he nt i c s e l f wh o y o u real l y a r e c a n bar el y be he a r d.
27
PAUL Mc KENNA
Bu t as y o u pr a c t i c e t he e xe r c i s e s i n t oday' s l es s on, y o u
wi l l b e g i n t o s ee y our s e l f i n a n e w l i ght . Y o u wi l l l e a r n t o
t ur n up t he v o l u me on t hat i nne r voi c e , t o t rust y o u r gut ,
a n d t o b e g i n t o f ol l ow t he p r o mp t i n g s o f y o u r o wn he a r t .
A n d wh e n y o u do t hat , y o ur l i fe wi l l c h a n g e f or ever !
TH5 THREE SELVES
At o u r c o r e i s o u r a ut he nt i c s e l f t h e real i t y o f wh o a n d
wha t we real l y ar e.
Bu t pi l e d o n t op o f t he r eal u s wi t h al l o u r wei r d-
ness, f oi bl es, a n d u n a b a s h e d us - ne s s i s a l ayer of s ha me ,
f ear, a n d gui l t a b o u t t he p e r s o n we ' r e afraid we ar e , o u r
ne gat i ve sel f - i mage.
So i n o r de r t o ma k e s ur e p e o p l e still l i ke us , a ppr ov e
of us, a nd gi ve us l ove a n d mone y , we pi l e yet anotherlayer
on t op of o u r f e a r e d s e l f t h e pe r s o n we pretend t o be .
Thi s u p p e r mo s t l ayer i s, i f we ' r e very, ver y g o o d pr e-
t ender s , al l t hat ot he r s g e t t o s ee of us. I n f act , we s t r uggl e
s o v al i andy t o ma k e s ur e no o n e sees t hat l ayer of l i abi l i -
ti es we ar e af r ai d c ha r a c t e r i z e us t hat we c o mpl e t e l y f or-
g e t ( s ome t i me s f or year s at a t i me ) t hat t he r e ' s a not he r ,
real sel f u n d e r n e a t h al l t hat .
Wh e n I fi rst s ha r e d thi s mo d e l wi t h o n e of my f r i ends ,
s he t ol d me , " Oh , I g e t it! O u r r eal sel ves ar e l i ke di a-
mo n d s , a n d a s we g r o w up t hey g e t c o v e r e d up i n a l ot of
hor s es hi t , s o we p u t nai l pol i s h on t op of t he hor s e s hi t t o
try a n d ma k e our s el ves mo r e at t ract i ve t o t he wor l d. Bu t
i f we s pe nt a l i ttl e bi t of t i me d i g g i n g away at t he hor s e -
28
shi t , p e o p l e wo u l d s ee t hat we ' r e real l y d i a mo n d s a n d we
wo u l d n ' t n e e d any nai l pol i s h! "
I pr o ba bl y wo ul d' v e put i t a bi t mo r e l i ke t hi s:
As y o u b e g i n t o e xc avat e y o ur r eal sel f o u t f r o m u n d e r
wh o y o u' r e af r ai d y o u ar e a n d wh o y o u p r e t e nd t o b e
( exc avat e t he d i a mo n d o u t f r o m u n d e r t he hor s e ma n u r e
c o v e r e d i n nai l pol i s h) , y o u g e t t o shi f t pos i t i ons f r o m
pa s s e ng e r t o dri ver. A n d wh e n y o ur r eal sel f i s dr i v i ng t he
bus , y o u g e t t o have mo r e eas e, mo r e f un, a n d mo r e you
i n y o ur l i f e!
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR SELVES
Let ' s t ake a c l os e r l o o k at t he c har ac t er -
istics of t he t hr e e sel ves as t he y r el at e to The unexamined life
y o u r o wn l i f e. I wi l l s ha r e wi t h y o u s o me i s not worth living.
of my f avor i t e que s t i ons f or u n ma s k i n g Socrates
y o ur p r e t e n d self; u n c o v e r i n g y o u r ne g-
at i ve s el f - i mage, or f e a r e d self; a n d u n l e a s h i n g y o ur
a ut he nt i c self. Re me mb e r , t he r e ar e no r i ght a n s we r s
e a c h que s t i on i s s i mpl y d e s i g ne d t o rai se y o u r awar e ne s s
of wha t s t ops y o u f r o m l i vi ng f r o m y o u r a ut he nt i c self:
Your Pretend Self: Who you pretend to be
Y o u r p r e t e n d sel f i s t he i ma g e y o u pr oj e c t i nt o t he wor l d.
Of t e n, thi s i ma g e i s ba s e d l ess on h o w y o u r eal l y ar e t ha n
o n c o v e r i ng u p h o w y o u ar e af r ai d y o u ar e. As k a n d
ans we r t he f ol l owi ng que s t i ons :
29
PAUL Mc KENNA
Ho w do y o u l i ke t o be s een?
Wh i c h as pect s of y o ur pe r s onal i t y do y o u h o p e
p e o p l e not i c e first?
Wh a t do y o u mos t wa nt e v e r y o ne t o k n o w a b o u t
y ou?
I f y o ur l i f e we r e t r yi ng t o pr ov e s o me t h i n g a b o u t
y o u, wha t wo u l d i t be ?
Your Negative Self-image: Who you are afraid you are
I f s o me o n e cal l s y o u a n a me t hat y o u d o n ' t i dent i f y wi t h
( f or e x a mp l e , ' Y o u di rt y g r e e n- s k i nne d Ma r t i a n! " ) , t he r e
i s r ar el y an e mo t i o n a l c ha r g e a t t a c he d. I f s o me t h i n g
ups et s us , i t' s us ual l y b e c a us e at s o me l evel we be l i e v e i t
mi g h t be t r ue. P e o p l e of t e n t ot al l y d e n y t hat t he ne gat i ve
trai ts t hey ar e i dent i f yi ng ha v e a ny t hi ng t o do wi t h t he m.
Wh e n t hey' ve h a d a c h a n c e t o t hi nk a b o u t it, t hey of t e n
c o me b a c k wi t h a s h o c k e d r e c o g ni t i o n t hat t hi s i s i n f act
exac t l y wha t t he y' ve f e a r e d has b e e n t r ue al l a l o ng .
O n e f act wi l l ma k e i t eas i er f or y o u t o t ake a n h o ne s t
l o o k at your sel f :
Any "negative" traits you identify are not really
yoursthey belong to your negative self-
image and were programmed into you when
you were a child. By identifying them honesdy,
you are about to let them go!
I t c a n be h a r d t o l o o k di r ec t l y a t y o u r o wn wor s t f ears
a b o u t wh o a n d wha t y o u a r e a f t e r al l , y o u' v e pr o ba bl y
30
s pe nt a l ar ge p o r t i o n of y o u r l i f e a v oi di ng d o i n g j us t t hat .
Fo r t hat r e a s on, mo s t of t hes e que s t i ons p o i nt t o t hi ngs
t hat r eveal y o u r ne gat i ve s el f - i mage r a t he r t ha n y o u r ne g -
at i ve s el f - i mage itself:
Wha t ' s t he o ppo s i t e of e a c h of t he trai ts of y o u r
p r e t e n d sel f?
Wh i c h of y o u r s ecr et s wi l l onl y be di s c o v e r e d af t er
y o u di e?
Wh o i s y o u r l east f avor i t e p e r s o n a n d why?
Mo s t p e r c e p t i o n i s p r o j e c t i o n we mo s t di sl i ke i n
ot he r s wha t we f ear c a n be f o u n d i n our s el ves !
Your Authentic Self: Who you truly are
By i dent i f yi ng t he trai ts a n d char act er i s t i cs of y o u r t hr e e
sel ves, y o u ar e f r e e i ng y our s e l f up t o l i ve mo r e a n d mo r e
f r o m t he he a r t o f wh o y o u r eal l y a r e y o u r po we r f ul ,
l ovi ng, uns t o ppa b l e a ut he nt i c self.
He r e ' s a g ui de l i ne t o k n o w wh e t h e r y o u ar e i dent i f y-
i n g a t rai t or c har ac t er i s t i c of y o u r a ut he nt i c sel f or i f y o u
ar e c a u g h t up i n t he t r ap of y o ur ne gat i v e sel f - i mage:
Who you really are always feels like coming
home.
Wh o ar e y o u wh e n no b o dy ' s wa t c hi ng ?
I f y ou f el t total l y saf e, what wo ul d y o u do di f f erendy?
Wh o wo u l d y o u be i f y o u l i ved b e y o n d f ear?
31
PAUL Mc KENNA
REPROGRAMMI NG YOUR SELF- I MAGE
I n my e x p e r i e n c e , t r adi t i onal posi t i ve t hi nk i ng i s n o t
ver y ef f ect i ve. S t a ndi ng i n f r ont of t he mi r r o r sayi ng,
" Day by day i n ever y way I am g e t t i ng be t t e r a n d be t t e r "
d o e s n' t r eal l y wo r k unl es s y o u ar e abl e t o act ual l y c r e a t e
a f e e l i ng of g e t t i ng be t t e r at t he s a me t i me.
Fo r e x a mp l e , i f y o u we r e t o s t op r e a di ng f or a mo me n t
a n d tel l y o ur he a r t be a t t o s p e e d u p , i t pr oba bl y wo ul dn' t
wor k. Bu t i f y o u vi vi dl y i ma g i ne wa l k i ng d o wn a da r k al l ey
l at e a t ni ght , h e a r i ng f oot s t eps b e h i n d y o u g e t t i ng c l os er
a n d cl oser, c ha nc e s ar e y o ur he a r t be a t wi l l q ui c k e n.
Thi s i s be c a us e :
The key programs of human behavior are
habit and imagination, and they are far more
powerful than logic and willpower will ever be.
T h e f act i s t hat y o u r b o d y r e s po nds f ar mo r e r eadi l y
t o t he vi vi d us e of i ma g i na t i o n t ha n t o a s i mpl e c o m-
ma n d . Tha t ' s why t he way we s ee our s el ves i n o u r i magi -
na t i on i s c r uc i al t o t he way we l i ve o u r l i ves.
I n t he ear l y 1 970s a pl ast i c s u r g e o n n a me d Ma x we l l
Mal t z no t i c e d t hat a l t e r i ng t he phys i c al a p p e a r a n c e of
hi s pat i ent s t h r o u g h s ur g e r y of t e n c r e a t e d a r e ma r k a b l e
i nc r e as e i n c o nf i d e nc e a n d s o me t i me s e v e n a c o mp l e t e
c h a n g e i n per sonal i t y. Howe v e r , s o me of hi s pat i ent s
e x p e r i e n c e d no ps y c hol og i c a l benef i t s , no ma t t e r h o w
s pe c t a c ul a r t he phys i c al c ha ng e s .
Ma l t z c o n c l u d e d t hat c os me t i c c o r r e c t i o n t o t he
32
33
e x t e r na l a p p e a r a n c e of a pa t i e nt do e s n' t wo r k wh e n hi s
or h e r i nt e r na l s el f - i mage i s poor , or, as he p u t it, wh e n
he or s he i s " s c ar r e d on t he i ns i de. "
So he t a ug ht t hos e cl i ent s a s i mpl e vi s ual i z at i on t ec h-
ni q u e t hat c r e a t e d a dr a ma t i c c h a n g e i n t he i r s el f - i mage.
To hi s de l i g ht a n d s ur pr i s e, i t di d a s m u c h o r m o r e
f or hi s pat i ent s as t he ac t ual sur ger y.
By t e a c hi ng hi s pat i ent s wh o h a d a ne gat i v e s el f - i mage
t o r e pe a t e dl y i ma g i ne t he ms e l v e s as t hey i deal l y wa n t e d
t o be , he no t i c e d t hat t he y b e c a me h a p p i e r a n d mo r e a t
p e a c e wi t h t he ms e l v e s i n a ma t t e r of days.
Small Change, Big Results
One of the most profound examples of how a small change
can quickly and easily reprogram our self-image was demon-
strated in a study by social psychologist Steven J. Sherman.
He set out to see if he could increase the number of volunteers
in a given area who would go door-to-door collecting for the
American Cancer Society.
He contacted a number of residents in the area by phone,
explaining that he was doing a survey, and he asked them to
predict what they would say if asked to go door-to-door for
three hours collecting for a very good cause. Because no one
wanted to see themselves as uncharitable, nearly all of them
said they would volunteer.
A few days later, a representative from the American
Cancer Society called the same people. The result of them com-
mitting themselves during the survey ?
A phenomenal 700 percent increase in volunteers!
^0 Your Life in Seven Days
Your Self-image for Success
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35
PAUL Mc KENNA
T h e r e i s a st or y t hat wh e n Mi c h e l a n g e l o was a s k e d
h o w he c a r v e d s uc h be aut i f ul a nge l s , he r e pl i e d, " I s ee
t he a ng e l i n t he s t one , a n d I c hi p away at e v e r y t hi ng
a r o u n d i t. "
Re p r o g r a mmi n g y o u r s el f - i mage i s a l ot l i ke t h a t
l ess a f unc t i o n of t r yi ng t o be mo r e l i ke wh o y o u wi s h y o u
we r e a n d mo r e o f r e c o g n i z i n g t he ma g ni f i c e nc e o f wh o
y o u real l y ar e.
i
Re me mb e r , o u r possi bi l i t i es a t any mo me n t i n l i f e ar e
c o mp u t e d n o t f r o m h o w we l i ke t o t hi nk o f our s el ves b u t
f r o m w h o m we t rul y bel i eve we ar e. S o t he mo r e y o u
al i gn y o ur s el f - i mage wi t h t he real i t y of y o u r a ut he nt i c
self, t he r i c he r a n d mo r e r e wa r di ng y o ur l i f e wi l l be . Thi s
i s n o t a ne w c o n c e p t a n d i s c o nt a i ne d i n ever y spi r i t ual
syst em o f t e a c hi ng o n t he pl ane t .
Wh a t f ol l ows i s a var i at i on on Dr. Mal t z ' s or i gi na l vi su-
al i z at i on, u p d a t e d t o i nc o r po r a t e t he l at est f i ndi ngs i n
br a i n s c i e nc e a n d s el f - i mage ps yc hol ogy. Wh e n I g u i d e
my cl i ent s a n d t he par t i c i pant s i n my t r ai ni ngs t h r o u g h
it, t hey of t e n r e po r t l i f e - c ha ng i ng i nsi ght s a n d f i nd t he m-
sel ves u n a b l e t o vi e w t he ms e l v e s or t he wo r l d i n t he s a me
way af t er war ds .
By r e pe a t i ng t hi s s i mpl e e x e r c i s e at l east o n c e a da y
ever y day f or a we e k , y o u wi l l al l ow y o u r s el f - i mage t o eas-
i l y i nt e gr a t e wi t h y o u r a ut he nt i c self.
34
Reprogramming Your Self-image for Success
1. Take a few moments to relax and breathe deeply.
As your muscles relax, it becomes easier and
easier to unleash your imagination.
2. Now, imagine another you standing in front of
you. This is the most magnificent you that you
can imagineyour authentic self.
3. Take a moment to feel totally happy with your
authentic self. Look at the way that the authentic
you stands, breathes, smiles, walks, and talks.
Look at how the authentic you speaks to others.
Notice how the authentic you handles problems
and goes for goals.
4. Now, step into and synthesize with your authentic
self. See through the eyes of your authentic self,
hear through the ears of your authentic self, and
feel how it feels so good to live life as your
authentic self!
5. Finish your programming session by taking a
minute to daydream about how your life will be
different as you live more and more from your
authentic self. You can imagine yourself living
authentically in any number of real situations
from your past, present, and future.
35
PAUL Mc KENNA
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate,
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It's our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves: who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,
talented and fabulous ?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of the universe.
Your playing small doesn't serve the world.
There is nothing enlightening about shrinking,
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are born to make manifest the glory of the universe
that is within us. It's not just in some of us: it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give
other people permission to do the same.
And as we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.
Marianne Williamson
SOME CLOSI NG THOUGHTS
As y o u b e g i n t o l i ve t he t r ut h of y o u r a ut he nt i c self, i t wi l l
b e c o me eas i er a n d eas i er t o ac t c ons i s t ent l y wi t h t hat
t r ut h. Thi s s nowbal l ef f ect ( t he l a r ge r i t get s , t he f ast er i t
g o e s , t he l a r ge r i t get s , e t c . ) wh a t p h i l o s o p h e r R. Buc k-
mi ns t e r Ful l e r c a l l e d " p r e c e s s i o n " i s wha t wi l l al l ow y o u
t o ma k e dr a ma t i c c h a ng e s i n onl y s e v e n days.
O n c e we ma k e a c o mmi t me n t , t he rest of us al i gns
36
37
wi t h it. Ra t he r t ha n at t ac h yet a no t h e r i ma g e or l i mi t ed
per s onal i t y o nt o y o ur de f i ni t i on of self, t he wo r k y o u have
d o n e t oday wi l l al l ow y o ur g r e a t e r possi bi l i t i es a n d po t e n-
ti al t o c o me t hr o ug h. I per s onal l y bel i eve t hat i f t he r e i s a
r e a s on or p ur p o s e t o l i f e, thi s ma y wel l be a key par t of it.
Al l t rul y s ucces s f ul p e o p l e a c c e p t t he i r b r i l l i a n c e
t he y ar e n o t e mba r r a s s e d by it. Whi l e a l i g ni ng y o ur self-
i ma g e wi t h t he real i t y of y o u r a ut he nt i c sel f i s n o t t he
ans we r t o al l of l i f e' s p r o b l e ms , i t wi l l h e l p y o u t o
r e s p o n d t o y o u r l i f e mo r e r es our cef ul l y. As wh o y o u
t hi nk y o u ar e a n d wh o y o u r eal l y ar e b e c o me mo r e a n d
mo r e a l i g ne d, y o u wi l l b e g i n t o f eel t rul y g o o d a b o u t
your s el f , e v e n be f o r e y o u r l i f e c h a n g e s on t he out s i de .
A n d a s I' ve f o u n d o u t f or mysel f , t he be t t e r y o u f eel
on t he i ns i de, t he be t t e r y o u r l i f e wi l l b e c o me .
I wa nt y o u t o k n o w y o u ar e u n i q u e t h e r e i s no o n e
wh o has ever l i ved wh o c a n do t hi ngs exactly t he way y o u
do t he m. Yo u have a speci al gi f t of uni que ne s s t o br i ng t o
t he wor l d. Ov e r t he ne x t si x days, we' l l i dent i f y t hat gi f t
a n d be g i n t o wo r k on ways y o u c a n s har e i t wi t h t he wor l d!
Unt i l t omor r ow,
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. . . .
DAY
2
A USER' S
MANUAL FOR
Y OUR BRAI N
Master your emotions and
release your full potential
PAUL Mc KENNA
Before you begin today, listen to the hypnotic trance
(www. paulmckenna. com/trance), then take a few moments
to go through the "Reprogramming Your Self-Image" exer-
cise from day one:
1. Relax and breathe deeply. As your muscl es relax, it
becomes easier and easier to unleash your imagination.
2. Now, imagine another you standing in front of you. This
is the most magnificent you that you can i magi neyour
authentic self.
3. Take a moment to feel totally happy with your authentic
self. Look at the way that the authentic you stands,
breathes, smiles, walks, and talks. Look at how the
authentic you speaks to others. Notice how the
authentic you handles problems and goes for goals.
4. Now, step into and synthesize with your authentic self.
See through the eyes of your authentic self, hear
through the ears of your authentic self, and feel how it
feels so good to live life as your authentic self!
5. Finish your programming session by taking a minute to
daydream about how your life will be different as you
live more and more from your authentic self. You can
imagine yourself living authentically in any number of
real situations from your past, present and future.
40
I wo monks were wandering through the forest when they came
upon a beautiful courtesan standing on the banks of a flooded
stream. Because they had sworn a vow of chastity, the younger
monk ignored the woman and crossed the stream quickly.
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
the two monks continued on their way.
The young monk quietly seethed as he replayed the incident
again and again in his mind.
How could he? the young monk thought angrily to himself.
Does our vow of chastity mean nothing to him? The more the
young monk thought about what he had seen, the angrier he
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
PAUL Mc KENNA
disgusting. I may not have been a monk as long as he has, but I
know right from wrong.
He looked over at the older monk to see if he at least was show-
ing remorse for what he had done, but the man seemed as serene
and peaceful as ever.
Finally, the young monk could stand it no longer.
"How could you do that?" he demanded. "How could you even
look at that woman, let alone pick her up and carry her? Do you
not remember your vow of chastity?"
The older monk looked surprised, then smiled with great kind-
ness in his eyes.
"I am no longer carrying her, brother. Are you?"
42
THE 1, 000- YARD WALK
Ha v e y o u ever wo n d e r e d h o w s o me at hl et es o r s t age per -
f o r me r s s udde nl y s e e m t o c o me al i ve wh e n i t i s t he i r
t i me t o p e r f o r m?
Wh e n El vi s Pr es l ey ar r i ved at a n e w c o n c e r t v e n u e , he
wo u l d have hi s dr e s s i ng - r oom t r ai l er p l a c e d exac t l y 1, 000
yar ds away f r o m t he a r e na . No ma t t e r wha t st at e o f mi n d
he was i n wh e n he l ef t hi s dr e s s i ng r o o m, he wo u l d us e
t he 1, 000-yard wal k t o g u i d e hi ms e l f i nt o a st at e of conf i -
d e n c e a n d c ha r i s ma t hat was s o t angi bl e p e o p l e wo u l d
s ens e hi s p r e s e nc e a n d b e g i n c h e e r i n g e v e n be f o r e he
e n t e r e d t he bui l di ng .
Today, I am g o i n g t o s har e wi t h y o u t he s ecr et s of mas -
t e r i ng y o u r e mo t i o ns , a n d g ui de y o u t h r o u g h a seri es of
e xe r c i s e s t hat wi l l e na b l e y o u t o br i ng y o u r mo s t conf i -
de nt , c har i s mat i c sel f t o any e nde a v or . Yo u wi l l l e a r n t he
basi c b ui l di ng bl oc ks of any e mo t i o n a l st at e, a n d pr a c t i c e
f e e l i ng t he way y o u wa nt t o f eel i n a n i nst ant . Be f o r e
we ' r e d o n e , I' l l e v e n s har e wi t h y o u t he t e c h n i q u e t hat
h e l p e d me t ur n my l i f e a r o u n d wh e n I was f i r s t s et t i ng
o u t on t he pa t h of sel f -mast ery.
Bu t i n o r d e r t o ma s t e r o u r e mo t i o ns , we mus t f i r s t
b e g i n b y u n d e r s t a n d i n g wha t t he y ar e a n d h o w t hey
o pe r a t e .
43
PAUL Mc KENNA
WHAT IS AN EMOTI ONAL STATE?
Ha v e y o u e ve r wi t ne s s e d t he s a me e v e nt a s s o me o n e el s e
a n d f ound o u t l at er t hat he or s he h a d a c o mpl e t e l y dif-
f e r e nt e x p e r i e n c e of i t f r o m y ou? Ho w i s i t pos s i bl e t hat
y o u c o u l d b o t h be i n t he s a me pl a c e a t t he s a me t i me
a n d yet e x p e r i e n c e t hi ngs s o di f f er endy?
Or t ake t he e x a mp l e o f h e i g h t s s o me p e o p l e wo n ' t
e v e n c l i mb a l adder , whi l e ot he r s de l i g ht i n c l i mb i ng tal l
mo u nt a i ns o r t hr o wi ng t he ms e l v e s o u t o f ai r pl ane s f r o m
30, 000 f e e t a bov e t he e ar t h.
T h e di f f e r e nc e i n b o t h cases ari ses f r o m t he e mo -
t i onal st at es y o u ar e i n at t he t i me . Lo v e , anger , conf i -
d e n c e , f ear, apat hy, a n d cur i osi t y ar e al l e mo t i o n a l st at es.
We ar e c ons t ant l y g o i n g i nt o a n d o u t o f t hes e di f f e r e nt
st at es of b e i n g al l da y l o ng , a n d e a c h of t h e m i s as i ndi -
v i dual a n d u n i q u e t o us a s o u r o wn f i ng e r pr i nt .
An e mo t i o n a l st at e c a n be de f i ne d a s t he s u m t ot al o f
al l t he ne ur o l o g i c a l pr oc e s s e s o c c u r r i n g wi t hi n s o me -
b o d y at any o n e t i me . A s i mpl e r way of t hi nk i ng a b o u t i t
i s t hat an e mo t i o n a l st at e i s t he mo o d y o u ar e i n at any
g i v e n mo me n t .
We ' v e al l e x p e r i e n c e d ma n y unr e s o ur c e f ul st at es,
s uc h as de pr e s s i on, anger , a n d f ear. Si mi l arl y, we ' v e al l
h a d t i me s wh e n we f el t f i l l e d wi t h c o nf i de nc e , o pt i mi s m,
j oy, a n d de t e r mi na t i o n.
Thi s i s i mp o r t a nt be c a us e :
All human behavior is the result of state.
44
INTERNAL
REPRESENTATIONS
The pictures and sounds we make in
our mind and how we make them
STATE BEHAVI OR
PHYSIOLOGY
Posture, muscular tension,
breathing, etc.
45
PAUL Mc KENNA
An y t h i n g e x c e l l e nt t hat y o u have e ve r d o n e or wi t-
ne s s e d ot he r s do i s t he r es ul t of t he e mo t i o n a l st at e y o u
or t he y we r e i n at t he t i me .
Today, y ou' l l l e a r n h o w t o p r o g r a m y o u r mi n d t o
e x p e r i e n c e mo r e of t he st at es y o u wa nt i n mo r e of t he sit-
ua t i ons y o u wa nt t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e m!
WHERE DO FEELI NGS COME FROM?
At fi rst g l a nc e , i t a ppe a r s t hat h o w we f eel i n a ny mo me n t
i s t he r es ul t of event s out s i de of us . S o me t h i n g h a p p e n s
i n t he wo r l d a n d we r e a c t t o i t by c h a n g i n g e mo t i o n a l
st at es aut omat i cal l y. Fo r e x a mp l e , i ma g i ne s o me o n e y o u
ar e e x t r e me l y at t r ac t ed t o. No w i ma g i ne t hat p e r s o n has
j u s t wa l k e d i nt o t he r o o m b e h i n d y o u. I f y o u ' r e l i ke mo s t
p e o p l e , y o ur st at e j u s t c h a n g e d !
I n f act , mo s t o f us ar e c o mpl e t e l y una wa r e o f h o w we
ar e ma k i n g o u r f eel i ngs f r o m mo me n t t o mo me n t . I n
real i ty, t he r e i s an i nt e r na l pr oc e s s t hat t akes pl a c e i n t he
g a p b e t we e n t he e v e nt a n d y o u r r e a c t i on t o it.
Physiology
O n e way i n wh i c h we ar e c ons t ant l y af f ec t i ng o u r st at e i s
t h r o u g h t he way we us e o u r body. C h a n g e s i n o u r pos -
t ur e, br e a t hi ng , mus c l e t e ns i on, a n d f aci al e x pr e s s i on al l
af f ect o u r f eel i ngs a n d behavi or . I f y o u us e y o ur b o d y dif-
f erent l y, y o u wi l l ha v e a c o mpl e t e l y di f f e r e nt e x p e r i e n c e
of b e i n g al i ve.
46
Fo r e x a mp l e , t ake a f e w mo me n t s n o w t o t hi nk of a
t i me wh e n y o u f el t par t i c ul ar l y n e r v o u s p e r h a p s be f o r e
s t a ndi ng up t o gi ve a pr e s e nt a t i on at wor k, or b e f o r e ask-
i n g a par t i c ul ar l y di f f i cul t que s t i on of s o me o n e y o u real l y
c ar e a bout .
STOP!
Wh e r e v e r y o u ar e, pl a nt y o u r f e e t f i r ml y o n t he f l oor,
p u t y o ur s houl de r s bac k, p u t a bi g silly g r i n on y o u r f ac e,
a n d t ake a d e e p br e a t h. No w try t o t hi nk of t hat unpl e a s -
a nt s i t uat i on wi t ho ut c h a n g i n g y o u r pos t ur e . Ke e p y o u r
s houl de r s ba c k a n d y o ur f e e t f l at, a n d k e e p s mi l i ng!
I f y o u' v e d o n e wha t I j u s t as ke d, y o u' v e pr o ba bl y
al r e ady no t i c e d t hat e i t he r y o ur f eel i ngs a b o u t t he si tua-
t i on have c h a n g e d or y ou' r e no l o ng e r abl e t o t hi nk a b o u t
i t i n t he s a me way.
O u r mus c ul a r t e ns i on o r r e l a x a t i on, br e a t hi ng , a n d
b o d y po s t ur e al l i nf l ue nc e o u r st at es. I f y o u r b o d y i s
t ens e, i t i s p r o d u c i n g di f f e r e nt c he mi c a l s t ha n wh e n i t i s
r e l a x e d, s o of c our s e y o u wi l l f eel di f f e r e nt a n d t hi nk dif-
f e r e nt t ho ug ht s .
Internal Representations
T h e o t h e r k e y d e t e r mi n i n g f ac t or i n h o w we f e e l f r o m
mo me n t t o mo me n t i s t he pi c t ur e s we ma k e i n o u r i mag-
i na t i on a n d t he way we t al k t o our s el ves i n o u r h e a d . We
r e f e r t o t hes e i ma g e s a n d s o unds as internal representa-
tions, a n d t hey ar e j u s t t h a t r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s of real i ty,
n o t r eal i t y itself.
47
PAUL MCKENNA
Yo ur i nt er nal r epr es ent at i ons of real -
We don't see things
6
lty ar e u ni q u e t o y o u y o u r o wn per -
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. c A, 1 j u ^
ar e y o ur o wn ma p of t he wor l d, b ut a s
Anais A m a n y m a p ; a r e i nc o mpl e t e a n d
f i l l ed wi t h gener al i z at i ons , del et i ons ,
a n d di st or t i ons.
Thi s i s t he r e a s o n why t wo p e o p l e c a n wi t nes s t he
e x a c t s a me e v e nt a n d yet e x p e r i e n c e i t c o mpl e t e l y di f f er-
entl y. I n t he wo r ds of t he f a t he r of mo d e r n l i ngui st i cs,
C o u n t Al f r e d Kor z ybs ki , " t he ma p i s n o t t he t erri t ory. "
THE MOVIES OF YOUR MIND
I n my e x p e r i e nc e , everybody has t he abi l i t y t o vi sual i ze. To
pr o v e t hi s t o your s el f , a ns we r t he f ol l owi ng que s t i ons :
1 . Wh a t d o e s y o u r f r ont d o o r l o o k l i ke? Wh a t c o l o r i s
it? Wh i c h si de i s t he h a n d l e on?
2. Wh a t was t he f i r s t c ar y o u e ve r dr ove ? Wh a t di d i t
l o o k l i ke? Wh a t c o l o r was it?
I n o r de r t o ans wer t hes e ques t i ons , y o u h a d t o go i nt o
y o ur i ma g i na t i on a n d ma k e pi ct ur es . Now, f or 99 p e r c e nt
o f p e o p l e , t hes e i ma g e s wi l l no t be " p ho t o - q u a l i t y " a nd
t hat ' s a g o o d t hi ng. I f y o ur i nt er nal i ma g e s we r e as real i s-
tic as wha t y o u s ee i n t he r eal wor l d, y o u wo u l d n' t be abl e
t o tel l t he di f f e r e nc e !
Si mi l arl y, we al l have t he abi l i t y t o t al k t o our s el ves
48
a n d ma k e s o unds i n o u r mi n d . S o me t i me s t hi s abi l i t y c a n
upl i f t us . Fo r e x a mp l e , t hi nk of a s o n g y o u l i ke or y o u r
f avori t e pi e c e of mus i c . Re me mb e r t he s o u n d of t he
o c e a n, or he a r t he voi c e of s o me o n e y o u l ove of f er i ng y o u
s o me h o ne s t pr ai s e.
On t he o t he r ha nd, have y o u e ve r h a d a n a r g u me n t
wi t h s o me o n e a n d e v e n hour s l at er y o u k e e p r e pl ay i ng al l
t he nast y t hi ngs t hey sai d t o y o u t hat ma k e y o u f eel bad?
Let ' s do an e x p e r i me nt . . . .
I ma g i n e y o u ha v e b e e n a s ke d t o go t o a part y. Ma k e a
pi c t ur e of y our s e l f s t a ndi ng awkwar dl y i n t he k i t c he n.
T h e r e i s n o b o d y a r o u n d y o u t hat y o u know. Y o u r l eas t
f avor i t e mus i c i s pl a y i ng mu c h t o o l oudl y i n t he bac k-
g r o u n d .
On a scal e f r o m 1 t o 1 0, h o w mu c h do y o u wa nt t o g o
t o t he part y?
No w i ma g i ne y our s e l f s t a ndi ng c onf i de nt l y a n d c o m-
f ort abl y, s u r r o u n d e d by l ot s of f u n p e o p l e wh o ar e r eal l y
i nt e r e s t e d i n s p e n d i n g t i me wi t h y o u. I n t he b a c k g r o u n d ,
y o u h e a r y o ur f avor i t e pi e c e o f mus i c c o me o n a t j us t t he
r i ght v o l u me .
On a scal e f r o m 1 t o 10, h o w a ppe a l i ng i s t he part y now?
I f y o u e x p e r i e n c e d a ny di f f e r e nc e at al l b e t we e n t hos e
t wo s c enar i os , y o u c a n r e c o g ni z e h o w t he qual i t y of y o ur
i nt e r nal r e pr e s e nt a t i ons wi l l l ar gel y d e t e r mi ne t he qual i t y
o f y o ur l i f e. Ye t t oo ma ny p e o p l e e x e r t mo r e c ont r ol ov e r
t he mov i e s t hey g o t o on t he out s i de t ha n t he mov i e s t hey
pl ay i n t hei r mi n d . Tha t ' s a n e x a mp l e of y o ur br a i n r un-
n i n g y o u i ns t ead o f y o u r u n n i n g y o ur br ai n.
49
PAUL Mc KENNA
Re c e nt l y I wo r k e d wi t h a r o c k st ar wh o h a d a f e ar of
f l yi ng. Wh e n we s t e p p e d b a c k a n d t o o k a l o o k at t he
s e q u e n c e o f pi c t ur e s a n d s o unds t hat he ma d e i n hi s
mi n d , i t was easy t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w he c o u l d c r e a t e s uc h
i nt e ns e f ear i n j u s t a f e w s e c onds .
As s o o n a s he e v e n t h o u g h t a b o u t g o i n g t o t he ai r por t ,
h e ' d ma k e a g r e a t bi g pi c t ur e of t he c hec k- i n de s k a n d say
t o hi msel f , " Thi s i s g o i n g t o be ba d! " T h e n he wo u l d
i ma g i ne b o a r d i n g t he pl a ne . As t he d o o r c l os ed, h e ' d say
t o hi msel f , " I c an' t g e t out ! " He ' d i ma g i ne t he c a bi n fill-
i ng wi t h s mo k e , e v e r y one s c r e a mi ng , t he pl a ne c r a s hi ng
t o t he g r o u n d i n a bal l of f l ames , a n d t he n hi s l i t de da ug h-
t er si t t i ng at h o me sayi ng, " Whe r e ' s Da ddy ? "
Now, I d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t y o u, b u t wa t c h i ng t hat me n -
tal h o r r o r mo v i e e v e n o n c e i s e n o u g h t o ma k e a n y o n e
s c ar e d, a n d he was pl a y i ng i t ov e r a n d ov e r a g a i n i n hi s
mi n d . Ea c h t i me he wa t c h e d it, he f el t wor s e , a n d t he
wor s e he f el t , t he mo r e hor r i f i c he ma d e t he mo v i e !
Now, n o t onl y do I n o t ha v e a f e ar of f l yi ng, I act ual l y
e nj oy f l yi ng. Wh e n I k n o w I am t aki ng a f l i ght , I t hi nk
a b o u t wh e r e I am g o i n g a n d wh o I wi l l see. I say t o mysel f ,
" Thi s i s g o i n g t o be g o o d ! " i n an e x c i t e d v oi c e . T h e n I
i ma g i ne my s e l f si t t i ng b a c k a n d r e l a x i ng , wi t h no t el e-
p h o n e r i ng i ng , a ni c e me a l , a f un mo v i e , a nd, of c our s e ,
be a ut i f ul f e ma l e f l i ght at t e ndant s .
O n c e t he r o c k st ar l e a r ne d t o c h a n g e t he mo v i e i n hi s
mi n d , he b e g a n t o f eel be t t e r a b o u t f l yi ng. S o o n , he h a d
r e c o n d i t i o n e d hi ms e l f t o t he po i nt wh e r e he was act ual l y
l o o k i n g f or wa r d t o hi s n e x t t our. T h e mo r a l of t he st or y
is t hi s:
50
Movies of Your Mind
If your representation of that person is moving,
freeze-frame the picture so it is still.
If the image has any color in it, drain it all away until
it looks like an old black-and-white photograph.
Shrink the i mage until it's tiny.
Move the location of the image so it's farther away.
51
As you learn to change the pictures and sounds
in your mind, you too will get conscious con-
trol of your life.
Let ' s t ry a n o t h e r e x p e r i me nt .
T h i n k o f s o me o n e wh o a nnoy s y o u o r w h o m y o u f i nd
i t st ressf ul t o t hi nk a b o u t or s p e n d t i me wi t h. R e me mb e r
hi s or h e r f ac e. No w a s y o u l o o k a t hi s or h e r f ac e i n y o ur
i ma g i na t i o n, ask your sel f :
Is i t a c o l o r i ma g e or i s i t bl a c k a n d whi t e?
Ar e y o u ma k i n g i t t o t he l ef t, t o t he r i ght , or
di r ec t l y i n f r ont of y ou?
Is i t b i g or smal l ?
Li g h t or dar k?
Mo v i n g or still?
No w l et ' s pl ay wi t h t he way y o u ar e c ur r e nt l y r e pr e -
s e nt i ng t hat p e r s o n i n y o ur mi n d . Tr y o u t e a c h o f t hes e
c h a ng e s i n t ur n a n d not i c e wha t h a p p e ns :
PAUL MCKENNA
Give the person a clown' s nose, pink hair, and
Mickey Mouse ears.
Imagine the sound of the person' s voice. Then
alter it by giving him or her a deep, sexy voice.
Change it again until he or she sounds like a
squeaky little mouse.
By ma k i n g t hes e c ha ng e s i n y o ur i nt e r nal r epr es ent a-
t i o ns , y o u ar e r e p r o g r a mmi n g t he way y o u f eel . T h i n k o f
t he pe r s o n a g a i n . . . n o w h o w do y o u f eel a b o u t h i m or
he r ? It' s ver y l i kel y t hat pe r s o n no l o n g e r t r i gger s t he
stressf ul r e s pons e . No t onl y do y o u al mos t cer t ai nl y f eel
di f f er ent l y now, b u t n e x t t i me y o u me e t thi s pe r s o n y ou' l l
f eel di f f er endy, whi c h me a n s t he pe r s o n wi l l r e s p o n d dif-
f er ent l y t o y o u, c h a n g i n g t he dy na mi c of y o ur r el at i on-
s hi p f or t he bet t er.
T h e g e ne r a l pr i nc i pl e t hat we ar e wo r k i n g wi t h i s t hi s:
Images that are bigger, brighter, and bolder
have greater emotional intensity than those
that are duller, dimmer, and farther away.
Ne x t , l et' s f i nd o u t wha t an a ma z i ng di f f er enc e i t ma k e s
t o be i nsi de a n d out s i de of a me mor y . He r e ' s a no t he r t ech-
ni que f or r u n n i n g y our br ai n, c al l ed di ssoci at i on:
1. Th i n k of a mildly stressful or unc omf or t a bl e me mor y .
2. As y o u no t i c e wha t i ma g e o r i ma g e s c o me t o mi n d ,
s t ep o u t of y our s e l f s o y o u c a n s ee t he b a c k of y o u r he a d.
52
53
Pul l ba c k f r o m t hat i ma g e a n d me nt a l l y mo v e a s f ar away
f r o m t he i ma g e as y o u c a n. St e p al l t he way o u t of t he pi c-
t ur e s o y o u c a n s ee y our s e l f way ov e r t he r e , still i n it. Thi s
pr oc e s s of di s as s oc i at i ng r e duc e s t he i nt ens i t y of t he f eel -
i ngs t he i ma g e was c r e at i ng.
Now, l et ' s do i t t he o t h e r way r o u n d a n d s t ep i nt o a
posi t i ve pi c t ur e . Thi s i s c al l e d as s oci at i on:
1 . T h i n k of a t i me i n y o u r l i f e wh e n y o u f el t gr eat ,
a n d o n c e a g a i n al l ow a n i ma g e t o c o me t o mi n d .
2. Thi s t i me, s t ep i nt o t hat i ma g e s o y o u ' r e s e e i ng
t h r o u g h y o ur o wn eyes, he a r i ng t h r o u g h y o ur ear s,
a n d f e e l i ng g r e a t i n y o u r body.
3. Ma k e t he i ma g e bi gger , t he s o unds l oude r , a n d t he
f e e l i ngs s t r onger .
It' s easy t o r e duc e t he i ntensi ty, st ep out , a nd mo v e back,
or t o i nc r e a s e t he i nt ensi t y, s t ep i n, a n d ma k e i t bi gger .
Re c e nt l y I was at a d i n n e r par t y a n d sat ne x t t o a
wo ma n wh o was t el l i ng me h o w s he was ha v i ng t r oubl e
s l e e pi ng s i nc e s he h a d b e e n i nv ol v e d i n a mo t o r c y c l e
a c c i de nt . Wh e n I a s k e d h e r t o r e me mb e r wha t was ma k-
i ng h e r f eel s o ba d, s he de s c r i be d t he h o r r o r of t he cr as h
s c e ne as i f i t was h a p p e n i n g t o h e r al l ov e r a ga i n. Cl ear l y,
s he was r e me mb e r i n g wh a t h a d h a p p e n e d f r o m inside
t he pi c t ur e ( as s oc i at i ng) .
I a s ke d h e r t o s i mpl y s t ep o u t of t he me mo r y ( di ssoci -
at e) unt i l s he c o u l d see t he b a c k of h e r h e a d as s he
f l oat e d t he pi c t ur e f ar i nt o t he di s t anc e a n d ma d e i t bl a c k
PAUL Mc KENNA
a n d whi t e. Instantl y, t he t ens i on i n h e r f ac e r e d u c e d as
h e r mus c l e s s of t e ne d. I t ol d he r t hat i f s he e v e r t h o u g h t
a b o u t t he i nc i de nt i n t he f ut ur e, s he s ho u l d do i t o nl y i n
a di s s oc i at ed ma nne r . Two we e ks l at er s he c al l e d me t o
say t hat s he h a d b e e n s l e e pi ng beaut i f ul l y a n d was f eel -
i n g mu c h bet t er .
He r e ' s a s i mpl e c ha r t y o u c a n us e f or r e f e r e nc e :
To diminish unpl easant or stressful To intensify posi ti ve or resourceful
experi ences: experi ences:
St ep out of t he i mage St ep fully i nt o t he i mage
(di ssoci ate). (associ ate).

Make t he i mage still.

Make t he i mage i nt o a
Make t he i mage smal l er movi e.
and f art her away.

Make t he i mage l arger

Make the i mage bl ack and closer.
and whi t e, dul l , or out of Intensify t he col ors;
f ocus. i ncrease t he bri ght ness
Make t he sounds f art her and clarity.
away and qui eter. Make t he sounds cl oser
and l ouder (unl ess i t i s
an exper i enc e of peace
and qui et ) .
T h e p o we r of i nt er nal r epr es ent at i ons c a n e v e n t ur n a
l oser i nt o a wi nner . A n u mb e r of year s a g o an Ol y mpi c
c h a mp i o n c a me t o me be c a us e he was e x pe r i e nc i ng a l oss
of c onf i de nc e . Hi s sport s ps yc hol ogi s t h a d t ol d h i m t o
54
55
vi sual i ze wi nni ng t he r ac e as of t en as he c o ul d t h r o u g h o u t
t he day.
Al t h o u g h he h a d i ma g i n e d wi n n i n g hi s r ac e hun-
dr e ds of t i mes , he di dn' t f eel a ny mo r e c onf i de nt . I n f act ,
he was n o w r eal l y wo r r i e d a b o u t t wo o t he r c ompe t i t or s .
Wh e n I as ke d h i m how he i ma g i n e d wi nni ng , i t t u r n e d
o u t t hat he was di s s oc i at ed f r o m t he e x p e r i e n c e , st and-
i n g out s i de of t he pi c t ur e . Essent i al l y, he was t el l i ng hi s
br a i n t hat t he wi n n i n g was f or s o me o n e el se.
Bu t wh e n I as ked h i m t o t hi nk a b o ut t he c ompe t i t or s
wh o wor r i e d hi m, i t t ur ne d o ut he was ma k i n g bi g, br i ght
pi c t ur es of t h e m l o o k i ng c o nf i de nt a n d s t r ong. I si mpl y
t ol d h i m t o st ep i n (associ at e) t o t he pi c t ur e of wi nni ng
whi l e t aki ng t he pi ct ur es of hi s c ompe t i t or s a n d s hr i nki ng
t h e m d o wn i nt o t i ny bl ack- and- whi t e i mages . He pr ac t i c ed
a f ew t i mes unt i l he c o ul d do i t aut omat i cal l y. T h e ne x t
da y he we nt out a n d be a t hi s pe r s ona l best i n pr ac t i c e.
In a nut s hel l :
The way you feel from moment to moment is a
direct result of the way you are using your
body and the pictures and sounds you are mak-
ing in your mind.
No w t hat y o u k n o w h o w t o i nf l ue nc e y o u r st at e, y o u
d o n ' t have t o be a t t he me r c y o f ot he r s o r o f c i r c um-
s t ances t o ma k e y o u f eel a par t i c ul ar way. By t aki ng
r es pons i bi l i t y f or t he pi c t ur e s i n y o u r mi n d , t he t hi ngs
y o u say t o y our s e l f ( a nd h o w y o u say t h e m) , a n d t he way
y o u us e y o ur 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
wa nt t o f eel i n a ny s i t uat i on.
PAUL Mc KENNA
THE INNER CRITIC
No t h i n g t akes t he wi nd o ut of y o u r sai l s mo r e qui c kl y
t ha n a f ew cri t i cal c o mme n t s ma d e by t he wr o n g p e r s o n
a t t he wr o n g t i me . A n d t he wor s t cri t i c
That voice inside
v o u
will
e v e r
e n c o u n t e r i s t he o n e wh o
jour head i s not the
l l v
P
s i n s i d e v o u r
o wn mi n d . T h e way
voiceofGod.lt just y o u t al k to y our s e l f has a p r o f o u n d
sounds like i t thinks i mp a c t on y o u r e mo t i o n a l st at e.
It is_ For e x a mpl e , wh e n y o u ma k e a mi s-
C/im Ruber t ake, c ons i de r t he t one of voi c e y o u us e
wh e n y o u t al k t o yoursel f . Do y o u say,
" Oh , goody, a no t he r l e a r ni ng exper i -
e nc e , " or i s i t s o me t hi ng mo r e l i ke, ' Yo u s t upi d i di ot ; y o u
real l y s c r ewed up thi s t i me " or " Wh e n ar e y o u ever g o i n g
t o l ear n?"
R e me mb e r a t i me wh e n y o u ma d e a bi g mi s t ake , a n d
r ecal l h o w y o u s po k e t o your sel f . Wh a t do e s i t s o u n d
l i ke? I s i t cr i t i cal , angr y, sarcast i c, or r e s i gne d?
Ma n y p e o p l e p r e s u me t hat j us t be c a us e t her e' s a voi c e
i ns i de t hei r h e a d t hey have t o l i st en t o it. But cri t i ci sm i s
me a n t t o be c ons t r uc t i ve, a n d i f wha t y o ur i nne r v oi c e
says i s n o t s uppo r t i ng y o u, try thi s s i mpl e e x pe r i me nt .
56
The Inner Critic
1. Stop for a moment and talk to yourself in your
critical voice, saying all those nasty things in that
unpleasant tone.
2. Now, notice where you make that voice. Does it
seem to be coming from inside your head or
outside? Is it at the front, the sides, or the back?
3. Extend your arm and stick out your thumb.
4. Wherever the critical voi ce was, move it down
your arm to the tip of your thumb, so it's now
speaking to you from there.
5. Next, slow it down and change the tone of it.
Make it sound sexy, or speed it up so it sounds
like Mickey Mouse.
It sounds much less threatening like that,
doesn' t it?
Now, e v e n t h o u g h it' s easy t o c h a n g e t he v oi c e i n y o ur
mi n d , it' s ver y i mpo r t a nt t o r e me mb e r t hat t he i nt e nt i on
of t he cri t i cal voi c e i s p o s i t i v e t o s t op y o u f r o m ma k i n g
mi s t akes a n d he l p y o u do t hi ngs bet t er. Howe ve r , cri ti -
c i s m ne e d s t o be c ons t r uc t i ve i f it' s g o i n g t o be of any us e.
I ma g i n e t hat y o u wa n t e d t o h e l p a c hi l d t o l e a r n
s o me t h i n g new. I f y o u we r e c ont i nua l l y y e l l i ng ever y t i me
he or s he ma d e a mi s t ake, t he c hi l d wo u l d qui c kl y l os e
c o nf i d e nc e . Howe v e r , i f y o u us e a n e n c o u r a g i n g t o ne o f
57
PAUL Mc KENNA
v oi c e whi l e p o i nt i ng o u t wha t t o wa t c h o u t f or or ma y b e
a be t t e r way t o do t hi ngs , y o u wo u l d c r e a t e an ent i r el y
di f f e r e nt resul t .
Tr y t hi s a p p r o a c h n o w wi t h your sel f :
1 . R e me mb e r a t i me wh e n y o u ma d e a mi s t ake a n d
y o u har s hl y c r i t i c i z ed your sel f . Re c a l l exac t l y wha t
y o u sai d.
2. No w ask your sel f , " Ho w c o u l d I say t he s a me me s -
s age i n a n e n c o u r a g i n g way?"
3. St e p b a c k i nt o y our s e l f a t t hat t i me y o u ma d e t he
mi s t ake. Thi s t i me , gi ve y our s e l f t he c ons t r uc t i ve
cr i t i ci s m i ns t ead.
Ov e r t he ne x t f ew days, pay par t i cul ar at t ent i on t o h o w
y o u t al k t o yoursel f . Pl ay wi t h y o ur t one of t he voi c e a n d
t he c o nt e nt of t he me s s age unt i l y o u f eel bet t er i n yoursel f .
T h e p o i nt i s t hi s:
You have a choice. You are in control.
HOW TO FEEL WHAT YOU WANT,
WHEN YOU WANT
Whi l e i t i s a wo nde r f ul t hi ng t o be abl e t o c h a n g e y o ur
state i n t he mo me n t , i t i s e v e n mo r e usef ul t o be abl e t o
c ons i s t endy f eel r es our c ef ul i n t hos e si t uat i ons t hat
d e ma n d y our best . T o p Ol y mpi c at hl et es d o n' t t rai n phys-
i cal l y f or f our years a n d t he n h o p e t hey' l l f eel g o o d on t he
58
Change Your Life in Seven Days"
day of t hei r event . T h e y s ubmi t t hems el ves t o an equal l y
r i gor ous me nt a l t r ai ni ng r e g i me , p r o g r a mmi n g t hei r
mi nds a n d bodi e s t o aut omat i cal l y go i nt o gr e at states
wh e n i t mat t er s mos t , i n t he mo me n t of c ompe t i t i on.
For t he pur po s e o f gi vi ng y o u a n e x pe r i e nc e o f pr o-
g r a mmi n g y o ur b o d y a n d mi n d f or success, I am g o i ng t o
t ake y o u t hr o ug h t wo s i mpl e exer ci s es i n boos t i ng y o ur
s el f - c onf i denc e i n any si t uat i on. Yo u c a n r e t ur n t o this sec-
t i on at any t i me a n d subst i t ut e what e ve r f e e l i ng y o u want .
T h e mo r e y o u pr a c t i c e t hes e exer c i s es , t he mo r e cer-
t ai n i t i s t hat y o u wi l l b e c o me c o nf i d e nt at a r at e t hat i s
c o mf o r t a b l e t o y o u.
Wh e t h e r y o u e x p e r i e n c e t hi s boos t i n c o nf i d e nc e
s t r ai ght away or wh e t h e r i t h a p p e n s a bi t mo r e e a c h t i me
y o u pr a c t i c e do e s n' t mat t er . Fo r e x a mp l e , I ' ve s e e n
p e o p l e wh o ha v e b e e n s ha k i ng wi t h ne r v e s easi l y over -
c o me t hei r f e a r i n j u s t a f e w mi nut e s ; I ' ve al s o s e e n
p e o p l e wh o we r e pa r a l y z e d by s t age f r i ght gr a dua l l y
evol ve t o t he p o i nt wh e r e t hey c a n t al k t o a n a u d i e n c e
l i ke t hey' ve b e e n d o i n g i t al l t he i r l i ves.
Let ' s g e t st ar t ed. Re a d t h r o u g h t he who l e t e c hni q u e
f i r s t s o y o u ' r e f ami l i ar wi t h e a c h s t ep, t he n go f or it!
Instant Confidence Booster
1. Hold your head high in a comfortable and
relaxed position on your shoulders. Let your spine
support you. Imagine that a gol den thread runs
vertically up through your spine and straight up to
59
PAUL Mc KENNA
the sky and that that thread supports you. Let
yourself relax, safely held by that thread. This relaxed
upright stance is the natural position of confidence,
and it will soon be as natural to you as breathing.
2. Now remember a time when you felt totally
confident. Return fully to that time now, seeing what
you saw, hearing what you heard, and feeling how
good you felt. (If you can' t remember a specific
time, just imagine how much better your life would
be if you were totally confident and secureif you
had all the power, strength, and self-confidence you
could ever need.)
3. Now make the colors brighter and richer, and
the sounds louder, and allow your feelings of confi-
dence to intensify.
4. Notice where that feeling of confidence is
strongest in your body. Give this feeling of confi-
dence a color, and move that color up to the top of
your head and down to the tip of your toes. Double
the brightness. Double it again!
5. Repeat steps 2-4 at least five more times.
Vividly imagine that event where you are confident
again in detail. You can use the same experience or
add in new ones each time.
60
THE CONFI DENCE SWI TCH
No w t hat y o u k n o w h o w t o bo o s t y o ur c o nf i d e nc e whe n-
e ve r y o u c ho o s e , h o w wo u l d y o u l i ke t o be a bl e t o ha v e a
" s wi t ch" t hat al l ows y o u t o f i r e of f t hat c o nf i d e nt f e e l i ng
wh e n e v e r y o u n e e d it?
I n t he l at e 1900s t he Rus s i an sci ent i st Pavl ov c on-
d u c t e d s o me f a mo u s e x p e r i me nt s i n wh i c h h e wo u l d
of f er f o o d t o hi s do g s a n d at t he s a me t i me r i ng a bel l .
Af t e r he h a d d o n e t hi s sever al t i mes t he do g s as s oc i at ed
t he bel l wi t h f o o d, a n d wi t hi n a s hor t whi l e he wo u l d
onl y ha v e t o r i ng t he be l l a n d t he do g s wo u l d sal i vat e. He
h a d c r e a t e d a n as s oc i at i on b e t we e n a bel l a n d f e e d i n g
t i me. T h e r e was no l ogi c al c o n n e c t i o n b e t we e n t he t wo
t hi ngs , b ut t h r o u g h c ons t a nt r e pe t i t i on, a ne ur o l o g i c a l
c o n n e c t i o n was c r e a t e d i n t he mi nd s of t he dog s .
T h e s i mpl e sci ent i f i c r e a s on i s t hi s: t he br a i n i s a mas s
o f mi l l i ons o f ne ur a l pat hways , wi t h e a c h i de a o r me mo r y
mo v i n g a l o n g its o wn pa t h. Wh e n e v e r we do s o me t h i n g
new, we c r e a t e a n e w ne ur a l pa t hwa y s o we c a n ac c es s
t hat e x p e r i e n c e a g a i n mo r e easily. Ea c h t i me we r e pe a t a
par t i c ul ar behavi or , we s t r e ng t he n t he as s oc i at ed ne ur a l
pat hway, j u s t as wh e n y o u wal k d o wn a pa t h t h r o u g h a
f i e l d t he pa t h b e c o me s mo r e di st i nct .
Re s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat t hes e ne ur a l pat hways i n t he
br ai n act ual l y g e t physi cal l y l ar ge r t h r o u g h r e pe t i t i on of
behavi or . T h a t i s h o w p e o p l e b e c o me " ha r dwi r e d" t o cer-
t ai n a ut oma t i c behavi or s , s uc h as s mo k i n g a n d over eat -
i ng. We c a n us e t hat s a me me nt a l ar c hi t e c t ur e t o de s i g n
61
PAUL Mc KENNA
pat hways t o s ucces s a n d happi ne s s , a n d t o c r e at e associ a-
t i ons t hat al l ow us t o swi t ch on c e r t ai n f eel i ngs wh e n e v e r
we wa nt t he m.
I r e me mb e r year s a g o wh e n I t e a me d up wi t h a h u g e
p r o mo t e r wh o b o o k e d my l i ve hypnos i s s ho w i nt o t he
bi g g e s t t he a t e r i n L o n d o n . I ' d ne v e r pl a y e d a ny pl a c e l i ke
i t be f o r e , a n d wh e n I fi rst s t ood on t he s t age a f ew days
b e f o r e t he s ho w a n d l o o k e d o u t a t t he massi ve e mp t y
a udi t o r i um I s t ar t ed t o f eel f ear i n my s t o ma c h.
I n o r d e r t o swi t ch on t he l evel of c o n f i d e n c e I k n e w I
n e e d e d t o p e r f o r m at my bes t , I di d t he s a me e x e r c i s e
t hat y o u ' r e a b o u t t o do . I c r e a t e d an as s oc i at i on b e t we e n
a f e e l i ng of c o n f i d e n c e a n d a s i mpl e phys i c al g e s t ur e ,
a n d I vi vi dl y i ma g i n e d t he e v e nt g o i n g beaut i f ul l y.
T h e ni g ht of t he p e r f o r ma n c e I was f e e l i ng a bi t
uns ur e a b o u t h o w I wo u l d f eel o n c e I was o u t t he r e .
Howe v e r , t he mo me n t I wa l k e d o u t on t he s t age i t was as
t h o u g h a s he e t of c a l m c a me ov e r me , a n d I g l i de d
t h r o u g h a pe r f e c t p e r f o r ma n c e . De s pi t e t he i nevi t abl e
c ha l l e ng e s t hat c a me my way, I f el t s o c a l m a n d i n c o nt r o l
t hat I h a n d l e d al l of t h e m ef f ortl essl y.
I ' m g o i n g t o g u i d e y o u t h r o u g h ac c e s s i ng a s t r o ng
posi t i ve st at e. Ea c h t i me y o u e x p e r i e n c e a p e a k of t he
g o o d f e e l i ng, pr es s t he t h u mb a n d mi d d l e f i nge r o f e a c h
h a n d t o g e t he r t o c r e a t e a n as s oc i at i on b e t we e n conf i -
d e n c e a n d t he phys i c al ge s t ur e . Ov e r t i me , t hi s g e s t ur e
wi l l b e c o me y o u r c o n f i d e n c e swi t ch, e n a b l i n g y o u t o
acces s y o u r mo s t c o nf i d e nt st at es at wi l l .
He r e ' s t he pr oc e s s , exac t l y as I us e i t f or mysel f . O n c e
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The Confidence Switch
1. Remember a time when you felt really, really
confident. Fully return to it nowsee what you
saw, hear what you heard, and feel how good
you felt. (If you can' t remember a specific time,
imagine how much better your life would be if
you were totally confidentif you had all the
power, strength, and self-confidence you could
ever need!)
2. As you keep going through this memory, make
the colors brighter and richer, the sounds louder,
and the feelings stronger.
3. As you feel these good feelings, squeeze the
thumb and middle finger of either hand together.
4. Now, squeeze the thumb and middle finger
together and relive that good feeling.
5. Repeat steps 1-4 several times with different
positive memories until just squeezi ng your
thumb and middle finger together begi ns to
bring back those good feelings.
6. Still holding your thumb and middle finger
together, think about a situation in which you
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a g a i n, be f o r e y o u u nd e r t a k e t hi s t e c h n i q u e r e a d t h r o u g h
i t fi rst s o y o u k n o w e a c h s t ep.
PAUL Mc KENNA
want to feel more confident. Imagine things
going perfectly, goi ng exactly the way you want
them to go. See what you'll see, hear what you'll
hear, and feei how good it feels.
Pr ac t i c e t hi s ever y day. T h e mi n d i s ver y sensi t i ve, a n d
a s y o u f eel mo r e c o nf i d e nt r u n n i n g t h r o u g h t hos e sce-
nar i os i n y o ur i ma g i na t i o n, y o u wi l l f eel mo r e c o nf i de nt
wh e n t hey o c c u r i n t he r eal wor l d.
Wh e n e v e r y o u f eel c ha l l e ng e d, s i mpl y t ur n o n y o u r
c o nf i d e nc e swi t ch b y s q ue e z i ng y o u r t h u mb a n d mi d d l e
f i nger t oge t he r , c o nc e nt r a t e f or a f ew mo me n t s , a n d
acces s y o u r i nne r st at e of c o nf i de nc e !
THE SECRET OF CHARI SMA
We al l k n o w p e o p l e wh o ha v e a k i nd of ma g i c qual i t y
a b o u t t he m. Wh e n t hey wal k i nt o a r o o m, i t l i ght s up a n d
we f eel dr a wn t o t h e m. T h e y d o n ' t ha v e t o be t he l i f e
a n d s oul of t he part y, b u t t hey ar e mys t er i ous l y at t rac-
ti ve. Ma n y Ho l l y wo o d stars ar e n o t br i l l i ant ac t or s , b u t
s o me t h i n g s e e ms t o e ma n a t e f r o m i ns i de t h e m t hat
a ppe a l s t o many, ma n y p e o p l e . T h a t i s t he qual i t y we cal l
c ha r i s ma .
Cha r i s ma t i c p e o p l e f eel c o mf o r t a b l e i n t he ms e l v e s .
Be c a us e t hey ar e c o n t e n t wi t h wh o t hey ar e, t he y a r e n' t
de s pe r a t e l y l o o k i n g f or t he a ppr ov a l o f ot he r s a n d t hey
64
Somebody Who Loves You
1. If it's appropriate, cl ose your eyes and think of
someone who loves or deepl y appreci ates you.
Remember how the person looks, and imagine
that person standing in front of you now.
2. Gently step out of your body and into the body
of the person who loves you. See through their
eyes, hear through their ears, and feel the love
and good feelings they have as you look at your-
self. Really notice in detail what it is that they
love and appreciate about you. Recogni ze and
acknowl edge those amazi ng qualities that per-
haps you hadn't appreci ated about yourself
until now.
3. Step back into your own body and take a few
moments to enjoy those good feelings of
knowing that you are loved and appreciated
exactly as you are.
65
a r e n' t t r yi ng t o ma ni pul a t e ot he r s i nt o l i ki ng t h e m. I r on-
ical l y, t hat ' s why we f eel dr a wn t o t h e m.
I ' m n o w g o i n g t o g ui de y o u t h r o u g h t wo o f my f avori t e
t e c hni que s f or c r a nk i ng up y o ur s el f - appr eci at i on, mak-
i ng y o u f eel mo r e a t p e a c e i n y our s e l f a n d mo r e chari s-
mat i c t o t he wor l d.
PAUL Mc KENNA
Thi s ne x t t e c h n i q u e i s e x c e l l e nt f or ma k i n g y o u f eel
mu c h mo r e at t ract i ve as a pe r s o n, a n d was de v i s e d by my
c o l l e a g ue Mi c ha e l Br e e n . I n o r d e r t o do i t y o u wi l l n e e d
a mi r r or . Yo u ar e g o i n g t o c r e a t e an as s oc i at i on b e t we e n
y o ur r e f l e c t i on a n d t he ma n y c o mp l i me n t s y o u have
r e c e i v e d t h r o u g h o u t y o ur l i f et i me.
O n e of t he r e as ons t hi s t e c hni que wor ks s o wel l i s
be c a us e e v e r y one r ecei ves c o mp l i me nt s a n d pr ai s e f r o m
t i me t o t i me. S o me t i me s i t ma y s e e m tri vi al , l i ke "Hey,
y o u' r e l o o k i ng g o o d t oday! " o r " My f r i e nd t hi nks y o u ' r e
g o r g e o us ! " At o t he r t i mes , i t ma y be mo r e si gni f i cant , l i ke
" Do y o u k no w h o w mu c h p e o p l e r e s pe c t y o u? " o r " T h a n k
y o u f or b e i ng wh o y o u ar e a n d d o i n g wha t y o u d o . "
Si nc e r e , posi t i ve a ppr e c i a t i o n f r o m ot he r s , es pec i al l y
a ppr e c i a t i o n t ha t y o u mi g h t n o t have b e e n a bl e t o a c c e p t
f r o m t he p o i nt o f vi ew y o u h a d a t t he t i me , c a n be val u-
a bl e i n l e a r ni ng t o a ppr e c i a t e y o u r o wn qual i t i es mo r e
f ul l y a n d e n h a n c e y o u r sel f - r espect now.
What's Right with You?
1. Standing in front of a mirror with your eyes
cl osed, recall a specific time when you were paid
a compliment by someone you respect or trust.
Run through the experi ence in vivid detail.
2. As you recall the compliment and the sincerity of
the person who said it, pay particular attention
to your feelings of trust and regard for the other
person.
66
Re me mb e r t o us e t hes e t e c hni que s ever y day, a n d
d o n ' t b e t oo s ur pr i s ed a b o u t h o w c o nf i de nt a n d chari s-
mat i c y o u b e c o me . As y o ur c o nf i de nc e i nc r eas es e a c h
day, y ou' l l f i nd your s el f nat ur al l y d o i n g t hi ngs t hat y o u
us e d t o onl y d r e a m of !
DEVELOPI NG YOUR
EMOTI ONAL INTELLIGENCE
Okay, we ' r e c o mi n g t o t he e n d o f o n e o f t he mo s t i mpor -
t ant l essons y o u wi l l ever l ear n. We have s e e n h o w we c a n
c h a n g e o u r f eel i ngs by modi f y i ng t he way we us e o u r body,
t he way we t al k t o our sel ves, a n d t he pi c t ur es we ma k e i n
o u r mi nd . So doe s thi s me a n we' l l ne v e r f eel angry, sad, or
f ear f ul agai n?
We l l , s ome t i me s , f or s o me p e o p l e , i t mi g h t be t hat
s i mpl e , b u t f or mo s t o f us t her e' s a n o t h e r a s pe c t o f o u r
e mo t i o n a l l i f e t hat has t o be c o ns i de r e d.
67
3. When you feel that as strongly as possible, open
your eyes and look in the mirror. Allow yourself
to really see what that person saw, and notice
how that feels.
4. When you are really feeling wonderful about
yourself, squeeze together your thumb and
middle finger. Allow the feelings of self-love and
self-respect to blend with the feelings of
confi dence that are already there.
PAUL Mc KENNA
Wo r k i n g wi t h y o u r f eel i ngs i s real l y l e a r ni ng t o us e
y o u r e mo t i o n a l i nt e l l i g e nc e t o t he f ul l . T h e r e i s a wh o l e
wo r l d o f u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d i ns i ght avai l abl e t h r o u g h
y o ur e mo t i o ns .
An e mo t i o n i s a bi t l i ke s o me o n e k no c k i ng on y o ur
d o o r t o del i ver a me s s age . If t he me s s age i s ur ge nt , i t
k noc k s l oudl y. I f i t i s ver y ur g e nt , i t k noc k s ver y l oudl y. I f
y o u d o n' t ans wer t he door , i t knoc ks l o ude r a n d l o ude r
a n d l o ude r unt i l y o u o p e n t he door . T h e n i t del i ver s its
me s s age . As s o o n as y o u unde r s t a nd e v e n pa r t of it, i t
b e c o me s par t of y our s el f - under s t andi ng. Yo u ar e c ha ng e d ,
a n d t he e mo t i o n has d o n e its j o b .
Th i s do e s n o t me a n t ha t al l e mo t i o n s ar e i mme di a t e l y
i nf al l i bl e g ui de s t o ac t i on. Far f r o m it. Bu t t o r e a c h t he
wi s d o m o f o u r e mo t i o ns , we mus t wo r k wi t h t h e m. We
have t o r e me mb e r t hat we e x p e r i e n c e a h u g e r a ng e of
f e e l i n g s a l mo s t as g r e a t a r a ng e as we ha v e t ho ug ht s .
S o me o f o u r t ho ug ht s ar e ba na l a n d me a ni ng l e s s ; ot he r s
ar e me a ni ng f u l a n d wor t hwhi l e . I t i s t he s a me wi t h o u r
f eel i ngs . S o me ar e tri vi al ; ot he r s ar e p r o f o u n d .
Unf or t unat el y, f or t he last t hr e e h u n d r e d years West -
e r n c ul t ur e has woef ul l y unde r v a l ue d e mot i ons . I nde e d,
mos t Wes t er n cul t ur es pl ac e a hi g h val ue on s uppr es s i ng
a n d i g no r i ng e mo t i o na l r eact i ons . Yet l e a r ni ng t o ha ndl e
o u r e mo t i o ns a n d t o unde r s t a nd t h e m i s a f unda me nt a l
par t of g r o wi ng u p , j us t l i ke l e a r ni ng t o us e o u r mi n d
t o t hi nk cl earl y or us i ng o u r ha nds t o wri t e or dr a w or
ma k e dung s .
At t hi s poi nt , y o u ma y be wo n d e r i n g : " Ho w c a n I t el l
t he di f f e r e nc e b e t we e n e mo t i o ns t hat ar e j u s t r e ac t i ons
68
69
t o t he pi c t ur e s i n my h e a d a n d e mo t i o n s t hat ha v e a n
i mp o r t a nt me s s a g e I n e e d t o l e a r n f r o m? "
T h e a ns we r i s s i mpl e . I f an e mo t i o n i s u n i mp o r t a n t or
no l o n g e r t rul y r e l e v a nt t o y o ur l i f e, i t vani s hes wh e n y o u
c h a n g e t he pi c t ur e s i n y o ur h e a d . I f i t i s i mp o r t a nt a n d
r el at es t o a r eal , c ur r e nt s i t uat i on t ha t y o u n e e d t o l e a r n
f r o m, i t wi l l c o me ba c k, a g a i n a n d a g a i n a n d a ga i n. I n
t hat cas e, wh e n t he e mo t i o n t ur ns up y o u n e e d t o l i st en
a n d l e a r n f r o m it. As f or h o w t o do t hat , r e a d o n . . . .
THE NEGATIVITY FAST
T h e f i nal t e c h n i q u e f or t oday i s o n e of t he mo s t powe r -
f ul i n t he wh o l e b o o k , a n d e v e r y o ne c a n be ne f i t f r o m it.
I f i r st b e g a n us i ng i t i n 1 990, a n d I a l mos t i mme di a t e l y
no t i c e d a r e ma r k a b l e u p t u r n i n my c o n f i d e n c e a n d abi l -
i ty t o sol ve p r o b l e ms a n d r e a c h my goal s .
We ha v e al r e ady s e e n t hat t he mo r e of t e n we r e pe a t a
pa t t e r n of behavi or , t he s t r ong e r t hat pa t t e r n b e c o me s .
Wh e n we i nd u l g e i n negat i vi t y ov e r t he year s , we l i t eral l y
ha r dwi r e our s el ves t o be ne gat i v e .
Fo r t he rest of t he we e k , y o u ar e g o i n g t o i nt e r r upt
t hat pa t t e r n. Y o u ar e g o i n g t o st arve y our s e l f of negat i vi t y
a n d r et r ai n y our s e l f t o be mo r e posi t i ve i ns t ead. Do n ' t
j u s t r e a d t hi s, live it for the next week. Thi s pr oc e s s a l o ne
wi l l r ewr i t e t he o pe r a t i ng sof t war e of y o u r mi n d i t ' s a
pr oc e s s t hat wi l l s er ve y o u wel l f or t he rest of y o u r l i f e!
He r e ' s h o w i t wor ks .
Fo r t he ne x t we e k , wh e n e v e r y o u f e e l b a d a b o u t
PAUL Mc KENNA
anything, s t op wha t y o u ' r e d o i n g (as s o o n as i t i s saf e t o
do so) a n d f ol l ow t hes e fi ve easy st eps:
The Negativity Fast
1. Ask yourself what you are feeling bad about and
notice what image, sound, or words come to mind.
Remember, your emotions are like signals, letting you know
when you need to pay extra attention to some aspect of your
experience. Every feeling in your body is linked to an internal
picture, sound, or the words you say to yourself in your mind.
2. Listen for the message or positive intention of the
emotion.
Negative emotions are just messengers sent by your
mind and body to let you know it's time to pay attention to
something. For example, if I have a worrying feeling and I stop
and notice, what comes to mind is the image of an upcoming
meeting. My mind is trying to alert me to things that might go
wrong in that meeting and make sure 1 am well prepared.
3. Act on the message!
So, in our example, I might make a list of all the things I
can do to stop those problems occurring, and take action
on at least one of them.
4. Turn off the messenger.
This is like hanging up the phone or resetting the smoke
alarm. When I've heeded my mind's warning, I drain all the
70
Test t hi s a ma z i n g pr oc e s s o ut n o w f or your sel f :
1 . T h i n k a b o u t s o me t h i n g t hat ma k e s y o u f eel b a d ,
a n d not i c e wha t i ma g e c o me s t o mi n d . As y o u pa y at t en-
t i on t o t hat i ma g e , not i c e :
I s i t c ol or or bl ac k a n d whi t e?
Wh e r e i s i t l oc a t e d? I s i t i n f r ont of y ou? Or t o
t he l ef t or r i ght ?
Is i t bi g or smal l ?
Is it a mo v i e or a still i ma g e ?
Is i t a s ol i d i ma g e or t r ans par ent ?
I s t he r e a ny s o u n d wi t h t hi s i ma g e ?
2. No w STOP!
Al l of t hi s i nf o r ma t i o n i s wha t gi ves t he b a d f e e l i ng its
powe r , a n d y o u we r e unc o ns c i o us of i t g o i n g on unt i l a
mo me n t a g o . S o n o w t hat y o u ar e awar e o f i t, we ' r e g o i n g
71
color out of the image, shrink it down to the size of a
post age stamp, and send it off into the distance. If the pic-
ture pops back, it's because there's still something you
need to be aware of, so find out what it is.
5. Program your desired future.
Finally, imagine events goi ng exactly the way you want
them to. In the example of my upcomi ng meeting, I make a
big, bright movie of the meeting goi ng perfectly and watch
it all the way up to the happy ending.
PAUL Mc KENNA
t o ask wha t its i nt e nt i o n is. Wh a t me s s a g e do e s t he e mo -
t i on wa nt t o gi ve you?
3. Now, t ake a f ew mo me n t s t o br a i ns t or m s o me ways
y o u c a n sol ve t hos e pr o b l e ms . I f y o u ha v e t i me , y o u c a n
wr i t e d o wn s o me not e s . I f not , j u s t ask y o u r u nc o ns c i o u s
mi n d t o r e mi n d y o u a t t he n e x t avai l abl e oppor t uni t y .
4. T h e n dr a i n al l t he c o l o r o u t of t he i ma g e , s hr i nk
it, a n d mo v e i t of f i nt o t he di s t anc e. I f i t h a p p e n s t o r e ap-
pear , ask y our s e l f i f t he r e ' s a ny t hi ng y o u' v e mi s s ed. T h e n
j u s t dr a i n t he c o l o r o u t agai n, s hr i nk i t s o it' s s mal l , a n d
mo v e i t f ar away o n c e a ga i n.
5. Fi nal l y, t ake a f e w mo me n t s t o i ma g i ne y o u r l i f e as
y o u wo u l d i deal l y l i ke i t t o be . Ho w do y o u wa n t t o be ?
Wh a t ki nds o f t hi ngs wo u l d y o u l i ke t o do? Wh a t wo u l d
y o u mo s t wa n t t o have?
Wi t h ever y n e w ha bi t we t ake o n, t he r e i s a t i ppi ng
p o i n t t h e po i nt a t whi c h i t b e c o me s eas i er t o e x e r c i s e
t ha n not , eas i er t o eat heal t hi l y t ha n t o e at poor l y, eas i er
t o t hi nk r i c h t ha n t o t hi nk poor .
Ever y t i me y o u pr ac t i c e , y o u wi l l g e t benef i t s , b u t y o u
wi l l onl y g e t t he mo s t a ma z i n g benef i t s of t hi s t e c h n i q u e
i f y o u pr a c t i c e i t r i ght up t o a n d ov e r t he t i ppi ng poi nt .
Us e i t every t i me y o u f eel b a d a b o u t a ny t hi ng f or t he n e x t
we e k . T h r o u g h t he s he e r r e pe t i t i on o f t hi s t e c hni q ue ,
y o u wi l l t ot al l y r e c o ndi t i o n y our s e l f f or success. Y o u wi l l
b e c o me mo r e posi t i ve, e ne r g i z e d, a n d opt i mi s t i c. Y o u
wi l l st art t o l o o k at l i f e wi t h mo r e o pt i mi s m, s e e i ng
72
o ppo r t uni t i e s t o s uc c e e d a n d a c hi e v e i n s i t uat i ons wh e r e
be f o r e y o u saw onl y f ear, f ai l ur e, a n d " mo r e of t he s a me . "
Paul McKenna
PS. In the next chapter, I'll be sharing with you the secrets of a
positive perspectivehow to turn any problem into an opportu-
nity to learn, change, and succeed!
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THE P OWE R OF
A POSI TI VE
PERS PECTI VE
The art of refraining
PAUL Mc KENNA
Before you begin today:
Listen to the hypnotic trance
(www. paulmckenna. com/trance).
Review the "Reprogramming Your Self-Image" exercise
from page 35.
Do the following exeroise in creating a positive state. . . .
1. Remember a time when you felt really, really good. Fully
return to it nowsee what you saw, hear what you heard,
and feel how good you felt. (If you can' t remember a
specific time, imagine how much better your life would
be if you were totally confidentif you had all the power,
strength, and self-confidence you could ever need!)
2. As you keep goi ng through this memory, make the
colors brighter and richer, the sounds louder, and the
feelings stronger.
3. As you feel these good feelings, squeeze the thumb and
middle finger of one hand together.
4. Now squeeze your thumb and middle finger together and
relive that good feeling. Think about the rest of the day
ahead, feeling and imagining things going perfectly,
going the way you want them to go. See what you'll see,
hear what you'll hear, and feel how good it feels.
Congratulations! You have just programmed yourself to
have a great day.
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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
started to break in the horses, and no sooner had he mounted the
stallion than it threw him, and as he fell on the ground he broke
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
77
PAUL Mc KENNA
emperor's army came to the village on the way to fight a great
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."
78
THE POWER OF
A POSITIVE PERSPECTI VE
There's no such
thing as bad
weatheronly the
wrong clothes.
Billy Connolly
A c o u p l e of year s a g o I me t t he a c t or
Wi l l Smi t h at a party. I t ol d h i m t hat I
a d mi r e hi s wo r k a n d t hat I t hi nk he i s a
posi t i ve i ns pi r at i on t o l ot s of p e o p l e .
He s t oppe d, l o o k e d a t me , t h o u g h t
a b o u t wha t I h a d sai d, a n d r e pl i e d,
" T h a n k y o u t h a n k y o u ver y mu c h . Bu t
I have t o say," he c o nt i nue d, "i t' s b e e n
easy f or m e I ' m bl ac k. "
Wh e n I a s ke d h i m a b o u t t hi s r a t he r e x t r a or di na r y
p o i n t of vi ew, he t ol d me t hat s i nc e he was a boy, he has
ma d e ext ens i ve us e o f t he p o we r o f pe r s pe c t i ve . I n any
s i t uat i on, he l ooks f or a t r ut hf ul b u t hi g hl y s el ect i ve way
o f t hi nk i ng t hat ma k e s h i m f eel posi t i ve a n d get s h i m
e x c i t e d a b o u t ma k i n g t hi ngs h a p p e n .
Pe r ha ps o n e o f t he mo s t i mpo r t a nt c o nc e pt s i n t hi s
b o o k i s t hi s:
Your experience of life is primarily affected by
the perspective you view it from. Depending
upon the meaning we give to situations or
events, we will feel and behave differently.
S o me p e o p l e al ways ma n a g e t o l o o k at t hi ngs i n a posi -
tive way. T h e y have an abi l i ty t o f r a me any si t uat i on i n a way
79
PAUL Mc KENNA
t hat l eaves t h e m f e e l i ng e mp o we r e d a n d s t r ong. T h e y c a n
t ake a s e e mi ngl y negat i ve si t uat i on a n d r e f r ame i t t o f i nd
t he posi t i ve. Fo r t hese pe o pl e , t he gl ass of wat er i s al ways
hal f f ul l , no mat t e r h o w e mpt y i t ma y l ook t o t he rest of us!
A f ew year s a g o I me t t he f o r me r RAF of f i cer J o h n
Ni c ho l , wh o was s hot d o wn whi l e on a mi s s i on d u r i n g t he
Gu l f War. As a r esul t , J o h n was hor r i bl y t or t ur e d by hi s
I r aqi c apt or s . Wh e n I a s ke d h i m h o w he ma n a g e d t o g e t
t h r o u g h t hi s t er r i f yi ng o r de a l , he e x pl a i ne d h o w he
f r a me d it in hi s mi nd . He knew that no matter what, the tor-
ture and the pain would stop. Ei t he r hi s c apt or s wo u l d g e t
b o r e d or he wo u l d pass out . Ev e n t h o u g h i t was a t er r i bl e
s i t uat i on t o be i n, t he p o we r of hi s pe r s pe c t i ve of know-
i ng i t wo u l d s t op was wha t gave h i m t he s t r e ngt h t o ma k e
i t t h r o u g h .
Y o u c a n c h a n g e y o ur l i f e wi t h t he p o we r of posi t i ve
pe r s pe c t i v e s t o da y ' s l es s on wi l l t e a c h y o u how!
MEDIA AND MEANING
We're not retreating,
we're just advancing
in another direction.
-General
George S. Patton
A hi g hl y ef f ect i ve c o mmu n i c a t o r c a n
r e f r a me a ny t hi ng t o c r e at e a di f f e r e nt
pe r s pe c t i v e or i nt e r pr e t a t i on. I n f act ,
t he r e i s s o mu c h s pi n i n t he me d i a
t oday t hat a b o u t t he onl y t hi ng y o u c a n
k n o w f or s ur e i s t hat i f y o u d o n ' t t ake
r es pons i bi l i t y f or t he f r a me s y o u ma k e
i n y o ur l i f e, t he n s o me o n e el se wi l l !
80
Adver t i s er s ge t pa i d a l ot of mo n e y t o f r a me t hei r
pr o duc t s i n t he bes t pos s i bl e l i ght . T h e y do i t by c r e a t i ng
t he i de a t hat s o me h o w wha t t hey ar e s el l i ng wi l l ma k e
y o u sexi er, heal t hi er , happi e r , or mo r e styl i sh.
Publ i c r el at i ons i s a b o u t a r r a ng i ng t he t r ut hs t o
p u t acr oss y o ur po i nt i n t he bes t pos s i bl e l i ght .
Ma r ke t e r s , pol i t i ci ans , a n d e v e n r el i gi ons have al l
b e c o me e x p e r t a t pl a c i ng t hei r pr o duc t s , ser vi ces, or
vi ew of h o w we s ho ul d l e a d o u r l i ves i n c ont e x t s t hat
ma k e t h e m a p p e a r s ophi s t i c at ed, wor t hy, o r de s i r abl e .
T h e news me d i a s hape s o u r o p i ni o ns of t he wo r l d
by whi c h st ori es t hey c h o o s e t o r e por t . Ra t he r t ha n mak-
i n g t hos e de c i s i ons ba s e d on wha t wi l l h e l p us ma k e
i n f o r me d de c i s i ons a b o u t t he wor l d, al l t oo of t e n t he
c h o i c e a b o u t wha t i s f e a t ur e d a n d wha t get s l ef t o u t
c o me s d o wn t o wha t wi l l pul l h i g h e r r at i ngs.
I n mu c h t he s a me way as a pho t o g -
, , . . - ^ . No matter how thin
r a p he r tel l s y o u what i s i mpo r t a nt i n a
, i ^ i i_ j J you slice it, there are
pi c t ur e by wha t he or s he de c i de s t o
J
i J c J u ^ i - always two sides.
i nc l ude i n t he f r a me a n d wha t i s l ert out ,
, ^ ^ . ^, . Baruch Spinoza
t he me a n i n g s we at t r i but e t o t he event s
r
i n o u r l i ves ar e d e t e r mi n e d by t he part s
o f o u r e x p e r i e nc e we c ho o s e t o ma k e i mpor t a nt . O u r
i nt e r pr e t at i on o f any s i t uat i on d e p e n d s o n wha t we
i nc l ude o r e x c l u d e f r o m o u r f r a me o f pe r c e pt i o n.
T h e f act is, e v e r y t hi ng i s r el at i ve. Wh e n y o u t hi nk o n e
s i t uat i on i s bad, t hat i s be c a us e y o u ar e c o mp a r i n g i t t o
s o me t h i n g y o u pe r c e i v e t o be bet t er . O n e o f my f avor i t e
81
PAUL Mc KENNA
e x a mp l e s of t hi s c o me s i n a l et t er f r o m a c o l l e g e s t ude nt
t o h e r par e nt s :
Dear Mom and Dad,
Apol ogi es f or t aki ng so l ong t o wri te, but my wri t i ng
utensi l s wer e dest royed i n t he f i re at my apar t ment . I
am out of t he hospi t al and t he doc t or says t hat I s houl d
be abl e to l ead a nor mal , heal t hy life. A ha nds ome
y oung ma n cal l ed Pet e saved me f r om t he fire and
ki ndl y of f er ed t o share his apar t ment wi t h me . He i s
very ki nd and pol i t e and f r om a g o o d family, so I t hi nk
you' l l appr ove whe n I tell y ou t hat we got mar r i ed last
week. I know you' l l be even mor e exci t ed whe n I tell
you that you are g oi ng t o be gr andpar ent s very soon.
Act ual l y t here wasn' t a fire, I haven' t be e n i n t he hos-
pi tal , I' m not mar r i ed, and I ' m not pr egnant , but I di d
fail my bi ol ogy e x a m and I j us t want ed t o make sure
that whe n I t ol d you, y ou put i t i n pr oper perspect i ve.
Love,
Your daughter
I h a d a f r i e nd wh o d e mo ns t r a t e d t he p o we r of c o m-
par at i ve f r a mi ng e v e n mo r e dr amat i cal l y. Fo r mo n t h s ,
my f r i e nd was c ont i nual l y t el l i ng me h o w f r i g ht e ne d he
was t hat s o o n he wo u l d be f or t y year s o l d a n d hi s mu c h
y o u n g e r gi r l f r i e nd di d n o t wa nt t o ma r r y hi m. No ma t t e r
h o w mu c h I a t t e mp t e d t o r eas s ur e h i m, he per s i s t ed i n
f o c us i ng o n wha t he c o ns i de r e d t o be t he wor s t t hi ng
t hat c o u l d h a p p e n t h a t h e mi g h t b e u n ma r r i e d a n d
wi t ho ut a f ami l y at t he a g e of forty.
82
O n e day I no t i c e d t hat he s e e me d c a l me r a n d was no
l o n g e r c o mp l a i n i n g a b o u t hi s s i t uat i on. Wh e n I as ke d
h i m wha t h a d c h a n g e d , he t ol d me hi s gi r l f r i e nd h a d
r e c e nt l y f o u n d a l u mp i n h e r br east . T h o u g h i t t ur ne d
o u t t o be b e ni g n, he r e c o g n i z e d t hat c o mp a r e d t o t he
t hr e a t of l os i ng h e r t o c anc er , n o t b e i n g ma r r i e d yet was
l i ttl e mo r e t ha n a mi n o r i nc o nv e ni e nc e .
Re me mb e r , t he a dv a nt a g e o f b e i n g a bl e t o d e c i d e
h o w y o u f r a me event s i s t hat i t gi ves y o u mo r e c hoi c e s .
Mo r e c ho i c e s gi ves us g r e a t e r f l exi bi l i t y, a n d as we ' l l s ee
i n a f e w mo me n t s , gr e a t e r f l exi bi l i t y l eads t o an i nc r e a s e d
abi l i t y t o i nf l ue nc e t he resul t s i n any s i t uat i on.
FLEXIBILITY IS POWER
Years a g o t he pr ope l l e r s on shi ps us e d t o be at t ac he d wi t h
me t al pi ns. T h e d u n k i n g was t hat by ma k i n g t he pi ns of t he
s t r onges t mat er i al s, t hey wo ul d l ast l o ng e r a n d be mo r e
s ec ur e. Unf or t unat el y, t hey we r e so r i gi d t hat i f t he pr o-
pe l l e r hi t anyt hi ng, t hey br oke . Nowadays , s hi p pr opel l er s
ar e at t ac he d wi t h f l exi bl e r ubbe r c oupl i ngs . Al t h o u g h
s e e mi ngl y l ess s t r ong t han t hei r me t a l c ount er par t s , t hes e
c oupl i ng s of f er gr e a t e r l ongevi t y a nd
secur i t y t hr o u g h t hei r fl exi bi l i ty. Whoever sets the
Si mi l arl y, r es ear c her s in t he rel at i vel y agenda controls the
n e w s c i e nc e of c yber net i c s have f o u n d outcome of the
t hat t he mo s t po we r f ul pe r s o n i n any debate.
g r o u p i s i nvar i abl y t he mo s t f l exi bl e. Noam Chomsky
T h e i ndi v i dua l wh o has t he mo s t ways o f
83
P A UL Mc K E NNA
l o o k i ng at t hi ngs has t he mo s t c hoi c e s a n d h e n c e t he great -
est possi bi l i t y of c ont r ol l i ng t he o u t c o me of any si t uat i on.
T h e ar t of r e f r a mi ng t he wo r l d wi t h a posi t i ve per -
s pect i ve i s no t a b o u t i g no r i ng p r o b l e ms b ut a b o u t ha v i ng
suf f i ci ent f l exi bi l i t y t o ma k e y o ur po i nt of vi ew wo r k f or
y o u i ns t ead o f agai ns t y o u. Wh e n I ' m wo r k i n g wi t h chi l -
d r e n wh o ha v e t o g o t h r o u g h a n unpl e a s a nt me di c a l pr o-
c e d u r e , I r e f r a me i t by t ur ni ng i t i nt o a g a me ; wi t h
gr own- ups , I' l l of t e n h e l p t h e m r e f r a me t hei r f ear as
e x c i t e me n t a n d t hei r pr oc r a s t i na t i on a s " per f ec t l y t i mi ng
t he uni ver s e. "
THERE' S NO SUCH THING AS FAILURE
O n e o f t he mo s t i mpo r t a nt l essons I' ve l e a r n e d f r o m
wo r k i ng wi t h s ucces s f ul p e o p l e ov e r t he year s i s t hat fai l -
ur e i s an at t i t ude, n o t an o u t c o me . T h a t is, it' s g o t no t h-
i ng t o do wi t h t he resul t s y o u p r o d u c e a n d e v e r y t hi ng t o
d o wi t h h o w y o u f r a me t hi ngs .
Fo r e x a mp l e , af t er T h o ma s Edi s on' s s even h u n d r e d t h
uns uc c es s f ul a t t e mpt t o i nv e nt t he el ec t r i c l i ght , he was
as ke d by a New York Times r epor t er , " Ho w do e s i t f eel to
have f ai l ed s e v e n h u n d r e d t i mes ?"
T h e g r e a t i nv e nt o r r e s p o n d e d wi t h a cl assi c e x a mp l e
of a posi t i ve per s pec t i ve:
" I have no t f ai l ed s even h u n d r e d t i mes. I have no t f ai l ed
o nc e . I have s u c c e e d e d i n pr ov i ng t hat t hos e seven hun-
d r e d ways wi l l n o t wor k. Wh e n I have e l i mi na t e d al l t he
ways t hat wi l l n o t wor k, I wi l l f i nd t he way t hat wi l l wor k. "
84
The Frame Game
1. Think about a project or goal that you made
happen in the past. What frame, meaning, or
perspecti ve did you or someone else use to get
and keep you motivated and involved?
EXAMPLES:
"My boss kept our team working hard on a project
by making it about contribution to the community."
"I got my son to do his homework by tying in his
success at school to how much freedom I gave
him around the house."
2. Think of a project or goal that you are currently
working on or considering working on in the
future.
85
T h o u s a n d s mo r e o f t hos e s ucces s f ul pr oof s o f wha t
wi l l n o t wo r k f ol l owe d, but Edi s on f i nal l y f o u n d t he way
t hat di d wor k, a n d i n s o d o i n g he i l l umi na t e d t he wor l d.
Ab o v e al l , wha t Edi s o n s u c c e e d e d i n d o i n g was t o
f r a me hi s par t i c ul ar c ha l l e ng e i n a way t hat h e l p e d k e e p
h i m mot i vat e d. He was f l exi bl e e n o u g h i n hi s t hi nk i ng t o
gi ve hi ms e l f mo r e c hoi c e s . A n d y o u c a n gi ve y our s e l f t he
s a me f l exi bi l i t y!
He r e ' s a n e x e r c i s e i n put t i ng t he p o we r of pe r s pe c t i v e
t o wo r k i n y o u r o wn l i f e:
P AUL MC KE NNA
3. What are some frames you could put around the
project that would reduce your interest in getting
involved and making it happen?
EXAMPLES'.
"This is an experiment in failure."
"Even if it works, nothing good will come of it."
"This is just the latest management fad."
4. What frames could you put around the project
that would increase your interest in getting
involved and making it happen?
EXAMPLES:
"She who dies with the most friends wins."
"Whatever the result, it will have been worthwhile."
"The universe wants me to succeed."
A QUESTI ON OF PERSPECTI VE
O n e o f t he mo s t po we r f ul f r a mi ng t ool s we al l us e o n
a dai l y basi s i s al s o o n e of t he s i mp l e s t t h e p o we r of
que s t i ons .
Que s t i o ns d e t e r mi n e t he f oc us of o u r p e r c e p t i o n a s
wel l as t he a mo u n t of s ucces s , l ove, f ear, anger , j oy, or
wo n d e r t hat we e x p e r i e n c e o n a n o n g o i n g basi s. S o me o f
t he p e o p l e I me e t a n d wo r k wi t h ar e s t uc k or i n pa i n
be c a us e t hey ar e c ont i nua l l y as ki ng t he ms e l ve s ne g a -
ti vel y o r i e nt a t e d que s t i ons .
Co ns i d e r t he que s t i on " Why c a n' t I do t hi s?" Thi s
86
que s t i on as s ume s t hat (a) t he r e i s s o me t h i n g t o be d o n e
a n d ( b) y o u c a n' t do it.
I n o r d e r t o e v e n u n d e r s t a n d t he que s t i on, y o u r mi n d
aut omat i c al l y be g i ns t o s e a r c h o u t al l t he r e as ons why
y o u c a n' t do wha t e v e r i t i s t hat y o u pe r c e i v e n e e d s t o be
d o n e . No ma t t e r wha t a ns we r y o u gi ve, y o u ar e a c c e p t i ng
t he basi c pr e mi s e of t he que s t i on.
Al t ernat i vel y, i ma g i ne as ki ng yoursel f , " Ho w c a n I
mo s t easi l y ma k e thi s wor k? " Thi s que s t i on pr e s uppos e s
t hat (a) t hi s c a n wor k, (b) t he r e ar e a n u mb e r of ways t hi s
c a n wor k, a n d (c) i t c a n be d o n e easily. Th e s e as s ump-
t i ons or pr e s uppos i t i ons ac t as a di r e c t i onal c ompa s s , a n d
y o ur mi n d t he n s ear c hes f or h o w t o ma k e t hi ngs wor k.
Que s t i o ns di r e c t y o ur f oc us , a n d y o u al ways g e t mo r e
of wha t y o u f oc us on i n l i f e. I f y o u r qual i t y of l i f e i s poor ,
e x a mi n e y o ur i n n e r que s t i ons a n d ask y our s e l f h o w
mu c h mo r e e mp o we r i n g y o u c a n ma k e t he m.
S o me e x a mp l e s o f c o mmo n b u t u nh e l p f u l que s t i ons
ar e:
Wh y do e s thi s al ways h a p p e n t o me ?
Wh y d o n ' t I l i ke mysel f ?
Wh y c a n' t I e ve r l os e we i ght ?
Now, ask y our s e l f a n e w que s t i on:
How can I ask this in a way that points toward
the positive?
So l et ' s l e a r n h o w que s t i ons c a n e mp o we r us. St art by
as ki ng que s t i ons t hat p r e s u p p o s e t he posi t i ve, s uc h as:
87
PAUL Mc KENNA
Wh a t i s t he mo s t e l e g a nt way I c a n sol ve t hi s
p r o b l e m?
Ho w ma n y di f f e r e nt ways of s ol vi ng t hi s p r o b l e m
c a n I c o me up wi t h?
Ho w c a n I mo s t easi l y s t op d o i n g ?
Th e s e ques t i ons ma k e y o ur br ai n sort f or di f f er ent
i nf or ma t i on a nd put y ou i n a di f f er ent a n d mo r e r es our c e-
f ul state. I f y o u ar e n o t ha p p y wi t h t he ans we r y o u ar e get -
t i ng bac k, y o u c a n e i t he r c h a n g e t he que s t i on o r k e e p
as ki ng unt i l y o u ar e. Yo u r br ai n wi l l k e e p s e a r c hi ng f or
y o u unt i l a us ef ul ans we r has b e e n f o u nd .
THE WORK OF BYRON KATIE
Al l t oo of t e n h u ma n be i ng s b e c o me e n t r e n c h e d i n a n
unr e s our c e f ul pl a c e t h r o u g h l ac k of e mo t i o na l fl exi bi l i ty.
By as ki ng ques t i ons t hat gent l y f or c e t he l i st ener t o e x pe -
r i e nc e t hi ngs di f f erent l y, I have s e e n p e o p l e b e c o me f r ee
f r o m year s of pai nf ul e mo t i o ns i n a ma t t e r of mi nut e s .
By r o n Kat i e, a u t h o r of t he a ma z i n g b o o k Loving What
Is, uses a s i mpl e b u t r e ma r k a bl y ef f ect i ve set of que s t i ons
t hat he l ps p e o p l e o v e r c o me anger , r e s e nt me nt , a n d f e ar
ver y qui ckl y. She be g i ns by as ki ng i f t he r e i s s o me o n e y o u
ar e j u d g i n g h a r s h l y s o me o n e y o u ha v e n' t y e t f or g i v e n
f or wha t e v e r i t i s t hat he or s he has d o n e . She asks f or
speci f i c i nf o r ma t i o n, s uc h as: " Ho w do y o u wa nt t h e m t o
c ha ng e ? Wh a t s ho u l d o r s ho ul dn' t t hey do? Wh a t d o y o u
n e e d f r o m t h e m i n o r d e r t o b e ha ppy ? "
88
89
O n c e s he has el i c i t ed t he pe r s pe c t i v e t hat i s c a us i ng
t he r e s e nt me nt , s he asks f o ur s i mpl e que s t i ons :
1. Is it true?
Wh e n p e o p l e fi rst c o ns i de r wh e t h e r t he i r p o i nt o f
vi ew i s t r ue, t he ans we r i s of t e n a r e s o u n d i n g yes. How-
ever, s he f ol l ows i t up wi t h a mo r e s e a r c hi ng que s t i on:
2. Can you really know that it's true?
Fo r ma n y p e o p l e i t c o me s as a s ur pr i s e t hat t hey c a n' t
k n o w f or a f act t hat wha t t he y t hi nk i s ups e t t i ng t h e m i s
t r ue. A shi f t has al r eady b e g u n t o h a p p e n .
3. How do you react when you think that
thought/tell yourself that story?
Thi s que s t i on get s y o u i n t o u c h wi t h t he ne gat i v e c on-
s e q ue nc e s , st ress, a n d ups e t of y o u r mi nd- s et . I t qui c kl y
b e c o me s obv i ous t hat c o n t i n u i n g t o vi ew t he wo r l d
t h r o u g h t hi s f r a me i s u np r o d u c t i v e at bes t a n d do wn-
r i ght d a ma g i n g at wor st .
4. Who would you be without that thought/
story?
I n o r d e r t o hone s t l y ans we r t hi s que s t i on, y o u have t o
mo v e out s i de t he l i mi t at i ons of t he ne gat i ve pe r s pe c t i v e
y o u or i gi nal l y wr ot e d o wn. Si mul t aneous l y, y o u b e g i n t o
f eel be t t e r a l mos t i mme di at e l y.
PAUL MCKENNA
At thi s poi nt , mo s t p e o p l e ar e r e a dy t o l et t he b u r d e n
of t he ups e t g o a n d e mb r a c e t hei r n e w stress-f ree mi nd-
set. Y o u c a n wo r k wi t h t hes e que s t i ons a ny t i me y o u wa nt
t o st ep b e y o n d a l i mi t i ng per s pec t i ve.
POSSIBILITY QUESTI ONS
O n e of t he di f f er enc es b e t we e n geni us es l i ke Ei ns t ei n
a n d ma n y of t he o t he r sci ent i st s of hi s day was t hat he
as ke d s mar t e r ques t i ons . T h e t ypes of que s t i on Ei ns t ei n
par t i cul ar l y e x c e l l e d at ar e wha t I cal l "possi bi l i t y ques -
t i ons. " Th e s e ar e ques t i ons t hat f oc us t he mi n d on wha t i s
pos s i bl e b ut ma y n o t have ever b e e n c o ns i de r e d be f or e .
T h i n k of a s i t uat i on i n whi c h y o u' v e b e e n f e e l i ng a bi t
s t uck a n d ask y our s e l f t he f ol l owi ng possi bi l i t y que s t i ons :
Wh a t wo u l d h a p p e n i f t hi s j us t was n' t a p r o b l e m
a ny mo r e ?
Wh a t wo u l d i t t ake f or e v e r y t hi ng t o be al l r i ght ?
If I k ne w t he r e was a s i mpl e s ol ut i on, wha t wo u l d
i t be?
Wh a t ha v e n' t I t h o u g h t of yet?
I f I ma d e an a s t o und i ng b r e a k t h r o u g h i n t hi s ar ea,
wha t wo u l d i t be l i ke?
R e me mb e r t he g o l d e n r ul e:
You always get more of what you focus on in
life.
90
Empowering Questions
Here is a technique you can use to put the power of
a positive perspecti ve to work in your own life, start-
ing now. I ask myself these questions every morning;
they force me to go into a positive state in order to
answer them. The more specific you are, the richer
the positive state you will create!
Who or what in my life makes me feel happiest?
Who or what in my life makes me feel most loved?
Who or what in my life makes me feel richest?
Who or what in my life makes me feel most
passionate?
Who or what in my life makes me feel most
empowered?
As I answer each question, I build up a vivid rep-
resentation of whatever it is I am thinking about,
then amplify it. For example, when I am thinking
about what really makes me feel happy, I make the
colors brighter, the sounds louder, and the feelings
stronger. By the time I've asked and answered each
question, my entire outlook has changed for the
better, and I'm ready to take on the day!
91
So i t' s vi tal l y i mp o r t a nt t o a c k no wl e d g e a n d c o n c e n -
t rat e on y o ur s ucces s es , g r e a t a n d s ma l l o n what ' s real l y
he a l t hy a n d r e wa r di ng a r o u n d y o u.
PAUL MCKENNA
A NEW PERSPECTI VE
ON RELATI ONSHI PS
T h e s e c r e t of g e t t i ng a l o n g wel l wi t h ot he r s i s t o be abl e
t o s ee t he wo r l d t h r o u g h t hei r eyes, or, as t he Nat i ve
Ame r i c a n s p u t it, " t o wal k a mi l e i n t hei r moc c a s i ns . "
T h e p o we r o f pe r s pe c t i ve h e l p e d t he g r e a t I ndi a n
l e a de r Ma h a t ma Ga n d h i b e c o me a l e g e nda r y negot i at or .
S e e i ng f r o m ma n y per s pec t i ves gave h i m f l exi bi l i t y i n hi s
t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ons t hat h e l p e d h i m t o b e c o me a pow-
er f ul negot i at or . S o me say he e v e n b r o u g h t a b o u t t he
e n d o f t he Br i t i sh Emp i r e be c a us e he was f l exi bl e
e n o u g h t o i ma g i ne s e e i ng t hi ngs f r o m t he pe r s pe c t i ve o f
hi s o p p o n e n t s . Du r i n g t he ne got i a t i ons ov e r t he f ut ur e
of I ndi a, he wo u l d vi ew t he s i t uat i on f r o m ever y pos s i bl e
pe r s pe c t i ve , e v e n i ma g i ni ng hi ms e l f s t a ndi ng ov e r t he
s h o u l d e r of hi s ne g o t i a t i o n pa r t ne r s a n d si t t i ng i n t hei r
seat s unt i l he f el t he a l mos t k n e w t hei r t houg ht s . Be c a us e
he t o o k t he t i me t o p r e p a r e s o t hor oug hl y , i t was as
t h o u g h he h a d a n ans we r f or al l of t hei r c ons i de r a t i ons
a n d c o nc e r ns be f or e di s cus s i ons st ar t ed.
I n my o wn e x p e r i e nc e , I bel i eve t hat wh e n a t t e mpt i ng
t o s ee a s i t uat i on f r o m t he v i e wpoi nt of ot he r s i t i s i mpo r -
t ant t o b e a r o n e t hi ng i n mi nd:
People do what they do in order to achieve
some purpose or fulfill some need.
I per s onal l y pr e f e r t o bel i eve t hat mos t p e o p l e have a
posi t i ve i nt ent i on b e h i n d t hei r behavi or , e v e n wh e n t hey
92
Putting Your Relationships into Perspective
1. Think of somebody you are having a problem
with. Return to the situation where you had a con-
flict, or imagine that person is standing in front of
you now. See what you see, hear your internal dia-
logue, and take note of how you feel. Now float up
out of yourself and let those feelings go.
2. Next, float into the shoes of the person you
don' t get along with. If you like, you can even imagine
putting on that person' s head like a virtual reality hel-
met. Notice how the world looks from their perspec-
tive. See yourself through their eyes. What might they
be saying to themsel ves about the situation? How
does it feel to be in their shoes? Now float out of that
person and let those feelings go.
3. Next, think of someone whose intelligence and
wisdom you admire. It can be a friend, a mentor, or even
a character from history. Step into their shoes and
93
ar e t aki ng a pos i t i on t hat s e e ms c ont e nt i ous or c ont r ar y t o
o u r own best i nt erest s. Wh e n I e nc o u nt e r a si t uat i on s uc h
as t hat , I of t en ask mysel f: " Wha t benef i c i al i nt e nt i on c o ul d
be b e h i n d thi s be havi or ? " Thi s he l ps me t o a p p r o a c h t he
c onf l i c t f r o m a mu c h mo r e r e s our c e f ul per s pect i ve.
I f y o u ' r e c ur r e nt l y e x p e r i e n c i n g a c onf l i c t i n o n e or
mo r e of y o u r r el at i ons hi ps , p u t t hi s s i mpl e e x e r c i s e t o
t he test:
PAUL Mc KENNA
imagine them watching the t wo of you interact. How
would they perceive this situation as a neutral ob-
server? Move to a position where you can see both
yourself and the person you were having the prob-
lem with. Observe what' s going on with "those
peopl e over there." What are they doi ng? What
kinds of thing are they saying to each other? What
kinds of insight do you gain inside the mind of this
wise mentor? What advice do they have for you?
4. Finally, take what you' ve learned and step back
into your own shoes. Look at the person you were
having the problems with in new ways, and choose
at least one thing to say or do to move toward a
happy resolution.
THE POWER OF BELIEFS
T h e mo s t po we r f ul f r a me we c a n us e t o s ha pe o u r per -
s pect i ve i s wha t we c h o o s e t o bel i eve a b o u t our s el ves a n d
t he wor l d. Ov e r t he year s I' ve of t e n s e e n h o w o n e be l i e f
c a n me a n t he di f f e r e nc e b e t we e n or di na r y wor ke r s a n d
C E Os , s ucces s a n d f ai l ur e, al so- rans a n d wo r l d c ha mpi -
ons . O u r bel i ef s c a n d e t e r mi n e o u r l evel o f i nt e l l i ge nc e ,
o u r ha ppi ne s s , t he qual i t y o f o u r r el at i ons hi ps , e v e n o u r
he a l t h a n d success.
I n ma ny ways, wha t we bel i eve has a f ar gr e a t e r i nf l u-
e nc e on o u r l i fe t han obj ect i ve t r ut h. For e x a mpl e , i t
doe s n' t real l y ma t t e r h o w f ar y o u travel a r o u n d t he
94
wo r l d y o u wo n' t fal l of f it. But f or t hous ands of years, t he
c o mmo n l y he l d bel i ef t hat t he e ar t h was f l at me a n t t hat
mo s t p e o p l e di dn' t e v e n a t t e mpt t o travel b e y o n d t he hor i -
z on. I t onl y t ook o n e ma n wh o was wi l l i ng t o s ee t hi ngs dif-
f er ent l y t o t r ans f or m t he e x pe r i e nc e of t he pl anet .
Bel i ef s ar e t he wi ndows t h r o u g h whi c h y o u vi ew t he
wor l d. I f y o ur " be l i e f wi ndo w" i s c o v e r e d wi t h t oo mu c h
ne g a t i v i t y i de a s s uc h as " T h e wor l d i s a da ng e r o us
pl a c e " or " Pe o pl e c a n' t be t r u s t e d " y o u wi l l s ee a da n-
g e r o us wo r l d f i l l e d wi t h unt r us t wor t hy pe o pl e . I f y o u
r e pl a c e t he bel i ef s on y o ur wi n d o w wi t h posi t i ve o ne s
s uc h as " T h e wo r l d i s a f r i endl y pl a c e " a n d " I c a n t rust
mysel f , " y o u g e t t o l i ve i n a f r i endl y wo r l d wh e r e y o u ar e
abl e t o ma k e s mar t c hoi c e s a b o u t ever y as pe c t of y o ur l i f e.
Yo u r bel i ef s d e t e r mi n e y o ur dec i s i ons , h o w y o u f eel
a b o u t t hi ngs , a n d ul t i mat el y t he di r e c t i on y o u g o i n l i f e.
T h e y c o nt r o l e v e r y t hi ng a b o u t y ou. I n t he s a me way t hat
a mo v i e pr oj e c t or put s an i ma g e f r o m a pi e c e of f i l m
o n t o a s c r e e n, wha t y o u pe r c e i v e i n t he wo r l d i s a ma ni -
f es t at i on of t he bel i ef s y o u h o l d i n y o ur mi n d .
I f y o u ar e wo n d e r i n g wha t y o ur bel i ef s ar e, t he n l o o k
a t h o w y o u f eel a b o u t y o ur l i f e. Do y o u f eel i n c ont r ol ?
Do y o u f eel e mp o we r e d ? Do y o u f eel e x c e p t i o na l l evel s
of ha ppi ne s s mo s t of t he t i me?
I f not , t hi s f i nal s e c t i on of t oday' s l es s on wi l l be ver y
i mp o r t a nt f or y o u.
95
PAUL Mc KENNA
The legendary psychologist Abraham Maslow told this story
about the power of beliefs:
A patient had no regard for himself because he believed
he was a corpse, and his psychiatrist spent many sessions
trying to convince him that he wasn't a corpse.
Finally one day the psychiatrist asked the patient if
corpses bled. The patient was adamant.
"Corpses don't bleed," he insisted. "All their bodily func-
tions have stopped."
The psychiatrist then persuaded the patient to partake
in an experiment where he would prick his hand with a
needle to see if it bled. Sure enough, as the needle pricked
his skin he began to bleed.
With a look of amazement the patient said: "Well, I'll be
darned . . . corpses do bleed!"
THE SEVEN KEY BELIEFS
OF HIGH ACHI EVERS
Ov e r t he year s I ha v e h a d t he o ppo r t uni t y t o wo r k wi t h
a n d st udy ma n y p e o p l e wh o ar e wi del y c o ns i d e r e d
g e ni us e s i n o u r c ul t ur e . T h e s e ar e e x t r a or di na r y i ndi vi d-
ual s f r o m t he f i el ds of t he art s, bus i nes s , spor t s, a n d s o
o n . As a r es ul t of t he wo r k I have d o n e wi t h t h e m, h e r e
ar e wha t I have di s c ov e r e d t o be t he s even c o r e s ucces s
pe r s pe c t i ve s of happy, he a l t hy h i g h ac hi ever s .
Re me mb e r , a be l i e f i s no mo r e t ha n a p e r s p e c t i v e a
wi n d o w t h r o u g h whi c h we vi ew t he wor l d. Wh e n y o u
96
c ho o s e t o vi ew t he wor l d t h r o u g h t he wi nd o w of t hes e
posi t i ve per s pect i ves , y o u c r e at e a mo r e r e s our c e f ul po i nt
o f vi ew a n d c a n b e g i n e x p e r i e nc i ng b r e a k t hr o ug hs i n
y o ur l i fe i mmedi at el y. Do n ' t wor r y a b o u t wh e t h e r o r n o t
y o u actually t hi nk t hes e t hi ngs ar e t r ue- j ust vi vi dl y i mag-
i ne n o w wha t y o ur l i f e wo u l d be l i ke i f y o u k ne w t h a t . . .
1. You Are the Expert on You
T h e r e i s an ol d Suf i st or y a b o u t a ma n wh o was l o o k i n g
f or hi s keys out s i de hi s h o me u n d e r t he br i g ht st reet -
l a mps t hat l it hi s r oa d. Ma n y of hi s ne i g h b o r s j o i n e d h i m
i n hi s s e a r c h, unt i l o n e f i na l l y as ked, " Wh e r e di d y o u l os e
y o u r keys?" T h e ma n r e pl i e d, " I ns i de my ho us e . "
A ma z e d , t he n e i g h b o r as ke d, " T h e n why ar e y o u l ook-
i ng o u t he r e ? "
T h e ma n r e pl i e d, " Be c a us e t he r e ' s mo r e l i ght o u t
he r e . "
T h e s i mpl e f act i s t hat n o b o d y k nows y o u be t t e r t ha n
y o u k n o w your sel f . Ev e n i f y o u have s pe nt y o u r e nt i r e l i f e
s e a r c hi ng f or ans wer s out s i de your sel f , o n c e y o u st art
l o o k i n g wi t hi n, t he pe r f e c t ans wer s t o l i f e' s que s t i ons wi l l
p o p o ut mo r e a n d mo r e .
2. You Are Not Broken; You Do Not Need to Be "Fixed"
I n t he ni ne t e e nt h cent ur y, t he c o n c e p t of p e o p l e b e i ng
" b r o k e n" g r a b b e d h o l d o f t he na s c e nt psychi at r i c c o m-
muni t y a n d b e c a me t he s t andar d f or mo r e t ha n a hun-
d r e d year s. Ge ni us e s s uc h a s Ri c ha r d Ba nd l e r a n d
97
PAUL Mc KENNA
mo d e r n ps ychol ogi s t s l e d by s uc h i nnovat or s as Ma r t i n
Se l i g ma n a n d Mi hal y Cs i ks z ent mi hal yi see t hi ngs di f f er-
endy. T h e e me r g i n g f i e l d of posi t i ve ps y c hol og y i s bui l t
on t he pr e mi s e t hat i f we wa nt t o r epl i c at e me nt a l he al t h,
we n e e d t o st udy p e o p l e wh o ar e heal t hy, no t t hos e t hat
ar e si ck.
I ' ve l e a r ne d i n my year s of wo r k i ng wi t h p e o p l e i n al l
wal ks of l i f e t hat e v e r y o ne do e s wha t t hey do f or a ver y
g o o d r e a s on, e v e n t h o u g h t he r e a s on ma y s e e m i na ppr o -
pr i at e t o t he out s i de wor l d. An y dy s f unc t i onal be ha v i o r
has a posi t i ve i nt e nt or o n c e s e r ve d a p u r p o s e t hat has
s i nce b e e n o ut g r o wn.
For e x a mpl e , i f s o me o n e has a f ear of f l yi ng, i t mi g h t
be f or any n u mb e r of r eas ons , b u t i f we as s ume t he p h o b i a
has a posi t i ve i nt ent , we k n o w i t will pr oba bl y c o me d o wn
t o t he desi r e t o be saf e. As y o ur unc ons c i ous mi n d f i nds
n e w ways of k e e p i ng y o u saf e wi t hout t he unne c e s s ar y
p h o b i c r es pons e, t he p ho b i a i tsel f b e c o me s unneces s ar y.
Thi s i s why us i ng mo d e r n ps y c hol og i c a l t e c hni que s ,
we c a n n o w c ur e l i f et i me pho b i a s i n a ma t t e r of mi nut e s .
3. You Already Have All the Resources You Need
to Succeed
Ar e y o u c o nf i d e nt a b o u t t yi ng y o ur s hoe l a c e s o r s hop-
p i n g f or gr oc er i es ? T h e n y o u al r e ady have t he r e s our c e
o f c o nf i d e nc e wi t hi n y ou. Th e r e f o r e , y o u c a n f eel conf i -
d e n t a b o u t s pe a k i ng i n publ i c , a p p r o a c h i n g a p e r s o n
y o u f eel at t r ac t ed t o, or a ny t hi ng el se y o u des i r e.
Ha v e y o u e ve r f el t l ove i n y o u r he ar t , f or a pa r e nt ,
98
99
c hi l d, or a pet ? T h e n y o u c a n be mo r e l ov i ng wi t h y o ur
par t ner , y o u r f ami l y, or e v e n your sel f .
T h e onl y di f f e r e nc e b e t we e n y o u a n d s o me o n e wh o i s
al r e ady l i vi ng t hei r g e ni us i s l e a r ni ng h o w t o ac c es s y o u r
r e s our c e s a t t he a ppr o pr i a t e t i mes . Thi s b o o k he l ps y o u
t o do t hat !
4. You Can Accomplish Anything if You Break
the Task Doum into Small Enough Chunks
A f e w year s a g o a ma n at e an ai r pl ane o v e r a p e r i o d of a
f ew mo n t h s by b r e a k i ng i t d o wn i nt o t i ny pi e c e s . Wh i l e I
c er t ai nl y d o n ' t r e c o mme n d a t t e mpt i ng t o r e pl i c at e hi s
f eat , t he f act i s t hat a ny ski l l c a n be l e a r ne d a n d any pr ob-
l e m s ol ved i f i t i s b r o k e n d o wn i nt o s mal l e n o u g h pi e c e s .
Wh e n y o u t r ai n y o ur br a i n t o l o o k a t h u g e tasks i n
t er ms of s i mpl e , a c hi e v a bl e st eps, t he h u g e tasks b e c o me
mu c h mo r e pos s i bl e. We nat ur al l y do t hi s al ready. For
e x a mp l e , wh e n y o u wa nt t o r e me mb e r a p h o n e n u mb e r ,
y o u b r e a k i t i nt o s mal l e r c hunk s ; i f y o u wa nt t o b uy a n
e x pe ns i v e i t e m, l i ke a car or a ho us e , y o u pay i n smal l ,
ma n a g e a b l e i ns t al l ment s .
My po i nt i s t hi s:
If you want to knock down the wall between
you and the life of your dreams, it's best to do
it one brick at a time!
PAUL Mc KENNA
5. If What You Are Doing Isn't Working,
Do Something Else
In hi s bes t s el l i ng bus i nes s b o o k Who Moved My Cheese?,
a u t ho r S p e n c e r J o h n s o n poi nt s o u t t he di f f e r e nc e
b e t we e n h u ma n s a n d rat s. I f rat s di s c ov e r wha t t he y ' r e
d o i n g i sn' t wo r k i ng , t hey do s o me t h i n g el se; i f h u ma n s
di s c ove r wha t t he y ' r e d o i n g i sn' t wo r k i ng , t hey l o o k f or
s o me o n e t o b l a me !
I of t en he a r p e o p l e wh o are st uck say, " But I' ve al ways
d o n e i t l i ke t hat " or " I ' m j us t n o t t hat k i nd of pe r s on. " T h e
t r ut h is, what f eel s n o r ma l t o us i s mo r e a p r o d u c t of o u r
p r o g r a mmi n g t ha n of o u r pot ent i al . I f y o u wa nt t o b e g i n
p r o d u c i n g di f f er ent resul t s i n y o ur l i f e, you' l l n e e d t o st ep
out s i de y our c o mf o r t z o ne a nd do s o me t hi ng di f f er ent .
6. There Is No Such Thing as Failure, Only Feedback
Wh e n have y o u f ai l ed? Wh e n y o u de c i de
t o s t op l ear ni ng. Unt i l t he n, ever y
r e s pons e y o u g e t i s val uabl e i nf or ma t i on
t hat c a n be us e d t o tel l y o u whe t he r y o ur
ac t i ons ar e t aki ng y o u c l os er t o or far-
t he r away f r o m wha t y o u want . I n t he
s ame way, wh e n an ai r pl ane fl i es t o its
des t i nat i on, it' s of f c our s e 90 pe r c e nt of
t he t i me , cons t ant l y adj us t i ng its f l i ght
pat h t o k e e p on c our s e.
I n f act , successf ul p e o p l e r e c og ni z e t hat success i s
wha t h a p p e ns wh e n y ou' r e d o n e f ai l i ng. I n my exper i -
Wouldyou like me to
give you a formula
for success ? It's quite
simple, really. Double
your rate of failure.
Thomas J. Watson,
founder of IBM
100
Change Youf~Life in Seven Days _
7. You Are Creating Your Future Now
Wh e n I am wo r k i n g wi t h a pr i vat e c l i e nt on hi s or h e r
goal , I wi l l of t e n ask, "I f y o u c ar r y on as y o u ar e, wi l l y o u
a c hi e v e i t ?"
101
e nc e , t he p e o p l e who ' v e ma d e i t have
o n e t hi ng i n c o mmo n t h e y ' v e ma d e ^ âve learnt more
mo r e mi s t akes t han t he p e o p l e wh o f rom my failures
haven' t . Ever y mi s t ake or f ai l ur e i s a
t
^
lan m
y
s u c c e s s e s
-
l e a r ni ng oppor t uni t y i n di sgui se. Richard Branson
Fai l ur e i s a r equi s i t e pa r t of t he
l e a r ni ng pr oc e s s , n o t t he e n d o f t he l e a r ni ng pr oc e s s . I n
f act , p e o p l e d o n ' t f a i l s t r a t e g i e s , t act i cs, a n d pl ans f ai l .
Wh a t do y o u do i f y o ur st rat egy, t act i c, or pl a n fai l s t o
p r o d u c e t he de s i r e d resul t ? C h a n g e y o u r st rat egy, t act i c,
o r pl a n unt i l y o u f i nd o n e t hat s uc c e e ds !
Fe a r of f ai l ur e i s a p o t e n t de mot i vat or , b u t i t l os es its
p o we r ov e r us i f we l es s en its e mo t i o n a l c ha r g e . Th i s
we e k , c h o o s e a n a r e a of y o u r l i f e wh e r e y o u ' r e ha v i ng dif-
f i cul t y a n d gi ve y our s e l f pe r mi s s i on t o f ai l at l east t e n
t i mes . You' l l ha v e t o de f i ne f ai l ur e f or y o u r s e l f i f y o u ' r e
i n sal es, t hi s mi g h t me a n c ol l e c t i ng at l east t e n rej ec-
t i ons; i f y o u ' r e a wri t er, gi ve y our s e l f pe r mi s s i on t o wr i t e
at l east t e n l ous y pa g e s .
Succes s i s of t en ma d e s weet er wh e n i t t akes a l i t de ef f ort
t o arri ve at. On c e y o u real i ze t hat f ai l ur e i s n o t an e n d b ut
r at he r an occas i onal l y f r ust r at i ng s t eppi ng- s t one, i t l oses its
negat i ve c ha r g e a n d b e c o me s a n essent i al c o mp a n i o n o n
y o ur j o u r n e y t o happi ne s s , success, a n d wel l - bei ng.
PAUL Mc KENNA
To my a ma z e me n t , t hey al ways k n o w t he answer , a n d
mo r e of t e n t ha n n o t t hat ans wer i s n o .
O n e of t he mo s t si gni f i cant di f f er ences I' ve not i c e d
be t we e n t he pe o pl e wh o s uc c e e d a n d t he one s wh o
s t r uggl e i s whe t he r t hey l ook i nt o t he past or t he pr e s e nt
t o c r eat e t hei r f ut ur e. I f y o u c ont i nual l y l ook t o t he past,
y o u will al ways f eel t hat hi st ory i s d o o me d t o r e pe a t itself; i f
y o u l ook t o t he pr es ent , y o u wi l l al ways f i nd t her e i s s o me
ne w c hoi c e y ou c a n ma k e t o e n h a n c e y o ur possi bi l i t i es.
No ma t t e r h o w mu c h y o u' v e s t r ug g l e d i n t he past ,
ever y mo me n t o f e ve r y da y pr ov i de s y o u wi t h a n o ppo r t u-
ni t y t o ma k e n e w c ho i c e s a n d c r e at e n e w resul t s.
The New Belief Generator
I'd like to finish today with a simple exercise for your imag-
ination that will enabl e you to train your unconscious mind
to operate out of a new perspecti ve more easily.
Choose one of the seven beliefs you have just read
about that you believe will make a real difference in the
way you live your life. . . .
1. Stop for a moment and imagine that in front of you is
"another you"A "you" that already holds that belief you
would like to make your own. Maybe you believe that you
are confident, motivated, deserve love, and are full of
happy, vibrant energy.
102
Wh e n y o u har ne s s t he p o we r of a posi t i ve pe r s pe c t i v e
i n y o ur o wn l i f e, y o u g e t t o ma k e ever y day a g r e a t o n e !
Paul McKenna
PS. In just twenty-four hours, we will move forward into the
heart of our seven-day adventurethe secret of making your
dreams come true. . . .
103
2. Now, imagine what already having that belief enabl es
that other you to achieve. Is that other you motivated?
Confident? Strong? Successful?
3. Imagine that other you demonstrating those things
effortlessly. How do they behave? How do they talk to
themsel ves? What kind of voice tone do they use? How do
they carry themsel ves? How do they move?
4. If it isn't quite how you want it, make the adjustments
that make you feel better. Allow your intuition to be your
guide.
5. When you' re satisfied with the other you, step into
them. Take the new perspecti ve and behaviors into you.
6. Now think of a situation that you would like to view
from your new perspective. Think through what it's like to
have that new perspecti ve and what it will help you to
achieve. How are things goi ng to be so much better now?
7. For the next few weeks, act as if your new belief is true.
Even if it feels like you're making it up, this will teach your
brain to run the new software of this positive perspective.
DAY
4
DREAM SETTI NG
Discover what you truly want and
make your dreams come true
PAUL MCKENNA
(www.paulmckenna.com/trance).
Take a few minutes to go through the "Reprogramming
Your Self-Image" exercise on page 35.
Use the power of perspecti ve by asking yourself the
power questions from day three:
1. Who or what in your life
makes you feel happiest?
in answering the question, you will inevitably begin to feel
happier. Now let's amplify that feeling make the i mages
bigger, brighter, and bolder, the sounds louder, and the
feelings stronger. Notice where those feelings are strongest
and give them a color. Now, move that color and feeling up
to the top of your head and down to the tip of your toes
until it fills your whol e body. . . .
makes you feel most loved?
Once again let's amplify that feeling make the i mages
bigger, brighter, and bolder, the sounds louder, and the
feelings stronger. Notice where those feelings are strongest
and give them a color. Now, move that color and feeling up
to the top of your head and down to the tip of your toes
until it fills your whole body. . . .
106
107
makes you feel richest?
Amplify that feeling of richnessmake the images bigger,
brighter, and bolder, the sounds louder, and the feelings
stronger. Notice where those feelings are strongest and give
them a color. Now, move that color and feeling up to the top
of your head and down to the tip of your toes until it fills your
whole body. . . .
makes you feel most passionate?
Again, amplify the feelings by making the i mages bigger,
brighter, and bolder, the sounds louder, and the feelings
stronger. Notice where those feelings are strongest and
give them a color. Now, move that color and feeling up to
the t op of your head and down to the tip of your toes until
it fills your whole body. . . .
makes you feel most empowered?
You can amplify these feelings of power by making the
i mages bigger, brighter, and bolder, the sounds louder, and
the feelings stronger. Notice where those feelings are
strongest and give them a color. Now, move that color and
feeling up to the top of your head and down to the tip of
your toes until it fills your whol e body. . . .
PAUL Mc KENNA
6. Create an anchor for this super state!
While you feel this good, think about the rest of the day
ahead, feeling and imagining things going perfectly, goi ng
the way you want them to go. See what you'll see, hear
what you'll hear, and feel how good it feels. As you go
through the ritual of building this super state each day, it
has a powerful cumulative effect. You will soon begin to
experi ence life in a compl etel y different way. Instead of
manipulating the world to make you feel good, you can
begin each day feeling the way you want to feel.
108
A
I \ man was walking along a beach, reflecting on his life. He
had always wanted to make a difference, but no matter what he
tried, he wound up feeling as though he was spitting into the
wind.
Suddenly, the man heard a loud crunch, and looked down at
his feet. Right where he was standing, and for as far as the eye
could see in either direction, there were thousands upon thou-
sands of tiny starfish washed up onto the shore by the ocean waves
and tide.
The man continued walking, thinking to himself about the
apparent cruelty of the ocean. After all, those starfish hadn't done
anything wrong! Yet before the day was done, they would be dead,
washed up on the shore and left to die.
After a time, the man came across an old woman standing at
the ocean's edge, throwing starfish that had washed up on shore
back into the sea.
109
PAUL Mc KENNA
When he asked her what she was doing, she said she had
always wanted to make a difference, and she had decided that
today was a good day to begin.
The man looked from her to the thousands upon thousands of
starfish that lay dying along the coastline and said, "For every
starfish you throw back into the ocean, three more wash up onto
the shore! How can you possibly be making a difference?"
The woman looked thoughtful for a moment. Then she picked
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
smile the man had ever seen.
110
THE GOAL OF SETTING GOALS
I ' m s ur e y ou' v e h e a r d a b o u t t he i mpo r -
t a nc e of goal s be f or e , so at fi rst g l a nc e , The purpose of life is
s o me of wha t I ' m g o i n g t o s har e wi t h a ufe 0 f purpose.
y o u t oda y ma y s e e m f ami l i ar. Y o u ma y Robert Byrne
have e v e n set goal s i n t he pas t a n d g o t
al l e x c i t e d a b o u t a c hi e v i ng t he m, onl y
t o f i nd t hat y o u r mot i v a t i on wa n e d wh e n wha t y o u h a d
set i n mo t i o n di dn' t c o me t o pass. Or pe r ha ps y o u g o t
wha t y o u t h o u g h t y o u wa nt e d, onl y t o di s c ove r i t was n' t ,
a n d y o u we r e l ef t t o r ef l ect , "Is t hi s al l t he r e i s?"
Bu t d o n ' t b e f o o l e d o r t e mp 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 be di f f er ent . T h e c r uc i al di f f e r e nc e i s t hat t hi s
t i me we ' r e g o i n g t o p u t goal s i n t hei r p r o p e r p l a c e a s
ser vant s of a be t t e r l i f e.
To da y y o u ' r e g o i n g t o l e a r n a who l e n e w way of t hi nk-
i ng a b o u t wha t i t i s y o u wa nt i n l i f e. Goa l s ar e act ual l y t he
least i mp o r t a n t pa r t of t he t hr ee- s t ep pr oc e s s y o u wi l l
l e ar n. Us i n g t he a ma z i n g t e c hni q ue s i n t oday' s l es s on,
I ' m g o i n g t o h e l p y o u t ake c o nt r o l of y o u r l i f e a n d s t eer
i t i n t he di r e c t i on y o u want .
By t he t i me y o u ' r e f i ni s he d t oday, y ou' l l n o t onl y be
c l e a r e r t ha n ever a b o u t wha t i t i s t hat y o u want , y ou' l l
al so have b e g u n t o p r o g r a m y o u r goal s a n d d r e a ms
di r ect l y i nt o y o ur u nc o ns c i o u s mi nd . Thi s wi l l ma k e
t h e m eas i er t o a c hi e v e t ha n e ve r be f o r e !
Ill
PAUL Mc KENNA
THREE STEPS TO A WONDERFUL LIFE
T h e r e ar e essent i al l y onl y t hr e e t hi ngs y o u n e e d t o have
a wo n d e r f u l l i f e:
1. A c l ear di r e c t i on ( your d r e a m)
2. A wel l - al i gned c o mpa s s ( your val ues )
3. Mi l e s t one s y o u c a n vi si t a l o n g t he way t o y o ur ul ti -
ma t e de s t i na t i on ( your goal s )
Fo r o u r pur pos e s , we c a n t hi nk a b o u t i t l i ke t hi s:
things happen.
T. E. Lawrence What would you do if you knew
you couldn't fail?
All men dream, but
not all equally. Those
who dream by night,
in the dusty recesses
of their minds, wake
to find it was all
vanity. But the
dreamers of the day
are dangerous, for
they may act their
dreams with open
eyes, and make
When you pursue your goals guided
by your values in the context of
your dreams, miracles happen!
DREAMERS OF THE DAY
We al l ha v e d r e a ms d e e p l y f el t des i r es
f or a di f f er ent , be t t e r l i f e. Ta k e a
mo me n t n o w j us t t o f ant asi ze, t o l et
y o ur mi n d wa nd e r l i t e r a l l y t o day-
d r e a m.
Ans we r t he f ol l owi ng que s t i on:
112
113
I f y o u p a u s e d a n d c o ns i d e r e d t he que s t i on f or e v e n a
mo me n t , y o u' v e j us t d o n e wha t al l t rul y s ucces s f ul
p e o p l e t h r o u g h o u t hi s t or y ha v e d o n e u s e d a pur po s e -
f ul st at e of d a y d r e a mi n g t o acces s t he cr eat i ve r e a l m.
Ni k o l a Tesl a, t he i nv e nt or of a l t e r na t i ng c ur r e nt ( AC)
a n d h o l d e r of 1 1 1 o t he r U. S. pat e nt s , c o u l d de s i g n a
ma c h i n e pe r f e c t l y i n hi s mi n d a n d o pe r a t e i t me nt a l l y
f or year s be f o r e e ve r c r e a t i ng its c o unt e r pa r t i n t he phys-
i cal wor l d. Ei ns t ei n i ma g i n e d r i di ng t h r o u g h s pa c e on a
b e a m of l i ght t o de v e l o p hi s t he o r y of rel ati vi ty; Mo z a r t
h e a r d wh o l e s y mpho ni e s al r e ady c o mp l e t e d i n hi s cr e-
at i ve mi n d . Mi c h e l a n g e l o , Go e t h e , a n d Wa l t Di s ne y al l
e nt e r e d t he cr eat i ve d a y d r e a m or r ever i e dai l y as a
s our c e of i deas a n d i ns pi r at i on.
Wh a t al l t hes e i nnov at or s we r e d o i n g was a f o r m of
vi s ual i z at i on, sel f - hypnosi s, or, as it' s k n o wn i n t he c o r po -
r at e wor l d, s t r at egi c p l a nni ng , wh i c h I wi l l be s ha r i ng
wi t h y o u l at er i n t hi s c hapt er . Al l of us n e e d t o e n g a g e i n
t hi s cr eat i ve activity. I n f act , t he mo r e t i me y o u s p e n d i n
cr eat i ve d r e a mi n g , t he mo r e s ucces s f ul y o u wi l l b e c o me .
Wh y i s thi s st at e of cr eat i ve r ever i e s o i mpor t a nt ?
Because for anything to happen in the real
world it first has to happen in the imaginary
world.
St op r e a d i n g a n d l o o k a r o u n d y o u a l mo s t every-
t hi ng y o u c a n s ee st ar t ed as a t h o u g h t i n s o me o n e ' s
he a d. I n o r d e r f or y o u t o i mpr o v e y o u r l i f e, yoursel f , or
t he wor l d, y o u f i r s t n e e d t o al l ow y our s e l f t o d r e a m.
PAUL Mc KENNA
DI SCOVERI NG YOUR BIG DREAM
Vi k t o r Fr ankl , a f a mo u s ps yc hol ogi s t ,
Success, like w a s i mp r i s o ne d by t he Naz i s i n a c on-
happiness, cannot be c e nt r a t i on c a mp d u r i n g Wo r l d Wa r II.
pursued; i t must Ra t he r t ha n s ee hi ms e l f as a vi c t i m of
ensue . . . as the e v e n, s uc h e x c e pt i o na l c i r c ums t a nc e s ,
unattained side n e d e r i d e d i ns t e ad t o ma k e a pe r s o na l
effect of ones st udy of wha t we r e t he ps y c hol og i c a l
personal dedication di f f e r e nc e s b e t we e n t he o n e i n t went y-
to a couise greater e i ght pr i soner s wh o survi ved t he e x t r e me
than oneself de pr i v a t i on a n d t he vast maj or i t y wh o
Viktor Frankl ^ J ^ J n o j -
He o bs e r v e d t hat t hos e wh o ma d e i t
t h r o u g h we r e n o t neces s ar i l y t he f i ttest, heal t hi es t , or
mo s t i nt el l i gent , b u t r a t he r t hos e wh o h a d a p ur p o s e t o
l i ve f o r a d r e a m o f s uf f i ci ent si ze, s c o pe , a n d me a n i n g
t hat t hey h a d a b u r n i n g des i r e t o o v e r c o me any obs t ac l e.
Dr e a ms we r e wha t k e p t t h e m g o i ng .
Wh e n t he mi n d has a t ar get , i t c a n f oc us a n d di r e c t
i t sel f unt i l i t r e a c he s its goa l . I f y o u have no t ar get , t he n
y o ur e ne r g y i s di s s i pat ed. Yet wha t y o u a c hi e v e i n y o u r
pur s ui t of s ucces s i s of t e n no t as i mp o r t a nt as wh o y o u
b e c o me i n t he pr oc e s s . He r e ' s t he g r e a t s e c r e t of o u r
dr e a ms :
When you're working on a truly worthwhile
dream, the dream is also working on you.
114
I n t he 1960s U. S. pr e s i de nt J o h n F.
Ke n n e d y t al ke d of put t i ng a ma n on
t he mo o n . He t ol d Ame r i c a ns :
We c hoos e t o go t o t he mo o n i n this
de c a de a nd do t he ot he r t hi ngs, not
bec aus e t hey are easy, but bec aus e
t hey are h a r d b e c a u s e that goal
will serve t o or gani z e and meas ur e
t he best of our ener gi es and skills.
Bec aus e t hat c hal l enge i s o ne t hat
we are wi l l i ng t o accept , o ne we ar e
unwi l l i ng t o pos t pone, and o ne
whi c h we i nt end t o wi n.
Jus t as g o i n g t o c ol l e g e i sn' t a b o u t
g e t t i ng a pi e c e of paper , d r e a m s et t i ng
i s n o t j u s t a b o u t g e t t i ng wha t y o u
wa n t i t ' s a b o u t b e c o mi n g mo r e t ha n
y o u e ve r t h o u g h t y o u c o u l d be .
I do be l i e v e t hat ha v i ng goal s i s
essent i al , be c a us e t he y gi ve y o u a di r ec-
t i on i n l i f e. Yo u wo u l d n' t set o ut i n a
b o a t wi t ho ut a r u d d e r y o u c o u l d e n d
up a ny whe r e . We al l k n o w t hos e p e o p l e
wh o l e ave e v e r y t hi ng t o c ha nc e , g e t t i ng
t os s ed a r o u n d by l i f e' s r a n d o m event s .
I al so bel i eve t hat k n o wi n g wha t y o ur val ues ar e i s
e x c e l l e nt , be c a us e ha ppi ne s s c o me s f r o m l i vi ng y o u r
When asked about
the most positive
things that came
about as a result of
America's involve-
ment in the space
race, most scientists
agree that it was
neither the ad-
vances in engineer-
ing or rocket design
nor even the dis-
coveries about the
geological forma-
tions on the moon.
It was rather the
discovery of a cure
for smallpox, which
came about as a
result of research
into how to keep
the astronauts safe
from any diseases
they might en-
counter in space.
115
PAUL Mc KENNA
val ues ever y s i ngl e day, r e gar dl e s s of h o w cl os e or f ar
away y o u r goal s ma y s e e m t o be .
Bu t j us t a s Vi k t o r Fr a nkl f o u n d t hat p e o p l e c a n sur-
vi ve a l mos t a ny t hi ng i f t hey have a pur po s e , al l t he t rul y
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y h a d thi s a ddi t i ona l f ac t or i n
c o mmo n t h e y h a d a def i ni t e pur po s e , o r d r e a m. A n d
k n o wi n g h o w y o ur goal s a n d val ues r ef l ect t hat d r e a m i s
t he ke y t o b o t h s ucces s and f ul f i l l ment .
WHAT IF I DON' T KNOW
WHAT TO DREAM?
St udi es ha v e s ho wn t hat l ess t ha n 3 per -
A goal i s nothing cent of us wr i t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r to de s i g n o u r dest i ny, pr e-
with a deadline. f e r r i ng to s t umbl e t h r o u g h l i f e, l eave
JoeL. Griffith t hi ngs t o c ha nc e , a n d wo n d e r why we
f e e l s o ba d. I n f act , mo s t p e o p l e wi l l
s p e n d mo r e t i me ma k i n g a list f or t he s u p e r ma r k e t t ha n
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a list of t he r eal l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
wa nt i n l i f e. Ye t as J o h n Wo o d e n , t he mo s t successf ul bas-
ket bal l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e hi st ory, was f o n d of sayi ng, "If
y o u f ai l t o pl a n, pl a n t o f ai l . "
I n e s s e nc e , al l y o u n e e d t o do i s t o t hi nk of s o me t h i n g
y o u want , i ma g i ne wha t i t wo u l d be l i ke t o have it, c h e c k
t o s ee i f it' s oka y f or y o u t o ha v e it, t hi nk a b o u t h o w i t
mi g h t c o me a bo ut , t he n f oc us y o ur mi n d u p o n y o ur
d r e a m r egul ar l y.
116
117
Ba c k i n t he l at e 1980s I sat d o wn a n d as ke d mysel f , "If
I c o nt i nu e a l o n g t he pr e s e nt c our s e I ' m o n , wh e r e wi l l I
e n d up? Wh e r e wi l l I be fi ve year s f r o m no w? "
I was s h o c k e d t o r eal i ze t hat i f I c a r r i e d on wi t h my
day- t o- day habi t ual pat t er ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, fi ve
year s f r o m n o w I wo u l d n ' t real l y be any mo r e f ul f i l l ed
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanci al l y. I ' d j us t be fi ve
year s ol der , a l i ttl e bi t mo r e pa r a no i d, a n d still l i vi ng
f r o m da y t o day.
So I t o o k my s e l f t h r o u g h t he pr oc e s s I' l l be s ha r i ng
wi t h y o u t oday. I di d vi sual i zat i ons l i ke t he o ne s at t he
e n d of t hi s c hapt e r .
T h e resul t s we r e a s t oundi ng, a n d ar e o n e of t he rea-
sons y ou' r e r e a di ng thi s b o o k now. I i mme di a t e l y b e g a n t o
f eel bet t er. I s udde nl y f o u n d I h a d mo r e
ener ey. Oppor t uni t i e s f l o o de d i n, my
& / r r
' The talent i s i n the
f i nances t ook a si gni f i cant upt ur n, a n d I
choices.
b e c a me ver y wel l k no wn. I b e g a n t o
' Robert De Niro
at t ract t he k i nd o f p e o p l e a r o u n d me
t hat I al ways wa nt e d t o s p e nd t i me wi t h,
a n d do t he t hi ngs I ' d al ways d r e a me d of do i ng . No t onl y
wer e my dr e a ms c o mi n g t r ue, but I was f i nal l y l i vi ng a won-
der f ul l i fe.
Ba s e d o n t hat e x p e r i e n c e a n d ma n y mo r e s i nce t he n,
h e r e i s t he seven- st ep syst em I us e t o g ui de mys el f a n d
t ho us a nds of p e o p l e on my s e mi nar s a n d t r ai ni ngs t o l i ve
t he l i ves of o u r dr e a ms .
PAUL Mc KENNA
away y o ur goal s ma y s e e m t o be .
But j us t a s Vi k t o r Fr a nkl f o u n d t hat p e o p l e c a n sur-
vi ve a l mos t a ny t hi ng i f t hey ha v e a pur po s e , al l t he t rul y
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y ha d thi s a ddi t i ona l f ac t or i n
k n o wi n g h o w y o u r goal s a n d val ues r ef l ec t t hat d r e a m i s
t he key t o b o t h s ucces s and f ul f i l l ment .
WHAT TO DREAM?
A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s wr i t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
f eel s o ba d. I n f act , mo s t p e o p l e wi l l
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a l i st of t he r eal l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t he y
wa nt i n l i f e. Yet as J o h n Wo o d e n , t he mo s t successf ul bas-
ket bal l c o a c h i n c ol l e g e hi st ory, was f o nd of sayi ng, "I f
y o u fai l t o pl an, pl a n t o f ai l . "
116
Ba c k i n t he l at e 1980s I sat d o wn a n d a s ke d mysel f , "I f
I c o nt i nu e a l o n g t he pr e s e nt c our s e I ' m o n, wh e r e wi l l I
day- t o- day habi t ual pat t e r ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, fi ve
year s f r o m no w I wo u l d n ' t r eal l y be any mo r e f ul f i l l ed
year s ol der , a l i t de bi t mo r e pa r a no i d, a n d still l i vi ng
f r o m day t o day.
wi t h y o u t oday. I di d vi s ual i zat i ons l i ke t he o ne s at t he
e n d of t hi s c hapt er .
sons y o u' r e r e a di ng thi s b o o k now. I i mme di a t e l y b e g a n t o
at t ract t he ki nd o f p e o p l e a r o u n d me
t hat I al ways wa nt e d t o s pe nd t i me wi t h,
a nd do t he t hi ngs I ' d al ways d r e a me d of do i ng . No t onl y
we r e my dr e a ms c o mi n g t r ue, but I was f i nal l y l i vi ng a won-
der f ul l i f e.
Ba s e d o n t hat e x p e r i e n c e a n d ma n y mo r e s i nc e t he n,
h e r e i s t he seven- st ep syst em I us e t o g ui de my s e l f a n d
ener gy. Oppor t uni t i e s f l o o de d i n, my
f i nanc es t ook a si gni f i cant upt ur n, a n d I
choices.
The latent is in the
Robert lie Mm
117
PAUL Mc KENNA
val ues ever y s i ngl e day, r e gar dl e s s of h o w c l os e or f ar
Bu t j us t a s Vi k t or Fr a nkl f o u n d t hat p e o p l e c a n sur-
gr e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y h a d thi s a ddi t i ona l f ac t or i n
k n o wi n g h o w y o ur goal s a n d val ues r ef l ec t t hat d r e a m i s
t he ke y t o b o t h s ucces s and f ul f i l l ment .
WHAT TO DREAM?
St udi es have s ho wn t hat l ess t ha n 3 per -
A goal i s nothing c e nt of us wr i t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
t he y wi l l ma k i n g a l i st of t he r eal l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
y o u want , i ma g i ne wha t i t wo u l d be l i ke t o ha v e it, c h e c k
t o s ee i f i t' s oka y f or y o u t o have it, t hi nk a b o u t h o w i t
mi g h t c o me a bout , t h e n f oc us y o ur mi n d u p o n y o ur
116
Ba c k i n t he l at e 1980s I sat d o wn a n d a s ke d mysel f , "If
I was s h o c k e d t o r eal i ze t hat i f I c ar r i e d on wi t h my
day- t o- day habi t ual pat t e r ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, fi ve
So I t ook mys el f t h r o u g h t he pr oc e s s I' l l be s ha r i ng
f eel bet t er. I s udde nl y f o u n d I ha d mo r e
der f ul l i fe.
h e r e i s t he seven- st ep syst em I us e t o g ui de mys el f a n d
t ho us a nds of p e o p l e on my s e mi na r s a n d t r ai ni ngs t o l i ve
f i nances t ook a si gni f i cant upt ur n, a nd I
choices.
The talent is in the
Robert De Mm
117
PAUL Mc KENNA
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y h a d thi s a ddi t i ona l f ac t or i n
c o mmo n t h e y h a d a def i ni t e pur po s e , or d r e a m. A n d
WHAT TO DREAM?
A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s wr i t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
JoeL. Griffith t hi ngs t o c h a n c e , a n d wo n d e r why we
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a l i st of t he real l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t he y
wa nt i n l i f e. Yet as J o h n Wo o d e n , t he mo s t s ucces s f ul bas-
ket bal l c o a c h i n c ol l e g e hi st ory, was f o nd of sayi ng, "I f
y o u fai l t o pl a n, pl a n t o f ai l . "
mi g h t c o me a bo ut , t he n f oc us y o u r mi n d u p o n y o ur
116
I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t he pr e s e nt c our s e I ' m o n, wh e r e wi l l I
I was s h o c k e d t o r eal i z e t hat i f I c a r r i e d on wi t h my
day- t o- day ha bi t ua l pat t e r ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, fi ve
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanci al l y. I ' d j u s t be fi ve
at t ract t he ki nd of p e o p l e a r o u n d me
a n d do t he t hi ngs I ' d al ways d r e a me d of doi ng . No t onl y
we r e my dr e a ms c o mi n g t r ue, b ut I was f i nal l y l i vi ng a won-
der f ul l i fe.
h e r e i s t he seven- st ep syst em I us e t o g u i d e mys el f a n d
choices.
Robert DeNiro
117
PAUL Mc KENNA
val ues ever y s i ngl e day, r egar dl es s of h o w cl os e or f ar
Bu t j us t a s Vi k t o r Fr ankl f o u n d t hat p e o p l e c a n sur-
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y h a d t hi s a ddi t i ona l f a c t or i n
k n o wi n g h o w y o u r g oa l s a n d val ues r ef l ect t hat d r e a m i s
WHAT TO DREAM?
A goal i s nothing cent of us wr i t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
more than a dream don\ b o t h e r to de s i g n o u r dest i ny, pr e-
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a list of t he real l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
ket bal l c o a c h i n c ol l e g e hi st ory, was f o nd of sayi ng, "If
y o u fai l t o pl an, pl a n t o f ai l . "
116
day- t o- day ha bi t ua l pat t e r ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, fi ve
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanci al l y. I ' d j u s t be f i ve
a n d do t he t hi ngs I ' d al ways d r e a me d of doi ng . No t onl y
der f ul l i fe.
t ho us a nds o f p e o p l e o n my s e mi nar s a n d t r ai ni ngs t o l i ve
choices.
Robert De Mm
117
PAUL Mc KENNA
val ues ever y s i ngl e day, r egar dl es s of h o w c l os e or f ar
vi ve a l mos t a ny t hi ng i f t he y have a pur po s e , al l t he t rul y
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y h a d t hi s a ddi t i ona l f ac t or i n
c o mmo n t h e y h a d a def i ni t e p u r p o s e , o r d r e a m. A n d
WHAT TO DREAM?
A goal is nothing c e n t Q f u s w r j t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
s p e nd mo r e t i me ma k i n g a list f or t he s u p e r ma r k e t t han
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a list of t he r eal l y i mpo r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
wa nt i n l i f e. Ye t as J o h n Wo o d e n , t he mo s t s ucces s f ul bas-
t o s ee i f i t' s okay f or y o u t o ha v e it, t hi nk a b o u t h o w i t
116
I c o nt i nu e a l o n g t he pr e s e nt c o ur s e I ' m o n, wh e r e wi l l I
day- t o- day ha bi t ua l pat t er ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, f i v e
year s f r o m n o w I wo u l d n ' t r eal l y be any mo r e f ul f i l l ed
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanc i al l y. I ' d j us t be fi ve
year s ol der , a l i tti e bi t mo r e pa r a no i d, a n d still l i vi ng
So I t o o k mys el f t h r o u g h t he pr oc e s s I' l l be s ha r i ng
T h e resul t s we r e as t oundi ng, a n d ar e o n e of t he rea-
der f ul l i fe.
h e r e i s t he s even- s t ep syst em I us e t o g u i d e mys el f a n d
choices.
Robert De Niro
117
PAUL Mc KENNA
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y ha d thi s a ddi t i ona l f ac t or i n
WHAT TO DREAM?
A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e d o wn o u r goal s . We
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a l i st of t he real l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
wa nt i n l i f e. Yet as J o h n Wo o d e n , t he mo s t successf ul bas-
ket bal l c o a c h i n c ol l e g e hi st ory, was f o n d of sayi ng, "I f
t o s ee i f i t' s oka y f or y o u t o ha v e it, t hi nk a b o u t h o w i t
116
117
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanci al l y. I ' d j u s t be fi ve
6 7 r r ;
7 he talent i s i n the
f i nances t ook a si gni f i cant upt ur n, a n d I .
choices.
' Robert De Niro
de r f ul l i fe.
t hous a nds of p e o p l e on my s e mi nar s a n d t r ai ni ngs t o l i ve
PAUL Mc KENNA
val ues ever y s i ngl e day, r egar dl es s of h o w c l os e or f ar
vi ve al mos t a ny t hi ng i f t he y have a pur po s e , al l t he t rul y
c o mmo n t h e y h a d a def i ni t e p u r p o s e , o r d r e a m. A n d
WHAT TO DREAM?
s p e nd mo r e t i me ma k i n g a list f or t he s u p e r ma r k e t t ha n
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a list of t he r eal l y i mpo r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
wa nt i n l i f e. Ye t as J o h n Wo o d e n , t he mo s t s ucces s f ul bas-
t o s ee i f i t' s okay f or y o u t o ha v e it, t hi nk a b o u t h o w i t
116
I c o nt i nu e a l o n g t he pr e s e nt c o ur s e I ' m o n, wh e r e wi l l I
e n d up? Wh e r e wi l l I be f i ve year s f r o m no w? "
day- t o- day ha bi t ua l pat t er ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, f i v e
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanc i al l y. I ' d j u s t be f i ve
wi t h y o u t oday. I di d vi s ual i zat i ons l i ke t he o ne s at t he
T h e resul t s we r e as t oundi ng, a n d ar e o n e of t he rea-
der f ul l i fe.
choices.
The latent is in the
Robert De Niro
117
PAUL Mc KENNA
g r e a t ac hi ever s i n hi s t or y ha d thi s a ddi t i ona l f a c t or i n
WHAT TO DREAM?
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a l i st of t he real l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
ket bal l c o a c h i n c ol l e g e hi st ory, was f o n d of sayi ng, "I f
116
I c o nt i nu e a l o n g t he pr e s e nt c our s e I ' m o n , wh e r e wi l l I
de r f ul l i fe.
ener gy. Oppor t uni t i e s f l oode d i n, my
f i nanc es t ook a si gni f i cant upt ur n, a n d I
choices.
Robert DeNiro
117
PAUL MCKENNA
val ues ever y s i ngl e day, r e gar dl e s s of h o w c l os e or f ar
Bu t j us t a s Vi k t o r Fr ankl f o u n d t hat p e o p l e c a n sur-
WHAT TO DREAM?
St udi e s ha v e s ho wn t hat l ess t ha n 3 per -
t hey wi l l ma k i n g a l i st of t he r eal l y i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hey
ket bal l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e hi st ory, was f o n d of sayi ng, "I f
t o s ee i f i t' s okay f o r y o u t o ha v e it, t hi nk a b o u t h o w i t
116
117
Ba c k i n t he l at e 1980s I sat d o wn a n d a s ke d mysel f , "I f
e n d up? Wh e r e wi l l I be f i v e year s f r o m no w? "
day-t o-day ha bi t ua l pat t er ns of t hi nk i ng a n d ac t i ng, f i v e
spi ri t ual l y, emot i onal l y, or f i nanc i al l y. I ' d j us t be fi ve
years ol der , a l i ttl e bi t mo r e pa r a no i d, a n d still l i vi ng
ener gy. Oppor t uni t i e s f l o o de d i n, my . .
Ihe talent is in the
fi nances t ook a si gni f i cant upt ur n, a n d I .
choices.
' Robert he Niro
a nd do t he t hi ngs I ' d al ways d r e a me d of do i ng . No t onl y
der f ul l i f e.
h e r e i s t he seven- st ep syst em I us e t o g u i d e my s e l f a n d
t ho us a nds of p e o p l e on my s e mi na r s a n d t r ai ni ngs t o l i ve
PAUL MCKENNA
THE DREAM- SETTI NG SYSTEM
Wh a t ma k e s t he dr e am- s e t t i ng syst em di f f e r e nt f r o m tra-
di t i onal g oa l s et t i ng i s t hat we b e g i n a n d e n d wi t h every-
one ' s ul t i mat e g o a l l i v i n g a wo n d e r f u l l i f e.
I n o r d e r t o do t hi s, i t wi l l f i r s t be ne c e s s ar y t o i de n-
tify y o ur c o r e v a l u e s t h o s e t hi ngs t hat ma k e y o ur l i f e
wo r t h l i vi ng. T h e s e wi l l ac t as a c o mpa s s f or y o u r j o u r -
ney. O n c e y o u ar e c l e ar on y o ur val ues , we wi l l i de n-
tify y o ur b i g d r e a mt h e t hi ng t hat gi ves y o u a c l ear
s ens e o f di r e c t i on a n d p ur p o s e . Fi nal l y, wh e n y o u r c o m-
pass i s a l i g ne d a n d y o ur di r e c t i on i s cl ear, we wi l l f oc us
o n mo r e t r adi t i onal g o a l s t h e mi l e ma r ke r s o n t he
r o a d t o y o ur d r e a ms a n d t he b ui l di ng bl oc ks o f y o ur
wo n d e r f u l l i f e.
Thi s s e c t i on of Change Your Life in
Seven Days ma y we l l be t he mo s t i mpo r -
Things which matter t ant of al l , so t ake y o ur t i me wi t h it.
most must never be Gr a b a p e n a n d s o me p a p e r a n d t ake
at the mercy of things t he t i me to ans we r t he que s t i ons in as
which matter least. mu c h det ai l as pos s i bl e. Do n ' t wor r y
Goethe a b o u t g e t t i ng i t r i g h t l i f e wi l l r e wa r d
ever y s i nc e r e ef f or t t o ma k e i t bet t er !
Step 1: The Most Important Things in the World
Wh a t wo u l d y o u do i f t he wo r l d was g o i n g t o e n d o n e
we e k f r o m t oday?
118
Yo ur ans we r t o t hat que s t i on i s t he key t o i dent i f yi ng
y o ur v a l u e s t h o s e t hi ngs t hat ma t t e r mo s t i n y o ur l i f e. I
have wo r k e d wi t h a n u mb e r of p e o p l e wh o we r e a t t he
e n d of t hei r l i ves. I a s ke d s o me of t h e m wha t t he y wi s he d
t he y ' d d o n e mo r e of a n d l ess of. No n e of t h e m sai d, " I
wi s h I h a d a n o t h e r Me r c e d e s . "
T h e y sai d t hi ngs l i ke, " I wi s h I ' d l a u g h e d mo r e a n d
l ov e d mo r e , " or " I wi sh I ha d s pe nt l ess t i me wor r y i ng . "
I was s h o c k e d r e c e nt l y t o he a r o n e mot i v at i onal
s pe a k e r e x h o r t hi s a u d i e n c e t o de v ot e t went y- f our ho ur s
a da y t o t he pur s ui t of t hei r f i nanc i al goal s . "I f y o ur f am-
i l y do e s n' t unde r s t a nd, " he we n t o n, " ge t a ne w f ami l y. "
As hi s f our t h wi f e s mi l e d a n d n o d d e d a t t he b a c k of t he
r o o m, I t ho ug ht , " Wha t g o o d i s a s ucces s f ul c a r e e r i f it' s
a t t he c os t of y o ur ma r r i a g e a n d y o u har dl y e ve r s ee y o ur
c hi l dr e n? "
T h e o p p o r t u n i d e s t o l i ve a b unda nt i y ar e al l a r o u n d
us, b u t j us t a c qui r i ng t he s ymbol s of s ucces s wi l l n o t
ma k e us any happi e r . Wh e n y o u l e a r n t o f oc us o n y o ur
val ues a n d y o ur l i f e' s p u r p o s e i ns t e ad of j us t y o u r goal s ,
y o u wi l l aut omat i c al l y b e g i n t o t ake t he b i g pi c t ur e of
y o ur l i f e i nt o a c c o unt .
No w ma k e a list of t he mo s t i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs t hat
e me r g e d f r o m a ns we r i ng t hes e que s t i ons . Be s ur e t o
l o o k b e y o n d any ma t e r i a l t hi ngs on y o u r list t o t he states
o f b e i n g t hat l i e b e h i n d t he m.
Fo r e x a mp l e , I r e me mb e r i n o n e of my s e mi na r s a
ma n di d thi s e x e r c i s e a n d di s c ov e r e d t hat t he mo s t
i mp o r t a nt t hi ng i n hi s wo r l d was mone y . Wh e n I a s ke d
119
PAUL Mc KENNA
In his book The Power of Full Engagement, corpo-
rate coach Dr. James Loehr offers the following
questions to help you get in touch with your core
val uesthe most important things in your world:
1. Jump ahead to the end of your life. What are the
three most important lessons you have learned,
and why are they so critical?
2. Think of someone you deepl y respect. Describe
three qualities in this person that you most
admire.
3. Who are you at your best?
4. What one-sentence inscription would you like to
see on your tombstone that would capture who
you really were in life?
120
h i m wh a t ha v i ng mo n e y wo u l d gi ve hi m, he t o o k s o me
t i me t o i ma g i ne hi ms e l f ha v i ng l ot s a n d l ot s of t he stuff.
Wh e n he o p e n e d hi s eyes , he sai d, " Ha v i ng mo n e y wi l l
gi ve me a f e e l i ng of securi t y, a n d i f I have mone y , p e o p l e
wi l l r e s pe c t me . " Wh a t was real l y i mp o r t a nt t o h i m we r e
s ecur i t y a n d r e s p e c t t h o s e we r e t he st at es o f b e i n g he
was p u r s u i ng mo n e y t o t ry t o e x p e r i e nc e .
Ba s e d o n y o ur l ist, c h o o s e y o ur t op f i v e v a l u e s t h e
t hi ngs o n y o ur list y o u abs ol ut el y c a n n o t i ma g i ne g o i n g
wi t hout . T h e s e f i v e t hi ngs ar e t he ver y e s s e nc e of wha t
wi l l gi ve y o u r l i f e me a n i n g t h e mo s t i mp o r t a nt t hi ngs
i n y o u r wor l d.
If you do nothing else but live
these values every single day,
you cannot imagine how fulfill-
ing your life will become!
Step 2: Brainstorm!
Wh e n i t c o me s t o y o ur s ucces s , y o u
n e e d t o b e c o me unr e a s o na b l e . Y o u
n e e d t o have d r e a ms t hat ar e b e y o n d
wha t y o u a n d e v e r y body a r o u n d y o u
t hi nks of as pos s i bl e. As Ge o r g e
Be r n a r d Sha w sai d, " T h e r e a s ona bl e
ma n adapt s hi ms e l f t o t he wor l d; t he
unr e a s o na b l e o n e persi st s i n t r yi ng
According to Paul
Asters book It' s N o t
Ho w G o o d Y o u Ar e ,
It' s Ho w Go o d Y o u
Wa n t t o Be , former
Spice Girl Victoria
Beckham's dream was
not to be better than
her bandmates or
even to be a famous
singer but to become
a world brand. In
her own words, she
described her dream
by saying: "I want
to be as famous as
Persil Automatic."
121
PAUL McKENNA
t o a da pt t he wor l d t o hi msel f . Ther ef or e, all pr ogr es s
d e p e n d s o n t he unr e as onabl e man. "
Wi t h y o ur val ues fi rml y i n mi nd, make a list of every-
t hi ng (yes, ever yt hi ng) y ou want now, have want ed i n t he
past , or c a n c onc ei ve of want i ng i n the f ut ure. Just ge t
ever yt hi ng out of your he ad a nd d o wn
on paper. It i s not necessary t o have any
i nt ent i on of actual l y get t i ng any of t hese
t hi ngs, nor i s i t necessary t hat y o u
bel i eve get t i ng any of t he i t ems on y our
list i s possi bl e. No mat t er ho w wei r d or
i mpossi bl e i t may seem, all y o u n e e d t o
do i s wri t e i t down!
Ta k e at l east five mi nut e s t o do this now be f or e mov-
i n g on t o s t ep 3.
You want what you
want, whether or not
you think you can
get it.
Robert Fritz
Step 3: The Big Dream
Don't ask what the
world needsask
what makes you
come alive and then
go and do that.
Because what the
world needs is people
who have come alive.
Howard Martin
On l y y o u k no w what y o u t rul y wa nt o u t
of l i f e wh a t make s y our he a r t si ng.
Wh e n y o u ar e ans wer i ng t he ques t i ons
bel ow, i t' s ver y i mpor t a nt t hat y o u d o n' t
s t op t o c ons i de r whe t he r s o me t hi ng i s
pos s i bl e or not . Just l et t he answer s
fl ow. . . .
Wh a t do y o u l ove t o do s o mu c h t hat
y o u ' d pa y t o do it?
Wh a t do y o u f eel real l y pas s i onat e
a bout ?
122
123
Wh a t wo u l d y o u c ho o s e t o do i f y o u h a d unl i mi t e d
r es our c es ?
Wh o ar e t he p e o p l e or c ha r a c t e r s f r o m hi s t or y y o u
mo s t a dmi r e , a n d why?
An s we r i n g t hes e que s t i ons wi l l h e l p y o u t o g e t a n
over al l i de a of wh a t y o u r l i f e' s p u r p o s e i s. I t r e mo v e s t he
l i mi t at i ons o f y o u r pr e s e nt mi nd- s e t a n d l et s y o u b e c o me
out r a g e ous l y cr eat i ve.
I f y o u f eel y o u wa nt a ddi t i ona l cl ari ty, ask y our s e l f t he
f ol l owi ng que s t i ons :
Wh a t di d y o u wa nt t o do as a c hi l d?
Wh a t di d y o u wa nt t o be wh e n y o u g r e w up?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u do i f y o u we r e g ua r a nt e e d success?
Wr i t e d o wn wha t e v e r c o me s t o mi n d . Yo u ' r e n o t c o m-
mi t t i ng t o a ny t hi ng he r e , a n d y o u c a n o r g a ni z e y o u r
t ho ug ht s l at er. Yo u d o n ' t n e e d t o be t oo s peci f i c at first,
a n d y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o f i gur e o u t h o w i t' s g o i n g t o ha p-
pe n- j us t l et t he cr eat i ve pr oc e s s c o nt i nue .
Now, t hi nk a b o u t al l t he ma j o r ar eas o f y o u r l i f e
f ami l y, r el at i ons hi ps , c ar eer , he a l t h, c o mmuni t y , a n d
spi r i t ual d e v e l o p me nt .
Wh a t wo u l d y o u real l y l ove t o h a p p e n ?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u real l y l i ke t o l ear n?
Wh a t ski l l s do y o u wa nt t o mas t er ?
Ho w mu c h mo n e y do y o u wa nt t o e ar n?
Wh a t c ha r a c t e r trai ts do y o u wa nt t o de v e l o p?
Wh a t do y o u wa nt t o gi ve b a c k t o t he wor l d?
PAUL Mc KENNA
t o a da pt t he wo r l d t o hi ms el f . Th e r e f o r e , al l pr og r e s s
d e p e n d s o n t he u nr e a s o na b l e ma n . "
Wi t h y our val ues f i rml y i n mi nd, ma k e a list of every-
t hi ng (yes, ever yt hi ng) y o u wa nt now, have wa nt e d i n t he
past , or c a n c onc e i v e of wa nt i ng i n t he f ut ur e. Just g e t
e ve r yt hi ng o ut o f y o ur he a d a n d d o wn
on paper . I t i s no t necessar y t o have any
i nt e nt i on of act ual l y ge t t i ng any of t hese
t hi ngs, no r i s i t neces s ar y t hat y o u
bel i eve get t i ng any of t he i t ems on y o ur
list i s possi bl e. No ma t t e r h o w we i r d or
i mpos s i bl e i t may s e e m, al l y o u n e e d t o
do i s wri t e i t do wn!
Ta k e at l east fi ve mi nut e s t o do t hi s n o w be f or e mov-
i ng on t o s t ep 3.
You want what you
want, whether or not
you think you can
get it.
Robert Fritz
Step 3: The Big Dream
Don't ask what the
world needsask
what makes you
come alive and then
go and do that.
Because what the
world needs is people
who have come alive.
Howard Martin
On l y y o u k n o w wha t y o u t rul y wa nt o u t
o f l i f e wh a t ma k e s y o ur he a r t si ng.
Wh e n y o u ar e a ns we r i ng t he que s t i ons
bel ow, it' s ver y i mp o r t a nt t hat y o u d o n ' t
s t op t o c o ns i de r wh e t h e r s o me t h i n g i s
pos s i bl e or not . Jus t l et t he ans wer s
fl ow. . . .
Wh a t do y o u l ove t o do s o mu c h t hat
y o u ' d pa y t o do it?
Wh a t do y o u f eel real l y pas s i onat e
a bout ?
122
123
Wh a t wo u l d y o u c ho o s e t o do i f y o u h a d unl i mi t e d
r es our c es ?
Wh o ar e t he p e o p l e or c ha r a c t e r s f r o m hi s t or y y o u
mo s t a dmi r e , a n d why?
An s we r i n g t hes e que s t i ons wi l l he l p y o u t o g e t a n
over al l i de a of wha t y o u r l i f e' s p u r p o s e is. I t r e mo v e s t he
l i mi t at i ons o f y o u r pr e s e nt mi nd- s e t a n d l ets y o u b e c o me
out r a g e ous l y cr eat i ve.
I f y o u f eel y o u wa nt a ddi t i ona l cl ari ty, ask y our s e l f t he
f ol l owi ng que s t i ons :
Wh a t di d y o u wa nt t o do as a c hi l d?
Wh a t di d y o u wa nt t o be wh e n y o u g r e w up?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u do i f y o u we r e g ua r a nt e e d success?
Wr i t e d o wn wha t e v e r c o me s t o mi n d . Y o u ' r e n o t c o m-
mi t t i ng t o a ny t hi ng he r e , a n d y o u c a n o r g a ni z e y o ur
t ho ug ht s l at er. Y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o be t o o speci f i c a t f i r s t ,
a n d y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o f i gur e o ut h o w i t' s g o i n g t o ha p-
p e n j u s t l et t he cr eat i ve pr oc e s s c o nt i nue .
Now, t hi nk a b o u t al l t he ma j or ar eas of y o u r l i f e
f ami l y, r el at i ons hi ps , car eer , he a l t h, c o mmuni t y , a n d
spi r i t ual d e v e l o p me nt .
Wh a t wo u l d y o u r eal l y l ove t o h a p p e n ?
Wh a t wo u l d y o u real l y l i ke t o l ear n?
Wh a t ski l l s do y o u wa nt t o mas t er ?
Ho w mu c h mo n e y do y o u wa nt t o ear n?
Wh a t c ha r a c t e r trai ts do y o u wa nt t o de v e l op?
Wh a t do y o u wa nt t o gi ve b a c k t o t he wor l d?
PAUL MCKENNA
I n a f e w mo me n t s , I ' m g o i n g t o ask y o u t o b e g i n t o
f o r mul a t e y o u r b i g d r e a m. As y o u d o , ma k e s ur e t hat
y o ur d r e a m i s f o c u s e d o n wha t y o u do want , n o t o n wha t
y o u don' t .
O n e t hi ng t ha t al l of t he u n h a p p y p e o p l e I have ever
wo r k e d wi t h ha v e i n c o mmo n i s t hat t he y k n o w wha t t hey
don't wa nt a n d t he y f oc us on i t t o t he p o i nt of obs es s i on.
Wh a t t hey ha v e n' t yet r e al i z e d i s t hat y o u al ways g e t mo r e
o f wha t y o u f oc us o n .
Fo r e x a mp l e , s o me p e o p l e s p e n d al l t he i r t i me t hi nk-
i ng of ways t o n o t be fat. Of c our s e , t he p r o b l e m i s t hat i n
o r d e r t o n o t be a ny t hi ng y o u fi rst have t o t hi nk a b o u t
b e i n g it. So c ons t ant l y as ki ng que s t i ons l i ke " Why am I s o
f at ?" a n d " Ho w c a n I n o t be f at a ny mo r e ? " i s l i ke c ont i n-
ual l y r e i nf o r c i ng y o u r mi n d wi t h i nt e r nal r e pr e s e nt a -
t i ons of y our s e l f as a f at pe r s on.
By c o mp a r i s o n, a que s t i o n l i ke " Ho w am I g o i n g t o
b e c o me f i t , heal t hy, a n d s t r ong? " f oc us e s y o u r a t t e nt i on
o n wha t y o u want .
Wh e n y o u f oc us o n wha t y o u d o wa nt a s o p p o s e d t o
wh a t y o u do n' t , y o u ar e ma k i n g s ens or y- r i ch e x p e r i e nc e s
of wha t y o u wi l l s ee, hear , f eel , t ast e, a n d s me l l wh e n y o u
g e t wha t y o u want . By r e gul ar l y c o nc e nt r a t i ng o n wha t
y o u do want , y o u wi l l c o nd i t i o n y o u r mi n d t o at t r act mo r e
o f i t t o y ou.
Ta ke a t l east f i v e mi nut e s t o do s o me t h i n g c o mpl e t e l y
unr e l a t e d t o t hi s e xe r c i s e , t he n c o me b a c k a n d wr i t e a
f i r s t dr af t o f y o u r bi g d r e a m. Y o u c a n us e t he f o l l o wi ng
f o r m as a g ui de .
124
My Big Dream
The most important things in the world to me are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I could be, do, and have anything in the world, I
would . . .
125
PAUL Mc KENNA
I n a f ew mo me n t s , I ' m g o i n g t o ask y o u t o b e g i n t o
f o r mul a t e y o u r bi g d r e a m. As y o u d o , ma k e s ur e t hat
y o ur d r e a m i s f o c us e d o n wha t y o u do want , n o t o n wha t
y o u don' t .
O n e t hi ng t hat al l of t he u n h a p p y p e o p l e I have e ve r
wo r k e d wi t h have i n c o mmo n i s t hat t hey k n o w wha t t hey
don't wa nt a n d t hey f oc us on i t t o t he p o i nt of obs es s i on.
Wh a t t hey ha v e n' t yet r e a l i z e d i s t hat y o u al ways g e t mo r e
o f wha t y o u f oc us o n .
Fo r e x a mp l e , s o me p e o p l e s p e n d al l t hei r t i me t hi nk-
i ng of ways t o no t be f at. Of c our s e , t he p r o b l e m i s t hat i n
o r d e r t o no t be a ny t hi ng y o u first have t o t hi nk a b o u t
b e i n g it. So c ons t ant l y as ki ng que s t i ons l i ke " Why am I so
f at ?" a n d " Ho w c a n I n o t be f at a ny mo r e ? " i s l i ke c ont i n-
ual l y r e i nf or c i ng y o ur mi n d wi t h i nt e r na l r e pr e s e nt a-
t i ons of y our s e l f as a f at pe r s o n.
By c o mp a r i s o n, a que s t i on l i ke " Ho w am I g o i n g t o
b e c o me fit, heal t hy, a n d s t r ong? " f oc us es y o u r a t t e nt i on
o n wha t y o u want .
Wh e n y o u f oc us o n wha t y o u do wa nt a s o p p o s e d t o
wha t y o u don' t , y o u ar e ma k i n g s ens or y- r i ch e x p e r i e nc e s
of wha t y o u wi l l s ee, hear , f eel , taste, a n d s mel l wh e n y o u
g e t wha t y o u want . By r e gul ar l y c o nc e nt r a t i ng o n wha t
y o u dowant , y o u wi l l c o ndi t i o n y o ur mi n d t o at t r act mo r e
o f it t o y o u.
Ta k e at l east fi ve mi nut e s t o do s o me t h i n g c o mpl e t e l y
unr e l a t e d t o thi s e xe r c i s e , t he n c o me ba c k a n d wri t e a
fi rst draf t of y o ur bi g d r e a m. Yo u c a n us e t he f ol l owi ng
f o r m as a g ui de .
124
My Big Dream
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I could be, do, and have anything in the world, I
would . . .
125
PAUL Mc KENNA
Step 4: Measuring Success
I n t he 1930s, a f a mo u s s t udy was d o n e of t he f act or s t hat
c o nt r i b ut e d t o ef f i ci ency i n t he wo r k pl a c e . A t e a m of
soci al sci ent i st s we nt i nt o f ac t or i es t o assess, a mo n g o t he r
t hi ngs , t he ef f ect of i nc r e a s e d l i g ht i ng on ef f i ci ency i n
as s embl y l i nes. As was t he t ypi cal p r o c e d u r e of t he day,
t hr e e g r o ups we r e obs e r v e d.
T h e fi rst g r o u p was gi ven i nc r e a s e d l i ght i ng as t hey
we nt a b o ut t hei r r epet i t i ve as s embl y tasks; t he s e c o n d was
gi ven de c r e a s e d l i ght i ng; t he t hi r d, or c ont r ol , g r o u p was
s i mpl y obs e r v e d g o i n g a b o ut t hei r wo r k i n t he us ual ma n-
ner. Wh a t h a p p e n e d ne x t c o n f o u n d e d t he obs er ver s .
As e x p e c t e d, t he g r o u p wi t h i nc r e a s e d l i g ht i ng e x pe -
r i e nc e d a me as ur abl e i nc r eas e i n ef f i ci ency a n d wel l - bei ng
on t he j o b . Howe v e r , t he i nc r e as e i n ef f i ci ency a n d wel l -
b e i n g was a l mos t i dent i c al l y ma t c h e d i n b o t h o f t he
o t h e r g r o u p s b e i n g obs e r v e d.
Af t er f ur t he r e x pe r i me nt a t i on, t he c onc l us i on r e a c he d
by t he r e s e a r c h t e a m was t hat t he s i ngl e mo s t i mp o r t a nt
f ac t or i n posi t i vel y af f ec t i ng t he ef f i ci ency a n d we l l - be i ng
of e mp l o y e e s was t he f e e l i ng t hat at t e nt i on was b e i n g
pa i d t o t hei r ef f ort s.
He r e ' s h o w my f r i e nd l i f e c o a c h Mi c h a e l Ne i l l put s it:
On e of t he si mpl est keys t o stayi ng mot i vat ed over
t i me i s to gi ve yoursel f every oppor t uni t y to experi -
enc e an ong oi ng sense of progress i n t he pursui t of
your goal s. Inst ead of wai t i ng unt i l you have ei t her
achi eved your goal or f ai l ed, cont i nual l y l ook and lis-
126
t en f or any si gn of progress t oward
your goal ; whe n y ou f i nd one, gr ab
on t o i t wi th all your heart . Sei ze on
any evi dence you can f i nd that you
are movi ng i n t he ri ght di rect i on
and del i ght i n it. Ho l d i t l arge i n
your mi nd. Bask i n its glow. Thr o w i t
ont o your be d and rol l ar ound
na ke d i n it! Mor e t han anyt hi ng el se,
i t i s this ong oi ng sense of progress
t hat will ke e p you movi ng i n t he
di rect i on of your dr eams week by we e k
by mome nt .
I never ran 1,000
miles. I could never
have done that. I
ran one mile 1,000
times.
Stu Mittleman,
world record
holder for ultra-
distance running
and mo me n t
As k your sel f :
Wh a t wi l l y o u s ee as y o u a c hi e v e y o u r d r e a m?
Wh a t wi l l y o u hear ?
Wh a t wi l l y o u f eel , s mel l , a n d taste?
Y o u r ans wer s t o t hes e que s t i ons wi l l gi ve y o u a way of
k n o wi n g i f y o u ar e g e t t i ng ne a r e r t o o r f ur t he r f r o m y o u r
dr e a ms , a n d wi l l k e e p y o u mo t i v a t e d a s y o u b e g i n l i vi ng
t he l i f e of y o ur dr e a ms .
Step 5: Overcoming Obstacles
S o me t i me s we c a n g e t s o c a u g h t up i n o u r e x c i t e me n t
ov e r p u r s u i n g a d r e a m t hat we o v e r l o o k i mp o r t a nt f ac-
t ors t hat mi g h t i nt e r f e r e wi t h o u r g e t t i ng wha t we want .
127
PAUL Mc KENNA
As y o u pr oj e c t y our s e l f i nt o t he f ut ur e , ask y our s e l f t he
f ol l owi ng que s t i ons t o e ns ur e t hat l i vi ng y o ur d r e a m wi l l
b e g o o d f or y o u a n d do e s n' t h a r m ot he r s :
Wh e n I t hi nk a b o u t t hi s d r e a m, do e s i t s e e m c l ear
or f uzzy?
Do I f eel f r e e i n my f eel i ngs or r es t r i ct ed?
Is thi s s o me t h i ng I am mo v i ng t owar d or away f r om?
I s thi s my d r e a m or s o me o t h e r pe r s on' s d r e a m
f or me ?
Wh a t h i d d e n r ewar ds mi g h t t he r e be t o n o t l i vi ng
thi s dr e a m?
I f y o ur ans wer s t o any of t hes e que s t i ons rai se do ubt s
i n y o ur mi n d , c ong r a t ul a t e your sel f ! Yo u' v e s aved your -
sel f mo n t h s a n d pos s i bl y e v e n year s of s t r uggl e by i dent i -
f yi ng pot e nt i a l p r o b l e ms be f o r e t hey st ri ke.
Step 6: Setting Goals on Your Success Timeline
S o me t h i n g a ma z i n g h a p p e n s wh e n y o u ha v e a t i me l i ne
of event s t hat n e e d t o t ake pl ac e i n s e q u e n c e t o l e a d t o
y o ur d r e a my o u k n o w wh e n y o u ar e o n t rack.
Ho w l o n g do y o u t hi nk i t wi l l t ake f or y o u t o be f ul l y
l i vi ng y o ur dr e a m? O n e year ? Si x years? A l i f et i me?
Wo r k i n g b a c k f r o m y o ur d r e a m dat e , f i gur e o u t t he
ma j or st eps t hat wi l l n e e d t o t ake pl a c e a l o n g t he way a n d
wr i t e t h e m d o wn. T h e s e ar e y o u r g o a l s t h e mi l e s t one s
a l o n g t he r o a d t o t he l i f e of y o u r dr e a ms .
Ma k e a list of at l east s even goal s a n d a t i me l i ne t hat
wi l l l et y o u k n o w y o u ar e on t he way t o l i vi ng y o ur d r e a m.
128
I f y o u l i ke, vi vi dl y l i ve e a c h g o a l i n y o u r i ma g i na t i o n, see-
i ng wha t y ou' l l s ee, h e a r i ng wha t y ou' l l hear , a n d f e e l i ng
h o w g o o d y ou' l l f eel a s y o u a c hi e v e e a c h s t ep. Mo s t
i mpo r t a nt , g e t a cl ear, bi g, br i g ht i ma g e of e a c h g oa l as i f
i t i s al r e ady h a p p e n i n g now.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Step 7: Activate Your Resources
No w i s t he t i me t o b e g i n t o e x p l o r e wha t it' s g o i n g t o
t ake t o l i ve y o u r d r e a m. Ag a i n a n d agai n, I s ee p e o p l e
r e l y i ng on t he s a me o n e or t wo r e s our c e s t o bai l t h e m
o u t o f t r oubl e o r p r o p e l t h e m f or wa r d t owar d t hei r goal s
a n d dr e a ms . Wh e t h e r i t' s t hei r c h a r m, t hei r t rust f und,
or t hei r f r i ends , t hey ha v e b e c o me s o ha bi t ua t e d t o us i ng
t hes e r e s our c e s t hat t hey f or g e t wha t el s e t hey ha v e avai l -
abl e t o t h e m.
Wh e n t hey g e t st uck, it' s n o t be c a us e t he y' ve real l y
r u n o u t o f opt i ons , but r a t he r b e c a us e t he i r habi t ual
kni ght s i n s hi ni ng a r mo r a r e n' t wo r k i n g or a r e n' t avai l -
abl e t o t h e m i n t hi s par t i c ul ar s i t uat i on.
129
PAUL Mc KENNA
I n o r de r t o act i vat e y o u r r e s our c e s a n d st ep out s i de
y o u r c o mf o r t z o ne , t ake s o me t i me n o w t o list t he my r i a d
r e s our c e s y o u have a t y o u r c o mma n d .
He r e ar e s o me c a t e gor i e s t o g e t y o u st ar t ed:
1. Your skills, qualities, gifts, and talents
Examples:
l ovi ng, ki nd, a gr eat dancer , a g o o d negot i at or,
f unny, c an dr i nk a pi nt of be e r i n o ne go, et c.
2. Your community
Examples:
Pe o p l e y o u wo r k wi t h
Pe o p l e y o u wo r k f or
Pe o p l e wh o wo r k f or y o u
Fami l y
Fr i e nds
Ne i g h b o r s
Yo u r " f an c l ub"
Pe o p l e y o u we n t t o s c ho o l wi t h
Pe o p l e y o u us e d t o wo r k wi t h
Cus t o me r s / c l i e nt s
3. Your available cash and credit
Examples:
ba nk account s , i nvest ment s, h o me equi ty, busi ness
equi ty, etc.
130
4. Your possessions
Examples:
hous e, c omput er , car, f ax ma c hi ne , phot oc opi er ,
desk, chai rs, etc.
O n e r e a s on it' s i mp o r t a nt t o l i st o u r r e s our c e s i s t hat
i t f or c es us t o e x p a n d o u r t hi nk i ng out s i de o u r c o mf o r t
z o ne . A n d wh e n y o u ar e wi l l i ng t o d o wha t y o u ha v e
ne v e r d o n e be f o r e , al l t hi ngs b e c o me pos s i bl e!
131
PAUL Mc KENNA
132
PUTTING IT ALL TOGETHER
He r e ' s a n e x a mp l e of h o w t he wh o l e dr e am- s e t t i ng sys-
t e m fits t og e t he r :
My Big Dream
. Making a difference
2.. Happiness
3. Loving-kindness
<f. financial security
Gtood keattk
If I could be, do, and have anything in the world, I would. . .
~>e a fantastically successful entrepreneur wkose
innovative products revolutionize tke wellness industry
and enkance tkousands of people's lives-
I will know I am succeeding when . . .
X see myself-ft and keattky-, driving a nice car-,
wearing nice clotkes^ vvitk money in tke bank-
X kear people telling me ko\Y muck our products kave
enkanced tke quality of tkeir lives-
X feel a sense of satisfaction and joy eack day
Key Goals Timeline
- 13&sea.rck innovative wellness Witkin 3 montks
products
2_. Choose a -product to sell -first Witkin L montks
3. Save enou^k money to quit my Witkin year
job
<f. trlave at least tkree products on Witkin 8 montks
offer air\d at least five salespeople
Irlelp develop one completely Witkin 3 years
unique product for enkancin^
people's lives
(,. 'Patent my product and market it Witkin C, years
7. Earn a million dollars from my Witkin 0 years
patent and be a recognized
leader in tke field
133
PAUL Mc KENNA
My Big Dream
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I could be, do, and have anything in the world, I would. ..
134
No w it' s y o ur t ur n. Fi l l i n t he f o r m b e l o w or c o py i t
i nt o a n o t e b o o k or j o u r n a l .
TAKING ACTION
Of course, i f all you had t o do was t hi nk about what you
wanted and i t magically showed up a f ew moment s later,
everyone woul d be dri vi ng a Ferrari,
living in a mansi on, weari ng expen-
sive j ewel ry, and sl eepi ng with beauti-
ful lovers. It woul d al so be chaos!
That' s why t he uni verse puts one
more step i n bet ween t hi nki ng of
what you want and actual l y getti ng
i t t he act i on step.
Some peopl e sit ar ound and day-
dr eam wi t hout ever doi ng anythi ng.
You can't build a
reputation on what
you re going to do.
It's simple, fantasize,
rehearse, then go out
into the world and
do it!
Henry Ford
137
2. Next, we will take everything you have learned about
what you want, what really matters to you, and what your
biggest dream is, and design them all into your ideal week.
3. How does your week begin? Imagine the kind of
people you have around you, the places you go, the things
you have. How good do you feel? Where do you go each
day? What do you do? Who do you see? What are some of
the things that let you know how successful you are?
4. Continue to go through your ideal week until you
can imagine every detail vividly. This should be an enjoyable
process-if it feels like work, take a break and come back to it
when you can relax completely and indulge your imagination.
PAUL Mc KENNA
At the height of his
success, Hall of
Fame basketball
player Larry Bird
was filming a cola
commercial that
called for him to
shoot for the basket
and miss the shot.
The film crew had
to film the shot
seven separate times
because he couldn 'I
help getting the ball
in the basket, even
when he was trying
to miss!
As y ou' l l r e me mb e r f r o m day t wo,
wh e n e v e r we do s o me t h i n g new, we
c r e a t e a ne ur a l pat hway, so we c a n
acces s t hat e x p e r i e n c e a g a i n easily.
Ea c h t i me we r e pe a t a par t i c ul ar behav-
i or, we s t r e ng t he n t he as s oc i at ed ne u-
ral pat hway.
Thi s i s why i t i s so i mp o r t a nt t o
me nt a l l y r e he a r s e success. Mo s t of t he
t op at hl et es I have wo r k e d wi t h pl a y e d
h u n d r e d s o f successf ul ma t c he s a n d
wo n t hous a nds o f r ac es i n t he i r o wn
mi nd s be f o r e e ve r s et t i ng f o o t o n t he
pl a y i ng f i el d. As y o u vi sual i ze l i vi ng
y o ur d r e a m ever y day, y o u wi l l bui l d
s t r o ng e r ne ur a l pat hways t o success.
He r e ' s a s i mpl e e xe r c i s e y o u c a n do
ever y day t o p r o g r a m y o ur mi n d f or
success:
Program Your Direction in Life
1. Stop for a moment and vividly imagine what your life
will look like as you are living your dream. What will you
see? What will you hear? What will peopl e say to you?
What will you say to yourself? As you do this, really imag-
ine living your dream in as much detail as possible. Create a
rich internal experience as if you are already living your
dream now.
136
TAKING ACTI ON
Of c our s e , i f al l y o u h a d t o do was t hi nk a b o u t wha t y o u
wa n t e d a n d i t magi c al l y s ho we d up a f ew mo me n t s l ater,
e v e r y o ne wo u l d be dr i vi ng a Fer r ar i ,
l i vi ng i n a ma ns i o n, we a r i ng e x p e n-
si ve j ewel r y, a n d s l e e pi ng wi t h beaut i -
f ul l over s. I t wo u l d al so be c ha os !
Tha t ' s why t he uni ve r s e put s o n e
mo r e s t ep i n b e t we e n t hi nk i ng o f
wha t y o u wa nt a n d act ual l y g e t t i ng
i t t h e a c t i on s t ep.
S o me p e o p l e sit a r o u n d a n d day-
d r e a m wi t ho ut ever d o i n g a ny t hi ng.
You can't build a
reputation on what
you 're going to do.
It's simple, fantasize,
rehearse, then go out
into the world and
do it!
Henry Ford
137
2. Next, we will take everything you have learned about
what you want, what really matters to you, and what your
bi ggest dream is, and design them all into your ideal week.
3. How does your week begin? Imagine the kind of
peopl e you have around you, the places you go, the things
you have. How good do you feel? Where do you go each
day? What do you do? Who do you see? What are some of
the things that let you know how successful you are?
4. Continue to go through your ideal week until you
can imagine every detail vividly. This should be an enjoyable
processif it feels like work, take a break and come back to it
when you can relax completely and indulge your imagination.
PAUL Mc KENNA
Howe v e r , by c r e a t i ng a vi vi d r e pr e s e nt a t i on of h o w y o u
i deal l y wa nt t o l i ve y o ur l i f e a n d f o c us i ng on i t ever y day,
y o u wi l l b e c o me mot i v a t e d t o t ake a c t i on a n d y o u wi l l
k n o w wh e r e y o u ar e g o i ng .
As t he s ayi ng g oe s , a j o u r n e y of a t ho u s a nd mi l es
be g i ns wi t h a s i ngl e s t ep. T h i n k of at l east o n e t hi ng t hat
y o u c a n do t oday t hat wi l l t ake y o u i n t he di r e c t i on of liv-
i ng y o ur d r e a m, a n d do it. Ev e n a s mal l s t ep i s f i nef or
e x a mp l e , a p h o n e cal l or a l i ttl e bi t of r e s e a r c h.
British Special assi st ance occur . It' s as t ho ug h y our c ommi t -
I n t he wor ds of Go e t h e :
" What e ve r y o u c a n do , or dr e a m y o u c a n do , be g i n it.
Bol dne s s has geni us , ma g i c a n d p o we r i n it. Be g i n i t now! "
Paul McKenna
PS. Tomorrow, we'll be exploring the first cornerstone of your
wonderful lifeabundant health!
Who dares wins.
Motto of the
Re me mb e r t hat t he mo me n t y o u c om-
mi t t o s ome t hi ng, pr ov i de nc e mov e s t oo,
a nd all sorts of unf or e s e e n i nci dent s a n d
Forces
me n t b e c o me s a ma g ne t f or g o o d t hi ngs t o
be dr awn t o y ou.
138
DAY
5
HEALTHY
F OUNDATI ONS
Creating and maintaining a healthy
body, mind, and spirit
PAUL Mc KENNA
(www. paulmckenna. com/trance).
Review your purpose, values, and goal s from day four.
Answer the following questions:
1. How will you live your values throughout the day
today?
2. What are three actions you will take that will bring
you closer to the achi evement of your goal s?
3. Imagine you are living "on purpose"how will you
handle any chal l enges that might come up through-
out the day?
As you continue to program yourself for success, you
will find that your life becomes more and more of a splen-
did adventure!
140
I here was a hunter walking through the jungle. Suddenly he
saw a tiger, but the tiger saw him, too.
He ran as fast as he could to get away and tumbled over a cliff.
As he fell he grabbed hold of a tree root. There he swung.
He looked up and saw the tiger looking down on him hungrily.
Then he saw another tiger appear beneath him, looking up at him
hungrily.
He felt a little dirt fall upon his face. He looked up and saw two
mice gnawing through the tree root he was holding on to.
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
fingers. The honey tasted delicious.
141
WHAT IS THE NUMBER ONE CAUSE
OF ILLNESS AND DI SEASE?
A st ar t l i ng r e c e nt s t udy by Dr. Be r n a r d St ewar t pr e di c t s
t hat unl es s p e o p l e b e g i n t a ki ng r es pons i bi l i t y f or t he i r
he a l t h a n d wel l - bei ng, g l o ba l r at es of c a n c e r c o u l d ri se
50 p e r c e n t t o 1 5 mi l l i on n e w cases a y e a r by 2020. T h e
s t udy we n t on t o say t hat as ma n y as t wo- t hi r ds of t hes e
cases c a n be p r e v e nt e d a n d / o r c u r e d t h r o u g h l i f est yl e
c ha ng e s .
Wh i l e s o me of t hes e l i f est yl e c h a ng e s ar e out s i de t he
s c o pe o f t hi s b o o k , t he maj or i t y o f t h e m c a n be s u mme d
up qui t e si mpl y:
What is it that heals
a cut finger? Is it the
bandage or whatever
ointment is applied
to the wound? Of
course not; it's the
body. The human
body is self-repairing,
self-healing and self-
maintaining.
Harvey Diamond
Limit the amount of toxins you
put into your body while simulta-
neously increasing your body's
stress-hardiness.
Mo s t doc t or s n o w a g r e e t hat t he
mi n d has a p r o f o u n d ef f ect on a per -
s on' s s ens e of we l l - b e i ng c e r t a i nl y
ne a r l y e v e r y o ne k no ws y o u c a n t hi nk
y our s e l f i nt o b e i n g i l l . Wh e n I was a
c hi l d, i t ne v e r c e a s e d t o a ma z e me h o w
ma n y o f my cl as s mat es wo u l d g e t si ck
o n e x a m day. T h e s e ar e t he s a me
p e o p l e wh o ar e al ways af f ec t ed by wha t
142
143
I cal l " c ul t ur al h y p n o s i s " t h e y onl y have t o h e a r a f ew
p e o p l e s ayi ng " The r e ' s a c o l d g o i n g a r o u n d " a n d t hey
c a t c h it.
Re s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat opt i mi s t s g e ne r a l l y l i ve
l onge r , ha ppi e r , he a l t hi e r l i ves. O n e of t he key r e as ons i s
b e c a us e o pt i ma l st at es e n h a n c e o u r i mmu n e syst em.
St udi es i n r e c e nt year s ha v e n o w i r r ef ut abl y p r o v e n t hat
we c a n dr amat i c al l y e n h a n c e o u r i mmu n e syst em b y
act i vel y c h o o s i n g o u r bel i ef s a n d cons i s t ent l y pr a c t i c i ng
vi s ual i z at i on t e c hni que s .
Bu t i f t he s e c r e t of he a l t h i s a posi t i ve pe r s pe c t i v e ,
what ' s c a us i ng al l t he i l l ness a n d di sease?
Let ' s g e t r i ght t o t he poi nt :
The single biggest cause of ill health is an inap-
propriate response to stress.
St udi es ha v e s ho wn t hat t he ma j or t hr e at i n mo d e r n
l i f e i s b e i n g ki l l ed by o u r o wn de f e ns e syst em b e i n g tri g-
g e r e d t o o o f t e n b y o u r r e s po ns e t o stress.
WHAT IS STRESS?
Ac c o r d i n g t o t he di ct i onar y, stress is:
A c ons t r a i ni ng f or c e or i nf l ue nc e
A f or c e e x e r t e d wh e n o n e b o d y or b o d y pa r t
pr es s es o n, pul l s o n, pus he s agai ns t , or t e nds t o
c o mpr e s s o r twi st a n o t h e r b o d y o r b o d y pa r t
PAUL Mc KENNA
A phys i cal , c he mi c a l , or e mo t i o n a l f ac t or t hat
c aus es bodi l y or me nt a l t e ns i on a n d ma y be a f ac-
t or i n di s eas e c aus at i on
Howe v e r , t he stress we e x p e r i e n c e i n o u r o wn l i ves
do e s n o t c o me f r o m out s i de u s i t i s o u r body ' s re-
s pons e t o l i f e' s c ha l l e ng e s , b o t h r eal a n d i ma g i ne d. Thi s
stress r e s pons e g o e s ba c k t o t he ear l i est h u ma n s , as o u r
anc es t or s n e e d e d e x t r e me phys i c al r e ac t i ons a n d a bur s t
of e ne r g y t o e na b l e t h e m t o f i ght a wi l d a ni ma l or r u n
away. Ev e n now, a c e r t ai n a mo u n t of stress i n o u r l i ves
he l ps us t o f u n c t i o n a p p r o p r i a t e ar ous al of t he aut o-
n o mi c ne r v ous syst em act ual l y mot i vat es us t o do t hi ngs
l i ke g e t o u t o f t he way o f a n o n c o mi n g v e hi c l e o r a d d
e ne r g y t o a pr e s e nt a t i on or wo r k o ut .
Fo r e x a mp l e , wh e n t he mi n d pe r c e i v e s a t hr eat , t he
he a r t be a t i mme di a t e l y qui c ke ns . Pupi l s di l at e aut omat i -
cal l y, mus c l e s t i ght e n, a n d a dr e na l i ne i s r e l e a s e d i nt o t he
bl o o ds t r e a m. T h e di ges t i ve pr oc e s s hal t s, y o ur b l o o d
pr es s ur e ri ses, a n d t he i mmu n e syst em i s s uppr e s s e d.
Thi s i s k n o wn as t he f i ght - or - f l i ght r e s pons e .
Now, i f y o u ar e a b o u t t o be a t t a c ke d (say, by a saber-
t o o t h e d t i ge r ) , y o u n e e d e ne r g y a n d a dr e na l i ne t o
r e s p o n d a ppr opr i a t e l y t o t he s i t uat i on. T h e p r o b l e m
ari ses wh e n we ar e c ont i nua l l y p r e p a r i ng f or e me r g e n -
ci es t hat ne v e r h a p p e n . Thi s put s an unne c e s s a r y st rai n
o n o u r i mmu n e syst ems, ul t i mat el y b u r n i n g out o u r
a dr e na l g l a nds a n d s pr e a di ng nast y t oxi ns i n t he body.
I' l l say i t agai n:
144
The continual inappropriate arousal of our
mind and body can lead to illnesses.
A n d a l t h o u g h t hi s so- cal l ed ne gat i v e
stress us e d to be c o ns i de r e d s o me t h i n g My ^fi ^
as
been full
t hat af f e c t e d onl y p e o p l e i n hi ghl y of terrible misfor-
pr e s s ur e d j o b s , t he t r ut h is t hat to tunes, most of which
s o me d e g r e e i t af f ect s ne ar l y al l of never happened.
us . A n d ki l l i ng our s el ves t o k e e p us saf e Michel de Montaigne
i s l i ke b u r n i n g d o wn t he ho us e t o r oas t
a pi g.
T h e s e days we do no t ha v e t o be c ons t ant l y on t he
l o o k o u t f or wi l d ani mal s , b ut t he twenty-f i rst c e nt ur y i s
f ul l of t hr eat s f r o m al l ki nds of di f f e r e nt s our c e s . An y
a v e r a g e day has its d e ma n d s a n d s t r e s s e s dr i v i ng t o
wo r k t he r e ' s a traffi c j a m, y o u g e t i nt o an a r g u me n t , y o u
r e c e i ve an u n e x p e c t e d bi l l , t he ki ds have ma d e a mes s ,
y o u ar e c r i t i c i z ed at wor k.
T h e s e t hi ngs ma y no t c ons c i ous l y s e e m l i ke t hr eat s t o
y o u, b u t y o u r ne r v ous syst em do e s n o t di f f er ent i at e be-
t we e n a phys i c al t hr e at t o y o ur b o d y a n d a me nt a l t hr e at
t o y o u r e g o . Re s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat mos t wor r i e s ar e
e i t he r a b o u t t hi ngs t hat ne v e r h a p p e n o r a b o u t t hi ngs
f r o m t he pas t t hat c a n' t be c h a n g e d .
I n f act , a l ot of wor r y c o me s d o wn t o n o t ha v i ng g i v e n
y o ur mi n d s o me t h i n g be t t e r t o d o . Obv i ous l y it' s i mpo r -
t ant t o ha v e a n e mo t i o na l dy na mi c r a ng e , a n d i f s ome -
o ne ' s a t t a c ki ng y ou, t he n y o u mi g h t n e e d t o g e t a ng r y o r
s c a r e d t o d e f e n d your sel f . Bu t wha t I ' m s ayi ng i s t hat t he
145
PAUL Mc KENNA
stress r e s pons e i s b e i n g unnecessarily a r o us e d al l day l o ng ,
a n d t hi s bui l ds up ov e r t i me , c a us i ng pr o b l e ms .
T h e first r e s e a r c he r of t he phys i ol ogi c al c o ns e q u e nc e s
of stress, Ha ns Sel ye, r e ma r k e d ,
" T h e mo s t i mp o r t a nt st resses f or ma n ar e e mo -
t i onal . . . . I t i s no t t he e v e nt but r a t he r o u r i nt er pr et a-
t i on of i t t hat c aus es o u r e mo t i o n a l r e a c t i on. "
By b r i ng i ng a posi t i ve pe r s pe c t i ve t o o u r l i ves a n d
i nt e r pr e t i ng o u r e x p e r i e nc e s di f f erent l y, we c a n b e g i n t o
r e s p o n d benef i c i al l y t o t he event s i n o u r l i f e, r a t he r t ha n
chaot i cal l y.
Wh e n e v e r y o u' v e f el t ba d i n y o ur
If you want to know l i f e, it was a p r o d u c t of y o ur o wn stress
what your thoughts r e s pons e . T h a t i s why i n o u r c ul t ur e
were like yesterday s o me p e o p l e t ur n t o a l c ohol , ci gar et t es ,
then check how your or dr ug s t o c h a n g e t he way t he y f e e l
body feels today. t o c o p e wi t h stress. As c o nt i nua l ne g a -
Indian proverb ti ve st ress c a n l e a d to di seases, it is a
p r o b l e m t hat n e e d s t o be de al t wi t h.
SO SHOULD I JUST AVOI D STRESS?
An y s t udy i nt o t he ef f ect s of st ress on we l l - be i ng a n d
h u ma n p e r f o r ma n c e c a n us ef ul l y b e b r o k e n d o wn i nt o
t hr e e a r e a s s t r e s s e x p o s ur e , stress r e s pons e , a n d stress
capaci t y.
Mo s t p r o g r a ms d e a l i ng wi t h stress ma n a g e me n t f oc us
on a c o mb i n a t i o n of t he fi rst t wo f a c t o r s r e d u c i n g
stress e x p o s u r e ( downs hi f t i ng) a n d d e v e l o p i n g mo r e
146
ef f i ci ent stress r e s pons e ( r el axat i on trai n-
i ng, me di t a t i o n, e t c . ) . Yet of t he t hr e e
f act or s , stress c apac i t y i s t he mo s t si gni f-
Don't wish it was
easierwish you
were tougher.
i c a nt i n pr e di c t i ng l ong - t e r m wel l nes s *
, Km
a n d s ucces s .
J
T h e g r e a t e r o u r c apac i t y t o h a n d l e
stress, t he mo r e of t e n we wi l l p e r f o r m a t t he p e a k of o u r
abi l i t i es, par t i c ul ar l y i n hi gh- pr e s s ur e si t uat i ons. Ho w do
we d e v e l o p o u r stress capaci t y?
S i mp l e w e syst emat i cal l y i nc r e as e o u r stress e x p o -
s ur e whi l e b a l a nc i ng o u r ef f ort s wi t h wha t stress a n d
p e r f o r ma n c e speci al i st Dr. J a me s L o e h r cal l s " qual i t y re-
c ov e r y t i me . "
T h e f o r mu l a l ooks l i ke t hi s:
Increased stress exposure + Quality recovery
time = Greater stress capacity
Le t ' s t ake a c o mmo n e x a mp l e . Wh e n y o u wo r k o u t
y o u r body, y o u ar e de l i be r at e l y put t i ng i t u n d e r stress. To
ma x i mi z e t he ef f ect i venes s o f y o ur wor kout s , y o u n e e d t o
al l ow y o ur b o d y t i me t o r ecover . Ev e r y t i me y o u r mus c l e s
( i nc l udi ng y o u r he ar t , i n t he case of a e r obi c e xe r c i s e )
ar e p u t u n d e r st ress a n d t he n a l l owe d t i me t o r ecover ,
t he y g r o w s t r onger .
Wh y do ma r a t ho n r unne r s a n d t ri at hl et es put s uc h a
heavy e mphas i s on i nt erval t r ai ni ng? Be c a us e i t f ol l ows t he
s a me pa t t e r n. By a l t e r na t i ng b e t we e n pe r i o ds o f i nt e ns e
acti vi ty, s uc h as s pr i nt i ng or r a c i ng (stress e x p o s u r e ) , a n d
g e nt l e acti vi ty, s uc h as wa l k i ng or c oa s t i ng ( r e c ove r y
147
Famous Nappers
Thomas Edison and
Salvador Dali were
both prodigious nap-
pers who used an
interesting variation
of the power nap to
recharge their mental
and physical batteries.
They would sit in
their favorite chair
by the fire while
holding a spoon or
other metal object in
their hand.
As their bodies
drifted off toward
sleep, the hand
holding the spoon
would relax,
dropping the spoon
to the ground.
As soon as they
heard the clatter of
the metal spoon on
the hardwood floor,
they would arise
refreshed!
PAUL McKENNA
148
t i me) , t hey systematically devel op their
strength and stami na (stress capacity).
Osci l l at i ng bet ween stress expo-
sure and recovery i s not j us t a good
i dea, i t i s an inevitability. The most
ext r eme exampl e of this can be f ound
i n Japan, wher e karoshi, or deat h f rom
overworki ng, has at times t hreat ened
to be c ome a nati onal epi demi c. Whi l e
deat h may be the ul ti mate i n quality
recovery ti me, j o b burnout , exhaus-
ti on, and mysteri ous illnesses that
ke e p us f r om worki ng are t he mor e
f ami l i ar ways we unconsci ousl y fulfill
our body' s need for bal ance.
He r e are some si mpl e t echni ques
that you can use to di mi ni sh stress
and i ncrease your stress hardi ness.
POWER NAPS
Recent research has shown that the
mi nd and body have their own pattern
of rest and alertness, with one predom-
i nant cycl e that occurs approxi matel y
every ni nety minutes. Thi s is when the
body stops externally ori ented behav-
i or and takes about fifteen mi nutes to
rel ax and repl eni sh its energy.
149
Thi s has b e c o me k n o wn as t he ul t r adi an r hyt hm. It' s
t hose mo me n t s wh e n y o u f i nd your s el f da y dr e a mi ng a n d a
gent l e, sweet , sof t f e e l i ng i s pr e s e nt i n y o ur body. I t i s qui t e
si mpl y t he body' s o wn nat ur al st ress- cont rol me c ha ni s m.
Unf or t unat e l y , ma n y p e o p l e i g n o r e t hi s me s s a g e f r o m
t hei r b o d y t hat i t i s t i me t o r e l a x a l i t de, a n d i ns t e ad t hey
have a no t h e r c u p of c of f e e or t ry e v e n h a r d e r t o c o n c e n -
t rat e. Af t er a whi l e t hey es t abl i s h a pa t t e r n of ov e r r i di ng
t he ul t r adi an r hyt hm.
I n f ut ur e, whe ne v e r y o u f i nd y our - ^, ,
,. , , . I he. hypnotic
sel f d a y d r e a mi ng a n d a feel i ner of c o m-
trance (www.
f or t st ar t i ng i n y o ur body, aro wi t h i t a n d , . .
paulmckenna.com/
al l ow your s el f to real l y r e l ax f or t e n to . . , . ,
' , trance) is designed
f i f t een mi nut e s . Yo u wi l l t he n ari se f eel - , ,
_ , . to help you relax
mg r e f r e s he d a nd wi t h be t t e r c o n c e n - ,
deeply so that you
t r at i on af t er war d.
, gain healthy
Yo u c a n de e pe n thi s e x pe r i e nc e e v e n , . ,
, , replenishment
f ur t her by pr act i ci ng sel f -hypnosi s. I
r
, every time you
of t en r el ax i nt o t r ance a n d i ma g i ne .
mysel f s unbat hi ng on a n exot i c b e a c h.
Gi ve n t hat t he ner vous syst em do e s no t
di f f erent i at e bet ween a r eal e ve nt a n d a vi vi dl y i ma g i ne d
one , wh e n I awaken f r om a t r anc e l i ke t hat I f eel as t h o u g h
I have j us t b e e n on v a c a t i o n a n d as f ar as my ne r v ous sys-
t e m i s c onc e r ne d, I have.
T h e gr e at t hi ng a b o ut r e c h a r g i n g y o u r bat t er i es wi t h
powe r na ps i s t hat y o u c a n do i t a n y wh e r e a f t e r a bi t of
pr ac t i c e, no one will not i c e . I f y o u do i t on t he bus or t he
t r ai n, e v e r y one will j us t t hi nk y o u ar e do z i ng .
T h e f ol l owi ng exerci se i s t he ver s i on of p o we r n a p p i n g
PAUL Mc KENNA
Famous Nappers
Thomas Edison and
Salvador Dull were
both prodigious nap-
pers who used an
interesting variation
of the power nap to
recharge their mental
and physical batteries.
They would sit in
their favorite chair
by the fire while
holding a spoon or
other metal object in
their hand.
As their bodies
drifted off toward
sleep, the hand
holding the spoon
would relax,
dropping the spoon
to the ground.
As soon as they
heard the clatter of
the metal spoon on
the hardwood floor,
they would arise
refreshed!
t i me ) , t hey syst emat i cal l y de v e l o p t hei r
s t r engt h a n d s t ami na (stress c apac i t y) .
Os c i l l at i ng b e t we e n stress e x p o -
s ur e a n d r e c ov e r y i s no t j us t a g o o d
i dea, i t i s an i nevi tabi l i ty. T h e mos t
e x t r e me e x a mp l e o f thi s c a n be f o u n d
i n J a pa n, whe r e karoshi, or de a t h f r o m
ov e r wor ki ng , has at t i mes t hr e a t e ne d
t o b e c o me a nat i onal e pi de mi c . Whi l e
de a t h ma y be t he ul t i mat e i n qual i t y
r e c ov e r y t i me , j o b b ur no ut , e x ha us -
t i on, a n d mys t er i ous i l l nesses t hat
k e e p us f r o m wo r k i ng ar e t he mo r e
f ami l i ar ways we unc ons c i ous l y f ul f i l l
o u r body' s n e e d f or ba l a nc e .
He r e ar e s o me s i mpl e t e c hni que s
t hat y o u c a n us e t o di mi ni s h stress
a n d i nc r e a s e y o ur stress har di ne s s .
POWER NAPS
Re c e n t r e s e ar c h has s ho wn t hat t he
mi n d a n d b o d y have t hei r o wn pat t er n
of rest a n d al ert ness, wi t h o n e p r e d o m-
i nant cycl e t hat oc c ur s a ppr ox i ma t e l y
ever y ni ne t y mi nut e s . Thi s i s wh e n t he
bo dy st ops ext er nal l y or i e nt e d behav-
i or a n d t akes a b o ut f i f t e e n mi nut e s t o
r e l ax a n d r e pl e ni s h its ener gy.
148
Thi s has b e c o me k n o wn as t he ul t r adi an r hyt hm. It' s
t hos e mo me n t s wh e n y o u f i nd your s el f da y dr e a mi ng a n d a
g e n d e , sweet , sof t f e e l i ng i s pr e s e nt i n y our body. I t i s qui t e
si mpl y t he body' s o wn nat ur al st ress-cont rol me c ha ni s m.
Unf or t unat e l y , ma n y p e o p l e i g no r e t hi s me s s a g e f r o m
t hei r b o d y t hat i t i s t i me t o r e l a x a l i t de, a n d i ns t ead t hey
ha v e a n o t h e r c u p of c of f e e or t ry e v e n h a r d e r t o c o n c e n -
t rat e. Af t e r a whi l e t he y es t abl i s h a pa t t e r n of o v e r r i di ng
t he ul t r a di a n r hy t hm.
I n f ut ur e , wh e n e v e r y o u f i nd y our -
of t en r el ax i nt o t r anc e a n d i ma g i ne
USB tt
mys el f s unba t hi ng on a n exot i c be a c h.
Gi v e n t hat t he ne r v ous syst em do e s no t
di f f er ent i at e be t we e n a real e ve nt a n d a vi vi dl y i ma g i ne d
o ne , wh e n I a wa ke n f r o m a t r anc e l i ke t hat I f eel as t h o u g h
I have j us t b e e n on v a c a t i o n a n d as f ar as my ne r v ous sys-
t e m i s c o nc e r ne d , I have.
T h e g r e a t t hi ng a b o u t r e c h a r g i n g y o u r bat t er i es wi t h
p o we r na ps i s t hat y o u c a n do i t a n y wh e r e a f t e r a bi t of
pr ac t i c e , no o n e wi l l not i c e . I f y o u do i t on t he bus or t he
t r ai n, e v e r y o ne wi l l j u s t t hi nk y o u ar e do z i ng .
T h e f ol l owi ng exer c i s e i s t he ver s i on of p o we r n a p p i n g
sel f d a y d r e a mi n g a n d a f e e l i ng of c o m-
f or t s t ar t i ng i n y o ur body, go wi t h i t a n d
al l ow y our s e l f t o real l y r e l ax f or t en t o
f i f t e e n mi nut e s . Y o u wi l l t he n ari se f eel -
i ng r e f r e s he d a n d wi t h be t t e r c o n c e n -
t r at i on af t er war d.
The hypnotic
trance (www.
paulmckenna. com/
trance) is designed
to help you relax
deeply so that you
Yo u c a n d e e p e n thi s e x pe r i e nc e e v e n
f ur t he r by pr ac t i c i ng sel f -hypnosi s. I
gain healthy
replenishment
every time you
149
PAUL Mc KENNA
I us e mos t d a y s i t doe s n' t t ake l ong , a n d i t i s a g o o d habi t
t o est abl i sh t hat will r ei nf or c e al l y o ur ot he r st ress- reduci ng
ef f orts. Ev e n i f y o u wo r k i n an ope n- pl a n of f i ce or f actory,
y o u c a n al ways f i nd an e x c us e t o ge t o ut f or fi ve mi n u t e s
r e me mbe r , r e pe dt i o n i s t he mo t h e r of success!
The Power Nap
Do this once or twi ce a day to give yourself recovery
time and improve your well-being.
1. Begin by moving your attention down to your
feet. Notice the feelings of your feet, their relative
warmth or cool ness, and their weight.
2. Take a deep breath in, then let it out. As you do
so, imagine a pleasant, warm, and relaxing feeling
developing in your feet.
3. Now take another deep, gentl e breath in and
imagine that warm and relaxing feeling traveling up
the legs to your knees. Say "one" in your mind.
4. Allow that warm and relaxing feeling to pene-
trate your muscles and bones, gently spreading and
soothing as it moves.
5. When you are ready, take another gentl e deep
breath and imagine that warm, relaxing feeling ris-
ing up to your waist, and as it does so, say "two."
150
151
6. Breathing in, pull the feeling of ease and relax-
ation up to your shoulders and say "three."
7. Let the relaxation flow up your body to your
shoulders and then down along your arms to your
hands.
8. Breathing in, let the feeling go all the way, right
to the top of your head. Say "four" and spread those
good, relaxing feelings all over your body.
9. Now, say in your mind "five" and imagine that
relaxing feeling doubling, as if a new, fresh flow of
relaxation was descendi ng from above your head
and joining the warm, relaxing feelings already
goi ng on inside you.
10. And as you imagine this flow of relaxation
spreading back down your body, imagine any and all
tension being washed down along with it, draining
out of your body through the bottoms of your feet,
making room for you to be refilled on each breath
with new, relaxing, refreshing energy. Make sure you
take a few moments to really enjoy those feelings of
relaxation.
11. Pause for a little while to notice the feeling and
then, if you wish, repeat the sequence. The more you
practice the technique the more effective it becomes.
Stay with this feeling as long as you wish. If at this
point your attention wanders or you would like to
cl ose your eyes, that's perfectly okayyou will arise
refreshed and alert in just a few minutes.
PAUL Mc KENNA
ESSENTI AL EXERCI SE
As we have al r e ady s e e n, t he b o d y do e s no t di s t i ngui s h
b e t we e n an e mo t i o na l t hr e a t a n d a phys i c al o n e . So
r egar dl es s of wha t h a p p e n s , i t pr e pa r e s t o pr o t e c t i t sel f
by f i ght i ng or r u n n i n g a wa y b u t of t e n t he r e i s no o n e
t o f i ght a n d n o wh e r e t o r un t o. T h e b o d y get s wo r k e d up
b ut c a n n o t f i nd a way t o r el eas e its t e ns i on.
For t unat el y, j us t as t he mi n d i nf l u-
e nc e s t he body, s o c a n t he b o d y i nf l u-
e n c e t he mi nd . Wh e n y o u f i nd a way t o
h e l p y o u r b o d y r e l e as e t he t e ns i on o f
t he st ress r e s pons e , i t f eel s c al mer ,
safer, a n d heal t hi er . T h a t i n t ur n af f ect s
y o u r mo o d , ma k i n g y o u e mot i ona l l y
c l e a r e r a n d be t t e r abl e t o f unc t i o n
we l l t o c o nc e nt r a t e , t o r el ax, a n d t o
s l e e p s oundl y.
T h e s i mpl es t way t o h e l p t he b o d y
r e l e as e t he e xc e s s t e ns i on of t he stress
r e s po ns e i s t o us e up t he e ne r g y a n d
al er t nes s f or a c t i on t hat i t has pr e-
p a r e d i n o t h e r wor ds , t o g e t s o me
e xe r c i s e .
Now, b e f o r e y o u t hr ow up y o ur h a n d s i n hor r or , real -
i ze t hat y o ur e x e r c i s e d o e s n' t have t o be a ny t hi ng g r a nd.
I f y o u ar e no t us e d t o e xe r c i s e , e v e n a br i sk wal k wi l l be
he l pf ul . T h e p o i nt i s t o us e up t he e xc e s s t e ns i on a n d
e ne r g y f l owi ng t h r o u g h y o u r b o d y a n d t o t r i gger t he
All ten studies
confirmed that ex-
ercise significantly
reduces mild to
moderate depression.
And the three studies
that compared
exercise to psycho-
therapy found that
exercise was at least
as effective.
Consumer Reports
on Health
152
153
body ' s nat ur al i mpul s e t owar d rest , r e l a xa t i on, a n d r e c u-
pe r a t i o n, al so k n o wn as t he pa r a s y mpa t he t i c r e s pons e .
T h e par as y mpat he t i c r e s pons e i s t he sweet , sof t f eel -
i ng y o u g e t i n y o ur mus c l e s wh e n y o u have f i ni s hed s o me
heavy wo r k or v i g or ous mo v e me n t . Yo u al so f eel a nat ur al
hi g h c a us e d by t he r el eas e of e ndo r p hi ns , t he body' s nat -
ur al opi at es . ( We' l l t al k mo r e a b o u t t hes e on da y seven. )
Wh i l e mu c h has b e e n ma d e i n t he l ast t went y year s
a b o u t t he v a l ue of a e r obi c e x e r c i s e i n i nc r e a s i ng o u r
g e ne r a l f i t ness l evel s, s t udi es ha v e s ho wn t hat i t i s e qua l l y
i mp o r t a n t i n c ont r ol l i ng stress. S wi mmi ng , r u n n i n g , or
any e x e r c i s e t hat o x y g e na t e s t he b l o o d ma k e s c ont r ol -
l i ng st ress easi er.
So e v e n b e f o r e y o u ma s t e r t he pat t er ns o f t hi nk i ng
a n d f e e l i ng t hat y o u ha v e l e a r ne d t hus f ar i n t he pr o-
g r a m, y o u c a n gi ve y our s e l f a s i mpl e , easy, posi t i ve boos t
s i mpl y by g e t t i ng t en t o f i f t een mi nut e s of br i sk e x e r c i s e
e a c h a n d ever y day.
ENERGETI C EATING
Li t er al l y t ho us a nds o f b o o k s have b e e n wr i t t en o n wha t
c ons t i t ut es a he a l t hy di et , ma n y of wh i c h di r ect l y c ont r a-
di c t o n e a not he r . I n o r d e r t o mo r e easi l y navi gat e t he
v o l u me s of i nf o r ma t i o n a n d mi s i nf o r ma t i o n t hat fill
books t or e s , l i br ar i es, a n d t he I nt e r ne t , I s ugge s t f ol l ow-
i n g o n e s i mpl e r ul e:
Learn to listen to your body.
PAUL Mc KENNA
ESSENTI AL EXERCI SE
As we have al r eady s e e n, t he b o d y do e s n o t di s t i ngui s h
b e t we e n an e mo t i o na l t hr e a t a n d a phys i c al o n e . So
r e gar dl e s s of wha t h a p p e n s , i t pr e pa r e s t o pr o t e c t i t sel f
by f i ght i ng or r u n n i n g a wa y b u t of t e n t he r e i s no o n e
t o f i g ht a n d n o wh e r e t o r un t o. T h e b o d y get s wo r k e d up
b ut c a n n o t f i nd a way t o r el eas e its t e ns i on.
For t unat el y, j u s t as t he mi n d i nf l u-
e nc e s t he body, s o c a n t he b o d y i nf l u-
e n c e t he mi n d . Wh e n y o u f i nd a way t o
he l p y o u r b o d y r el eas e t he t e ns i on o f
t he st ress r e s pons e , i t f eel s c al mer ,
safer, a n d heal t hi er . T h a t i n t ur n af f ect s
y o u r mo o d , ma k i n g y o u e mot i ona l l y
c l e a r e r a n d be t t e r abl e t o f unc t i o n
we l l t o c o nc e nt r a t e , t o r el ax, a n d t o
s l eep s oundl y.
T h e s i mpl es t way t o h e l p t he b o d y
r el eas e t he e xc e s s t e ns i on of t he stress
r e s pons e i s t o us e up t he e ne r g y a n d
al er t nes s f or a c t i on t hat i t has pr e-
p a r e d i n o t h e r wor ds , t o g e t s o me
e xe r c i s e .
Now, be f o r e y o u t hr ow up y o u r ha nd s i n hor r or , real -
i ze t hat y o ur e x e r c i s e do e s n' t have t o be a ny t hi ng g r a nd.
I f y o u ar e no t us e d t o e xe r c i s e , e v e n a bri sk wal k wi l l be
he l pf ul . T h e po i nt i s t o us e up t he e xc e s s t e ns i on a n d
e ne r g y f l owi ng t h r o u g h y o ur b o d y a n d t o t r i gge r t he
All ten studies
confirmed that ex-
ercise significantly
reduces mild to
moderate depression.
And the three studies
that compared
exercise to psycho-
therapy found that
exercise was at least
as effective.
Consumer Reports
on Health
152
153
body ' s na t ur a l i mpul s e t owar d rest , r e l a x a t i on, a n d r ec u-
pe r a t i o n, al so k n o wn as t he pa r a s y mpa t he t i c r e s pons e .
T h e par as y mpat he t i c r e s pons e i s t he sweet , sof t f eel -
i ng y o u g e t i n y o ur mus c l es wh e n y o u have f i ni s hed s o me
heavy wo r k or v i gor ous mo v e me n t . Yo u al so f eel a nat ur al
h i g h c a us e d by t he r el eas e of e ndo r p hi ns , t he body' s nat -
ur al opi at es . ( We' l l t al k mo r e a b o u t t hes e on day seven. )
Wh i l e mu c h has b e e n ma d e i n t he l ast t went y year s
a b o u t t he v a l ue of a e r o bi c e x e r c i s e i n i nc r e a s i ng o u r
g e ne r a l f i t ness l evel s, s t udi es ha v e s ho wn t hat i t i s e qual l y
i mp o r t a n t i n c o nt r o l l i ng stress. S wi mmi ng , r u n n i n g , or
a ny e x e r c i s e t hat o x y g e na t e s t he b l o o d ma k e s c ont r ol -
l i ng stress easi er.
So e v e n be f o r e y o u ma s t e r t he pat t er ns of t hi nk i ng
a n d f e e l i ng t hat y o u have l e a r ne d t hus f ar i n t he pr o-
g r a m, y o u c a n gi ve y our s e l f a s i mpl e , easy, posi t i ve boos t
s i mpl y by g e t t i ng t en t o f i f t een mi nut e s of br i sk e x e r c i s e
e a c h a n d ever y day.
ENERGETI C EATING
Li t er al l y t ho us a nds o f b o o k s ha v e b e e n wr i t t e n o n wha t
c ons t i t ut es a he a l t hy di et , ma n y of wh i c h di r ect l y c ont r a-
di c t o n e a not he r . I n o r d e r t o mo r e easi l y navi gat e t he
v o l ume s o f i nf o r ma t i o n a n d mi s i nf or ma t i on t hat f i l l
books t or e s , l i br ar i es, a n d t he I nt er net , I s ugge s t f ol l ow-
i n g o n e s i mpl e r ul e:
Learn to listen to your body.
PAUL Mc KENNA
I n a f as c i nat i ng e x p e r i me n t p e r f o r me d i n t he 1930s,
sci ent i st s gave a g r o u p of t oddl e r s unl i mi t e d acces s t o a
vast r a ng e of f oods f r o m i ce c r e a m t o s pi na c h, essent i al l y
a l l owi ng t h e m t o c r e at e t he i r o wn di et ov e r a p e r i o d of
t hi rt y days ba s e d on n o t h i n g mo r e t ha n t hei r o wn s ens e
of wha t t hey wa n t e d t o eat a n d wh e n .
T h e resul t ?
De s pi t e var i at i ons i n d mi n g , s e q u e nc e , a n d f re-
que nc y, ever y c hi l d i n t he s t udy wo u n d up c h o o s i n g wha t
was c o ns i de r e d t o be a b a l a n c e d di e t ov e r t he c our s e of
t he mo n t h . As we l e a r n t o l i st en t o t he wi s d o m of o u r
bodi e s , we t oo c a n e x p e r i e n c e t he benef i t s of o pt i ma l
he a l t h.
T h e f act is, s o me f oods i nc r e as e y o ur vi tal i ty a nd wel l -
be i ng ; o t he r f oods di mi ni s h t he m. Au t h o r a n d r e s e a r c he r
Dr. Gay He ndr i c k s r e c o mme n d s t he f ol l owi ng exer c i s e t o
de t e r mi ne whi c h f oods ar e y o ur pe r s ona l hi g h- e ne r g y
f oods :
Step One: Eat a food you like.
Step Two: Notice your body sensations forty-five to
sixty minutes later. If you feel clear and energetic,
you ate a high-energy food for you. If you don' t,
you didn't!
I n Dr. He ndr i c k s ' s r e s e a r c h, he di s c ov e r e d t hat wh e n
p e o p l e f el t e ne r g i z e d a n h o u r af t er eat i ng, t hat f e e l i ng of
154
e ne r g y t e n d e d t o stay wi t h t h e m f or sever al mo r e hour s ,
us ual l y unt i l t he n e x t t i me t hey n e e d e d t o eat .
By pr a c t i c i ng t hi s s i mpl e e x e r c i s e f or as l i ttl e as a
we e k , y o u c a n c us t om- de s i g n a pe r f e c t di e t f or y o ur o wn
u n i q u e body !
Dr Lee S. Berk . . . conducted his own scientific research into
the connection between the laughing brain and the immune
system. Blood tests were carried out on selected control groups
before and after a mirth-making activity, such as watching a
funny film. The results saw an increase in the numbers of
natural killer cells (NK cells), which are important for the
immune system.
"Every day, cells in our body undergo a lot of change, creat-
ing potential carcinogenic cells, " says Berk. "NK cells destroy
these aberrant cells and are therefore significant in terms of
immunosurveillance. . . . That doesn't mean that a doctor is
going to tell you to take two aspirins and watch Laurel and
Hardy, but the reality is that now there's a real science to the
health benefits of laughter. And it's as real as taking a drug."
FrvmThe Guardian, March 25.. 2003
MEDICINAL LAUGHTER
Re c e n t r e s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat he al t hy p e o p l e ar e usu-
al l y h a p p y p e o p l e . Tha t ' s why a g o o d s ens e of h u mo r i s
s o i mpo r t a nt . Ha v i ng a s ens e of h u mo r i s vi t al , no t j us t t o
155
PAUL Mc KENNA
a mus e y our s e l f at par t i es but as an essent i al ps yc hol o-
gi cal r e s our c e . Wh e n y o u ar e l i g ht he a r t e d, y o ur b o d y
ma nuf a c t ur e s di f f e r e nt c he mi c a l s f r o m di os e i t ma nuf a c -
t ur es wh e n y o u ar e unha ppy .
In Anatomy of an Illness, No r ma n Cous i ns wr i t es of
us i ng l a ug ht e r t o he l p c o nt r o l hi s pa i n a n d ul t i mat el y
he al hi s b o d y of a nky l os i ng spondyl i t i s, a de g e ne r a t i v e
i l l ness t hat at t he t i me was c o ns i d e r e d i r r ever s i bl e i n
499 o u t of 500 cases. No t onl y di d Co us i ns r ecover , he
we nt on t o l i ve i n e x c e l l e nt he a l t h f or a n o t h e r uvent y-f i ve
year s .
Re s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat wh e n we s mi l e we r el eas e
s e r ot oni n, ot he r wi s e k n o wn a s " ha ppy c he mi c a l , " i n t he
br ai n. So whi l e l a u g h i n g y our s e l f he a l t hy i s still s e e n as
r adi c al t he r a py h e r e i n t he Wes t , c o ns i de r t he f act t hat
t he Taoi st s ha v e b e e n us i ng t he p o we r of t he " i nne r
s mi l e " as a he a l i ng t ool f or ov e r 2, 500 year s!
I first c a me acr oss t he pr ac t i c e of t he i nne r s mi l e I am
g o i n g t o s har e wi t h y o u n o w i n t he wor ks of mo d e r n- d a y
Taoi s t ma s t e r Ma nt a k Chi a , wh o wr ot e :
Taoi st Sages say t hat whe n y ou smi l e, your or gans
rel ease a honey- l i ke secr et i on whi c h nour i shes t he
whol e body. Wh e n y ou are angry, f earf ul or unde r
stress, t hey pr oduc e a poi s onous secr et i on whi c h
bl ocks up t he ener gy channel s .
T h e pr ac t i c e of t he i nne r s mi l e I s har e b e l o w i s t he
way I us e i t t o r el eas e t e ns i on a n d p r o mo t e eas e a n d wel l -
b e i ng i n my o wn body.
156
The Inner Smile
1. Sit comfortablyultimately, you can practice
the inner smile anywhere, in any position.
2. Allow a smile to dance into your eyes. If you
like, raise the corners of your mouth ever so slightly,
like someone who knows a really cool secret but
doesn' t need to tell.
3. Smile into any part of your body that feels tight
or uncomfortable, until it begi ns to ease or relax,
4. Smile into any part of your body that feels espe-
cially good. You can increase the smile by expressing
gratitude to that part of your body for helping to
keep you healthy and strong.
5. Allow the inner smile to reach every corner of
your body. Here are some specific suggesti ons:
a. Smile into the organs of your bodyyour heart,
liver, pancreas, kidneys, genitals, and adrenal
glands. If you don' t know where these organs
are, it's okay to pretendyour body will redirect
the energy for you.
b. Smile down through your esophagus and into
your stomach. Smile all the way through your
large and small intestines and out of your bot-
tom. (If anyone can think of a more delicate way
to put that, answers on a postcard, please!)
157
PAUL MCKENNA
156
a mu s e y our s e l f at par t i es b u t as an essent i al ps y c hol o-
gi c al r e s our c e . Wh e n y o u ar e l i g ht he a r t e d, y o u r b o d y
ma nuf a c t ur e s di f f e r e nt c he mi c a l s f r o m t hos e i t ma nuf a c -
t ur es wh e n y o u ar e unha ppy .
In Anatomy of an Illness, No r ma n Cous i ns wr i t es of
us i ng l a ug ht e r t o h e l p c o nt r o l hi s pa i n a n d ul t i mat el y
he a l hi s b o d y of a nky l os i ng s pondyl i t i s , a de g e ne r a t i v e
i l l ness t hat at t he t i me was c o ns i d e r e d i r r ever s i bl e i n
499 o u t of 500 cases. No t onl y di d Co us i ns r ec over , he
we n t on t o l i ve i n e x c e l l e nt he a l t h f or a n o t h e r t went y-f i ve
year s.
Re s e a r c h has s h o wn t hat wh e n we s mi l e we r e l e as e
s e r ot oni n, ot he r wi s e k n o wn a s " ha ppy c he mi c a l , " i n t he
br ai n. So whi l e l a u g h i n g y our s e l f he a l t hy i s still s e e n as
r adi c al t he r a py h e r e i n t he Wes t , c o ns i de r t he f act t hat
t he Taoi st s ha v e b e e n us i ng t he p o we r o f t he " i nne r
s mi l e " as a he a l i ng t ool f or ov e r 2, 500 year s !
I fi rst c a me acr os s t he pr a c t i c e of t he i nne r s mi l e I am
g o i n g t o s har e wi t h y o u n o w i n t he wor ks o f mo d e r n- d a y
Taoi s t ma s t e r Ma nt a k Chi a , wh o wr ot e :
Taoi st Sages say t hat whe n y ou smi l e, y our or gans
rel ease a honey- l i ke secr et i on whi c h nour i shes t he
whol e body. Wh e n y o u are angry, f earf ul or unde r
stress, t hey pr o duc e a poi s onous secr et i on whi c h
bl ocks up t he ener gy c hannel s .
T h e pr ac t i c e of t he i nne r s mi l e I s har e b e l o w i s t he
way I us e i t t o r el eas e t e ns i on a n d p r o mo t e eas e a n d wel l -
b e i n g i n my o wn body.
The Inner Smile
1. Sit comfortablyultimately, you can practice
the inner smile anywhere, in any position.
2. Allow a smile to dance into your eyes. If you
like, raise the corners of your mouth ever so slightly,
like someone who knows a really cool secret but
doesn' t need to tell.
3. Smile into any part of your body that feels tight
or uncomfortable, until it begi ns to ease or relax.
4. Smile into any part of your body that feels espe-
cially good. You can increase the smile by expressing
gratitude to that part of your body for helping to
keep you healthy and strong.
5. Allow the inner smile to reach every corner of
your body. Here are some specific suggesti ons:
a. Smile into the organs of your bodyyour heart,
liver, pancreas, kidneys, genitals, and adrenal
glands. If you don' t know where these organs
are, it's okay to pretendyour body will redirect
the energy for you.
b. Smile down through your esophagus and into
your stomach. Smile all the way through your
large and small intestines and out of your bot-
tom. (If anyone can think of a more delicate way
to put that, answers on a postcard, please!)
157
PAUL Mc KENNA
c. Smile up into your brain, then down through
the base of your skull and all the way down to
the bottom of your spine.
You can smile into your life as well as your body.
Try smiling and expressing gratitude into a relation-
ship, an environment, or a project you are currently
working on, and notice how the energy around that
situation begins to shift!
BELIEVE YOURSELF WELL
A f e w year s a g o an i nt e r e s t i ng s t udy was c o n d u c t e d t o try
t o di s c ove r why a s mal l n u mb e r of p e o p l e survi ve c a nc e r
whi l e t he vast maj or i t y of p e o p l e do not . T h e r e s e a r c he r s
i nt e r v i e we d a h u n d r e d p e o p l e wh o h a d a t o n e t i me b e e n
d i a g no s e d as t er mi nal l y ill b u t we r e still al i ve at l east
t wel ve year s af t er t he i ni t i al di agnos i s was ma d e .
T h e i nt e nt i on of t he st udy was t o di s c ove r any pat -
t er ns of t hi nk i ng or be ha v i o r s ha r e d by t hes e l ong - t e r m
survi vors. T h e resul t s we r e st ar t l i ng b u t c onc l us i ve . Wh i l e
t he sur vi vor s h a d al l us e d di f f e r e nt t r e at me nt s , r a n g i n g
f r o m s ur ge r y a n d c h e mo t h e r a p y t o a c u p u n c t u r e a n d nat -
ur al di et s, a n d s o me h a d e v e n r e l i e d o n pur e l y ps yc ho-
l ogi c al t e c hni q ue s o r r e l i gi ous pr ac t i c es , al l o n e h u n d r e d
p e o p l e s ha r e d o n e essent i al trai t:
They believed that what they were doing would
work for them.
158
Why can't I just take prescription
drugs to reduce my stress?
As they say in Alcoholics Anonymous, your body
can' t tell the difference between a prescription drug
and one bought on a street corner.
There are also other ways to improve your health.
These days there are many reports about what' s bad
for us, but let's not forget one very important thing.
We all have our own immune system: the body and
mind working together to heal, protect, and regulate
the fantastic vessel that we essentially are. We live
in an age when incredible medical advances are
constantly taking place. Drugs and surgery have
become commonpl ace. Many peopl e expect instant
cures from the doctors for their ills, and they hand
over responsibility for their health to the medical
profession, preferring a prescription to instigating a
change in their lifestyle or diet.
The cultural acceleration of use of prescription
drugs has led to other problems. Dr. E. W. Marting
believes that more peopl e are killed each year by
prescribed drugs in the United States and Britain
than are killed in road accidents. Perhaps this is one
reason why so many peopl e are looking to alterna-
tive ways to improve their health.
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PAUL MCKENNA
I n me di c a l hi st ory, t he r e i s an i nt e r e s t i ng de mons t r a -
t i on of t he p o we r of be l i e f k n o wn as t he p l a c e b o ef f ect . A
p l a c e b o i s a t abl et wi t h no i n h e r e n t cur at i ve pr ope r t i e s .
Be c a us e t he Un i t e d St at es r e qui r e s al l n e w dr ug s t o be
t es t ed agai ns t pl a c e bos , t her e' s a n unus ua l a mo u n t o f
r e s e a r c h o n t he m.
On av e r age , pl a c e bo s ar e a b o u t 30 p e r c e n t a s ef f ec-
ti ve as a me di c a l dr ug . Howe v e r , i n s o me speci f i c cases
t hei r ef f ect i venes s i s mu c h hi ghe r . C o mp a r e d agai ns t
mo r p h i n e , pl a c e bo s ar e 54 p e r c e n t a s ef f ect i ve, e v e n
t h o u g h mo r p h i n e i s c o ns i d e r e d a cl ass-A nar c ot i c .
We ar e onl y b e g i n n i n g t o u nd e r s t a nd t he i nc r e di bl e
p o we r of hypnos i s a n d its pos s i bl e r ol e i n me d i c i n e a n d
t he r a py i n t he f ut ur e . S o me doc t or s have r e c e nt l y p r o v e n
h o w j us t us i ng t he i ma g i na t i o n c a n af f ect y o ur he a l t h.
Ot h e r r e s e a r c h has s h o wn t hat p e o p l e wh o be l i e v e t hey
c a n c o nt r o l t hei r i mmu n e syst em f i nd t hat t hey c a n easi l y
do s o by us i ng hy pno t i c or g u i d e d i ma g e r y t e c hni que s .
Ma n y i ndi vi dual s c o u l d act ual l y i nc r e as e t he n u mb e r o f
pr ot ec t i ve b l o o d cel l s i n t he i r bodi e s a l mos t at wi l l ,
i nst ant l y i mp r o v i ng t hei r r es i s t ance t o i l l ness.
In a r e l a t e d study, t wo doc t or s at a uni ver si t y i n Yo k o -
h a ma , J a pa n, d e mo ns t r a t e d t hat 84 p e r c e n t of subj ect s
c o u l d e l i mi nat e t he s t andar d hi s t a mi ne r e s po ns e t o poi -
s on ivy. T h e i t c hi ng, s wel l i ng, a n d bl i st ers di s a ppe a r e d
wh e n t he subj ect s u n d e r hy pnos i s s i mpl y i ma g i n e d t he
po i s o n ivy t o be a ha r ml e s s pl ant . Jus t as i mp o r t a nt i n o u r
u nd e r s t a nd i ng of t he i mpa c t of t he mi n d on wel l nes s , a
l ar ge n u mb e r o f subj ect s b r o k e o u t i n bl i st ers wh e n t he y
160
161
r e v e r s e d t he e x p e r i me n t a n d i ma g i n e d t he ha r ml e s s
pl a nt t o be po i s o n ivy.
As a r esul t of t hes e a n d ot he r st udi es l i ke t he m, mos t
heal t h- car e pr of essi onal s n o w a c k no wl e dg e t hat a pat i ent ' s
at t i t ude i s a ma j or f act or i n t he success of t hei r recovery.
But What if I'm Really Sick?
A n o t h e r a ma z i n g e x p e r i me n t , c o n d u c t e d b y Dr. Da v i d
Spi e g a l at St a nf or d Uni versi t y, e x a mi n e d a g r o u p of
w o me n wi t h br e as t c anc er . Wh i l e e v e r y o ne i n t he g r o u p
r e c e i v e d t he l at est me di c a l t r e a t me nt f o r t he i r i l l ness,
hal f of t he g r o u p al so l e a r ne d sel f - hypnosi s a n d di d ver y
s i mpl e g u i d e d i mager y, i ma g i ni ng t he ms e l v e s r e l a x e d
a n d f l oat i ng. Af t e r a year, t he g r o u p t ha t h a d l e a r ne d t o
r e l a x a n d i ma g i ne t he ms e l ve s r e l a x e d r e p o r t e d mu c h
l ess pa i n a n d mo r e opt i mi s m.
Wh a t real l y s ur pr i s e d t he r e s e a r c he r s d i d n' t e me r g e
unt i l mu c h l at er. Te n year s af t er t he i ni t i al e x p e r i me n t
was c o n d u c t e d , me mb e r s o f t he s e c o n d g r o u p h a d l i ved
an a v e r a ge of t wi ce as l o n g as t he first. Wh i l e n o b o d y
i s s ayi ng t hat hy pnos i s i s a c u r e f or c anc er , r e g ul a r self-
hypnos i s or g u i d e d i ma g e r y wi l l cl earl y i mpr o v e t he qual i t y
of y o u r l i f e a n d ma y wel l have a posi t i ve ef f ect on t he
l e ng t h of it.
O n e of t he fi rst t er mi nal l y i l l p e o p l e I e ve r wo r k e d
wi t h was a l ady wh o h a d c anc er . Ea c h t i me s he h a d
c h e mo t h e r a p y h e r i mmu n e syst em b e c a me de pl e t e d,
whi c h l ef t h e r f e e l i ng l ow, b o t h physi cal l y a n d ment al l y.
PAUL Mc KENNA
He r d o c t o r h a d e x p l a i ne d t o h e r t hat i t us ual l y t akes
a b o u t t wo we e ks f or t he i mmu n e syst em t o r e t ur n t o nor -
ma l af t er t he t ype of c h e mo t h e r a p y s he was ha v i ng , b u t
o n c e s he l e a r ne d t he s i mpl e vi s ual i z at i on t e c h n i q u e t hat
I wi l l s har e wi t h y o u i n a f ew mo me n t s , h e r syst em was
c o mpl e t e l y r e j uv e na t e d af t er j us t fi ve days. T h e d o c t o r
c o u l d ha r dl y bel i eve it.
A l ess s er i ous b ut e qual l y dr a ma t i c e x a mp l e was an
act ress f r i e nd of mi n e wh o no t i c e d s he was g e t t i ng a c o l d
s or e, whi c h no r ma l l y wo u l d l ast f or up t o fi ve days. S he
was d u e t o b e g i n f i l mi ng l at er t hat e v e ni ng . S he r e l a x e d
h e r body, t h e n vi s ual i z ed he r s e l f us i ng t he i mmu n e -
syst em bo o s t e r e a c h da y f or five days, c r os s i ng t he days
of f a me nt a l c a l e nda r o n e at a t i me . Fi ve " i nne r days "
l ater, s he vi s ual i z ed t he c o l d s or e g o n e . Wh e n s he c a me
b a c k o u t o f r e l a x e d vi s ual i z at i on o r t r anc e , t he t i ngl e
t hat us ual l y s i gni f i ed t he i mmi n e n t ons e t of a c o l d s or e
h a d di s a ppe a r e d, a n d i t ne v e r c a me bac k.
My i ns pi r at i on f or t he i mmune - s y s t e m bo o s t e r c a me
f r o m a n e x p e r i me n t c a r r i e d o ut by Dr. Ka r e n Ol ne s s a t
t he Ra i nb o w Ba bi e s ' a n d Chi l dr e n' s Hos pi t a l i n Cl eve-
l and. T h e e x p e r i me n t i nv ol v e d a g r o u p of c hi l dr e n
b e i n g s ho wn a v i de o f e a t ur i ng puppe t s . O n e p u p p e t r e p-
r e s e nt e d a vi r us; a not he r , whi c h l o o k e d l i ke a p o l i c e ma n ,
r e pr e s e nt e d t he i mmu n e syst em. T h e v i de o was a si mpl i -
f i ed i l l ust r at i on of t he i nt e r na l wo r k i ng s of t he b o d y t hat
t he c hi l dr e n c o u l d easi l y unde r s t a nd.
Wh e n t he v i de o was over, t he c hi l dr e n we r e t ol d t o
cl ose t hei r eyes, r el ax, a n d i ma g i ne l ot s of p o l i c e me n pup-
pet s r u n n i n g a r o u n d t hei r bodi e s . Sal i va s ampl es we r e
162
163
t he n t aken f r o m e a c h chi l d, a nd t he resul t s s howe d t hat
t hei r i mmu n o g l o b u l i n l evel s ha d subst ant i al l y i n c r e a s e d
t hat is, t hei r i mmu n e syst ems h a d b e g u n wo r k i ng as
t h o u g h t hey we r e f i ght i ng of f r eal i nf ect i ons .
I b e g a n wa d i ng t hr o ug h t he cl i ni cal r es ear c h i n a rel a-
t i v e l y ne w ar ea k n o wn as ps y c ho ne ur o i mmuno l o g y , or
PNI . Th e r e , I f o u n d masses of i r r ef ut abl e e v i de nc e c on-
f i r mi ng t hat it' s possi bl e t o boos t y o ur i mmu n e syst em j us t
by t hi nki ng a bo ut i t i n c er t ai n ways. T h e i dea b e h i n d PNI
i s t hat o u r bo dy knows h o w t o r epai r i tsel f a n d ma i nt a i n
pe r f e c t hol i st i c heal t h. P r o g r a mme d i nt o y o ur i mmu n e
syst em i s t he abi l i ty t o r e c og ni z e t hos e cel l s t hat b e l o n g t o
y o u a n d t hos e t hat ar e i nvader s f r o m t he out s i de, whi c h
mus t be de s t r oy e d or appr opr i at el y c o n s u me d .
O n c e y o u r i mmu n e syst em c o me s i n c o nt a c t wi t h bac-
t eri a, vi r uses, or a b n o r ma l cel l s, i t wi l l ne v e r f or g e t t he
e nc o unt e r . Du r i n g its fi rst e x p o s ur e , y o u r i mmu n e sys-
t e m p r o d u c e s t a r g e t e d " b i o c he mi c a l we a p o n s " de s i g ne d
t o c o mb a t t hat speci f i c a b n o r ma l i nvader . Y o u r i mmu n e
syst em i s s t r o ng a n d i nt e l l i ge nt e n o u g h t o c o nt r o l a n d
c o o r di na t e its ac t i ons so t hat y o u ef f ort l essl y ma i nt a i n a
st at e of he a l t hy vitality.
The Immune-System Booster
A no r ma l , he a l t hy i mmu n e syst em i s a wo n d e r f u l t hi ng
a n d has a l mos t mi r a c ul o us he a l i ng powe r s . But t hos e
powe r s c a n b e e n h a n c e d t h r o u g h t he a ppl i c a t i on o f t he
s i mpl e vi s ual i z at i on I wi l l be s ha r i ng wi t h y o u.
He r e ' s a l et t er I r e c e i v e d r e c e nt l y f r o m o n e of my
PAUL Mc KENNA
s t udent s wh o us e d t hes e t e c hni que s t o ma k e a dr a ma t i c
di f f e r e nc e i n hi s o wn l i f e a n d i n t he l i ves of ot he r s :
Dear Paul,
Ab o ut five years ago, I r ecei ved t he worst news I c oul d
have f ear ed. A successf ul sales execut i ve, I had be e n
t r oubl ed by st range bout s of di zzi ness, numbne s s , a nd
sl urri ng. At o ne sales pr esent at i on, I ha d even be e n
st ruck d u mb i n mi ds ent enc e. Af t er ext ensi ve medi c al
tests, t he neur ol ogi s t gave t he dr eadf ul di agnosi s mul -
t i pl e scl erosi s ( MS) , t he i ncur abl e a nd degener at i ve
ner ve di sease. T h e news c a me as a h a mme r bl ow. My
dr eams f or t he f ut ure wer e swept away, and t he doc-
tors t ol d me t o br ac e mysel f f or " ma na g e d d e c l i n e "
t he heart l ess cl i ni cal t er m f or t he i nexor abl e sl i de i nt o
dependenc y, di sease, and deat h. Wi t h caref ul manage-
ment , t he doct or s sai d, I mi ght l ook f or war d to a
pe r i od of rel ati vel y nor ma l l i v i ng pe r ha ps a year,
possi bl y a little mo r e b e f o r e t he dr e a de d i l l ness
st art ed t o r ot my ner ves o nc e mor e . I was e nc our a g e d
t o go away and cry, as I ne e de d t o c o me t o t erms wi th
my pl i ght . Two exacer bat i ons of t he di sease i n t he
space of two mont hs i ndi cat ed t o my neur ol ogi s t t hat
MS was very acti ve i n my body, a nd hi s vi ew was t hat
this was l i kel y t o br i ng a bout my swift decl i ne.
However, after six mont hs of t he deepest despair,
my atti tude about this di sease c hanged, and I began
t o mov e t oward hope . I t r ans f or med my way of l i f e
st art i ng wi t h a radi cal c hange of d i e t a n d r eac hi ng
164
i nt o my deepest phi l osophi cal and spi ri tual atti tudes.
T h e catalyst f or this c hange was your CD Supreme Self
Confidence. I not i ced t hat f r om s omewher e wi thi n a
ne wf ound hope surged. In my mi nd' s eye I cr eat ed a
posi ti ve and vi brant sel f-i mage, whi ch I mov e d t oward
wi th i ncr easi ng conf i dence. On e year after my di agno-
sis, I was bac k to my opt i mal wei ght ; f ol l owi ng Lasi k eye
surgery, I had 20/20 vi si on f or t he first t i me; and I was
even back pl ayi ng r ugby agai n. Thi s was a posi ti ve rei n-
f or c e me nt of my new, heal thy, i nvi gorat ed sel f -i mage.
In this t i me I al so di s cover ed t hat t radi t i onal Chi -
nese me d i c i n e d e v e l o p e d over t housands of y e a r s
of f er ed i nt erest i ng possi bi l i ti es. I t hr ew mysel f i nt o an
i nt ensi ve educ at i on i n t he subj ect , b e c o mi ng first a
pat i ent of, a nd subsequent l y ac c ompl i s he d i n, t he
anc i ent Chi nes e heal i ng arts, part i cul arl y ac upunc -
t ure a nd t he advanc ed ener gy a nd mi nd- heal i ng sys-
t e m of medi c al qi gong. I have st udi ed wi t h l eadi ng
gr andmas t er s i n Chi na and t he Uni t e d States and I am
now one of Eur ope' s f or emos t e xpone nt s of medi c al
qi gong, t eac hi ng acupunct ur i st s how t o uti l i ze this
power f ul heal i ng system.
I am now i n di e best physical and ment al heal t h of my
life. I cont i nue to harness t he power of my unconsci ous
mi nd as my life and heal t h cont i nue t o fl ouri sh. Amaz-
ingly, five years after t he eveni ng I first l i stened to your
CD, I have not had a si ngl e exacer bat i on of MS, and I
have been compl et el y sympt om f ree f or mor e t han f our
years. I am honor e d to have now be c ome a st udent of
165
PAUL MCKENNA
Paul Mc Kenna, and as a Chi nese medi cal practi ti oner, I
regul arl y and successfully treat peopl e sufferi ng f r om
MS and ot her "i ncurabl e" diseases. As part of my treat-
me nt I of t en prescri be Paul Mc Ke nna CDs.
Pe opl e l i ke me h o p e l e s s cases, as j u d g e d by West-
er n medi c al s t a nda r ds a r e l i vi ng pr o o f t hat t he
powe r of t he unc ons c i ous mi nd has pr of ound l essons
f or us all. For me , heal i ng ot her s i s now mor e t han j us t
a mi s s i oni t i s al so an amaz i ng advent ur e i n l ife, and
i n l i vi ng.
Wh e t h e r y o u ' r e a s he a l t hy a s a n ox or y o u ' r e cur -
r ent l y e x p e r i e n c i n g s y mpt o ms of unwe l l ne s s , t ake a f ew
mi nut e s n o w t o try t he f ol l owi ng t e c hni q ue :
166
Immune-System Booster
Please note: this technique is not intended as a substitute
for medical treatment, although it may be used in conjunc-
tion with treatments prescribed by your physician.
1. Close your eyes and imagine your immune system in a
way that appeals to you. My personal preference is to think of
it as lots of light-colored jellyfish-type creatures, which is sim-
ilar to how the protective cells actually look. Make sure there
are plenty of them, and see them as strong and purposeful.
2. Next, imagine traveling inside your body to the area
that needs healing, and notice how you imagine the prob-
lem manifesting. You might see the infection or diseased
cells as lots of little tiny black jelly gl obul es.
3. In your mind, see the big light-colored jellyfish encap-
sulating and devouring the little black globules.
4. When the little black globules are gone, it's very
important to then imagine the light jellyfish happily swim-
ming and patrolling your bloodstream. This is to ensure that
you do not overstimulate your immune system.
5. Now imagine a healthier you standing or sitting in front
of you. See how the healthier you looks, breathes, and smiles.
6. Finally, step into the healthier you, see through the
eyes of the healthier you, hear through the healthier you' s
ears, and feel how much better you feel!
167
PAUL Mc KENNA
By now, I ' m s ur e y o u' v e b e g u n t o r eal i z e y o ur amaz -
i ng pot e nt i a l f or he a l t h, ener gy, a n d wel l - bei ng. Re t ur n
t o t he i deas a n d e xe r c i s e s i n t hi s c ha p t e r as of t e n as y o u
l i ke t o unl e a s h t hat pot e nt i a l a n d e ne r g i z e o n e of t he
c o r ne r s t o ne s o f we a l t h y o u r phys i c al body !
Paul McKenna
PS. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at another cornerstone of wealth
and the key to a happy, healthy lifethe ability to create money
from every opportunity!
168
DAY
6
CREATI NG
MONEY
Discovering the secrets of
the millionaire's mind
PAUL Mc KENNA
Review your purpose, values, and big dream from day
four.
If you need more energy, guide yourself through the
natural relaxation exercise from day five.
Choose your favorite exercise from days two and three to
create a great state and program your day!
170
I n days gone by, there was a wealthy man who had a wonderful
steamship, but as is the way with expensive things, it was prone to
breaking down. One day, after a particularly difficult journey to
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
be able to help, but at a hefty price. The wealthy man agreed at
once.
Soon an old man who looked like he must have been fixing
ships for a hundred years arrived. He carried a large bag of tools
and immediately went to work. He inspected the large network of
pipes leading to and from the engine very carefully, occasionally
placing his hand upon the pipes to test for warmth.
171
PAUL Mc KENNA
Finally, the old shipmaker reached into his bag and pulled out
a small hammer. He gently tapped against one of the pipes.
Instantly, the sound of steam rushing through the pipes could be
heard, and the engine lurched into life as the shipmaker carefully
put his hammer away.
When the wealthy man asked the shipmaker what he owed him,
the bill came to ten thousand dollarsa princely sum in those
days.
"What?" the wealthy owner exclaimed, outraged. "You hardly
did anything at all! Justify your bill or I will have you thrown
into jail."
The old shipmaker began to scrawl something onto a ragged
piece of paper he pulled from his pocket. The wealthy man smiled
as he read it and apologized to the shipmaker for his rude behavior.
This is what it said:
For tapping with a hammer $1
For knowing where to tap $9,999
172
THE WEALTH OF THE WORL D
Y o u ar e o n e o f t he weal t hi es t p e o p l e
wh o ha s ever l i ved.
Lack of money is the
root of all evil.
George Bernard Shaw
Now, I do n' t k n o w y ou, of c our s e ,
b u t I c an still safel y ma k e my asser t i on
be c a us e o u r mo d e r n c ul t ur e i s s o mu c h
we al t hi e r t ha n any pr evi ous soci et y i n t he hi s t or y of
ma nk i nd . I n f act , wh e n I wal k d o wn t he st r eet i n al mos t
any ci ty I visit, I ' m s t r uc k by h o w mu c h we al t h t he r e i s i n
t he wor l d a n d h o w f ew of us ar e t rul y awar e of it.
Re a l we a l t h i sn' t j u s t a b o u t mo n e y i t ' s a b o u t y o u r
acces s t o r es our c es , wh e t h e r or no t t hos e r e s our c e s t ec h-
ni cal l y b e l o n g t o y ou. T h e I ndi a n g u r u Swami Muk-
t a na nda , u p o n ar r i vi ng i n Ame r i c a f or t he fi rst t i me ,
s t ood i n t he ai r por t a n d sai d:
" T h e y l i ve i n par adi s e , yet t hey wi l l ne v e r k n o w i t . "
Jus t t hi nk a b o u t wha t y o u have ac c es s i bl e t o y o u e v e n
i f y o u ha v e vi rt ual l y no mo n e y a t a l l b e a u t i f u l st reet s
a n d par ks t o wal k t h r o u g h , l i br ar i es f ul l of b o o k s t o r e ad,
s c hool s f or y o u r c hi l dr e n, a n d hos pi t al s f or y o ur body. I n
s hor t , t hi ngs t hat we r e avai l abl e onl y t o t he pr i v i l e ge d
el i t e a f e w s hor t c e nt ur i e s a g o pr o ba bl y f eel l i ke y o ur
bi r t hr i ght .
Re al we a l t h i s a b o u t ha v i ng a n a b u n d a n c e of g o o d
he a l t h a n d t r ue ha ppi ne s s . It' s a b o u t ha v i ng g o o d
f r i e nds or f ami l y y o u c a n s har e i nt i mat e a n d pl e a s ur a bl e
e x p e r i e nc e s wi t h a n d l a u g h wi t h, p e o p l e wh o s t i mul at e
173
PAUL MCKENNA
a n d f as ci nat e y o u. Re al we a l t h i s f e e l i ng h a p p y mo s t of
t he t i me. It' s a s ens e of k n o wi n g t hat y o u ar e c ont r i but -
i ng s o me t h i n g t o t he wo r l d a n d t hat y o u r l i f e i s wor t h-
whi l e. Af t e r al l , y o u ar e u n i q u e n o b o d y c a n do t hi ngs
exac t l y t he way y o u do t he m.
Of c our s e , we a l t h i s al so par t l y a b o u t ha v i ng mone y .
A n d t oday we ar e g o i n g t o f oc us ver y speci f i cal l y a n d ver y
de l i be r at e l y o n t hat o n e t h i n g mo n e y .
ALL ABOUT MONEY
T h e earl i est syst em of t r ade was bar t er i ng. Co i ns we r e t he
f i r s t offi ci al l y s anc t i one d I OUs , us e d t o r e pr e s e nt t he val ue
of t hi ngs i n t he wor l d. T h e n c a me pa pe r mone y . A bank-
no t e or a dol l ar bi l l i s essent i al l y an I O U f r o m t he gover n-
me nt . Unt i l recent l y, t hey us e d t o pr i nt onl y as ma n y not e s
a n d bi l l s as t hey h a d g o l d r eser ves t o ba c k t h e m up.
Howe v e r , i n t he 1940s t he g o v e r n me n t s of t he wo r l d
d e c i d e d t o a b a n d o n t he g o l d s t andar d. Si nc e t he n, t hey
ha v e b e e n pr i nt i ng mo n e y a s t h o u g h i t was g o i n g o u t of
f a s hi on. Now, t he g o l d i n r es er ve i s onl y a f r ac t i on of t he
a mo u n t o f p a p e r mo n e y i n c i r c ul at i on, a n d e v e n p a p e r
mo n e y i s b e i n g r e p l a c e d by pl ast i c c r e di t c ar ds a n d n u m-
be r s i n c o mput e r s .
So mo n e y is essent i al l y a symbol of valuethat is, it r e p-
r es ent s val ue, a l t h o u g h i t has no i n h e r e n t val ue of its
o wn. Si nc e o u r mo n e y i s no l o ng e r b a c k e d by g o l d, why
do we still ac t as i f i t' s wo r t h s o me t hi ng ?
174
175
Be c a us e of o u r c o nf i de nc e or f ai t h i n t he s our c e of t he
mo n e y i n t hi s case, t he g o v e r n me n t t hat i s s ued it. Thi s
l eads us t o a s i mpl e yet r adi c al way of t hi nk i ng a b o u t
mo ne y :
Money is a symbol of our confidence in our
products, our services, and ourselves!
He r e ' s h o w a u t ho r Se r g e Kahi l i Ki n g put s it:
Peopl e can fail, t oo, whe n [we] l ose conf i dence i n
t hem or whe n t hey l ose c onf i denc e i n t hemsel ves,
regardl ess of t he val ue of t hei r goods and servi ces.
Li kewi se, peopl e can s ucceed whe n peopl e have
ext raordi nary conf i dence i n t hem or whe n t hey have
ext raordi nary conf i dence i n t hemsel ves, also regard-
less of t he val ue of t hei r goods a nd servi ces. . . .
I f y ou want t o have mo r e mo ne y i n your l i f e f o r
yoursel f or t o hel p ot her s or b o t h t h e n y o u have
t o ma k e your sel f mo r e val uabl e i n t he eyes of ot her
pe opl e . I t won' t be e n o u g h t o pr ovi de val uabl e
g oods a nd servi ces, or t o be i n t he r i ght pl ac e at t he
ri ght ti me, or even t o pi ck t he ri ght number s . You' l l
have t o be mor e spi ri tual t han that. You' l l have t o
have mor e fai th, mor e conf i dence, i n your own val ue,
as a pr ovi der or as a per s on.
Thi s r eveal s t he ma g i c f o r mu l a f or ma k i n g mo r e
mo ne y :
PAUL Mc KENNA
The more confidence we have in ourselves
and/or our products or services, the more we
will be able to charge for them.
A n d he r e ' s t he real l y g o o d news : i f mo n e y i s conf i -
d e n c e , a n d c o nf i d e nc e i s a st at e, t h e n y o u al r e ady have
e v e r y t hi ng i t t akes t o ma k e al l t he mo n e y y o u c o u l d e ve r
possi bl y w a n t y o u j us t ha v e t o c h o o s e t o cul t i vat e it!
HOW I BECAME A MILLIONAIRE
Be f or e I st art ed us i ng t he t e c hni que s I wi l l be s har i ng wi t h
y o u i n thi s chapt er , I was i n de bt , l i vi ng f r o m day t o day i n
a ti ny r o o m I r e nt e d i n s o me o n e el se' s a pa r t me nt . I h a d a
smal l ci rcl e of f r i ends a n d a j o b I di dn' t real l y l i ke. I t was
a n ef f ort t o g e t mys el f up a n d o ut of b e d i n t he mo r ni ng .
Wi t hi n a f e w mo n t h s , I h a d c o mpl e t e l y t r a ns f o r me d
my f i na nc i a l s i t uat i on. I ma d e mo r e mo n e y i n t hos e f e w
mo n t h s t ha n I h a d i n t he pr e v i ous f ew year s. Thi s n e w
pa t t e r n i n my l i f e s t ar t ed a c ha i n r e a c t i on, a n d I b e g a n
c r e a t i ng mo n e y e v e r y whe r e I l o o k e d . I d e v e l o p e d an
a ma z i ng l y s ucces s f ul s e c o n d car eer , t he s ucces s of wh i c h
i s pr o ba bl y why y o u ' r e r e a d i ng t hi s b o o k , a n d my ci r cl e
e x p a n d e d t o i nc l ude p e o p l e I ' m p r o u d t o n u mb e r
a mo n g my f r i ends ne ar l y t wo d e c a d e s l ater. Wi t hi n a f e w
year s , I h a d b e c o me a mi l l i onai r e .
Wha t ' s f as c i nat i ng i s t hat unt i l t hat poi nt , I h a d al ways
be l i e v e d t hat i n o r d e r t o ma k e mo n e y I h a d t o go o ut
i nt o t he wo r l d a n d g e t i t f r o m o t h e r p e o p l e . I ns t ead, as I
176
c h a n g e d my s e l f a n d my p e r c e p t i o n o f t he wor l d, mo n e y
b e g a n f l owi ng t o me . Af t e r a f e w mo r e year s h a d pas s ed,
I b e g a n t e a c hi ng ot he r s t he pr i nc i pl e s of h o w I h a d cr e-
a t e d a b u n d a n c e i n my l i f e, a n d ver y qui c kl y t he i r l i ves
t r a ns f o r me d t o o . No w I ' m g o i n g t o s har e t hos e s a me
secr et s wi t h y o u!
HOW TO OVERCOME
THE POVERTY CONSCI OUSNESS
Re s e a r c h has s ho wn t hat a massi ve pr o-
p o r t i o n of t hos e wh o s udde nl y g e t l ar ge I f someone hands
s ums of mo n e y f o r e x a mpl e , f r o m l ot- you a million
t eri es or i n h e r i t a n c e s a r e al mos t guar - dollars, best you
a nt e e d to l ose i t al l ver y qui ckl y. In f act , become a millionaire,
80 p e r c e nt ar e act ual l y wor s e of f f i nan- or you won't get to
da i l y j us t t wo year s l ater. Tha t ' s be c a us e keep the money.
i ns i de t hey still f e e l poor . Jim Rohn
I n ps yc hol ogy, t hi s i s r e f e r r e d t o as
t he Py g ma l i on ef f ect , or t he sel f -f ul f i l l i ng pr ophe c y , whi c h
I ' ve t al ked a b o u t al ready. Wh a t we e x p e c t t o be t r ue i n
o u r mi nd s wi l l t e n d t o b e c o me t r ue i n real i ty. Ev e n i f o u r
e x pe c t a t i ons a r e n' t i ni t i al l y a c c ur a t e , we ac t i n ways t hat
ar e c ons i s t e nt wi t h o u r e x pe c t a t i ons . T h o s e ac t i ons t h e n
c r e at e t he resul t s we e x p e c t e d , a n d t he " pr o phe c y " o f
o u r e x pe c t a t i o ns i s f ul f i l l ed.
I f y o u bel i eve y o u c an' t real l y b e c o me weal t hy, y o u wi l l
s pe a k a n d act consi st ent l y wi t h t hat be l i e f a n d i n mo s t
cases " pr ov e " y our s e l f r i ght . Si mi l arl y, i f y o u c h a n g e y o ur
177
PAUL MCKENNA
e xpe c t a t i ons of t he wo r l d t o r ef l ec t y o ur i nf i ni t e pot e nt i al
f or we al t h, y o u wi l l qui c kl y g e ne r a t e t he t houg ht s , f eel -
i,
i ngs , a n d be havi or s t hat wi l l dr aw mo n e y t o y o u.
O u r c ul t ur e i s c ont i nua l l y p r o g r a mmi n g us wi t h ne g a -
ti ve f i na nc i a l as s oci at i ons . We ha v e b e e n t a ug ht t hi ngs
l i ke, t he Bi bl e says, " Mo n e y i s t he r o o t of al l evi l . " Wh a t
t he Bi bl e act ual l y says i s, " T h e love of mo n e y i s t he r o o t of
al l e v i l " t h a t is, t he a c qui r i ng of mo n e y f or its o wn s ake,
as a c o mmo d i t y t o be h o a r d e d .
Or we ar e t ol d t hat t he r e i s onl y a f i ni t e a mo u n t of
we a l t h a n d t hat t he mo r e we have, t he l ess t he r e wi l l be
f or ot he r s . Or t hat al l r i c h p e o p l e ar e l i ars a n d t hi eves .
(It' s c o mmo n i n o u r c ul t ur e t o he a r t e r ms s uc h as "f i l t hy
r i c h" or "f at cat , " whi c h ar e i ndi c at i ve of an und e r l y i ng
mi s t r us t of p e o p l e wi t h mone y . )
Ma n y of t hes e l i mi t i ng i deas a b o u t mo n e y ar e hi st ori -
cal l y der i ved. Du r i n g t he Mi d d l e Ag e s , t he f e uda l syst em
k e p t we al t h i n t he ha nd s of t he pr i v i l e ge d few, whi l e t he
masses we r e t r i c ked i nt o be l i e vi ng t hat pover t y was t hei r
sal vat i on. Thi s hi e r ar c hi c al syst em of p o we r wo r k e d on
t he a s s umpt i on t hat t he r e i s onl y a f i ni t e a mo u n t t o go
a r o u nd , i mpl y i ng a scarci t y of weal t h. Pover t y was gl amor -
i z e d by t he c h u r c h , a n d f or ma n y year s i t was act ual l y c on-
Abraham Lincoln t h
e
De pr e s s i on, or wh o e x pe r i e nc e d t he
r at i oni ng of f o o d a n d essent i al s d u r i ng
You can't help the
poor by being one of
them.
s i de r e d a Chr i s t i an vi r t ue t o be poor ,
wi t h mo n k s ha v i ng t o t ake a v o w of
pover t y t o be i ni t i at ed i nt o t hei r or der .
S o me p e o p l e wh o g r e w u p d u r i ng
178
Wo r l d Wa r II, still car r y an unc o ns c i o us be l i e f t hat t he r e
j us t wo n' t b e e n o u g h t o g o a r o und. A n d ma n y o f t h e m
have unc ons c i ous l y pas s ed t hes e l i mi t i ng bel i ef s on t o
t hei r c hi l dr e n.
Ev e n i f y o u be l i e v e s o me of t he s e t hi ngs ar e t r ue , i t i s
i mp o r t a nt t hat y o u r e c o g ni z e t he i n h e r e n t p r o b l e m:
If you believe money is bad in some way, you
will unconsciously sabotage your attempts to
create more of it in your life.
I' ve f o u n d t hat mo s t weal t hy, successf ul p e o p l e t e nd t o
s har e t he s a me s i mpl e habi t s a n d bel i ef s a b o u t pr osper i t y.
Howe ve r , I bel i eve t hat ma n y p e o p l e unk no wi ng l y us e
thi s s a me po we r f ul pr i nc i pl e t o k e e p t he ms e l ve s poor ,
t h r o u g h t he bel i ef s a n d habi t s t hey have t owar d mone y .
I ns t e ad of t a k i ng r es pons i bi l i t y f or t hei r bel i ef s a n d
ac t i ons ( a nd t he r e f o r e t hei r we a l t h) , t hey us e t he i r l a c k
o f mo n e y a s " p r o o f t hat t hey ar e me a n t t o b e poor . T h e y
ha v e a f f i r me d t hei r pover t y ov e r a n d ov e r s o ma n y t i mes
t hat i t unwi t t i ngl y b e c a me a sel f -f ul f i l l i ng pr o phe c y , . a
pove r t y c ons c i ous ne s s .
Thi s i s n o t t o say t hat i f y o u ar e p o o r t hat i t i s i n a ny
way y o u r f aul t . We ar e n o t r e s pons i bl e f or t he h a n d we
ar e deal t , b u t we c a n a n d mus t t ake f ul l r es pons i bi l i t y f or
h o w we pl ay t ha t h a n d .
Fo r e x a mp l e , s o me artists bel i eve t hat t hey c a n n o t
have c o mme r c i a l s ucces s be c a us e i t wo u l d c o mp r o mi s e
t hei r arti sti c i nt egri t y. Ot h e r p e o p l e bel i eve t hat y o u c an' t
7 7 9
PAUL Mc KENNA
A particular train
of thought
persisted in, be it
good or bad,
cannot fail to
produce its results
in the character
and circumstances.
A man cannot
directly choose his
circumstances, but
he can choose his
thoughts, and so
indirectly, yet
surely, shape his
circumstances.
-James Allen
180
be a g o o d pe r s o n unl es s y o u ar e al ways put t i ng ot her s first,
e v e n i f it' s t o y o ur o wn de t r i me nt . S o me p e o p l e stay p o o r
be c a us e i t f eel s s a f e r i t ' s wha t t hey know.
As y o u us e t he Change Your Life in Seven Days syst em,
y o u ar e g o i n g t o l et g o of any o l d l i mi t i ng i deas y o u h a d
a b o u t mo n e y a n d r e p r o g r a m y o ur mi n d t o b e c o me mo r e
pr o s pe r o us a n d t hi nk l i ke a mi l l i onai r e . He r e ar e t wo
me nt a l l aws t hat e x pl a i n why s o me p e o p l e b e c o me s t uc k
i n a ne v e r - e ndi ng l o o p of pove r t y whi l e ot he r s s e e m t o
t ur n e v e r y t hi ng t hey t o u c h t o g ol d.
THE LAW OF REVERSED
EFFORT
O n e o f t he mo s t i mp o r t a nt i deas i n
hypnos i s i s c al l e d " t he l aw of r e v e r s e d
ef f or t . " T h e l aw of r e v e r s e d ef f or t c a n
b e s u mme d u p i n t he p o p ps y c hol og y
phr as e :
What you resist persists.
S o me p e o p l e have de e p- r o o t e d be-
l i efs t hat k e e p t h e m poor . Fo r o n e rea-
s on or a no t he r t hey s abot age t hems el ves
f r o m ge t t i ng r i c h. No ma t t e r h o w ha r d
t hey try consci ousl y, t hei r unc o ns c i o us
bel i ef s wi l l no t s uppo r t t he m.
Yet t he l aw of r ever s ed ef f ort t eac hes
181
us t hat i f d e e p d o wn y o u t hi nk of your s el f as poor , you' l l
c ons t andy f e ar povert y. Si nc e wha t y o u f ocus on y o u g e t
mo r e of, pover t y i s usual l y exact i y wha t y ou' l l get .
T h e e x c e p t i o n t o t hat r ul e ar e p e o p l e wh o ar e dr i v e n
t o a c c u mu l a t e mo n e y by t he i r f e ar of povert y. I' ve me t
a n d g o t t e n t o k n o w s o me of t he r i c hes t p e o p l e i n t he
wor l d, b u t f e w of t h e m ha v e wha t I ' d cal l r eal we a l t h.
Ma n y o f t h e m ar e wor ka hol i c s , dr i v e n t o l o o k f or t he i r
ne x t mi l l i o n a t t he c os t of t i me f or f ami l y or f r i ends .
T h e y ar e dr i ven by a f ear of povert y, a n d no ma t t e r h o w
mu c h mo n e y t hey a c c umul a t e , i t wi l l ne v e r be e n o u g h .
Obv i ous l y a c o n c e r n f or o r g a ni z e d f i nanc e s i s n o t
t he s a me as a d r e a d of povert y. Bu t t hat d e e p - r o o t e d f e ar
of pove r t y i s why s o me p e o p l e ma n a g e t o amas s h u g e
r i c hes wi t ho ut e ve r g e t t i ng o u t of t he t r ap of pov e r t y
c ons c i ous ne s s .
THE LAW OF ATTRACTI ON
Ha v e y o u e v e r t h o u g h t a b o ut s o me o n e a nd, mo me n t s
l ater, t he p h o n e r i ngs a n d it' s t he m? Ho w di d y o u e x pl a i n
t hat t o your sel f ? Was i t t el epat hy? Co i nc i de nc e ? Ma g ne t i c
at t r act i on? Or pe r ha ps y o u we r e t hi nk i ng a b o u t g e t t i ng a
par t i c ul ar c ar a n d t he n s udde nl y b e g a n s e e i ng t hat t ype
of c ar e ve r ywhe r e . Ho w di d y o u e x pl a i n t hat ?
T h e La w o f At t r ac t i on st at es:
What you focus on consistendy, you get more
of in your life.
PAUL MCKENNA
I f y o u f oc us on pove r t y a n d l ack, y o u
wi l l t e nd t o g e t mo r e of t hat i n y o ur
l ife* I f y o u f oc us on t he we a l t h t hat i s
al r eady t he r e , y o u wi l l t e nd t o g e t
mo r e . T h o s e wh o f oc us u p o n t he posi -
ti ve i n l i f e a n d at t r act i t t o t h e m ar e
c al l e d l ucky. I pe r s onal l y bel i eve we c a n
c r e a t e o u r o wn l uc k. T h a t i s what ' s
me a n t wh e n i t says i n t he Bi bl e , " As a
ma n t hi nke t h, s o i s he . "
Wh e t h e r o r n o t y o u c h o o s e t o
be l i e v e i n t he l aw of at t r ac t i on, i t' s
i nt e r e s t i ng t o no t e t hat ma n y hi g hl y
s ucces s f ul p e o p l e d o . Thi s i s o n e rea-
s on why r i c h p e o p l e t e nd t o associ at e
wi t h o t h e r r i ch p e o p l e a n d why t hey g e t
r i cher . Yo u r t ho ug ht s ar e a n e ne r g y
t hat i s b o t h po we r f ul a n d cr eat i ve.
S o me p e o p l e bel i eve t he mi n d i s l i ke
a ma g ne t , a n d wha t we h o l d u p p e r mo s t
i n o u r at t e nt i on we at t ract t o us. I n
mus i c , t hi s i s c al l ed t he pr i nc i pl e of sym-
pat he t i c r e s ona nc e . I f y o u have t wo pi a nos i n t he s a me
r o o m a n d y o u hi t a C on o n e pi a no , y o u wi l l f i nd t hat t he
C s t r i ng on t he o t he r pi a no starts vi br at i ng at t he s a me
rat e. I n t he s a me way, y o u ar e al ways at t r act i ng p e o p l e
a n d c i r c ums t a nc e s t hat r e s ona t e wi t h y o ur p r e d o mi n a n t
t hought s . Wo u l d n' t i t be g o o d t o at t une y o ur mi n d t o
not i c e h o w ma n y oppor t uni t i e s t he r e ar e t o b e c o me
When asked the
secret to great
wealth, billionaire
H. L. Hunt gave a
simple four-step
formula:
I. Decide on what
it is that you
want.
2. Decide what
you are willing
to give up to
get it.
3. Set your
priorities
accordingly.
4. Go about it!
182
weal t hi er ? I f y o u wa nt t o b e c o me r i c h a n d stay r i ch, y o u
n e e d t o b e g i n t hi nki ng of y our s e l f a s s o me o n e wh o
des er ves g r e a t we al t h. Yo u mus t b e g i n by f e e l i ng r i c h
wi t hi n f or i t t o mani f e s t out wardl y. As y o u b e g i n t o t rul y
s ee your s el f as a we al t hy pe r s on, y o u wi l l s ee y o ur f i nan-
ci al a b u n d a n c e grow.
CREATI NG WEALTH CONSCI OUSNESS
Wh a t we ar e g o i n g t o d o n e x t wi l l he l p y o u de v e l o p a n d
i nst al l i n y o u r mi n d a we a l t h c ons c i ous ne s s . Thi s i s a b o u t
mu c h mo r e t h a n at t r ac t i ng mo n e y i t ' s a c h a n g e i n y o u r
s el f - i mage t o o n e of g r e a t e r c o nf i d e nc e
a n d g r e a t e r h a r mo n y so t hat y o u b e g i n Some men see things
to not i c e t he a b u n d a n c e t hat s ur r ounds as they are and ask,
y o u. A n d i t wi l l gr eat 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 of b e i n g al i ve. that never were and
I ' d l i ke t o s har e wi t h y o u t he s a me ask, Why not?
t e c hni que s t hat I us e d mys el f to dr amat - George Bernard Shaw
i cal l y i nc r e as e my pe r s ona l f i nanci al
weal t h. I t a ug ht t h e m t o ot her s , a n d t hey al so i nc r e a s e d
t hei r f i nanc i al weal t h. No w I ' m g o i n g t o s har e t h e m wi t h
y ou.
Wh e n I fi rst d e c i d e d t o ma k e t he shi f t f r o m a pov e r t y
c ons c i ous ne s s t o o n e of we al t h, I was c ons t ant l y wo r r y i ng
a b o u t b e i n g p o o r or h o w n o t t o be poor . I h a d a scruf f y
l i ttl e c h e c k b o o k t hat r e f l e c t e d my scruf f y l i ttl e f i nanc e s
at t he t i me . Wh e n a bi l l c a me i n t he mai l , I ' d wor r y a b o u t
183
PAUL MCKENNA
h o w I was g o i n g t o pa y it, a n d I ' d f eel p o o r i ns i de. Thi s
c o nt i nua l f oc us o n pov e r t y k e p t me s t uc k i n p o o r t hi nk-
i ng a n d p o o r de c i s i on ma k i ng .
On c e I ' d ma d e t he de c i s i on t o af f i rm weal t h i ns t ead, I
b e g a n t o o p e n my bi l l s a n d vi vi dl y i ma g i ne t hat I h a d t hou-
sands i n t he ba nk, f ar mo r e t ha n I n e e d e d t o pay t he bi l l .
Y o u c a n i ma g i ne h o w g o o d t hat f eel s. I was s e ndi ng a n e w
me s s age t o my unc ons c i ous . S o me p e o p l e try t o g e t t he
s ame ef f ect by sayi ng af f i r mat i ons l i ke " I am weal t hy, I am
weal t hy, I am weal t hy, " b ut i f t he r e i s a be l i e f i n t he unc o n-
sci ous a bo ut povert y, t he af f i r mat i on i s ne x t t o usel ess. It' s
no t e n o u g h t o hi de y o ur h e a d i n t he s and a n d p r e t e n d
y o u have t o act ual l y c r eat e t he feeling of weal t h by vi vi dl y
i ma g i ni ng your s el f as weal t hy over a n d over agai n.
Of c our s e , y o u do have t o pay t he bi l l s, b ut c r e a t i ng
t he f e e l i ng of we a l t h wi l l ma k e t he pr oc e s s mo r e enj oy-
abl e a n d s e nd y o u o n t he r o a d t o g r e a t e r a b u n d a n c e .
T h e mi n d i s sensi t i ve, s o i t' s i mp o r t a nt t o s i gnal t o
y our s e l f t hat posi t i ve c h a n g e s ar e h a p p e n i n g . I c h a n g e d
ba nk s a n d g o t a c l e a n n e w c h e c k b o o k t o h e l p me st art t o
f eel di f f er ent . T h e n t he r eal f un b e g a n .
I n e e d e d t o g e t a s t r o ng s ens e of wha t g r e a t e r we a l t h
wo u l d be l i ke, s o I g o t an o l d b a n k s t at e me nt , c ut i t u p ,
r e mo v e d t he bi t t hat sai d " ov e r dr a wn, " r e a r r a ng e d t he
f i gur e s , a n d g l u e d i t b a c k t o g e t he r s o t hat i t s h o we d
t ho us a nds i n cr edi t . As s o o n as I ' d f i ni s hed, I bur s t o u t
l a ug hi ng . S o me ho w, e v e n t h o u g h I k n e w I ' d ma d e i t u p ,
act ual l y h o l d i n g i t i n my ha nd s ma d e i t b e g i n t o f eel
mo r e r eal . I f o c us e d on i t s ever al t i mes ever y day.
An o t h e r t e c hni q ue I us e d was t o pr ac t i c e wr i t i ng o ut
184
de pos i t sl i ps a n d c he c ks f or mi l l i ons of dol l ar s unt i l I f el t
c o mf o r t a bl e d o i n g it. By t he t i me I was abl e t o f eel c o m-
f or t abl e " de pos i t i ng" a n d " s pe ndi ng " s uc h l ar ge a mo unt s ,
i t was easy f or me t o s ee mys el f as a t rul y we al t hy pe r s on.
To my s ur pr i s e, wi t hi n a f e w mo n t h s t he i ma g i na r y
a mo u n t o n my h o me ma d e b a n k s t a t e me nt h a d b e c o me a
real i ty. Ha v i ng t hat t a ngi bl e pi e c e of pape r , t he b a n k
s t a t e me nt , h a d real l y h e l p e d . So I s e a r c he d f or o t h e r
ways t o ma k e my we a l t h c ons c i ous ne s s t angi bl e .
I d e c i d e d t o ma k e a " weal t h s c r a pbook , " c ol l e c t i ng
pi c t ur es of t hi ngs I wa nt e d, pl ac e s I wa n t e d t o vi si t, a n d
p e o p l e I wa n t e d t o me e t . I n o r d e r t o ma k e y o u r o wn
we a l t h s c r a pbo o k , st art c ol l e c t i ng pi c t ur e s of t hi ngs y o u
want , p e o p l e y o u ' d l i ke t o me e t , a n d pl ac e s y o u ' d l i ke t o
g o . An y t h i n g y o u ' d l i ke t o b r i n g i nt o y o ur l i f e, b r i ng i nt o
y o u r s c r a pbo o k .
T h e n , ever y t i me y o u l o o k t h r o u g h y o ur b o o k , pr ac-
t i ce c r e a t i ng s ens or y- r i ch e x pe r i e nc e s of y o ur goal s . I f it' s
a par t i c ul ar car, go t ake a t est dr i ve so t hat af t er war d y o u
c a n vi vi dl y i ma g i ne dr i v i ng o n e , ov e r a n d ov e r a ga i n. I f
i t' s a be aut i f ul ho us e , i ma g i ne wa l k i ng a r o u n d i t unt i l
y o u k n o w ever y i nc h o f i t t h e f e e l i ng o f t he c ar pe t , t he
s mel l of t he hal l way, t he t e x t ur e of t he f ur ni t ur e , a n d s o
o n . It' s ver y s i mpl e , b u t i t do e s t ake r e g ul a r pr ac t i c e . Y o u
ar e r e he a r s i ng b e i n g weal t hy, a n d l i ke a Me t h o d act or,
y o u n e e d t o t ot al l y g e t i nt o t he par t .
O n e t i me I we n t i nt o a Me r c e d e s s h o wr o o m a n d sat i n
a car t o g e t c o mf o r t a bl e . I s me l l e d t he l eat her , we n t f or a
t est dr i ve, a n d i ma g i n e d i t was my o wn. I t o o k away a
b r o c h u r e t o a d d t o my s c r a p b o o k a n d i ma g i n e d dr i vi ng
185
PAUL Mc KENNA
186
i t ever y day. Pr et t y s o o n my mi n d was s o f o c us e d u p o n
g e t t i ng me o n e t hat I s t ar t ed t o s ee Me r c e d e s every-
whe r e . Be f o r e l ong* a s e e mi n g c o i n c i d e n c e b r o u g h t a
ba r g a i n de a l my way, a n d I b o u g h t my fi rst Me r c e d e s .
A f r i e nd of mi n e r eal l y g o t i nt o t hi s t ype of cr eat i ve
vi s ual i zat i on. He ' d b e e n pr a c t i c i ng vi s ual i z i ng p a r k i ng
s pac es , a n d amaz i ngl y, i t s e e me d t o wor k. So he d e c i d e d
t o g o f or b i g g e r t hi ngs .
Al t h o u g h h e ' d ne v e r b e e n out s i de Eng l a nd, he
de c i de d t hat he wa nt e d t o t ravel t he wor l d i n styl e. He
di dn' t have mu c h mone y , b ut he c ol l e c t e d s o me travel
br oc hur e s , c ut o ut t he pi c t ur es of al l t he exot i c pl ac es he
wa nt e d t o go t o, a n d st uck t h e m i n hi s s c r apbook. T h e n , i n
or de r t o ma k e i t r eal t o hi msel f , e a c h Sunda y f or a mo n t h
he p a c k e d hi s sui t case a n d we nt t o t he ai r por t , e v e n st and-
i ng i n l i ne be f or e f i nal l y t ur ni ng a r o u n d a n d g o i ng h o me .
Wh e n he ar r i ved h o me , h e ' d wa t c h a v i de o of a pr o-
g r a m a b o u t t r avel i ng fi rst cl ass a n d s p e n d t i me 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 t he pl a c e s he wa n t e d t o g o .
He r eal l y gave hi msel f , hi s unc o ns c i o us , t hat e x p e r i e n c e
o f t r avel i ng t o a n d e nj oy i ng e xot i c l oc at i ons . He f o c us e d
on i t f or a mo n t h no ns t o p.
O n e day, wi t h no wa r ni ng , he was c al l e d i nt o hi s
boss' s of f i ce a n d a s k e d i f he wo u l d l i ke t o b e c o me t hei r
i nt e r na t i ona l r epor t er . Hi s bos s e x p l a i n e d i t wo u l d me a n
t r avel i ng al l ov e r t he wo r l d f i r s t cl ass. He c o u l d ha r dl y
bel i eve it!
Mo s t a ma z i n g of al l , af t er a f ew mo n t h s of t r avel i ng,
he ar r i ved at a s mal l vi l l age i n Swi t z e r l and wh e r e he
b e g a n t o g e t a f e e l i ng of dej a vu. I t was onl y wh e n he g o t
MONEY, HAPPI NESS, AND YOU
Be f o r e we go a ny f ur t her , l et me ask y o u a que s t i on:
What would having more money give you that
you don't already have?
Wh e n e v e r I ask thi s que s t i o n i n my s e mi na r s , p e o p l e
gi ve ans wer s l i ke ha ppi ne s s , f r e e d o m, securi t y, or powe r .
Howe v e r , mo n e y i t sel f i s n o t t he s our c e of a ny of t hes e
t hi ngs . Ea c h of t hes e wor ds r e pr e s e nt s a st at e y o u c a n
g e ne r a t e wi t hi n y o u, a n e u r o c h e mi c a l e v e nt i n y o ur b o d y
a n d mi n d . Le t ' s f ac e i t i f mo n e y was
really t he ke y to ha ppi ne s s , f r e e d o m, All the money in the
securi t y, or power , p e o p l e l i ke Kur t world i s spent on
Co b a i n , Ho wa r d Hu g h e s , Mar i l yn Mo n - feeling good.
r oe , a n d J o h n Be l us hi wo u l d still be _#y cooder
wi t h us t oday.
187
ba c k t o En g l a n d a n d c h e c k e d i n hi s s c r a p b o o k t hat he
r e al i z e d h e ' d b e e n st ayi ng i n t he e x a c t s a me vi l l age h e ' d
c ut o u t a n d pa s t e d i nt o hi s s c r a p b o o k a n d ul t i mat el y hi s
u nc o ns c i o u s mi n d .
Ex t r a or di na r y as i t ma y s e e m, I ha v e wi t ne s s e d so
ma ny s uc h o c c u r r e nc e s t hat I have b e c o me s kept i c al
a b o u t t he i d e a o f c o i nc i de nc e s a n d a m wi l l i ng t o c on-
s i der t hat a l t h o u g h I d o n' t k n o w exact l y h o w i t wor ks ,
o u r mi n d s ma y act ual l y have t he abi l i t y t o at t r act event s ,
t hi ngs , or p e o p l e i nt o o u r l i ves.
PAUL MCKENNA
He r e ' s a c or ol l ar y t o t he l aw of r e v e r s e d ef f ort :
If you want to get something in order to feel a
certain way, feeling that way now will be the
fastest way to get it.
Tr y t he f ol l owi ng t e c h n i q u e t o a ppl y t hi s pr i nc i pl e t o
c r e a t i ng f i nanc i al a b u n d a n c e !
Anchor Yourself to Wealth
1. Make a list of all the states and feelings you
believe money will bring you. Examples: confident,
happy, peaceful, generous, etc.
2. Choose the first state on your list. Remember a
time when you really felt that way. Fully return to it
nowsee what you saw, hear what you heard, and
feel how good you felt. (If you can' t remember a
specific time, imagine how much better your life
would be if you felt that way now!)
3. Keep goi ng through this memory. Make the col-
ors brighter and richer, the sounds louder, and the
feelings stronger.
4. As you feel these good feelings, squeeze the
thumb and middle finger of one of your hands
together and say the words "I am wealthy!" in your
mind or out loud.
188
5. Repeat steps 2-4 with each emotional state on
your list. Soon, just squeezi ng the thumb and middle
finger together and repeating the phrase "I am
wealthy!" will begin to bring back all those good
feelings you associ ate with wealth.
This is your "wealth anchor." Use it anytime you
are thinking about or wanting more money to condi-
tion yourself for success!
SUCCESS, MONEY, AND TIME
A n o t h e r o n e o f t he f u n d a me n t a l as pect s o f t he mi l l i on-
ai r e' s mi nd- s e t i s s e pa r a t i ng o u t y o u r abi l i t y t o ma k e
mo n e y f r o m t he neces s i t y of s p e n d i n g t i me t o do it. Tr ad-
i ng y o u r t i me f or mo n e y i s t he c o r ne r s t o ne of pover t y
c ons c i ous ne s s . ( That ' s why y ou' l l ne v e r me e t a mi l l i on-
ai r e wo r k i n g f or a n ho ur l y wa g e ! )
I f y o u wa nt t o c r eat e massi ve f i nanci al a b u n d a n c e , i t i s
nec es s ar y t o fi rst r e c o g ni z e t hat y o ur abi l i t y t o ma k e
mo n e y i s i nt i mat el y l i nke d t o y o ur abi l i t y t o a dd, cr eat e,
a n d pr ov i de val ue, wh e t h e r t o a pe r s o n, a pr oj ect , a c o m-
pany, or an ent er pr i s e. I n f act , I' l l say i t e v e n mo r e cl earl y:
Money is one of the rewards you get for
adding value to the lives of others.
T h e r e ar e essent i al l y f our keys t o ma k i n g mo r e mo n e y
by a d d i n g mo r e val ue:
189
PAUL MCKENNA
/. Uniqueness
T h e mo r e u n i q u e t he val ue y o u pr ov i de , t he mo r e y o u
wi l l be abl e t o e x c h a n g e i t for. Whi l e t he r e ar e t ens of
t ho us a nds of ac t or s i n Ho l l y wo o d, t he r e ar e onl y a b o u t
si x at any o n e t i me wh o c a n r el i abl y c ar r y a mo v i e . Tha t ' s
why t he r e ar e onl y a b o u t si x act or s i n t he wo r l d wh o ar e
pa i d i n e xc e s s of $20 mi l l i on a mo v i e .
2. Scope
T h e mo r e p e o p l e y o u a d d val ue t o, t he mo r e mo n e y y o u
g e t t o ma k e . Wha t e v e r y o u mi g h t t hi nk o f Bi l l Gat e s a n d
Mi c r os of t , t hei r bi l l i ons of dol l ar s i n ne t wo r t h i s l ar gel y
a c c o u n t e d f or by t he mi l l i ons of p e o p l e who s e l i ves ar e
i mp a c t e d dai l y by t he d e v e l o p me n t of Wi n d o ws a n d its
c ompe t i t i v e o p e r a t i ng syst ems.
3. Impact
T h e mo r e of a di f f e r e nc e y o u ma k e i n t he l i ves of ot he r s ,
t he mo r e mo n e y y o u c a n d e ma n d i n r et ur n. Wh y d o
mo s t doc t or s g e t pa i d mo r e t ha n mo s t t eac her s ? Be c a us e
mo s t p e o p l e v a l ue t he i r he a l t h a bo v e t hei r e duc a t i o n.
4. Perception
T h e r e ar e ma n y st ori es o f p e o p l e wo r k i ng t i rel essl y a n d
a no ny mo us l y b e h i n d t he s c e ne s t o ma k e a di f f e r e nc e i n
t he wor l d. Wh i l e i t ma y be t r ue t hat t hes e u n s u n g he r o e s
ar e t he r eal r e a s on why t he wo r l d wor ks as wel l as i t do e s ,
190
191
t hi s do e s n o t me a n t hat t hes e p e o p l e ar e de s t i ne d t o
b e c o me r i c h. No ma t t e r h o w mu c h v a l ue y o u a d d t o t he
wor l d, i t i s onl y pe r c e i v e d val ue t hat c a n be e x c h a n g e d
f or h a r d c ur r enc y.
I n t he ear l y 1 970s , a r e c o r d l abel i n Br i t ai n was s el l i ng
a l bums c o nt a i ni ng c ov e r ver s i ons o f c o n t e mp o r a r y
s ongs . Al t h o u g h t he r e c or ds s ol d f or l ess t ha n $2 a copy,
ha r dl y a n y o n e b o u g h t t h e m a n d t he r e c o r d c o mp a n y was
s uf f er i ng.
A whi z ki d j o i n e d t he b o a r d a n d a n n o u n c e d he
wa nt e d t o mo r e t ha n d o u b l e t he pr i c e of t he r e c or ds .
T h e o t he r exec ut i ves we r e s h o c k e d but event ual l y a g r e e d
t o hi s pl a n. Wi t hi n a f ew we e ks , t he r e c or ds we r e f l yi ng
of f t he shel ves. Wh e n t he r e c or ds di dn' t cos t mu c h ,
p e o p l e di dn' t val ue t he m. T h e r e c o r d c o mp a n y was s aved
by r e de f i ni ng pe o pl e ' s p e r c e p t i o n of t he val ue of t hei r
pr o duc t .
I n s i mpl e t er ms , i n o r d e r t o c r e at e mone y , I bel i eve
y o u n e e d t o gi ve s o me t h i n g t o t he wo r l d t hat p e o p l e wi l l
pa y y o u for, pr e f e r a bl y pl ent y. Y o u mi g h t f i nd i t us ef ul t o
ask y our s e l f t he f ol l owi ng we a l t h- pr o duc i ng que s t i on:
What unique product or service would I like to
provide that will be of massive value to the
world?
"1
PAUL Mc KENNA
KEEPING S CORE WITH MONEY
I t has b e e n sai d ma n y t i mes t hat i n t he g a me of l i f e,
mo n e y i s j us t a way of k e e p i n g s c or e.
Now, i f y o u ' r e s o me o n e wh o has ne v e r b a l a nc e d a
c h e c k b o o k o r r e c o nc i l e d y o ur b a n k s t at ement , t hi s mi g h t
s e e m a bi t scar y at fi rst, b u t wh e n y o u k n o w wh e r e y o u
ar e i n r el at i on t o mo ne y , i t b e c o me s pos s i bl e t o me a s u r e
y o ur pr ogr e s s .
A n d as Mi c ha e l L e B o e u f says i n The Greatest Manage-
ment Secret in the World,
What gets measured gets done.
Y o u wi l l n e e d t o g e t s o me pape r , a cal cul at or , a n d ver y
possi bl y a s ens e of h u mo r !
Wealth Measure 1: Your Net Worth
Ne t wo r t h i s a t r adi t i onal me a s ur e of we al t h. I t i s c al c u-
l at e d by a d d i n g al l y o u r assets i n o n e c o l u mn a n d al l y o u r
de bt s i n t he ot her .
Di vi de a pi e c e of p a p e r i nt o t wo c o l umns . On t he l eft-
h a n d si de, wr i t e "Asset s"; on t he r i ght , "Li abi l i t i es. " I n t he
assets c o l u mn , wr i t e d o wn a ny t hi ng t hat y o u o wn a n d
a ppr ox i ma t e l y wha t t hat t hi ng wo u l d be wo r t h i f y o u s ol d
i t t oday.
I n t he l i abi l i t i es c o l u mn , wr i t e d o wn a ny t hi ng y o u still
o we mo n e y for. Thi s mi g h t i nc l ude y o ur h o me , y o u r car,
192
a n d any mo n e y y o u o we o n c r e di t c ar ds o r o t h e r out -
s t a ndi ng l oans .
T h e f o r mu l a f or d e t e r mi n i n g ne t wo r t h i s s i mpl e :
Total Assets Total Liabilities = Net Worth
Do n ' t be di s c o ur a g e d i f y o u f i nd y o u ha v e a ne gat i ve
ne t w o r t h t h e j o u r n e y t o we a l t h al ways be g i ns exac t l y
wh e r e y o u ar e!
He r e ' s a n e x a mp l e o f h o w i t mi g h t wor k:
Assets Liabilities
House: $150, 000 Mor t gage: $100,000
Li fe i nsurance cash val ue: $15, 000 Cr edi t cards: $4,500
Car: $10,000
IRA: $35,000
Mone y owed me: $3,500
Car l oan: $3,000
St udent l oan: $15, 000
Out s t andi ng bills: $2,500
Tot al assets = $213, 500
Tot al liabilities = $125, 000
$213, 500-$125, 000 = $88,500
Net wor t h = $88,500
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PAUL Mc KENNA
KEEPING S CORE WITH MONEY
I t has b e e n sai d ma n y t i mes t hat i n t he g a me of l i f e,
mo n e y i s j u s t a way of k e e p i n g s c or e.
Now, i f y o u ' r e s o me o n e wh o has ne v e r b a l a n c e d a
c h e c k b o o k o r r e c o nc i l e d y o ur b a n k s t at ement , thi s mi g h t
s e e m a bi t scary at first, b ut wh e n y o u k n o w wh e r e y o u
ar e i n r e l at i on t o mone y , i t b e c o me s pos s i bl e t o me a s u r e
y o u r pr ogr e s s .
A n d as Mi c h a e l L e B o e u f says i n The Greatest Manage-
ment Secret in the World,
What gets measured gets done. \
Yo u wi l l n e e d t o g e t s o me pa pe r , a c al c ul at or , a n d ver y
possi bl y a s ens e of h u mo r !
Wealth Measure 1: Your Net Worth
Ne t wo r t h i s a t r adi t i onal me a s u r e of we al t h. I t i s c al c u-
l a t e d by a d d i n g al l y o u r assets i n o n e c o l u mn a n d al l y o ur
de bt s i n t he ot her .
Di vi de a pi e c e of p a p e r i nt o t wo c o l umns . On t he l eft-
h a n d si de, wri t e "Asset s"; on t he r i ght , "Li abi l i t i es. " I n t he
assets c o l u mn , wr i t e d o wn a ny t hi ng t hat y o u o wn a n d
a ppr ox i ma t e l y wha t t hat t hi ng wo u l d be wor t h i f y o u s ol d
i t t oday.
I n t he l i abi l i t i es c o l u mn , wr i t e d o wn a ny t hi ng y o u still
owe mo n e y for. Thi s mi g h t i nc l ude y o u r h o me , y o ur car,
192
Assets Liabilities
Hous e: $150, 000 Mor t gage: $100,000
Car: $10,000 Car l oan: $3,000
IRA: $35,000 St udent l oan: $15, 000
Mone y owed me: $3,500 Out s t andi ng bills: $2,500
Li f e i nsurance cash val ue: $15, 000 Cr edi t cards: $4,500
Total assets = $213, 500
Total liabilities = $125, 000
$213, 500-$ 125,000 = $88,500
Net wort h = $88,500
193
a n d any mo n e y y o u owe o n c r e di t c ar ds o r o t h e r out -
s t a ndi ng l oans .
T h e f o r mu l a f or d e t e r mi n i n g ne t wo r t h i s s i mpl e :
Total Assets Total Liabilities = Net Worth
Do n ' t be di s c o ur a g e d i f y o u f i nd y o u ha v e a ne gat i v e
ne t w o r t h t h e j o u r n e y t o we a l t h al ways be g i ns e x a c d y
wh e r e y o u ar e!
He r e ' s a n e x a mp l e o f h o w i t mi g h t wor k:
PAUL MCKENNA
Wealth Measure 2: The Number of Days Forward You
Can Live Without Earning Any More Money
To c al c ul at e y o ur n e x t we a l t h s c or e , s i mpl y t ake y o ur typ-
i cal mo nt hl y e x pe ns e s a n d di vi de by 30. Let ' s cal l t he
ans we r y o ur dai l y r at e. T h e n di vi de y o ur ne t wo r t h ( how
mu c h y o u' v e g o t mi nu s h o w mu c h y o u owe ) b y y o u r dai l y
r at e. T h e ans we r i s t he n u mb e r of days y o u c a n l i ve wi t h-
o u t e a r ni ng any mo r e mo ne y . As y o ur e a r ni ng s , savi ngs,
a n d i nves t ment s c o nt i nu e t o gr ow, y o u c a n k e e p s c or e by
h o w ma n y days y o u' v e a d d e d t o y o u r we a l t h s c or e.
EXAMPL E
Y o u have a ne t wo r t h of $100, 000 a n d mo nt hl y e x pe ns e s
of $5, 000. $5, 000 di v i de d by 30 i s $1 66. 66, or $1 67 . Thi s
i s y o u r dai l y r at e. $100, 000 di v i de d by $1 6 7 i s 598. 8, or
599. Thi s me a n s t hat i f y o u h a d t o, y o u c o u l d ma i nt a i n
y o u r c ur r e nt l i f est yl e wi t ho ut e a r ni ng any mo r e mo n e y
f or 599 days ( a bout I K y e ar s ) .
Wealth Measure 3: The Amount of Money You
Wouldn't Worry About Losing
Thi s o ne ' s mo r e s ubj ect i ve, a n d eas i er t o c al c ul at e. Fo r
e x a mp l e , t went y year s a g o , I l ost $50 a n d was ne ar l y sui ci -
dal . Nowa da y s , i f t he a mo u n t I l os e i s l ess t ha n $5, 000, I
d o n ' t wor r y a b o u t it. Us i ng t hi s s cal e, my we a l t h s c or e
has g o n e f r o m a b o u t 5 t o ov e r 500. Part l y thi s i s b e c a us e
I ha v e mo r e mone y . Part l y it' s be c a us e I ' m mo r e conf i -
d e n t i n my abi l i t y t o e a r n mo r e mone y . Part l y I' ve j u s t
194
l e a r ne d t o r el ax. Thi s i s o n e of my f avor i t e me a s ur e s of
we al t h, b e c a us e it' s pos s i bl e t o i nc r e a s e i t wi t ho ut ear n-
i ng any mo r e mo ne y !
Wealth Measure 4: You Magic Number for Financial
Independence
Thi s i s o n e of t he mo s t us ef ul mo n e y f or mul a s y ou' l l ever
c o me acr oss. I t wi l l h e l p y o u t o c al c ul at e y o u r ma g i c
n u mb e r f or f i nanc i al i n d e p e n d e n c e t h e a mo u n t o f
mo n e y t hat , i f y o u p u t i t i n t he b a n k at an a v e r a ge ( 6- 8
p e r c e nt ) r at e of r e t ur n, y o u wo u l d be abl e t o ma k e al l
y o u r de c i s i ons i n d e p e n d e n t o f f i nanc i al c ons i de r a t i on.
1. Ma k e a list of al l t he o ne t i me pur c has e s y o u wo u l d
l i ke t o ma k e i n y o ur l i f et i me a n d t he a ppr o x i ma t e p r i c e
par t i cul ar l y any bi g- t i cket i t ems.
EXAMPL E
Ho u s e : $250, 000
Car s : $50, 000
A l ux ur y vac at i on: $5, 000
Co l l e g e e duc a t i o n ( x 3) : $1 50, 000
Mi s c e l l a ne ous f un: $45, 000
2. Tot al up al l t he i t e ms t h i s i s f i gur e A.
EXAMPL E
I n o u r ma t he ma t i c a l l y c o n v e n i e n t e x a mp l e a bov e ,
$500, 000 wo u l d do us ni cel y!
195
1
PAUL Mc KENNA
196
3. De c i d e on a c o mf o r t a b l e a nnu a l sal ary f or l i f e. (If
i n do ubt , j us t d o u b l e y o ur exi s t i ng sal ary! )
EXAMPL E
I f y o u c ur r e ndy e a r n $25, 000, f i gur e t hat $50, 000 a y e a r f or
l i fe wo u l d pr oba bl y c ov e r y o ur o n g o i n g ne e ds a n d want s.
4. Mul t i pl y t hat sal ary by 12 ( a ppr ox i ma t e l y 8 per -
c e nt r e t ur n) or by 1 5 ( a ppr o x i ma t e l y 6 p e r c e n t r e t ur n) .
Thi s i s t he f i gur e y o u wo u l d n e e d t o i nvest at a f ai rl y c on-
servat i ve r at e of r e t ur n t o " e a r n" y o ur a nnu a l sal ary f or
l i f e we ' l l cal l i t f i gur e B.
EXAMPL E
Be t we e n $600, 000 a n d $750, 000
5. Fi g ur e A + f i gur e B = y o ur ma g i c n u mb e r t h e
a mo u n t o f mo n e y y o u wo u l d n e e d t o have i n t he b a n k i n
o r de r t o be ut t er l y f i nanci al l y i n d e p e n d e n t , t ha t i s, abl e
t o ma k e al l y o ur de c i s i ons i n d e p e n d e n t of f i nanc i al c on-
c e r n o r c ons i de r a t i on.
EXAMPL E
Ma g i c n u mb e r = 500, 000 ( A) + 750, 000 ( B) = $1 . 25 mi l -
l i on f or f i na nc i a l i n d e p e n d e n c e
THE TEN SECRETS OF ABUNDANCE
He r e ar e t he t en bes t i deas I c a n gi ve y o u on h o w t o st art
i nc r e a s i ng y o u r we a l t h s c or es t oday. An y o n e of t hes e wi l l
ma k e a n i mme d i a t e di f f e r e nc e t o y o u r we a l t h c ons c i ous -
ness. As y o u st art us i ng mo r e a n d mo r e o f t h e m i n y o ur
day- t o- day l i f e, y ou' l l f i nd y our s e l f on t he f ast t r ack
t owa r d a we a l t hi e r l i f e, wi t h a mi l l i onai r e' s mi n d .
1. Decide Right Now That You Are Responsible for
Your Financial Abundance
Far t oo ma n y p e o p l e ar e s c ar e d t o a c c e pt t he r es pons i bi l -
ity o f h u g e f i nanc i al weal t h. Wh e n y o u g e t mo r e mo n e y
y o u r f i nanc i al pr es s ur es d o n' t ge t smal l er, t hey ge t bi gger .
Wh a t mo s t p e o p l e d o n' t r eal i ze is t hat that's the fun of it\
As y o u a c c e pt t he r es pons i bi l i t y t hat c o me s wi t h pl ay-
i ng t he b i g g e r mo n e y g a me , y o u b e c o me a mo r e c a pa bl e
pe r s o n. T h e mo r e s ubs t ant i al t he c ha l l e ng e s , t he mo r e
s ubs t ant i al t he r ewar ds , n o t onl y f i nanci al l y b ut spi ri t u-
al l y a n d e mot i ona l l y as wel l . A n d as y o u t ake r es pons i bi l -
ity f or y o u r o wn f i nanc i al s ucces s , g e t t i ng we a l t hi e r wi l l
s e e m l ess a n d l ess o v e r wh e l mi n g a n d mo r e l i ke t he pl ea-
s ur e i t was al ways me a n t t o be.
2. Save First, Then Spend Only What You Can
Truly Afford
I n t he s a me way t hat t he r eal s e c r e t of l os i ng we i g ht i s
e a t i ng l ess a n d mo v i n g mo r e , t he r eal s e c r e t of g a i ni ng
we al t h i s s p e n d i n g l ess a n d e a r ni ng mo r e . Cr e a t e a pl a n
t oday t hat wi l l e na b l e y o u t o c l e ar any o ut s t a ndi ng de bt s
a n d bui l d y o u r f i nanc i al r e s e r voi r ( see n u mb e r 4) as
qui c kl y as pos s i bl e.
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PAUL Mc KENNA
X
The difference between
poor people and rich
people is easy. The poor
spend their money and
then save what's left
over; the rich save their
money and then spend
what's left over.
-Jim Rohn
Co n s i d e r t aki ng t he fi rst 1 0 per -
c e nt o f y o u r mo n t h l y i n c o me a n d
i mme di a t e l y us i ng i t t o pay d o wn
y o u r d e b t a n d / o r bui l d y o u r savi ngs.
As y o u t ake st eps t o r e d u c e y o ur d e b t
a n d i nc r e as e y o u r ne t wo r t h mo n t h
by mo n t h , y ou' l l qui c kl y ma k e t he
t r ans i t i on f r o m t r yi ng t o k e e p y o ur
h e a d a bov e wa t e r t o l ayi ng t he f o un-
da t i ons of we al t h.
3. Study Wealthy People
O n e of t he qui c ke s t ways t o b e c o me we al t hy i s t o s p e nd
t i me wi t h p e o p l e wh o have al r e ady a c hi e v e d we al t h.
Re me mb e r , we a l t h i s mo r e t ha n f i nanc i al a b u n d a n c e .
Ma n y p e o p l e ha v e b e c o me mi l l i onai r e s onl y t o di s c over
t hat a l o n g t he way t he y l ost s o me t h i n g f ar mo r e i mpo r -
t a n t t h e i r sel f - r espect a n d s ens e of self.
Ta ke s o me t i me t o r e s e a r c h a n d di s c ove r y o u r o wn
" he r o e s of we a l t h " t h o s e p e o p l e wh o ' v e f o u n d a way t o
c r eat e massi ve f i nanc i al a b u n d a n c e wi t hout s ac r i f i c i ng
t he i r l i ves or t he i r s oul s a l o n g t he way. Fi nd o u t wh a t t he y
ar e d o i n g t hat y o u ar en' t . S e e k t o
If you want to learn unde r s t a nd h o w t hey t hi nk a n d
about money, learn from be ha v e t owar d mo n e y a n d we a l t h. If
somebody who has a lot pos s i bl e, c ont a c t t h e m a n d ask f or
of it. advi c e. No t onl y do e s as ki ng ma k e
Charles Givens o t h e r p e o p l e awar e of wh o y o u ar e , i t
al s o l et s t h e m k n o w t hat y o u ar e tak-
198
i ng y o ur pur s ui t o f we a l t h seri ousl y. Wh i l e n o t e v e r y o ne
wi l l of f er t o he l p , i t' s b e e n my e x p e r i e n c e t hat as l o n g as
y o u ar e pol i t e a n d r es pec t f ul , ma n y we al t hy p e o p l e ar e
gr at ef ul f or t he o ppo r t uni t y t o be of s er vi ce.
4. Build Your Financial Reservoir
T h e mo r e mo n e y y o u have i n t he ba nk, t he l ess f r i ght e n-
i ng i t i s t o e x p e r i me n t wi t h n e w a n d di f f e r e nt ways of
ma k i n g mone y . Thi s i s why t he mo s t po we r f ul i nv e s t me nt
y o u c a n ma k e i s t o bui l d y o ur f i nanc i al r e s e r v o i r a sav-
i ngs a c c o u n t wi t h b e t we e n t hr e e mo n t h s ' a n d t wo year s '
sal ary i n it.
In Dr. Ri c ha r d Car l s on' s b o o k Don't Worry, Make Money,
he tel l s t he st ory of t wo me n wh o we r e b o t h of f e r e d t he
s ame j o b wi t h a ne w c o mp a n y i n t he 1970s. T h e of f er was
f or ver y l ow pay b ut a l ar ge a mo u n t of st ock. T h e ma n wh o
was l i vi ng f r o m pa y c he c k t o pa y c he c k t ho u g ht i t was t oo
ri sky a n d passed; t he o n e wh o ha d a f i nanci al r es er voi r
t ook t he offer. T h e c o mp a n y was Mi cr osof t , a n d ne e dl e s s
t o say, wi t hi n a f ew year s t he ma n wh o t ook t he ri sk h a d
amas s e d a h u g e f or t une .
T h e mo r a l of t he st or y i s t hat i n mo s t cases, c r e a t i ng
a b u n d a n c e us ual l y i nvol ves s o me ri sk, a n d n o t h i n g
ma k e s ri sk mo r e t ol e r abl e t ha n ha v i ng mo n e y i n t he
ba nk. As a u t h o r St uar t Wi l d e says, " T h e t r i ck t o mo n e y i s
ha v i ng s o me . "
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PAUL MCKENNA
5. The 80/20 Rule
O n c e y o u f i gur e out
1
wha t i s mo s t i mp o r t a nt t o y o u, y o u
c a n pr i or i t i z e y o ur l i f e ac c or di ngl y. T h e ni ne t e e nt h-
c e nt ur y e c o n o mi s t Wi l f r i d Pa r e t o was t he fi rst t o p o i n t
o u t t hat a ppr o x i ma t e l y 80 p e r c e n t of t he wor l d' s we a l t h
was c o nc e nt r a t e d i n t he ha nd s of onl y 20 p e r c e n t of t he
wor l d' s po pul a t i o n.
T h e 80/20 r ul e hol ds t rue i n mos t areas of l i f e 80 per -
c e nt of y our resul t s wi l l t e nd t o c o me f r o m 20 p e r c e nt of
y o ur ef f orts; 80 p e r c e nt of y o ur weal t h wi l l c o me f r o m 20
p e r c e nt of y o ur cl i ent s or c us t omer s . By i dent i f yi ng a n d
c onc e nt r a t i ng on t hat al l - i mpor t ant 20 pe r c e nt , we c a n
c ont i nual l y r ef oc us o u r pri ori t i es wi t h a l aserl i ke i ntensi ty.
6. Get in Touch with Your Passion Every Day
I r e me mb e r t hat year s a g o , wh e n I fi rst g o t i nt e r e s t e d i n
hy pnos i s , o n e of t he o l d s t age p e r f o r me r s I was l e a r ni ng
f r o m was al so a s al e s man. Thi s was n' t j us t hi s j o b i t was
hi s pas s i on. I ne v e r saw h i m go mo r e t ha n a c o u p l e of
ho ur s wi t ho ut s el l i ng s o me t h i n g t o s o me o n e . We ' d b e a t
a r e s t aur ant a n d h e ' d st ri ke up a c onv e r s a t i on wi t h t he
p e o p l e a t t he n e x t t abl e. Be f o r e l o ng , h e ' d f i nd o u t al l
a b o u t t hei r ne e d s a n d of f er t o sel l t h e m exac t l y wha t t hey
wa nt e d. Mo s t o f t he t i me , he di dn' t e v e n ha v e wha t h e ' d
j us t s o l d h e ' d ha v e t o g o o u t a n d b uy i t hi ms e l f i n o r d e r
t o t ur n a r o u n d a n d del i ver i t t o t he p e o p l e wh o ' d j us t
b o u g h t i t f r o m hi m. He s i mpl y l ov e d t he t hri l l of per -
s ua di ng p e o p l e .
200
7. Charge What You Are Truly Worth
S o me p e o p l e ar e f r i g ht e ne d t o c ha r g e
wha t t hey ar e r eal l y wo r t h b e c a us e t hey
f ear t hey wi l l l ose t hei r cl i ent s . Bu t i n
my o wn e x p e r i e n c e , e ve r y t i me I ha v e
r ai s ed my f ees I' ve f o u n d mys el f at t ract -
i n g mo r e a n d be t t e r cl i ent s a n d l os i ng
onl y t hos e p e o p l e I was n' t par t i c ul ar l y
e nj oy i ng wo r k i n g wi t h anyway.
He r e ' s a s i mpl e f o r mu l a f or wo r k i n g
o u t wha t y o ur t i me i s wo r t h, no ma t t e r
h o w mu c h o r l i ttl e y o u ma y e a r n:
Life is so simple,
really. Think
through what people
want, invite them to
get it from you, and
when they show up,
bill 'em!
Stuart Wilde
1 . Wr i t e d o wn t he a mo u n t o f mo n e y y o u e x p e c t t o
e a r n t hi s year.
2. Er as e or cr oss o u t t he l ast t hr e e n u mb e r s .
3. Di v i de by t wo. Thi s i s wha t an h o u r of y o u r t i me i s
wor t h, ba s e d o n a n a v e r a ge wo r k i n g we e k.
Example: An n u a l e ar ni ngs = $30, 000. Less l ast t hr e e
n u mb e r s = $30. Di v i de d by t wo = $1 5 . Yo u r ho ur l y
" wage " i s $1 5.
201
Wh e n I a s ke d h i m wha t he t h o u g h t hi s s e c r e t was,
he sai d:
" Ex c i t e me nt a n d pas s i on ar e c o nt a g i o us . Wh e n y o u
g e t t rul y pas s i onat e a b o u t wha t y o u wa nt t o d o , ot he r s
wi l l f i nd t he ms e l v e s dr a wn t o y o u. "
PAUL MCKENNA
Jus t f or t oday, i ma g i ne y o u r hour l y wa g e has d o u b l e d .
I f y o u we r e b e i n g pa i d t wi ce a s mu c h p e r h o u r f or wha t
y o u d o , wha t wo u l d y o u d o di f f er ent l y?
If you want to charge what you're truly worth,
start doing it differently today!
6*. Regularly Practice the C h a n g e Y o u r L i f e i n
S e v e n D a y s Techniques
Fo r mo s t p e o p l e , oppor t uni t i e s t o b e c o me we a l t hi e r pr e-
s e nt t he ms e l v e s ever y day. By pr a c t i c i ng t he t e c hni que s ,
y o u ar e c o nd i t i o ni ng y our s e l f t o f oc us on we a l t h. Ve r y
f ew mul t i mi l l i onai r e s g e t t o be r i c h by a c c i de nt . Fi nan-
ci al s ucces s i s s i mpl y a ma t t e r of ma i nt a i ni ng y o ur f oc us
on we a l t h a n d cons i s t ent l y pr a c t i c i ng t he ac t i ons t hat
l e a d t o a b u n d a n c e .
Take s o me t i me e a c h day t o wal k a r o u n d as i f y o u
al r eady have ever yt hi ng y o u want . Cr e a t e a sensory- ri ch
e x pe r i e nc e of wha t y o u want s o t hat y our unc ons c i ous
mi n d get s a c l ear i dea. As k your s el f e mp o we r i n g ques -
t i ons. Cr e a t e a weal t h s c r a pbook a nd i ma g i ne wha t i t
wo u l d be l i ke l i vi ng t he l i fe of y our dr e a ms . Se e wha t y ou' l l
see, hear, a n d f eel . Do i t as of t en as y o u c a n ever y day.
Y o u ma y no t g e t i ns t ant resul t s, b ut y o u wi l l at t r act t o
y our s e l f i n o n e way o r a n o t h e r wha t e v e r y o u t hi nk a b o u t
mos t . Us e y o u r f avor i t e t e c hni q ue s dai l y t o c o ndi t i o n
y our s e l f f or s ucces s !
202
9. Celebrate Your Life, Starting Today!
O n e of t he s i ngl e mos t i mpor t a nt t hi ngs
y o u c a n do t o c e me n t y o ur weal t h c on- Today's gratitude
sci ousness is to ma k e a pr ac t i c e of ÛyS tomorrow's
r ef l ec t i ng on al l t he g o o d t hi ngs i n y our happiness
life as y o u dri f t of f t o s l eep e a c h ni ght . -Michael McMillian
As y o u say t ha nk y o u t o l i fe, Go d , t he
uni ver s e, or what e ve r y o u f eel mos t c o m-
f or t abl e wi t h a n d c o nne c t e d t o, y o u ar e cul t i vat i ng wha t
Ame r i c a ns cal l " an at t i t ude of gr at i t ude. "
An at t i t ude of gr at i t ude i s t he e x a c t oppos i t e of a
pov e r t y c ons c i ous ne s s . Wh e n y o u st art t o r e gul ar l y t hi nk
o f al l t he g o o d t hi ngs y o u ha v e a n d o f h o w f or t una t e y o u
ar e t o ha v e t h e m, y o u ar e s e n d i n g a s t r ong me s s a g e of
a b u n d a n c e t o y o ur unc o ns c i o us , whi c h wi l l c r e a t e a
s t eady f l ow of f i nanc i al a b u n d a n c e .
10. Keep Going
T h e r e i s a st ory t hat i n a nc i e nt Ti bet , al l t he mo n k s we r e
g a t he r e d t og e t he r o n c e ever y h u n d r e d years a n d gi ven a n
oppor t uni t y f or g ua r a nt e e d e n l i g h t e n me n t a l l t hey h a d
t o do was wal k t hr o ug h t he R o o m of a T h o u s a n d De mo n s
a n d c o me o ut al i ve. T h e R o o m of a T h o u s a n d De mo n s was
a pi t ch- bl ack r o o m f i l l ed wi t h a t ho us a nd d e mo n s wh o
wo u l d a ppe a r t o t he mo n k s i n t he gui s e of t hei r bi gges t
a nd wor s t f ears: spi der s, snakes, s he e r pr e c i pi c e s wha t -
ever t hey s ens ed wo u l d fill t he mo n k s ' hear t s wi t h t error.
T h e onl y rul es we r e t hat o n c e t he mo n k s e nt e r e d, no o n e
203
PAUL Mc KENNA
Never give in. Never
give in. Never, never,
never, neverin
nothing, great or
small, large or
pettynever give in,
except to convictions
of honor and good
sense. Never yield to
force. Never yield to
the apparently
overwhelming might
of the enemy.
Sir Winston Churchill
c o ul d c o me i n a n d r es c ue t he m, a n d i t
was i mpos s i bl e t o l eave by t he d o o r t hey
we nt i n. For t hos e f ew br ave soul s wh o
da r e d t o f ace t hei r f ears i n pur s ui t of
happi nes s , success, a n d e nl i g ht e nme nt ,
t he r e was o n e cr uci al pi e c e of advi ce:
No matter what you think you see,
hear, think, or feel, keep your feet
moving. If you keep your feet
moving, you will eventually get to
where it is you want to go!
Pe r ha ps my f avor i t e q u o t e o n t he
p o we r o f pe r s i s t e nc e c o me s f r o m Presi -
d e n t Cal vi n Co o l i d g e :
Not hi ng i n t he wor l d can t ake t he pl ace of persi s-
t ence. Tal ent wi l l not ; not hi ng i s mo r e c o mmo n
t han unsuccessf ul me n wi t h tal ent. Geni us wi l l not ;
unr e wa r de d geni us i s al most a pr over b. Educ at i on
wi l l not ; t he wor l d i s ful l of e duc at e d derel i ct s. Per-
si st ence a nd det er mi nat i on al one are omni pot e nt .
IN CONCLUSI ON
Fi nal l y, I wa nt y o u t o r e me mb e r t hat r eal we a l t h i s n o t
me a s u r e d by mo n e y a l one . St art t oday. Cr e a t e a pl a n f or
f i nanc i al a b u n d a n c e a n d st art mo v i n g f or war d. Ma k e t he
204
c h a n g e s y o u n e e d t o ma k e , b o t h a t t he l evel o f y o u r c on-
s c i ous nes s a n d i n ac t i on. Af t e r y o u have b e g u n t o enj oy
mo r e o f t he s ucces s t hat y o u des i r e, y o u wi l l l o o k b a c k
a n d be t ha nkf ul t hat y o u di d!
Paul McKenna
P.S. Tomorrow is the last day of your seven-day program, and
we'll be dealing with an appropriate topic as this program draws
to a closethe secrets of living happily ever after. . . .
205
DAY
7
HAPPI LY
EVER AF T ER
Live the secrets of
lifelong happinessnow
PAUL MCKENNA
Review your purpose, values, and big dream from
day four.
Fire your wealth anchor and do a one-minute wealth
visualization:
Imagine you already have all the good feelings you know
that being wealthy will bring you. All the happiness, all the
confidence, and all the love you could ever hope for are
there inside you. . . .
Now imagine yourself going through your day. How do you
treat people? How do they treat you? What are you especially
proud of about today? What do you love doing? What do you
do exceptionally well?
What value have you added today? How could you add
even more? Who else could you impact with your work?
How about with your life?
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
guided the fishing boat through the waters of the harbor.
"Young man, " said the wealthy businessman, "I can teach you
the secrets of success, if you '11 only listen carefully."
"Okay," said the young fisherman, smiling as he cleaned the
morning's catch.
Although he was a bit taken aback by the young man's casual
manner, the businessman began his lesson.
"First off, double your prices. You run a good, clean boat and
you know where the fish are plentiful."
"Why would I want to do that?" replied the young fisherman,
distracted by watching a small crab playing in the waves by the
shore.
209
PAUL Mc KENNA
The businessman could feel his irritation rising as he replied,
"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."
"But why would I want to do that?" the young fisherman asked
as he rolled over onto his back to soak up the last gentle rays of the
afternoon sun.
By now, the businessman was furious. "Because then you will
become rich, and you can hire people to do your work for you while
you spend your days fishing and relaxing in the sun!"
"Ah," the young fisherman said, nodding sagely. "That sounds
wonderful!"
210
T WO KINDS OF HAPPI NESS
I bel i eve t hat t he r e ar e t wo ki nds of ha ppi ne s s i n t he
wor l d. T h e o n e mo s t of us t hi nk of i s s i mpl y f e e l i ng wo n-
de r f ul i n y o ur body. T h e ot her , mo r e s ubt l e f o r m o f ha p-
pi nes s i s a st at e of b e i n g i n pe r f e c t h a r mo n y wi t h l i f e a n d
t he uni ver s e. Thi s i s t he st at e t hat ps yc hol ogi s t s cal l
"f l ow, " mus i c i ans cal l " t he g r o o v e , " a n d at hl et es cal l " t he
z o ne . " To da y y o u wi l l be l e a r ni ng h o w t o t ake r es pons i -
bi l i t y f or y o ur o wn ha ppi ne s s , a n d t he secr et s of b r i ng i ng
mo r e of b o t h ki nds of ha ppi ne s s i nt o y o ur l i f e vi rt ual l y
o n d e ma n d .
I n t he West , o u r c ul t ur e e mphas i z e s
t he pur s ui t of happi ne s s t hr o u g h ext er -
nal me a ns . Mos t p e o p l e wo u l d c o mpl e t e
t he s e nt e nc e "I' l l be ha ppy wh e n "
wi t h ext er nal s l i ke " Wh e n I' ve ma d e a
mi l l i on dol l ar s, " " Wh e n I ' m ma r r i e d t o
t he pe r s o n of my dr e a ms , " " Wh e n I f i nd
a j o b . " We ar e t ol d f r o m a ver y earl y a g e
t hat t hes e ar e t he t hi ngs t hat wi l l ma k e
us happy, but a qui c k g l a nc e at t he news
e a c h day reveal s cl earl y t hat ha v i ng t he
g o o d t hi ngs i n l i fe c a n onl y be par t of
t he story.
I n t he East , t r adi t i onal c ul t ur e e m-
phas i z es a c c e p t a nc e of t he c o ndi t i o ns of e xi s t e nc e , posi t -
i ng t he i de a t hat ha ppi ne s s i s f o u n d wi t hi n. My o wn
/ have come to
understand that life
is best to be lived
and not to be
conceptualized. I am
happy because I am
growing daily and I
am honestly not
knowing where the
limit lies.
Bruce Lee
211
PAUL Mc KENNA
e x p e r i e n c e s ugges t s t hat whi l e t he eas t er n i de al of ha ppi -
ness c o mi n g f r o m wi t hi n i s mo r e a c c ur a t e , ha v i ng g r o wn
up i n t he We s t I f i nd it' s a l ot eas i er t o be h a p p y wh e n
y o ur l i f e do e s n' t suck. Per sonal l y, I bel i eve it' s g o o d t o
have a ba l a nc e .
Here is today's key lesson:
Happiness is not a resultit's a state of mind
and body.
T h e g o o d news i s t hat y o u al r eady k no w h o w easy i t i s t o
c r eat e states, a n d y o u c a n l ear n t o e x pe r i e nc e t hat state we
cal l happi ne s s mu c h mo r e of t en t ha n y o u do r i ght now.
T h i n k a l i ttl e mo r e de e pl y n o w w h a t d o e s ha ppi ne s s
f eel l i ke i n y o ur body ?
Fo r s o me , i t' s a wa r m, pe a c e f ul , g l o wi ng f e e l i ng.
Ot h e r p e o p l e de s c r i be i t as a k i nd of de l i ght f ul s ens e of
i nne r sat i sf act i on. Wh i l e I d o n ' t k n o w pr ec i s el y wha t ha p-
pi nes s f eel s l i ke f or y o u, I do k n o w t hat i f y o u b e g a n t o
have t he f e e l i ng t hat y o u cal l ha ppi ne s s i n y o ur b o d y
r i g ht now, y o u c o u l d i dent i f y i t i n an i nst ant .
WHEN IS IT NOT OKAY TO BE HAPPY?
Ma ny p e o p l e p u t obst acl es i n t he way of f e e l i ng happi nes s .
Whi l e s o me p e o p l e ar e still wai t i ng f or t hi ngs out s i de
t h e m t o ma k e t h e m happy, ot he r s ar e c o n c e r n e d a b o u t
f e e l i ng ha ppi ne s s i nappr opr i at el y.
212
THE SCI ENCE OF HAPPI NESS
A f ew years a g o I h e a r d a b o ut a me di c a l do c t o r i n Ne w
Yor k wh o h e l p e d d r u g addi ct s o v e r c o me t hei r addi c t i ons
213
I was l e a di ng a s e mi na r on c r e a t i ng ha ppi ne s s wh e n a
pa r t i c i pa nt s t ood up wi t h t ears i n hi s eyes.
" My d a u g h t e r j us t di e d, " t he ma n sai d. " Ar e y o u say-
i ng I ' m s u p p o s e d t o be h a p p y a b o u t t hat ?"
Fi rst I sai d: "It' s onl y r i ght , onl y nat ur al , t hat y o u ar e
s ad a b o u t t he d e a t h of y o u r da ug ht e r . Y o u f e e l sad
be c a us e s he me a n t s o mu c h t o y o u, b ut wo u l d s he wa nt
y o u t o f eel s ad f or e v e r ? " As he t h o u g h t a b o u t it, I as ke d
h i m t o r ef l ec t on al l t he g o o d t i mes h e ' d h a d wi t h hi s
d a u g h t e r a l l t he l ove t hat h e ' d s ha r e d wi t h h e r a n d al l
t he e x p e r i e nc e s t hey h a d e nj oy e d t oge t he r . Wh e n I
c o u l d s ee t hat he was real l y c o n n e c t e d t o hi s e x p e r i e n c e ,
I a s ke d h i m h o w he t h o u g h t s he wo u l d wa nt h i m t o f eel .
He p a u s e d f or a mo me n t , t he n a s mi l e b e g a n t o s hi ne
acr oss hi s f ac e b e n e a t h t he t ears. Wh e n he f i nal l y s po k e ,
we c o u l d al l h e a r t he l ove i n hi s he a r t as he sai d si mpl y,
" She wo u l d ' v e wa nt e d me t o b e happy. "
We al l ha v e o u r o wn r ul es f or wh e n ha ppi ne s s i s a n
i na ppr o pr i a t e r e s po ns e t o wha t i s g o i n g on a r o u n d us.
T h e i mp o r t a nt t hi ng t o r e me mb e r i s t hat ha ppi ne s s i s
first a n d f o r e mo s t a c hoi c e . As Ab r a h a m L i n c o l n o n c e
sai d: " Mos t p e o p l e ar e a b o u t as h a p p y as t hey ma k e up
t hei r mi nd s t o be . "
PAUL MCKENNA
by put t i ng t h e m i nt o a t r ance a nd t e a c hi ng t hei r bodi e s t o
c r eat e t he r e s pons e t o t he dr ug. On c e t hey l e a r ne d t he
t e c hni que , t hey we r e abl e t o ge t hi g h nat ural l y. Si nc e t hey
no w r eal i zed i t was t hei r bo dy t hat was ma k i n g t h e m f eel s o
g o o d a n d no t t he dr ugs , i t b e c a me pr ogr essi vel y easi er f or
d i e m t o we a n t hems el ves of f t hei r c he mi c a l de pe nde nc y .
He r e ' s h o w i t wor ks .
An y d r u g y ou' v e ever t aken ( a nd t hat i nc l ude s caf f ei ne,
ni c ot i ne, a n d c oc ai ne ) c r e at e d a speci f i c ne u r o c he mi c a l
r es pons e i n y o ur body. Thi s r es pons e i s t he s our c e of t he
hi gh. I n ot he r wor ds , it' s no t wha t t he d r u g doe s t hat
ma ke s y o u f eel a par t i cul ar wa y i t ' s wha t y our bo dy do e s
i n response t o t he d r u g t hat gi ves y o u t he f eel i ng.
Whi l e I was ver y i mpr e s s e d wi t h t he r e s e a r c h b e h i n d
t he doc t or ' s wor k, wha t par t i cul ar l y i nt e r e s t e d me was
t he i de a of c r e a t i ng ha ppi ne s s on d e ma n d t h a t is, t he
pr oc e s s of t e a c hi ng t he mi n d t o g e t t he b o d y t o c r e at e
t he c he mi c a l s i ns i de t hat l e a d t o g o o d f eel i ngs wh e r e
a nd wh e n we wa nt t he m.
For de c a de s , r es ear c her s ha d b e e n t r yi ng t o f i nd o ut
wha t i t was t hat al l owed t he d r u g o p i u m t o have its
e upho r i c ef f ect s. Wh e n Dr. Ca n d a c e Pe r t was still onl y a
gr a dua t e s t udent , she di s c over ed t hat opi at e r ec ept or s ar e
no t j us t i n t he br ai n but i n ever y si ngl e cel l i n t he body.
She f o u n d t hes e r e c e pt or s we r e par t i cul ar l y i n t une
wi t h o n e s peci al k i nd o f c he mi c a l me s s e ng e r , c a l l e d
e n d o g e n o u s mo r p h i n e , o r mo r e c o mmo n l y e n d o r p h i n .
End o r p h i ns ar e y o u r body' s nat ur al opi at es , t he ne ur o -
t r ans mi t t er s t hat c o nt r o l pa i n a n d c r e at e pl e a s ur e . T h e r e
ar e ha p p y c he mi c a l s i ns i de y o u!
214
Y o u ha v e a nat ur al e n d o r p h i n r el eas e wh e n y o u do
phys i c al e xe r c i s e , ma k e l ove, l a u g h a l ot , or r e l a x deepl y.
Y o u k n o w h o w i t f eel s on a c o l d wi nt er ' s day t o sli-i-i-ide
i nt o a h o t ba t h a n d g e t t hat f e e l i ng of g e nt l e wa r mt h? Or
wh e n y o u e at y o ur f avor i t e f o o d, h o w g o o d i t f eel s?
Tha t ' s t he f e e l i ng of e n d o r p h i n s at pl ay i n y o u r body.
Bu t e n d o r p h i n s ar e mo r e t ha n j us t t he s our c e o f g o o d
f eel i ngs i n y o ur body. Be c a us e e n d o r p h i n s ar e ne ur o -
t r ans mi t t er s , t he y c r e at e mo r e b o n d i n g i n t he br a i n, s o
ever y t i me y o u e x p e r i e n c e a n e n d o r p h i n r el eas e, i t act u-
al l y ma k e s y o u mo r e i nt el l i gent . A n d ever y cel l i n y o ur
b o d y has r e c e pt or s f or e nd o r p h i ns .
Ho w gr e at a des i gn f eat ur e i s t hat ? No t onl y c a n every
cel l i n o u r b o d y e x pe r i e nc e happi nes s , but t he mo r e of t en
we c ho o s e t o be happy, t he mo r e i nt el l i gent we b e c o me !
T h e way t hat y o u r br ai n a n d b o d y c o mmu n i c a t e t o l et
y o u k n o w t hat i t' s t i me t o f e e l g o o d i s cel l t o cel l . A c h e m-
i cal me s s a g e t ri ps of f at o n e cel l , t akes on t he s ha pe f or
t he e n d o r p h i n , a n d sets up a vi br at i on, a n d t he cel l s n e x t
d o o r g o , " Oo o h t h e r e ' s s o me t h i n g c o o o o l g o i n g o n! "
a n d st art r e s o na t i ng i n t he s a me way. T h e n t he me s s a g e
s pr e ads f r o m cel l t o cel l , l i ke a wave of pl e a s ur e . Now,
wh e n y o u e x p e r i e n c e a wave of pl e as ur e , y o u f eel s o
g o o d be c a us e ever y cel l i n y o ur b o d y i s s ha r i ng t hat st at e.
Wh e n I h e a r d a b o u t t he d o c t o r wh o was h e l p i n g d r u g
addi c t s t o o v e r c o me t hei r a ddi c t i on by g e t t i ng nat ur al l y
hi g h us i ng hypnos i s , I s t ar t ed e x p e r i me n t i n g t o s ee i f I
c o u l d g e t p e o p l e t o have e n d o r p h i n r el eas es us i ng i ma g -
i na t i on exer c i s es . No t onl y we r e ma n y o f t h e m abl e
i nst ant l y t o e x p e r i e n c e t hos e g r e a t f eel i ngs , b ut al so i t
215
PAUL Mc KENNA
was wi t ho ut a ny f o r ma l hy pno t i c i nduc t i o n, j u s t us i ng a
s i mpl e i ma g i na t i o n t e c hni q ue .
Pe o p l e I t r i ed i t wi t h s udde nl y f o u n d t hey f el t f ant as-
ti c! I wo u l d s i mpl y ask t h e m t o r e me mb e r t i mes i n t he
pas t wh e n t hei r e n d o r p h i n s we r e f l owi ng , t he n t o t ur n
u p t he br i ght ne s s a n d c o l o r o f t hos e h a p p y me mo r i e s
a n d k e e p g o i n g t h r o u g h t h e m a g a i n a n d a g a i n unt i l
s o me p e o p l e we r e s mi l i ng wi t h de l i g ht a n d t he n ne a r l y
f el l of f t hei r chai r s l a ug hi ng .
Si nc e t he n I ha v e t a ug ht t ho us a nds of p e o p l e h o w t o
gi ve t he ms e l ve s an i ns t ant e n d o r p h i n r el eas e. Re c e nt l y a
psychi at r i st wr ot e t o me a n d e x p l a i n e d h o w h e ' d b e e n
us i ng t he t e c h n i q u e wi t h hi s pat i ent s wh o s uf f er ed f r o m
de pr e s s i on a n d h o w mu c h i t h a d h e l p e d t he m.
Le t ' s g e t ha p p y r i ght now. . . .
Instant Endorphin Release
1. Remember a time when you felt totally happy
and at peace. Return fully to that time now, seeing
what you saw, hearing what you heard, and feeling
how good you felt. (If you can' t remember a specific
time, just imagine how much better your life would
be if you were totally happy and peaceful right
nowif you had all the peace, love, and contentment
you could ever want.)
2. Now make the colors brighter and richer, the
sounds louder, and allow your feelings of happiness
to intensify.
216
Wh e n I fi rst di s c ov e r e d t hi s t e c hni q ue , I t ho ug ht ,
" Fa nt a s t i c I ' l l j u s t f eel g r e a t al l t he t i me! " Howe v e r , as
wi t h a ny e mo t i o n a l st at e, i t i s i mpo r t a nt t o have a s ens e
of c ont e x t . Wh e n y o u ' r e c r os s i ng t he r oa d, i t i s n o t t he
wi sest i de a t o b e b u z z e d o u t o f y o ur mi n d o n e ndo r -
phi ns . Wh e n y o u ' r e dr i vi ng, y o u wa nt t o ha v e y o u r wi t s
a b o u t y o u whi l e ne g o t i a t i ng t he traffi c.
Howe v e r , wh e n e v e r it' s a ppr o pr i a t e t o f eel wo nd e r f u l ,
why n o t ma k e us e of t hi s g r e a t nat ur al t e c hni q ue ?
DESI GNER HAPPI NESS
Pr of es s or Mi hal y Cs i ks zent mi hal yi ( Mee- hi Chi k- s ent - mee-
hi ) f r o m t he Uni ver si t y of Ch i c a g o has s pe nt mo r e t ha n
217
3. Notice where that feeling of happiness is
strongest in your body. Give this feeling of happi-
ness a color, and move that color up to the top of
your head and down to the tip of your toes. Double
the brightness. Double it again!
4. You can visualize the endorphins like little dol-
phins at play in your bloodstream, happily swimming
from cell to cell. Or feel the flow of endorphins like a
river of gol den honey throughout your body.
5. Repeat steps 2-4 at least five more times.
Vividly imagine in detail that event where you are
happy, again and again. You can use the same happy
experi ence or add in new ones each time.
PAUL MCKENNA
thi rty years s t udyi ng happi ne s s . Be c a us e he c oul dn' t g e t
f undi ng t o r es ear c h happi ne s s di r ect l y (it was n' t consi d-
e r e d a suf f i ci endy ser i ous s ubj ect f or sci ent i f i c s t udy) ,
hi s st udi es f oc us on wha t he cal l s " opt i mal e x pe r i e nc e s , "
or "fl ow. "
As a r es ul t of hi s r e s e a r c h, he has i de nt i f i e d e i g ht
char act er i s t i cs t hat ar e i nvar i abl y pr e s e nt d u r i n g opt i ma l
e x p e r i e n c e t h a t i s, t he e x p e r i e n c e of ha ppi ne s s , enj oy-
me n t , a n d f ul f i l l ment i n t he mo me n t o f d o i n g wha t e v e r
i t i s y o u ar e do i ng .
Ea c h of t he char act er i s t i cs ser ves as a pot e nt i a l ha ppi -
nes s t r i g g e r a way of t ur ni ng a n o r di na r y s i t uat i on i nt o
a n opt i ma l , e nj oy abl e f l ow e x p e r i e nc e . As y o u r e a d t h e m
now, y o u ma y wel l ha v e i deas a b o u t wh e r e y o u c a n c r e a t e
mo r e oppor t uni t i e s f or t h e m i n y o u r l i f e a n d b e g i n t o
f eel t he f l ow st at e st art h a p p e n i n g .
T h e e i g ht ha ppi ne s s t r i gger s ar e:
1. Clear Goals
Ha v i n g a c l ear g oa l , p u r p o s e , or i nt e nt i on act s as a s or t of
o r g a ni z i ng pr i nc i pl e f or o u r a t t e nt i on, f i l t er i ng o u r ex-
p e r i e nc e d o wn f r o m a wo r l d of i nf i ni t e possi bi l i t i es t o a
sel ect i ve c ol l e c t i on of e x p e r i e nc e s t hat al l ows us t o f oc us ,
f eel i n c ont r ol , ma k e s ens e of 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 del i ber at el y.
Th e r e f o r e , t he s i mpl es t way t o t r ans f or m any t ask i nt o
a pot e nt i a l f l ow e x p e r i e n c e i s t o set our s el ves an i nt en-
t i on, p u r p o s e , or g oa l i n r e l at i on t o t hat task.
I n cases wh e r e t he t ask i s mu n d a n e , r epet i t i ve, or si m-
218
pl y n o t i nt e r e s t i ng t o us, o u r i nt e nt i on n e e d n o t be
di r e c dy r e l a t e d t o t he ac t ual task. For i ns t anc e , l i vi ng t he
i nt e nt i on of b e i n g f ul l y pr e s e nt c a n t ur n a b o r i n g dr i ve
i nt o a Z e n me di t a t i on; l i vi ng t he i nt e nt i on of p e r f o r mi n g
wi t h ener gy, e nt hus i a s m, a n d as i f i t' s t he mo s t i mp o r t a n t
t hi ng i n t he wor l d c a n t ur n wa s hi ng t he di s hes i nt o a hi ghl y
e nj oy a bl e acti vi ty.
2. Immediate Feedback
Do y o u r e me mb e r a s a c hi l d pl a y i ng t he wa r me r / c o l d e r
g a me ? T h e c l os e r y o u g o t t o y o ur g oa l , t he h i d d e n obj e c t
y o u we r e s e e ki ng , t he wa r me r y o u we r e ; t he f a r t he r away,
t he c ol der .
T h e r e a s on t hi s g a me i s s o p o p u l a r cr oss- cul t ur al l y
i s t hat t he h u ma n br ai n i s d e s i g ne d as a c y be r ne t i c
me c h a n i s mt h a t is, i t t hri ves on ha v i ng a c l ear g oa l a n d
ma k i n g c ons t a nt adj us t me nt s i n pur s ui t of t hat goal , j us t
l i ke a he a t - s e e ki ng mi ssi l e. Howe v e r , i n o r d e r f or o u r
br a i n t o f unc t i o n at its f ul l capaci t y, we mus t gi ve i t c on-
t i nual f e e d b a c k as t o wh e t h e r we ar e on t rack.
3. Ability to Concentrate on the Task at Hand
Ge ni us e s ar e of t e n c ha r a c t e r i z e d as b e i n g l i ke pl at e spi n-
ner s i n a ci r cus , abl e t o k e e p ma n y di f f er ent tasks g o i n g
a t any o n e t i me . A n d yet o n e t rai t t hat c ons i s t ent l y c o me s
up i n t he r e s e a r c h i nt o creat i vi t y a n d f l ow i s t hat b o t h ar e
mo s t l i kel y t o o c c u r wh e n y o u ar e f o c us e d o n onl y o n e
t hi ng at a t i me . I n f act , wh e n as ke d h o w he c a me up wi t h
219
PAUL Mc KENNA
t he t he o r y of gravi ty, Si r Isaac Ne wt o n i s r e p u t e d t o ha v e
sai d, ' Y o u wo u l d have c o me up wi t h i t t oo i f y o u h a d
s pe nt al l y o ur t i me t hi nk i ng of n o t h i n g el s e! "
4. The Possibility of Successful Completion
O n e of t he ke y f act or s i n s ucces s f ul r e c ov e r y
Confidence i s f r o m a n y i l m e s s i g h o p e _ t n e b e B e f t h a t
preparation m t hi ngs c a n g e t bet t er , gi ve n t i me. Si mi l arl y, i f
a c t w n
- w e wa nt t o t ur n a n o r di na r y e x p e r i e n c e i nt o
Ron Howard a j Q W e x p e r i e n c e j w e m U s t g e ne r a t e f eel i ngs
of h o p e or possi bi l i t y t hat we wi l l be a bl e t o
successf ul l y c o mp l e t e t he pr oj e c t or task at ha nd .
O u r pr obabi l i t y o f s ucces s g o e s u p a ny t i me we c h o o s e
at t i t udes a nd ac t i ons t hat ar e wi t hi n o u r c o nt r o l a n d al so
i nc r e as e t he l i k e l i ho o d o f g e t t i ng wha t we wa nt e i t he r
no w or i n t he f ut ur e. Thi ng s l i ke pr e par at i on, dai l y ac t i on,
a n d i nvi t i ng ot he r s t o par t i c i pat e i n o u r goal s a n d dr e a ms
no t onl y ma k e o u r s ucces s mo r e l i kel y i n real i ty, t he y
ma k e i t mo r e bel i evabl e i n o u r mi nds a n d hear t s , i ncr eas -
i ng o u r wi l l t o s uc c e e d by ma k i ng t he pat h t o success mo r e
a n d mo r e a ppa r e nt .
5. Total Involvement
Ro c k c l i mb i ng i s s o me t h i n g t hat al ways puz z l e d me . Wh y
wo u l d a ny o ne wa nt t o do t hat ? Wh y wo u l d a ny o ne as pi r e
t o t he s a me ski l l l evel t hat a smal l l i zar d de mons t r a t e s ?
T h e r e do e s n' t a p p e a r t o be any g a i n i n it. Ev e n mo r e
220
221
c onf us i ng , c l i mbs a r e n' t r a t e d by y o ur abi l i t y t o g e t t o t he
t op, b ut r a t he r by t he r o ut e y o u c h o o s e t o t ake. Fe l l ow
c l i mbe r s ar e f ar mo r e i mpr e s s e d by a n i nt e r e s t i ng j o u r -
ne y t ha n by r e a c h i ng t he de s t i nat i on.
A n d t hat ' s pa r t of t he a ppe a l : c l i mb i ng f or c l i mbi ng ' s
s ake. Ma n y c l i mbe r s r e p o r t t hat wh e n t he y' ve r e a c h e d
t he t op of a r oc k, af t er t he r el i ef has s ubs i de d, t her e' s a
des i r e t o c o nt i nu e c l i mbi ng .
O n e c l i mb i ng i ns t r uc t or I k n e w c r e a t e d an i nt er est -
i ng " e nt r a nc e e x a m" f or hi s a d v a nc e d c l i mb i ng c our s e .
He as s i gne d al l t he pot e nt i a l s t udent s an e x t r e me l y diffi-
cul t c l i mb. T h e i ns t r uc t or t ol d t he as pi r i ng s t udent s t hat
he wo u l d ma k e hi s de c i s i on wh e n t hey r e a c h e d t he t op,
t he n s e c r e t e d hi ms e l f b e h i n d a r o c k par t way up at wha t i s
k n o wn as a f al se s u mmi t s o me t h i n g t hat a ppe a r s t o be
t he t op of t he mo u n t a i n b u t i sn' t .
Wh e n t he s t udent s r e a c h e d t he f al se s ummi t , he
wo u l d wa t c h t he i r f aces as t hey r e al i z e d t hat r a t he r t ha n
b e i n g d o n e , t he y we r e still onl y par t way t o t he t op. T h o s e
wh o a p p e a r e d di s a ppo i nt e d we r e pol i t el y r e f us e d ent r y
t o t he a d v a nc e d g r o u p , b ut t hos e who s e eyes wi d e n e d i n
e x c i t e me n t a t t he pr o s pe c t o f mo r e c l i mb i ng a h e a d we r e
we l c o me d wi t h o p e n ar ms .
Ac c o r d i n g t o Cs i ks z e nt mi hal yi , mo s t o pt i ma l e x pe r i -
e n c e i s t he r es ul t of t hi s k i nd of t e l e ol ogi c al a c t i v i t y
t hat is, acti vi ty t hat i s i nt r i nsi cal l y sat i sf yi ng as o p p o s e d t o
goal - or i e nt e d. Wh e n we do t hi ngs no t be c a us e we bel i eve
t hey wi l l necessar i l y ma k e us l o o k g o o d or ma k e us mo n e y
b ut f or t he s he e r l ove of d o i n g t he t hi ng, we i nc r e as e t he
l i k e l i ho o d of e x p e r i e n c i n g fl ow.
I
PAUL Mc KENNA
6. Loss of Self-Consciousness
O n e o f t he t hi ngs t hat p e o p l e of t e n r e po r t af t er b e i n g
hy pnot i z e d at my s hows i s t hat i t al l ows t h e m, s ome t i me s
f or t he fi rst t i me i n t hei r a dul t l i ves, t o f eel t ot al l y unsel f -
c ons c i ous . Whi l e we al l l i ve i n thi s st at e as smal l c hi l dr e n,
by t he t i me we ' r e a b o u t fi ve we have al r e ady b e g u n t o
j u d g e our s el ves t h r o u g h t he eyes o f t he p e o p l e a r o u n d
us. Wh e n we ar e abl e t o b e c o me c o mpl e t e l y a b s o r b e d i n a
f l ow e x pe r i e nc e , we r e t ur n t o t hat pl e as ant st at e i n wh i c h
wha t we ar e d o i n g a n d e x p e r i e nc i ng b e c o me s f ar mo r e
i nt er es t i ng t ha n wha t o t he r p e o p l e mi g h t be t hi nki ng.
7. A Sense of Control
A s t udy r e p o r t e d i n t he New York Times p o i n t e d o u t t he
s i gni f i c anc e of a s ens e of c o nt r o l i n o u r l i ves:
T h e f eel i ng of be i ng i n cont r ol , of havi ng a say
i n what ha ppe ns i n one' s l ife, has f ar- reachi ng c on-
s equenc es f or physi cal a nd ment al heal t h. . . .
I ncr eas i ng t he sense of cont r ol a mo n g me n and
wo me n l i vi ng i n conval es cent ho me s ma de t he m
happi er, i ncr eas ed t hei r al ert ness a n d p e r h a p s
mos t dr amat i c al l y l owe r e d t hei r mort al i t y rat e,
over a pe r i od of 18 mont hs , by 50 per c ent .
T h e i nc r e a s e d c o nt r o l c a me f r o m s i mpl e c ha ng e s ,
s uc h as a l l owi ng t he c o nv a l e s c e nt - ho me r es i dent s t o
222
8. Time Distortion (i.e., minutes becoming hours
and/or hours feeling like minutes)
Ha v e y o u no t i c e d wh e n y o u ar e d o i n g
s o me t hi ngs t i me s e e ms t o mo v e real l y
sl owl y or real l y qui ckl y? He r e ar e s o me
of my f avor i t e t i me - di s t or t i ng act i vi t i es:
Put your hand on a
hot stove for a
minute, and it seems
like an hour. Sit with
a pretty girl for an
hour, and it seems
like a minute.
That ' s relativity.
Albert Einstein
Spor t s t hat test y o ur abi l i ty.
Re a d i n g a n i l l umi na t i ng b o o k .
Wh e n dr a wi ng , c or r ec t i y por t r ay-
i ng pe r s pe c t i v e , l i ght , a n d s ha de .
Dr i v i ng on di f f i cul t t er r ai n.
Da n c i n g , h e a r i ng t he b e a t a n d
me l o d y of a s ong , a n d mo v i n g i n
an expr es s i ve way t o it.
Th i n k i n g , r e a s o ni ng t h r o u g h t he s t r ands of a
p r o b l e m, a n d a r r a ng i ng t h e m i n c ons c i ous ne s s .
No t i c i ng t he s ubt l e di f f e r e nc e s i n t ast e of e x ot i c
f oods .
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d e c i d e wha t t hey wo u l d have f or me a l s , wh e n t he p h o n e
wo u l d r i ng i n t he i r r o o ms , a n d h o w t he f ur ni t ur e wo u l d
be a r r a ng e d.
By t aki ng c ont r ol ov e r e v e n t he s i mpl es t e l e me nt s of
o u r e n v i r o n me n t ( whe r e we ar e si t t i ng, h o w t hi ngs ar e
a r r a n g e d o n o u r des k, o r e v e n wha t we ar e l o o k i n g a t
wh e n we d a y d r e a m) , we i nc r e as e t he l i k e l i ho o d o f e x pe -
r i e nc i ng ha ppi ne s s i n o u r ever yday l i ves.
PAUL Mc KENNA
BALANCI NG CHALLENGE
AND MASTERY
Whi l e e a c h o n e of t hes e e i g ht charact eri st i cs i s i mpor t ant ,
pe r ha ps t he mos t usef ul o ne , i f we wa nt t o de s i gn o u r o wn
opt i ma l e x pe r i e nc e s , i s a ni nt h met achar act er i s t i c:
We tend to experience flow when there is a bal-
ance between our perception of the challenge
we are facing and our perception of our ability
to meet that challenge.
For t unat el y, mo s t of us have at l east
Enjoyment appears oc c as i onal l y e x p e r i e n c e d t he c a l m, f o-
al the boundary c us e d e ne r g y t hat c o me s wi t h p e r f o r m-
between boredom m g m ^ e f j o w z o n e w h e n w e f eel u p t o
and anxiety, when t n e c ha l l e ng e s we ar e f a c e d wi t h.
the challenges are j j f C j a t i t e b e s t ) j s a c ons t a nt s hut t l e
just balanced with b e t we e n ma s t e r y a n d c ha l l e ng e , a c on-
the person s capacity t i nual pr oc e s s of s t r e t c hi ng a n d c ons ol -
i o a c t
' i da t i ng o u r gai ns a n d l e a r ni ng .
Mihaly Q h o w d 0 w e de s i g n a n d adj ust o u r
J
e x p e r i e n c e t o e ns ur e we have t he hi g h-
est pos s i bl e c h a n c e o f b o t h e nj o y i ng a n
act i vi t y a n d p e r f o r mi n g a t o u r best ?
T h e ke y i s i n t he wo r d perceptionthat i s, by adj us t i ng
o u r pe r c e pt i ons ( of t he c ha l l e ng e s we f ac e a n d o f o u r
abi l i t y t o me e t t hos e c ha l l e ng e s ) , we c a n l i t eral l y r e- cr eat e
o u r e x p e r i e nc e f or opt i ma l p e r f o r ma nc e .
224
TRANSFORMI NG FEAR INTO FLOW
T h i n k of a si t uat i on, pr oj ect , or acti vi ty
t hat t ot al l y f reaks y o u o u t t h a t y o u f eel
y o u s ho ul d or mus t or even wa nt t o par-
t i c i pat e i n but i s s o f ar o ut of y o ur l e a g ue
t hat y o u k no w y o u' r e b o u n d t o fai l . Thi s
c a n be a busi ness acti vi ty ( qua dr upl i ng
y o ur sal es v o l u me i n t he ne x t mo n t h ) or
a pe r s ona l o n e ( as ki ng t he pe r s o n of
y o ur dr e a ms o ut on a da t e ) .
He r e ar e t wo s i mpl e st rat egi es t hat
wi l l he l p y o u t ur n y o ur f eel i ngs of pa ni c
or o v e r whe l m i nt o t he f oc us of fl ow.
Lowering Your Sights
Bonus Tip
It would appear
that not all balance
is created equally.
Research shows
that people are most
likely to describe
their experience
and performance
levels as optimal
when both the
challenge and skill
are balanced at a
high level (e.g.,
brain surgery) than
at a low level (e.g.,
learning to use
chopsticks).
Wh i l e c o nv e nt i o na l wi s d o m tel l s us t o
s ho o t f or t he st ars, ha ppi ne s s r e s e a r c h
poi nt s o ut t ha t l o we r i ng y o u r si ght s a n d
f o c us i ng on a t ar ge t t hat y o u k n o w y o u
c a n hi t c a n qui c kl y t ur n e v e n t he mo s t
d a u n t i n g c ha l l e ng e i nt o a f un a dv e nt ur e . Wh e n a n N L P
t r ai ni ng t e a m we n t t o t r a ns f or m t he U. S. Ar my pi st ol -
s ho o t i ng p r o g r a m, o n e of t he f i r s t t hi ngs t he y di d was c ut
t he di s t anc e t o t he t ar get i n hal f . As pe o pl e ' s c o n f i d e n c e
a n d ski l l i nc r e a s e d, t he t ar get s we r e gr a dua l l y r e t u r n e d
t o t he or i gi nal di s t anc e. T h e r e s u l t a vastl y i nc r e a s e d
s ucces s r at e i n l ess t ha n hal f t he or i gi na l t r a i ni ng t i me .
225
PAUL Mc KENNA
EXAMPLE: QUA DRUP L I NG MY SALES VOL UME
" I l owe r my si ght s a n d set mys el f a s mal l er t a r g e t
d o u b l i ng my sal es v o l ume . No , still t oo scary. Wh a t i f I try t o
i ncr eas e my v o l u me by o n e i n t he ne x t week? Do e s n' t f eel
wi t hi n my c ont r ol . I k n o wI ' l l ma k e t went y mo r e cal l s a
day t ha n I di d l ast mo n t h ! T h a t put s me f i r ml y i nt o f l ow. "
Focus on Past Success
I f y o u' v e g o t t e n t hi s f ar i n l i f e, c ha nc e s ar e y o u' v e d o n e
mo r e t ha n a f e w t hi ngs r i ght . Wh e n y o u st art t o f oc us on
wha t y o u do t hat ' s wo r k i ng , y o ur p e r c e p t i o n o f y o ur abi l -
i ty i nc r eas es , a n d a l o n g wi t h i t y o u i nc r e as e t he pos -
si bi l i ty of f l ow.
EXAMPLE: AS KI NG DRE AM L OVE R O U T ON A DAT E
" H mmm . . . I ' ve act ual l y da t e d be f or e . A n d s o me of
t h e m ha v e e v e n g o n e wel l ! A n d r e me mb e r t hat t i me t hat
sai d yes, whi c h r eal l y s ur pr i s e d me ? A n d t hat
o t h e r t i me? A n d t hat o t h e r t i me? Okay, my hear t ' s still
p u mp i n g , b u t it' s t ur ne d i nt o e x c i t e me n t I ' m still
p u mp e d up but i t f eel s l i ke a posi t i ve c ha l l e ng e . "
ASK YOURSELF, "WHAT CAN I DO NOW?"
226
BACKGROUND HAPPI NESS
S o me ps yc hol ogi s t s bel i eve i n wha t t he y
cal l " ba c k g r o und stress. " In o t he r wor ds , The secret of being
e v e n t h o u g h s o me o n e mi g h t be d o i n g happy i s not doing
s o me t hi ng enj oyabl e, t her e' s still hi d d e n what one likes, but
wor r y l ur k i ng s o me wh e r e ba c k t he r e . liking what one does.
Bu t r a t he r t ha n b a c k g r o u n d st ress, I J- M. Barrie
t hi nk i t' s a mu c h be t t e r i de a t o have
b a c k g r o u n d ha ppi ne s s : a ki nd of al l -
p e r v a d i ng f e e l i ng i n t he b a c k of y o u r mi n d t hat l i f e i s
g o o d , t hat y o ur u nc o ns c i o u s d o e s e v e r y t hi ng i t c a n t o
h e l p y o u a n d al l p r o b l e ms c a n be r e s ol ve d i n a heal t hy,
l i f e - e nha nc i ng way.
C a n y o u l ear n h o w t o do it? Absol ut el y. T h e r e ar e t hou-
s ands a n d t hous ands o f p e o p l e wa l ki ng a r o u n d e x pe r i e nc -
i ng b a c k g r o u n d happi ne s s a n d f l ow i n al l ar eas of t hei r
l i ves, mu c h t o t he a nno y a nc e of psychol ogi st s a n d t hera-
pists wh o c o nt i nue t o " pr ove " t he i mpossi bi l i t y of d o i n g it.
I n t he past , ma n y p e o p l e have wo r k e d h a r d t o c r e a t e
f l ow i n t he i r l i ves. Howe v e r , t he r e i s an easy way t o do it.
Wh e n e v e r y o u' v e e x p e r i e n c e d f l ow i n t he past , y o u r
u nc o ns c i o u s mi n d has ma d e a r e c o r d of t he ps y c hol ogi -
cal a n d phy s i ol ogi c a l as pect s of t hat opt i ma l e x p e r i e nc e .
Thi s i s b e c a us e f l ow i s a ne ur o phy s i o l o g i c a l st at e: i n
o t he r wor ds , i t i s a set of el ec t r i c al i mpul s e s i n y o ur br a i n
a n d c h e mi c a l c h a ng e s i n y o u r body. Y o u r mi n d a n d b o d y
ha v e a mul t i s e ns or y r e c o r d i n g of exac t l y h o w y o u ma k e
f l ow h a p p e n , o f h o w y o u ma k e t hat st at e.
227
PAUL Mc KENNA
So wha t we ' r e g o i n g t o do i s g e t y o u r unc o ns c i o us
mi n d t o go on a s e a r c h a n d f i nd al l t he t i mes i n t he pas t
wh e n y ou' v e e x p e r i e n c e d f l ow, t he n ma k e a r e c o r d of t he
st at e s o t hat y o u c a n b e g i n t o t r i gge r i t f or y our s e l f mo r e
a n d mo r e .
Af t er a whi l e a l mos t a ny t hi ng y o u do c a n b e c o me
ef f ort l ess a n d j o y o u s . You' l l b e d o i n g s o me t h i n g a n d y o u
wo n ' t k no w why y o u f eel s o g o o d , or why y o u ar e s o har -
mo ni o us l y i nv ol v e d wi t h wha t y o u ar e d o i ng , a n d i t wi l l
h a p p e n mo r e a n d mo r e .
O n e of t he bes t ways t o r eac c es s f l ow i s by r e me m-
b e r i n g a t i me wh e n y o u we r e i n t he z o ne , i n f l ow. Re-
me mb e r t hat t he h u ma n ne r v o us syst em c a n n o t t el l t he
di f f e r e nc e b e t we e n a r eal e x p e r i e n c e a n d a vi vi dl y i mag-
i ne d o ne . Al l y o u n e e d do i s r e me mb e r a t i me y o u we r e
i n f l ow a n d ampl i f y it. I f y o u do thi s e a c h day, i t wi l l pr o-
g r a m y o ur mi n d a n d b o d y t o t ake y o u i nt o t he z o ne
mo r e a n d mo r e , abl e t o say t he r i ght t hi ngs i n j us t t he
r i ght way at t he r i ght t i me , easi l y t hi nk i ng of t he pe r f e c t
t hi ng t o d o , g l i di ng t h r o u g h y o ur days wi t h a n a ma z i n g
s ens e of sat i sf act i on.
Okay, l et ' s do it now. . . .
Stepping into the Zone
1. Make yourself comfortable, relax, and cl ose
your eyes.
2. Now remember times when you have been in
states of flow, seeing what you saw, hearing what
228
As k y o u r unc o ns c i o us mi n d t o t r i gger t hat f l ow st at e
t h r o u g h o u t t he day. As y o u b e g i n t o f i nd y our s e l f e x pe r i -
e n c i n g f l ow mo r e a n d mo r e o f t he t i me , t he ne ur a l pat h-
ways i n y o u r br a i n t hat c r e at e f l ow a n d b a c k g r o u n d
ha ppi ne s s b e c o me s t r ong e r a n d s t r ong e r unt i l y o u har d-
wi r e y our s e l f t o be i n f l ow al l t he t i me.
THE PROBLEM WITH PLEASURE
A n u mb e r of p e o p l e have c o me t o me ov e r t he years suf-
f e r i ng f r o m wha t I c a n onl y de s c r i be as " an exc es s of
229
you heard, feeling how good you felt. This starts re-
creating the flow state within you.
3. Now amplify it: make the pictures bigger,
brighter, bolder, the sounds louder, the feelings
stronger, and anchor the state by squeezing the
thumb and middle finger of one of your hands
together (or use any other self-anchor you want to).
4. Now do it again, see what you saw, hear what
you heard, feel how good you felt.
5. Now find another time when you experienced
flow and go through the procedure all over again,
seeing what you saw, hearing what you heard, feel-
ing how good you felt, until you only have to
squeeze your fingers together to feel yourself go
into the flow state.
PAUL Mc KENNA
pl e as ur e . " I l i ke t o s har e wi t h t h e m a di s t i nc t i on b e t we e n
pl e as ur e a n d wha t I wi l l cal l s a t i s f a c t i ont ha t is, b e t we e n
t hos e t hi ngs t hat f eel g o o d i n t he mo me n t a n d t hos e
t hi ngs t hat we f eel g o o d a b o u t af t er war d.
He r e ' s t he di s t i nc t i on i n a nut s hel l :
Pleasures give the body pleasant sensations;
satisfactions gratify the soul.
Every heart that has
beat strongly and
cheerfully has left a
hopeful impulse
behind it in the
world, and bettered
the tradition of
mankind.
Robert Louis
Stevenson
Do e s t hi s me a n pl e a s ur e i s ba d?
No t a t al l . But t he p r o b l e m wi t h
pl e a s ur e i s t hat i t f eel s s o da r n g o o d , we
c a n be easi l y t e mp t e d t o p u t i t at t he
t op of o u r pr i or i t y list as we pur s ue t he
g o o d l i f e at al l cost s. Bu t t he g o o d l i f e i s
l ar gel y de v o i d of t he sat i sf act i ons t hat
c o me wh e n we pi t our s el ves agai ns t a
wor t hy c ha l l e ng e . Pe r ha ps t hi s i s why
Si r Ri c ha r d Br a ns o n c o nt i nue s t o ri sk
l i f e a n d l i mb i n a h e l i u m b a l l o o n
b e c a us e he r e c o g ni z e s t hat t oo mu c h o f
t he s o- cal l ed g o o d l i f e c a n be b a d f or y o u.
I n f act , pl e a s ur e p u r s u e d f or its o wn s ake act ual l y
s e e ms t o g e t i n t he way of ha ppi ne s s . A l i z ar d wi l l st arve
t o de a t h i f y o u try t o ha nd- f e e d it, yet i t wi l l t hr i ve wh e n
a l l owe d t o h u n t its o wn f ood; a n e a r of c o r n wi l l r ot on
t he st al k i f no t c h a l l e n g e d by wi nd a n d r ai n. A n d i f y o u
wa nt t o be happy, y o u n e e d t o t ake on a wor t hy chal -
l e n g e e v e n i f t hat ' s t he l ast t hi ng y o u f eel y o u want !
So h o w do we c r e at e a ha ppi e r , mo r e sat i sf yi ng l i fe?
230
231
1. Allow More Pleasure into Your Life
Thi s ma y s e e m t o go agai ns t e v e r y t hi ng I ha v e b e e n say-
i ng , b ut f or mo s t of us, o u r l ust f or pl e a s ur e i s t i ed i n t o
t he a p p e a l of f o r b i d d e n f rui t . I n f act , t he wo r d i n o u r
soci et y mo s t c o mmo n l y pa i r e d wi t h pl e a s ur e i s guilty. By
ma k i n g i t ok a y t o t ake t i me o u t t o l i st en t o t he r ai n whi l e
t a ki ng a wa r m, c andl e l i t ba t h ( or wa t c h i ng f oot bal l whi l e
d r i nk i ng a b e e r ) , we c a n s t op s p e n d i n g s o mu c h t i me
po l i c i ng our s el ves a n d b e g i n t a ki ng mo r e t i me t o chal -
l e ng e our s el ves .
2. Discover Your Strengths and Begin
to Put Them to Work
We t e n d t o f eel o u r be s t wh e n we ar e d o i n g o u r bes t , a n d
we c a n onl y d o o u r bes t wh e n we ar e d o i n g wha t we d o
b e s t t h a t i s, pl a y i ng t o o u r s t r engt hs . Whi l e c o nv e n-
t i ona l wi s do m e nc o ur a g e s us t o de v e l o p o u r weaknes s es ,
r e s e a r c h i nt o s ucces s a n d f ul f i l l ment poi nt s o u t t hat wh e n
we pl ay t o o u r s t r e ngt hs a n d manage o u r we a kne s s , we
n o t onl y p e r f o r m be t t e r b ut we g e t mo r e sat i sf act i on f r o m
o u r p e r f o r ma n c e .
To i dent i f y y o u r s t r engt hs , e mp l o y wha t ma n a g e me n t
c ons ul t ant s cal l " 360- de gr e e f e e d b a c k " t h a t i s, ask
p e o p l e i n e ve r y a r e a of y o u r l i f e wha t t hey c o ns i de r y o u r
s t r engt hs t o be unt i l y o u c a n cl ear l y i dent i f y t he c o mmo n
char act er i s t i cs a n d s t andar ds .
PAUL MCKENNA
3. Do at Least One Difficult Thing Each Day
Wh e n Mi hal y Cs i ks z e nt mi hal yi c o mp l e t e d hi s i ni t i al
s t udi es i nt o f l ow a n d t he ps y c ho l o g y of o pt i ma l e x pe r i -
e n c e , he was a s k e d by a r e po r t e r t o s u mma r i z e t he f i nd-
i ngs of wha t was a 2, 000- page d o c u me n t . Af t e r t hi nk i ng
f or a mo me n t , Cs i ks z e nt mi hal y i sai d: " Ever y day, t he
h a p p y p e r s o n d o e s a t l east o n e di f f i cul t t hi ng . "
Whi l e i t ma y s e e m o d d t o c o nc l u d e a l esson i n happi -
ness by t al ki ng a b o ut del i ber at el y s e e ki ng o u t di f f i cul t i es,
i t i s a l esson t hat l i f e i t sel f c ont i nual l y at t empt s t o t e ac h us.
Li l l i an Ga l br a i t h, o n e o f t he mo s t e x t r a or di na r y
w o me n o f t he t we nt i e t h c e nt ur y a n d a n ear l y p i o n e e r i n
t he f i el d of pr oduct i vi t y, was a s k e d wha t k e p t h e r s o al i ve
a n d vi t al i nt o h e r s event i es . S h e r e pl i e d, " Ever y mo r n i n g
I ask G o d t o gi ve me a da y f i l l ed wi t h c ha l l e ng e s a n d dif-
f i cul t i es. Ever y e v e ni ng I gi ve t hanks , as he al ways ans wer s
my mo r n i n g pr aye r ! "
Wh e n s e e k i ng o u t wor t hy c ha l l e ng e i n y o u r o wn l i f e,
b e a r i n mi n d t hat o pt i ma l e x p e r i e n c e t e nds t o l i ve a t t he
b a l a nc i ng p o i nt a t t he o u t e r e d g e o f y o u r a b i l i t i e s
wh e n y o u ' r e f ul l y e n g a g e d b u t n o t o v e r wh e l me d b y t he
c ha l l e ng e .
Co n g r a t u l a t i o n s y o u ' r e a l mos t d o n e ! I n t he c on-
c l u d i ng c hapt er , I' l l s ha r e wi t h y o u s o me i deas on h o w t o
ma i nt a i n a n d d e v e l o p t he c h a n g e s t hat ha v e b e e n oc c ur -
r i ng ov e r t he l ast s e v e n days.
Unt i l t he n,
Paul McKenna
232
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t was registration day at the university, and the young man was
preparing to continue the adventure in learning that had been
going on so long it seemed to have no beginning and no end. Lost
in thought, his mind racing with possibilities for what lay ahead,
he barely noticed the old man in front of him until he bumped
straight into him.
"I'm sorry, Professor," the young man said, embarrassed.
"Oh, I'm not a professor, " the old man replied. "I'm a new stu-
dent, just like you."
"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.
"And what are you studying?" the young man continued.
"MedicineI've always wanted to be a doctor, and now ..."
The old man paused as if remembering something from a long time
ago. "Now I'm finally ready to follow my dreams!"
235
PAUL Mc KENNA
The young man seemed quite shocked. "No disrespect, sir, but to
become a doctor will take at least seven years. In seven years,
you '11 be eighty years old!"
The old man put his hand on the young man's shoulder and
looked him straight in the eyes.
"God willing," the old man said with a smile, "I'll be eighty
years old whether I follow my dreams or not. "
236
THE POWER OF SUGGESTI ON
I n my hy pno t i c s hows , I of t e n of f er t he p e o p l e on s t age a
po s t hy pno t i c s ugge s t i on. L o n g af t er t hey t hi nk t he i r pa r t
i n t he s ho w i s over, ever y t i me I say a ke y wo r d or phr a s e
t he y wi l l b e g i n t o e na c t t he b e ha v i o r I ha v e s ug g e s t e d
t o t h e m.
T h r o u g h o u t t hi s b o o k , I have b e e n gi v i ng s ugge s t i ons
f or h o w y o u c a n n o t onl y c h a n g e y o ur l i f e b u t k e e p t he
c h a n g e ov e r t he we e ks , mo n t h s , a n d year s a he a d. S o me
of t hes e s ugge s t i ons we r e d i r e c t t h a t is, y o u wi l l ha v e
no t i c e d my s ug g e s t i ng t h e m a s y o u r e ad. Howe v e r ,
ot he r s we r e i n d i r e c t e mb e d d e d i nt o t he t e xt i n o r d e r
t o s e nd t h e m di r ect l y i nt o y o u r u nc o ns c i o u s mi n d a n d
d e s i g ne d t o be t r i g g e r e d by t he na t ur a l o c c u r r e n c e s t hat
h a p p e n i n e v e r y one ' s l i f e.
Pl eas e k n o w t hi s:
Every single one of those suggestions will assist
you in creating the life of your dreams, includ-
ing the ones you are not even aware of yet.
I n o r d e r t o f aci l i t at e a n d r e i nf or c e y o ur o n g o i n g suc-
cess, I ha v e c r e a t e d t he f ol l owi ng dai l y success wor k out .
Thi s i s t he s a me r out i ne I us e ever y mo r n i n g t o set mys el f
up f or a wo nd e r f u l day. I s ugges t t hat f or t he ne x t we e k or
so, y o u f ol l ow t hi s r out i ne exact l y as I have de s i g ne d i t f or
237
PAUL Mc KENNA
Your Daily Success Workout
1. Begin by taking three deep breaths. Each time
you breathe in, feel any areas of tension and stress in
your body. Each time you breathe out, feel yourself
letting go and relaxing into a lovely, peaceful state.
2. Imagine the qualities of your authentic self. See
yourself going through your day as your authentic self.
Do this several times until it becomes easy to imagine.
3. Now, review your top five values. Take a moment
to really feel each one, and once again guide your mind
through the day ahead. Each time you do this, you are
programming yourself to have a wonderful day!
4. Use the inner smile to activate your endorphin
response. Smile into every area of yourself and keep
feeling better and better and better.
5. Review your big dream. Ask your mind to guide
you in thought, word, and action to do and say
exactly the right things to make your dreams come
true for the highest good of all concerned.
6. What are you most grateful for in your life?
Spend at least one minute focused on all the good
things you already have and everything that' s right
with your world.
7. Finish by taking three more deep breaths. This
time, allow each breath in to fill you with energy, and
each breath out to energize you even more.
238
y ou. As y o u b e c o me mo r e f ami l i ar wi t h t he t e c hni que s i n
t he b o o k , y o u c a n b e g i n t o subst i t ut e o t he r exer c i s es f or
t he o ne s wr i t t en he r e . By ma k i n g t i me i n y o u r day t o pr o-
g r a m y o ur mi n d wi t h posi t i ve s ugges t i ons , y o ur e ne r g y
a n d mot i v at i on wi l l i nc r eas e a n d y o u wi l l b e c o me ha p-
pi er, s t r onger , a n d mo r e cr eat i ve as y o ur l i f e c ont i nue s t o
g e t e v e n bet t er.
Wi t h pr ac t i c e , y o u wi l l f i nd y o u c a n c o mp l e t e t hi s r ou-
t i ne i n as l i ttl e as fi ve mi nut e s . Howe v e r , I r e c o mme n d
t hat wh e n e v e r pos s i bl e, y o u t ake at l east f i f t een mi nut e s
t o real l y set y our s e l f up f or t he day. As Ma h a t ma Ga n d h i
o n c e sai d i n t he mi ds t of hi s c a mp a i g n t o c r e at e a f r e e
a n d s el f - gover ni ng I ndi a:
T ha v e so mu c h t o do t oday I wi l l n e e d t o me di t a t e
t wi ce as l o ng ! "
HOW GOOD CAN I T GET?
Fi nal l y, as we r e a c h t he e n d of t he b o o k , I ' d l i ke t o t al k
a b o u t t he f ut ur e . Y o u ma y r e me mb e r t hat I s t ar t ed t hi s
b o o k by t al ki ng a b o u t h o w we l i ve i n a t rul y e x c i t i ng t i me
i n o u r pl ane t ' s hi st ory. T h e s e days t he r e i s mo r e i nf or ma -
t i on t o a bs or b, mo r e t o l e ar n, a n d mo r e oppor t uni t i e s
t ha n e v e r be f or e .
As t he p a c e o f c h a n g e get s q u i c k e r a n d qui c ke r , t he
cr eat i ve t e c h no l o g y we ha v e n o w i s abl e t o c ons t ant l y
u p g r a d e a n d i mp r o v e itself. A h u n d r e d a n d fifty year s
a g o t he t e l e g r a ph fi rst ma d e i t pos s i bl e t o s e nd me s s a g e s
qui c kl y ov e r g r e a t di s t ances . Wi t hi n t hi rt y year s , t he
239
PAUL Mc KENNA
Your Daily Success Workout
1. Begin by taking three deep breaths. Each time
you breathe in, feel any areas of tension and stress in
your body. Each time you breathe out, feel yourself
letting go and relaxing into a lovely, peaceful state.
2. Imagine the qualities of your authentic self. See
yourself going through your day as your authentic self.
Do this several times until it becomes easy to imagine.
3. Now, review your top five values. Take a moment
to really feel each one, and once again guide your mind
through the day ahead. Each time you do this, you are
programming yourself to have a wonderful day!
4. Use the inner smile to activate your endorphin
response. Smile into every area of yourself and keep
feeling better and better and better.
5. Review your big dream. Ask your mind to gui de
you in thought, word, and action to do and say
exactly the right things to make your dreams come
true for the highest good of all concerned.
6. What are you most grateful for in your life?
Spend at least one minute focused on all the good
things you already have and everything that' s right
with your world.
7. Finish by taking three more deep breaths. This
time, allow each breath in to fill you with energy, and
each breath out to energize you even more.
238
y ou. As y o u b e c o me mo r e f ami l i ar wi t h t he t e c hni que s i n
t he b o o k , y o u c a n b e g i n t o subst i t ut e o t he r exer c i s es f or
t he o ne s wr i t t en he r e . By ma k i n g t i me i n y o ur day t o pr o-
g r a m y o ur mi n d wi t h posi t i ve s ugges t i ons , y o ur e ne r g y
a n d mot i vat i on wi l l i nc r eas e a n d y o u wi l l b e c o me hap-
pi er, s t r onger , a n d mo r e cr eat i ve as y o ur l i fe c o nt i nue s t o
g e t e v e n bet t er.
Wi t h pr ac t i c e , y o u wi l l f i nd y o u c a n c o mp l e t e t hi s r ou-
t i ne i n as l i ttl e as f i ve mi nut e s . Howe v e r , I r e c o mme n d
t hat wh e n e v e r pos s i bl e, y o u t ake at l east f i f t e e n mi nut e s
t o r eal l y set y our s e l f up f or t he day. As Ma h a t ma Ga n d h i
o n c e sai d i n t he mi ds t of hi s c a mp a i g n t o c r e a t e a f r ee
a n d s e l f - gove r ni ng I ndi a:
" I ha v e s o mu c h t o do t oday I wi l l n e e d t o me di t a t e
t wi ce as l o ng ! "
HOW GOOD CAN I T GET?
Fi nal l y, as we r e a c h t he e n d of t he b o o k , I ' d l i ke t o t al k
a b o u t t he f ut ur e . Y o u ma y r e me mb e r t hat I s t ar t ed t hi s
b o o k by t al ki ng a b o u t h o w we l i ve i n a t rul y e x c i t i ng t i me
i n o u r pl ane t ' s hi st ory. T h e s e days t he r e i s mo r e i nf or ma-
t i on t o a bs or b, mo r e t o l ear n, a n d mo r e oppor t uni t i e s
t ha n e ve r be f or e .
As t he p a c e o f c h a n g e get s q u i c k e r a n d qui c ke r , t he
cr eat i ve t e c hno l o g y we have n o w i s a bl e t o c ons t ant l y
u p g r a d e a n d i mp r o v e itself. A h u n d r e d a n d f i f t y year s
a g o t he t e l e g r a ph fi rst ma d e i t pos s i bl e t o s e nd me s s a ge s
qui c kl y ov e r g r e a t di s t ances . Wi t hi n t hi rt y year s , t he
239
PAUL Mc KENNA
t e l e p h o n e h a d ar r i ved, qui c kl y f ol l owe d
1 he illiterate of the jjy v oi c e r e c o r di ng , r a di o, t el evi s i on,
twenty-first century f a X ; a n d e - ma i l .
will not be those who yê c a n n o w c o mmu n i c a t e acr oss t he
cannot read and pl a ne t i n an i nst ant . S o me t h i n g h a p
write, but those who p e ns on o n e si de of t he wo r l d a n d we
cannot learn, c a n w a t c h i t o n o u r t el evi si ons, r e a d
unlearn, and a b o u t i t on t he We b , a n d c o mmu n i c a t e
relearn. a b o u t i t by e- mai l , al l s ha r i ng t he e x pe -
Atvin Toffler r i e nc e s i mul t aneous l y. T h e eyes a n d
ear s of o u r t e l e c o mmu n i c a t i o n s net -
wo r k ar e b e c o mi n g t he eyes a n d ear s of humani t y .
Mo r e t ha n ever, t he mi n d i s n o w t he d o mi n a n t cr e-
at i ve f or c e o n t hi s pl a ne t . O u r t ho ug ht s ar e mo r e powe r -
f ul t ha n t he y have e v e r b e e n , a n d wi t h t he e x p o ne nt i a l
e n h a n c e me n t s i n t e c h no l o g y we ar e l i kel y t o s ee s o me
a ma z i n g c h a ng e s i n t he n e a r f ut ur e .
S o me sci enti sts bel i eve t hat wi t hi n t he ne x t f ew years we
wi l l have a c ur e f or cancer , dr ugs t o p e r ma n e n d y i ncr eas e
i nt el l i gence, c r yoge ni c pr es er vat i on, a n d genet i c c ont r ol
of agi ng. Vi r t ual reality, genet i c r e pr o g r a mmi ng , a n d de-
v e l opme nt s i n na no t e c hno l o g y wi l l of f er benef i t s we can-
no t e v e n i magi ne , as t oday' s s c i enc e f i ct i on b e c o me s t he
t empl at e f or t omor r ow' s s c i enc e f act. We st and, ma ny of us
unknowi ngl y, on t he e d g e of a n a ma z i ng l e ap i n h u ma n -
ity' s evol ut i on.
To ma k e t hi s l e a p, we n e e d a r adi c al shi f t i n o u r val -
ue s . Ra t he r t ha n c ont i nua l l y l o o k i n g f or f ul f i l l ment i n
t he out s i de wo r l d, wh i c h has ma d e us over l y c ompe t i t i v e
240
a n d sel f i sh, we n e e d t o b e g i n t o f i nd mo r e c o n t e n t me n t
wi t hi n. I bel i eve t hat a n e w a g e of p s y c h o t e c h no l o g y i s
u p o n us , a n d t he k i nd o f t e c hni q ue s we ' v e b e e n us i ng i n
t hi s b o o k wi l l b e c o me wha t mo r e a n d mo r e p e o p l e t ur n
t o i n o r d e r t o h e l p b r i ng a b o u t posi t i ve c h a ng e s a t ever y
l evel of soci et y.
The s e days, a c ount r y' s weal t h i s no l o ng e r g a u g e d by its
physi cal r es our c es . I nst ead, i t i s i deas a n d t hei r i mpl e me n-
t at i on t hat c r eat e weal t h. T h e r eal s our c e of weal t h i s i n
o u r mi nds , a n d t hos e of us wi t h t he r i ches t i deas wi l l c r eat e
t he gr eat es t weal t h i n t he wor l d. Jus t t hi nk f or a m o m e n t
y o u possess o n e of t he mos t val uabl e a n d powe r f ul pi ec es
of e q u i p me n t i n t he wo r l d r i ght be t we e n y o ur ears!
Y o u have l e a r n e d s o me po we r f ul ways t o r u n y o u r
o wn br ai n. T h e posi t i ve sof t war e t hat y o u ha v e p u t i nt o
y o u r mi n d wi l l b e g i n t o ma ni f e s t mo r e a n d mo r e be ne f i -
ci al resul t s e a c h day. T h e f act t hat y o u' v e c h o s e n t o i nves t
i n y o u r o wn e v ol ut i on sets y o u a pa r t f r o m t he mas s es . It' s
a de c i s i on t hat wi l l e nr i c h t he qual i t y of y o ur l i f e ma n y
t i mes over, b e c a us e l i f e i s onl y as a ma z i n g as t he way y o u
c h o o s e t o l i ve it.
As y o u pr ac t i c e t he t e c hni que s i n thi s bo o k , t aki ng
responsi bi l i t y f or p r o g r a mmi n g y our o wn mi nd, y o u ar e
put t i ng your s el f a t t he f or e f r ont of o u r cul t ur e. Yo u ar e
b e c o mi n g a l eader , a n d t he c hoi c e s y o u ma k e a b o u t whe r e
a n d h o w y o u l e a d wi l l b e c o me i ncr eas i ngl y si gni f i cant .
As y o u c o n t i n u e o n y o u r j o u r n e y t o t he l i f e o f
y o ur d r e a ms , I wo u l d l i ke t o l eave y o u wi t h t hi s Bu d d hi s t
bl es s i ng:
241
About the Author
PAUL MCKENNA, PH. D. , i s t he worl d' s l eadi ng h y p
o t i s t
'
His TV shows have been wat ched i n forty-two c o u
t n e s
by more than 500 million peopl e ar ound t he world-
He has appeared on Good Morning America, The ^*
eW
>
Entertainment Tonight, MTV, PrimeTime Live, The Montel
Williams Show, Ricki Lake, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show,
Leeza, The Maury Povitch Show, The Howard Stern Shov), and
CNN among many others.
His award-winning comedy hypnot i c show pl ay
e (
*
o n
Broadway and i n London' s West End, recei vi ng
r a v e
reviews.
He is a bestselling author, and his private cl ients
include rock stars, movie stars, supermodel s, and royal ty
Recently, the London Times named hi m as one
of the t op
ten modem gurus, alongside Deepak Chopr a, N e k
n
Mandela, and the Dalai Lama.
PAUL Mc KENNA
May you be safe and protected.
May you be happy and peaceful.
May you be healthy and strong.
May you carry your life with ease and grace.
Unt i l n e x t we me e t ,
Paul McKenna
242
About the Author
PAUL MCKENNA, PH. D. , i s t he wor l d' s l e a di ng hypnot i s t .
Hi s TV s hows ha v e b e e n wa t c h e d i n f o r t y - t wo c ount r i e s
by mo r e t ha n 500 mi l l i on p e o p l e a r o u n d t he wor l d.
He has a p p e a r e d on Good Morning America, The View,
Entertainment Tonight, MTV, PrimeTime Live, The Montel
Williams Show, Ricki Lake, The Sally Jesse Raphael Show,
Leeza, The Maury Povitch Show, The Howard Stern Show, a n d
C N N a mo n g ma n y ot he r s .
Hi s a wa r d- wi nni ng c o me d y hy pno t i c s ho w pl a y e d o n
Br o a d wa y a n d i n L o n d o n ' s We s t En d , r e c e i v i ng r ave
r evi ews.
He i s a bes t s el l i ng aut hor , a n d hi s pr i vat e cl i ent s
i nc l ude r o c k stars, mov i e st ars, s u p e r mo d e l s , a n d royal ty.
Re c e ndy , t he London Times n a me d h i m as o n e of t he t o p
t en mo d e r n g ur us , a l ong s i de De e p a k Ch o p r a , Ne l s o n
Ma nd e l a , a n d t he Dal ai La ma .

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