Paul McKenna - Portugues

ALSO BY PAUL McKENNA
The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna
How to Mend Your Broken Heart

(wit h H u g h W i l l b o u r n )
CHANG
E
Y O U R LIF E I N
7 DAYS
The World's Leading Hypnotist
Shows You How
PAU L McKENNA , Ph.D .
Edited by Michael Neil l
HARMONY BOOKS
NE W YOR K
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
158.1—dc22
ISBN 1-4000-8287-0
Printed in the United States of America
1 0 9 8 7 6 5 4 3
First American Edition

To my parents,
who gave me more than I realized

Acknowledgments
I w o u l d li k e t o t h a n k al l o f m y c o l l e a g u e s , cl ient s , a n
d s t u d en t s w h o h a v e c o n t r i b u t e d t o thi s b o o k .
I woul d especiall y lik e to than k Richar d Bandler
, M i c h a e l Neill , M i c h a e l B r e e n , D i a n a Beaver , D o u g
Y o u n g , C l a r e Staples , M i k e O s b o r n e , a n d P au l D u d d r i d g e
.
Contents
Author's Note
xi
Introduction
1
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
PAU L McKENN A
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
S I M P O R T A N T I
I (
| T h e r e is a special hypnoti c recor din g to a c co mp a n y |
'£ this hook . It will h el p vo n re-enforc e I lit: positive
J C benefits von ge l from th e technique s yo n are a b ou
t
\ lo use.
5 Yon can downloa d it for free by visiting:
f. www.paiiliiickenna.coni/tran c e
PAU L McKENN A
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
T h e r e is a special hypnoti c •recording to a c co mpa n y

this book . It. will hel p Y O U ••re-enforce I he positive
benefit s vo n g e l fro m th e technique s yo u are
abou t t o use.
You can downlo a d it for free by visiting:
www.paulinckcnna.eom /t ranee
INTRODUCTIO N
_ llTMt tH M . '
Y o u HOL D i n y o u r h a n d s a b o o k t h a t h a s t h e p o w e r t o
c h a n g e y o u r li f e f o r e v e r .
D o e s th a t s e e m lik e a n o ut l an d i s h claim ? S o m a n y o f
t h e p e o p l e I'v e g u i d e d t o a c h i e v i n g the i r desir e s starte d
o u t w o n d e r i n g h o w i t i s possibl e a n d e n d e d u p astound •
i n g t h e m s e l v e s . N o w it ' s y o u r t u r n . D o n ' t u n d e r e s t i m a t e
t h e p o w e r o f t h e syste m i n thi s b o o k . I p r o m i s e y o u — i t
wil l c h a n g e y o u r life !
Succes s a n d happine s s ar e n o t accident s tha t jus t hap •

p e n t o s o m e 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 pre •
dictabl e result s c r e a t e d b y d e li be r a t e way s o f thinkin g
a n d a c t i n g , wa y s t h a t I'l l b e s h a r i n g w i t h y o u o v e r t h e
n e x t s e v e n days . A s t h e sa y i n g g o e s , su c ce s s i s al l a b o u t
l u c k — a s k an y failure !
C A N I REALL Y C H A N G E M
Whether you think
Y LIF E I N S E V E N D A Y S ?
you can or you think
you can't, you're
Peopl e wh o atten d my seminar s ar e
probably right.
a lw a y s amaze d whe n we cur e lifelon g
—Henry Ford
p h o b i a s i n le s s t h a n a n h o u r , o r c l e a r
u p s u p p o s e d l y d e e p - s e a t e d i s su e s i n j u s t
3
PAU L McKENN A
a f e w days . B u t m o s t p e o p l e c a n t h i n k o f a t i m e w h e
n t h e i r li ve s c h a n g e d i n j u s t a f e w m o m e n t s . P e r h a p s i t
wa s gettin g a n e w piec e o f importan t information , o r
m e e t • i n g a s p e c i a l s o m e o n e a n d k n o w i n g t h a t y o u r li f e
woul d neve r agai n b e th e same .
H e r e i s th e re a s o n w h y c h a n g e c a n h a p p e n s o quickly :
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 fact , th e myt h tha t i t take s a l o n g ti m e to

ch an g e ha s onl y be e n aroun d fo r abou t a hu n d r e d
years , w h e n F r e u d i a n an a l y s i s b e c a m e t h e d o m i n a n t
influenc e i n th e treatm en t of psychosomati c illnes s .
What make s thi s p o i n t o f vi e w i ro n i c i s th a t t h e go a l o
f psychoanalysi s ha s n e v e r b e e n to change p e o p l e , bu t
rathe r t o he l p the m gai n a deepe r understandin g o f
wh y the y ar e th e wa y the y are . I n m y work ,
un de rsta ndi n g i s th e b o o b y prize !
Som et im e s eve n a smal l c h a n g e c a n m a k e a h u g e

dif• f e r e n c e . Fo r example , imagin e yo u an d anothe r
p e r s o n a r e dri vin g a l o n g tw o straig h t roa d s , s t re tc h i n g sid
e b y sid e of f int o th e infinit e distance . N o w imagin e
t h a t o n e o f t h o s e r o a d s shift s e v e n a ti n y b i t a w a y f r o m
th e other . A t firs t th e differenc e migh t see m
imperceptible . Bu t ov e r ti m e , th a t smal l c h a n g e i n
directio n woul d tak e yo u t o a n entire l y differen t
destinatio n fr o m th e oth e r person .
T h e t e c h n i q u e s c o n t a i n e d i n Change Your Life i n Seven

Days a r e s t a t e o f t h e a r t , o f f e r i n g n o t o n l y t h e l a t e s t soft
-
4
Change Your Life in Seven Days
war e b u t als o a w h o l e n e w o p e r a t i n g syste m f o r y o u

r bod y an d mind .
Eac h day , y o u wil l mak e tin y changes , change s
t h a t m a y b e i m p e r c e p t i b l e t o y o u a t first . B u t a s y o u
c o n t i n u e m o v i n g f o r w a r d , y o u wil l b e g i n t o rea liz e j u s t
h o w fa r y o u hav e alrea d y c o m e a n d j u s t h o w m u c h y o u
hav e ch an ge d .
Le t' s f a c e i t — i f y o u d o virtuall y a n y t h i n g consis tentl
y f o r s e v e n days , i t wil l c h a n g e y o u . W h a t m a k e s thi s
syst e m d i f f er e n t i s t h a t m a n y o f t h e t e c h n i q u e s y o u wil l b
e le ar n • i n g a s y o u r e a d wil l g o o n w o r k i n g , helpin g
y o u l o n g afte r y o u sto p u s i n g t h e m . O v e r th e n e x t seve
n d a y s t h e a c t i o n s y o u t a k e wi l l s e t u p a w a v e o f c h a n g e
i n y o u r lif e t h a t wil l i n tur n affec t m a n y o t h e r area s
o f y o u r life , w h i c h i n t u r n affec t o th e r s . Jus t a s a n oi l
t a n k e r t a k e s a lit t l e w h i l e t o s t a r t m o v i n g , i t b e c o m e s
difficul t t o sto p o n c e i t bu i l d s u p sufficien t m o m e n t u m .
F o r centurie s p e o p l e t h o u g h t i t wa s impossibl e t o r u
n a four-minut e mile . T h e n o n M a r c h 6 , 1954 , R o g e r
B a n • niste r di d wha t al l grea t pioneer s do—he mad
e th e impossibl e h ap p e n .
R e c e n t l y , I m e t Dr . B a n n i s t e r a n d w
e talke d abou t ho w amazin g i t wa s
tha t withi n a yea r o f hi s b r ea ki n g th e
four - m i n u t e mile , thirty-seve n othe r
p e op l e a r o u n d th e wor l d di d s o a s well .
I n th e
f o l l o w i n g y e a r , a n i n c r e d i b l e three hundred r u n n e r s b r o k
e t h r o u g h t ha t previo u sl y i m p e n e t r a b l e barrier .
T h e fines t mi n d s o f th e a g e h a d b el ie v e d i t wa s im pos •
sibl e to do , a n d th e i r belief s b e c a m e a s e l f- f u l f i ll i n
g p r o p h e c y . ( S o m e n o t e d scientis t s ac t ua l l y s u g g e s t e d
tha t
5
PAU L McKENN A
t h e h u m a n b o d y w o u l d explode i f p u s h e d t o d o a f o u r
- mi n u t e mile! )
I t on l y t o o k o n e c o u n t e r e x a m p l e — o n e p e r s o n prov
• i n g tha t wh a t o th er s h a d previousl y t h o u g h t c o u l d n o t
b e d o n e wa s i n fac t p o s s i b l e — f o r e v e r y o n e els e t o ta p
i n t o t h a t possibili t y w i t h i n t h e m s e l v e s .
T h e h u m a n m i n d generalize s a s a learnin g principle
. Fo r example , a s a chil d yo u lear n h o w a d o o r open s
a n d closes . Y o u r m i n d t h e n gen era lize s th a t l e ar n i n g t o
a p pl y t o al l d o o r s e ve r ywh er e .
T h i s w o r k s e q u a l l y w e l l w h e t h e r t h e l e a r n i n g s a r e us e
• fu l o r pa in f u l . O v e r t h e n e x t s e v e n days , w e ar e g o i n g
t o di s m a n d e m a n y o f th e negativ e generalization s y o u
h av e m a d e a b o u t th e wo rl d , a n d b u i l d positiv e n e w o n e s
.
M Y STOR Y
I becam e intereste d in al l thing s self-improvemen

t s h o r d y afte r I lef t s c h o o l . I t d i d n ' t ta k e l o n g f o r m e
t o r e a d ne ar l y e v er y self-he l p b o o k , tr y e v e r y t e c h n i q u e ,
a n d appl y everythin g I wa s learnin g t o m y o w n l if e .
As a result , my li f e change d dramaticall y fo r th e
better . I n fa c t , s i n c e I b e g a n u s i n g t h e t e c h n i q u e s I a
m abou t t o shar e wit h yo u , I quickl y no ti ce d a n
i m p r o v e m e n t i n m y c o n f i d e n c e , m y f i n a n c e s , m y career ,
a n d th e wa y p e op l e treate d me . I becam e wealthy ,
famous , an d my li f e b e c a m e i n f i n i t e l y m o r e g l a m o r o u
s t h a n i t wa s b e f o r e — al l i n a s ho r t s p a c e o f t im e . A l l o
f th e bes t technique s tha t
6
I u s e d t o c r e a t e t h e l i f e I li v e t o d a y a r e c o n t a i n e d i n
th e b o o k yo u no w hol d i n you r hands !
M y p u r p o s e i n li f e , a n d t h e g o a l o f th i s b o o k , i s
t o hel p y o u ge t greate r contro l o f yoursel f a n d yo u r
life . Si n c e 1 9 8 5 , 1 h a v e b e e n w o r k i n g o n a r e v o l ut i o n a r y
self - i m p r o v e m e n t s y s t e m t h a t wi l l w o r k f o r e v e r y o n e .
T h e uniqu e success-conditionin g syste m y o u ar e abou
t t o lear n ha s no w bee n p e r f e c t e d — y o u wil l b e g i n
m a k i n g p r o f o u n d c h a n g e s w i t h i n t h e v e r y firs t day .
B e s t o f a l l , y o u c a n r e l a x — i t ' s v e r y easy , a n d y o u
d o n ' t h a v e t o h a v e a n y p r e v i o u s e x p e r i e n c e o r s k il l . I n
fa c t , i f y o u c a n c l o s e y o u r e y e s , tal k t o y o u r s e l f a n d
others , a n d mo v e you r body , yo u ca n contro l you r
thinkin g a n d behavior , a n d u l t i m a t e l y y o u c a n li v e t h
e lif e o f yo u r dream s . Al l y o u hav e t o d o i s follo w m y
instruction s ste p b y step , eve n i f a t time s y o u ' r e n o t
sur e y o u ' r e d o i n g i t right . To ge the r , w e ar e g o i n g t o
d e s i g n a n d instal l "posi • t i v e sof tw are " f o r y o u r m i n d !
TH E P O W E R O F N O W
T h i s i s a n e x c i t i n g t i m e i n hi st or y . O u r w o r l d i s t r a n s f o r m
• in g ever y day . Th e scientifi c an d technologica l
transfor • m a t i o n s an d breakthrough s tha t ar e takin g
plac e al l a r o u n d u s a r e i n c r e as i n g a t e x p o n e n t i a l ra te s .
We , a s a h u m a n race , ar e c o n n e ct in g ove r grea t
distances , ex plo r • i n g a n d r e s h a p i n g o u r world . Jo u r n e y s
tha t use d to tak e m o nt h s ar e n o w m a d e i n hours ;
calcula tion s tha t u s e d t o
7
PAU L McKENN A
tak e year s ar e n o w d o n e i n m inute s . T h e ques ti o n i s

n o t will y o u r li f e c h a n g e — t h e q u e s t i o n i s w h a t w i l l i t
c h a n g e into ?
R i g h t n o w w e li v e i n a d i g i t a l i n f o r m a t i o n a g e . F a x e s
, mobil e telephones , computers , an d satellit e
t e c h n o l o g y , u n t h i n k a b l e e v e n fift y y e a r s a g o , ar e n o w
considere d a norma l par t o f twenty-f irst- centu r y l if e .
S o m e t h i n g hap • pen s o n o n e sid e o f th e worl d a n d w
e c a n w a t c h i t o n o u r t e l e v i s i o n s c r e e n s m o m e n t s la te r .
G l o b a l c o m m u n i c a • t i o n s system s c a n c o n n e c t m i n d t o
m i n d l ik e n e r v e cell s i n a h u g e g l o b a l b r ai n . W h e r e v e r
i t i s w e a r e g o i n g , w e a r e g o i n g t h e r e fas t !
W e stan d o n th e threshol d o f a n e n o r m o u s lea p i n o u

r evolution , a n d I believ e tha t th e n e x t gre a t stag e i n
h uma n developmen t wil l b e a mov e ou t o f th e
i n f o r m a t i o n a g e a n d i n t o a n e w t i m e i n w h i c h p e o p l e wil l
b e g i n t o d e v e l o p t h e i r i n n e r r e s o u r c e s . I ca l l th i s ti m e
t h e a g e o f psychotech• nology—a t i m e w h e n w e w i l l b e g i n t o
u n l e a s h t h e a m a z i n g p o w e r s a n d i n n e r abilitie s th a t w e
a r e al l b o r n wit h . I se e t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g a n d pr a ct i c e
o f psychotechnolog y a s b e i n g lik e h av in g a n o wn e r ' s
m an ua l fo r you r brain .
Unfortunately , mos t p e o p l e s p e n d m o r e ti m e learn

• in g t o wor k thei r D V D playe r tha n the y d o thei r
o w n m i n d . B y takin g th e n e x t w e e k t o rea d a n d practic
e t h e e x e r c i s e s i n th i s b o o k , y o u a r e m a r k i n g y o u r s e l f
ou t a s differen t fr o m th e 9 8 p e r c e n t o f p e op l e w h o , t
o quot e Winsto n Churchill , "stumbl e ove r th e trut h fro
m tim e t o time , bu t mos t pic k themselve s u p an d hurr
y of f a s i f n ot h i n g h a p p e n e d . "
I n th i s b o o k , y o u ' l l d i s c o v e r t h e t e c h n i q u e s t h a t h a v e
8
h e l p e d m a n y p e o p l e b r e a k t h r o u g h th e i r limitation s a n
d releas e thei r tru e potential . Togethe r , w e ar e g o i n g
t o pr o g r a m you r m i n d t o m a k e y o u a happier , mor e
confi • d en t , a n d p o w er f u l p e r s o n .
GETTIN G STARTE D
B e f o r e y o u b e g i n o n thi s j o u r n e y i n t o y o u r t r u e p o t e n
•
t ia l , I ' d l i k e y o u t o s t o p a n d c o n s i d e r
this :
What would it be like if you woke up one morn•

ing and a miracle had happened—your life had
become exactly what you wanted it to be?
D o i t n o w — s t o p a n d v i v i d l y i m a g i n e it .
• H o w w o u l d y o u k n o w tha t th e miracl e h a d ta ke
n place ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u see ?
• W h a t w ou l d y o u hear ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u fee l inside ?
• What change s w o u l d hav e happened in you r
career ?
• I n yo u r relationships ?
• Your finan ce s ?
• Yo u r health ?
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.
9
PAU L McKENN A
Simpl y relax , rea d , a n d allo w th e idea s a n d exerc ise

s i n th e b o o k t o tak e root .
J u s t a s a g a r d e n e r p l a n t s s e e d s a n d p a t i e n t l y w ai t s f o
r t h e m t o g r o w , e v e r y t i m e y o u w o r k w i t h th i s b o o k ,
y o u ' r e p l a n t i n g positiv e sug g e s tio n s i n y o u r m i n d tha t
wil l g r o w in t o powerfu l ne w way s to operat e th e
world' s mos t advance d b i o c o m p u t e r — y o u r brain !
E v e n t h o u g h y o u c a n a c h i e v e d r a m a t i c r e s ul t s i n y o u r
v e r y firs t w e e k , y o u m a y w a n t t o r e t u r n
t o t h e b o o k s e v e r a l t i m e s i n t h e firs t f e
People are always
w m o n t h s . I t i s v i t al l y i m p o r t a n t t o d o
blaming circum•
th e exercise s i n o r d e r t o g e t th e kin
stances for what they
d o f result s y o u want . N o singl e
are. I don't believe in
t e c h n i q u e i s a m a g i c pil l f o r s uc ce s s ,
circumstances. The
b u t w h e n y o u practic e t h e m agai n a n d
people who get ahead
a g a i n t h e y wi l l b e c o m e s e c o n d n a t u r e t
in this world are the
o you .
people who get up
Whateve r yo u achiev e i n th e nex
and look for the
t t e n yea r s wil l b e t h e resul t o f w h a t
circumstances they_
y o u d o no w . A s th e sayin g g o e s , i f y o u
want, and if they
k e e p d o i n g w h a t y o u ' v e a lw a y s d o n e
can't find them,
you'l l ju s t ge t m o r e o f wha t you'v e
make them.
alread y got . B u t y o u d o hav e th e p o w e r
—George Bernard Shaw
t o mak e
an incredibl e differenc e to y o u r lif e
.
A n d i t s ta rt s r i g h t h e r e
.
10
TH E D I F F E R E N C E T H A T
M A K E S TH E D I F F E R E N C
E
M a n y p e o p l e b e g i n a self-hel p b o o k o r p e r s o n a l t ra inin
g p r o g r a m b u t qui t halfwa y t h r o u g h . Th e y convinc e
t h e m • s e l v e s t h a t it' s t o o h a r d o r t h a t t h e y d o n ' t h a v e
w h a t i t takes . H e r e ' s th e p r o b l e m wit h t ha t a p p r o a c h :
If you don't take control of your life, someone

else will.
Now , I kno w responsibility i s n ' t a v e r y p o p u l a r w o r

d t h e s e da y s . B i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s c h a n g e h a n d s e a c h y e a r
a s p e o p l e literall y pas s t h e b u c k o n w h o s e f au l t i t i s
tha t thei r coffe e wa s to o hot , thei r b o d y wa s to o weak , o
r thei r d o g wa s p oo r l y trained .
B u t a n o t h e r wa y o f t h i n ki n g a b o u t responsibilit y i s
tha t i t i s reall y a b o u t c on t ro l . D o y o u w a n t t o co nt r o l
y o u r li f e o r h a n d o v e r t h a t c o n t r o l t o o t h e r p e o p l e —
y o u r fa m i l y , t h e m e d i a , o r e v e n s o c i e t y i n g e n e r a l ? D o
y o u w a n t t o b e t h e m a s t e r o f y o u r fa t e o r t h e v i c t i m o f
you r circumstances ?
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 e a s y t o b l a m e y o u r p a r e n t s , y o u r e m p l o y e r s , o r t h
e g o v e r n m e n t f o r yo u r p r o b l e m s , b u t unti l y o u d e c i d e
t o se e y our se l f a s r e sp o ns ib l e f o r y o u r situatio n the n
you
11
PAU L McKENN A
d o n ' t h a v e a n y p o w e r t o c h a n g e it . A l l g r e a t a c h i e v e r
s kno w tha t takin g responsibilit y is th e firs t ste p
t o w a r d h a v i n g a s u c c e s s f u l a r i d f u l f i l l i n g li f e .
D r . S t e p h e n R . C o v e y d e s c r i b e s i t li k e t h i s :
W h e n y o u p i c k u p o n e e n d o f t h e stick , y o u p i c k
u p th e other . T h e r e f o r e , i f y o u d ec i d e t o tak e
r e s p o n s i • bilit y fo r you r circumstances , yo u
automatical l y ta p int o t h e p o w e r t o c h a n g e t h e m .
W h e n I shar e thes e idea s i n m y seminars , occasionall

y a p a r t i c i p a n t w i l l sa y t o m e , " D o e s t h a t m e a n t h a t i f
I ' m w a l k i n g a c r o s s t h e r o a d a n d I g e t r u n o v e r , it' s m y
fault? " T h e a n sw e r i s s i m p l e — t a k i n g responsibilit y i s n o
t t h e s a m e a s t a k i n g t h e b l a m e . Y o u a r e not r e s p o n s i b l e
f o r t h e h a n d y o u h a v e b e e n d ea l t , b u t i t i s alway s u p t o
yo u ho w
y o u p l a y it
.
S t o p fo r a m o m e n t a n d i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik
e t o tak e responsibilit y fo r y o u r l i f e — t o hav e th e p o w e r
t o m a k e c h o i c e s a n d c h a n g e s i n e v e r y a r e a o f y o u r l if e .
T o b e i n con tr o l o f y o u r finances , y o u r relationships ,
a n d y o u r sens e o f well-being . T o b e a t p e a c e wit h thos e
thing s tha t ar e no t in you r contro l an d in ful l
c o m m a n d o f tho s e tha t are .
I f y o u lik e wh a t y o u ar e imagi n i n g , m a k e th e deci si o

n righ t n o w t o tak e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r y o u r li f e at a
w h o l e n e w level . The mor e I wor k wit h peopl e wh o
a c hi e v e a s t o u n d i n g result s , t h e m o r e I a m i n s p i r e d b y
th e word s o f W . H . Murray :
12
Unti l o n e i s committed , t h e r e i s h es i t anc y , th

e chanc e to dra w back , alway s ineffectiveness .
C o n • c e r n i n g al l act s o f initiativ e ( a n d c r e a t i o n ) ,
ther e i s o n e elementar y trut h th e ig no ranc e o f
w h i c h kill s c o u n t l e s s i de a s a n d s p l e n d i d p lan s : t h a t
th e m o me n t on e de f i n i t e l y c o m m i t s o n es el f , the
n providenc e move s too . A whol e strea m of
e v e n t s issue s f r o m t h e d e c i s i o n , r a i s i n g i n o n e ' s
f av o r al l manne r o f unforesee n incidents ,
m e e t i n g s a n d m a t e r i a l assis• t a n c e , w h i c h n o m a n
c o u l d h a v e d r e a m t w o u l d h a v e c o m e h i s way .
A r e y o u commi tte d ? A r e y o u read y t o tak e b a c k yo u

r power ? Ar e yo u willin g t o mak e th i s boo k
i m p o r t a n t e n o u g h t o follo w t h e simpl e instruction s tha t
w i l l c h a n g e y o u r lif e ? E v e n i f y o u ' r e n o t c o n v i n c e d a t
first , i t i s im po r • tan t t o realiz e tha t y o u ca n s u c c e e d i n
spit e o f yo ursel f ! I t al l h a p p e n s o n e c h a p t e r a t a tim e .
H O W T O U S E THI S B O O
K
T h i s b o o k i s l a i d o u t i n s e v e n c h a p t e r s — s e v e n k e y l es
• s o n s t h a t wi l l g u i d e y o u f r o m w h e r e v e r y o u a r e i n
th e d irec t i o n o f y o u r m o s t d e e p l y fel t value s a n d m o s t
f o n d l y h o p e d - f o r d r e a m . A s y o u p i c k u p thi s b o o k e a c h
day , t r y t o f i l l y o u r m i n d w i t h positiv e energ y an d
p r e p a r e y o u r br a i n fo r t h e v al uab l e i n f o r m at i o n y o u wil
l b e r e c e i vi n g i n th a t day' s r e a d i n g .
13
PAU L MCKENN A
I n j u s t s e v e n clays , y o u wi l l j o i n t h e r a n k s o f t h o s
e p e op l e w h o ar e s o wel l p r o g r a m m e d t o suc ce e d tha t
t h e y c a n n o t h e l p b u t b e successf u l a t w h a t th e y d o . Y o u
w i l l b e a b l e t o h a n d l e w h a t e v e r c h a l l e n g e s lif e o f f e r s y o
u w i t h a sen s e o f eas e a n d c o n f i d e n c e . Y o u r j o u r n e y wil l
b e g i n i n t h e n e x t chapter , a s y o u dis co v e r w h o y o u ar e
b e c o m i n g a n d un co v e r you r tru e potentia l t o b e c o m e
t h e p e r s o n y o u reall y w a n t t o b e . . . .
14
DAY
1
4XHP p YRFH ,
R HDOPHQWH ?
Discover your true potential
and become the person you
truly want to be
Imagine you woke up one day in a land populated almost
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
PAU L McKENN A
the giants and listening to them teach you in their booming, god•
like voices, you begin to figure out what you need to do and not do
to stay safe.
Do as you are told. It's easier to get along if you go along. Don't
cry. Don't fight. Study hard. Get a job. Do as you are told. Get
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
TH E P O W E R O F B R A I N W A S H I N G
Durin g th e K o r e a n civ i l w a r o f t h e lat e 1950s , th e

Chi • nes e Korean s successfull y converte d a n
unprecedente d numbe r o f America n POW s t o th e
"religion " o f c o m m u • nism . T h e y didn' t d o i t t h r o u g h
threa t o f tortur e o r eve n promis e o f r e w a r d — t h e y di d i
t b y simpl y c h a n g i n g t h e soldier' s self-image .
W h a t th e C h i n e s e u n d e r s t o o d wa s tha t o u r beha vio
r i s a d i r e c t r e s u l t o f t h e p e r s o n w e believe-we a r e — o u r
self - i m a g e . T h i n k o f i t l i k e a l o o p — w e a r e c o n s t a n t l y
con • firmin g t o ourselve s tha t w e ar e th e pe rs o n w e
th i n k w e ar e , b u t t h e syste m w e us e t o i n t er p r e t o u r
b e h a v i o r a n d f e e d b a c k i s o u r o w n s e l f - i m a g e . It' s a c a t c h -
22 .
S o th e Chines e interrupte d th e loop . Y o u mig h t thin
kit wa s a bi g tas k reprogrammin g me n wh o ha d
b e e n high l y traine d on l y t o giv e thei r n a m e , rank , a n d
seria l n u m b e r , b u t t h e C h i n e s e d i d i t bi t b y bit .
D u r i n g a n interrogation , prisoner s wer e pers ua de d t
o mak e on e o r tw o mildl y anti-America n o r pro-
c o m m u n i s t s t a t e m e n t s . ( F o r e x a m p l e , " T h e U n i t e d St a t e
s i s n o t per • fect, " o r "I n a c o m m u n i s t country , th e r e
is l es s unem • ploymen t an d crime." ) Onc e thes e
apparentl y m i n o r statemen t s h a d b e e n extracte d , th e
prison e r w o u l d the n b e aske d t o defin e exactl y h o w th e
U n i t e d St a t e s w a s n o t p e r f e c t . W h e n h e w a s w o r n d o w
n a n d weary , h e w o u l d t h e n b e a s k e d t o sig n hi s n a m e
t o t h e lis t o f r e a s o n s h e h a d c o m e u p w i t h .
19
PAU L McKENN A
L a t e r , t h e p r i s o n e r w o u l d b e m a d e t o r e a d h i s lis t i n
a discussio n grou p wit h othe r prisoners . Th e
C h i n e s e w o u l d t h e n b r o a d c a s t h i s n a m e a n d lis t o f
reason s d u r i n g a n anti-America n radi o broadcas t no t
o n l y t o hi s o w n c a m p b u t t o al l t h e o t h e r N o r t h K o r e a
n P O W c a m p s a n d th e res t o f t h e A m e r i c a n for ce s i n
S o u t h K o r e a a s well .
Sud d en l y , t h e p r i s o n e r f o u n d h i m s e l f l a b e l e d a col
• laborator , someon e wh o participate d in th e kin d
o f behavio r tha t helpe d th e enemy . Whe n fello w
p r i s o n e r s a s k e d w h y h e h a d d o n e it , h e c o u l d n ' t c l a i m h
e h a d b e e n t o r t u r e d . A f t e r all , h e h a d sai d t h o s e t hi n g
s a n d si gn e d hi s n a m e t o t h e m .
Psychologica l researc h ha s sh o w n tha t h u m a n being
s ca n tolerat e onl y a certai n a m o u n t o f discrepanc y
b et w e e n thei r tho ugh t s a n d thei r behavior . Li k e an y o n e
u na w ar e o f t h e p o w e r o f hi s o w n self- image , t h e p r i s o n e
r fel t h e h a d t o justif y hi s a ct io n s i n o r d e r t o m a i n t a i
n c o n s i s t e n c y w i t h h i s o w n i n t e r n a l s e n s e o f i de n t it y . H e
w o u l d sa y t h a t w h a t h e h a d s a i d w a s t r u e . I n t h a t
m o m e n t hi s self-imag e c h a n g e d . He n o w be li eve d tha t
h e wa s pro-communist , a n d hi s fello w prisoner s
re in f or c e d hi s n e w i d e n t i t y b y t r e a t i n g h i m di ff er en tl y .
T h e l o o p wa s c om pl et e .
B ef o r e l on g , hi s desi r e t o ac t consistentl y wit h hi s n e

w self-imag e w o u l d driv e h i m t o c ol la bo r a t e wit h th e
Chi • nes e e v e n m o r e , t he r e b y furth e r rei nforci n g hi s n e
w self - i m a g e u n t i l h e n o l o n g e r e v e n q u e s t i o n e d i t w a s
true .
20
WHA T I S A SELF-IMAGE ?
Y o u r self-imag e i s th e wa y y o u se e yo ur s el f i n y o u r
imagi • nation . Th e reaso n you r self-imag e is so
powerfu l i s b e c a u s e y o u r b e h a v i o r wil l a l mo s t n e v e r
d e v i a t e f r o m t h i s i n t e r n a l m a p . I t a ct s a s a s o r t o f s e lf -
f u l f il l i n g p r o p h e c y , t e l l i n g y o u h o w t o b e h a v e o r p e r f o r
m t o ac t consistend y wit h th e kin d of perso n yo u
thin k y o u are . Ye t m a n y p e o p l e d o n ' t eve n realiz e the
y h a v e a n i m a g e o f t h e m • selve s u n t i l th e y l o o k .
W e ' v e al l m e t p e o p l e w h o a r e a t t r a c t i v e b u t w h o t h i n
k o f t h e m s e l v e s a s u g l y — t o o fa t o r t o o t h i n o r t o o o l d
o r t o o y o u n g . I f y o u trul y be l i e v e y o u a r e un a tt ra ctiv e ,
y o u wil l u n c o n s c i o u s l y sa bo ta g e a n y a ttem p t s t o m a k e
yo u rs e l f a p p e a r attractive . B e c a u s e y o u w o n ' t r e p r e s e n t
yo u rs e l f a t y o u r best , p e o p l e wil l inevitabl y fi n d y o u
u n a t t r a c t i v e , a n d t h e p r o p h e c y i s f ul f i l l e d .
Studi e s hav e s h o w n tha t a n extraordinar y n u m b e r o
f peopl e wh o suddenl y receiv e larg e sum s of
m o n e y t h r o u g h lo tte r y win s o r i n h e r i t a n c e a r e likel y t o
los e i t a g a i n a lm o s t a s quickly . Eve n peopl e wh o ear
n thei r m o n e y ar e likel y t o los e i t i f w h a t the y a r e
e a r ni n g i s m o r e t h a n the y believ e the y ar e wo rth . T h e y
fee l u n c o m • fortabl e wit h th e ext r a m on ey , s o the y s p e n d
it , l e n d it , o r f i n d s o m e o t h e r w a y t o g e t r i d o f it .
C e l e b r i t i e s w h o s e s t a r ri se s t o o h i g h t o o fa s t c a n a l s
o b e b r o u g h t b a c k t o eart h b y t h e gravitationa l pul l o
f a limite d self-image . In fact , so man y celebritie s
suff e r f r o m self-destructi v e behavio r bro ug h t o n by
feeling s o f
21
PAU L McKENN A
un wo r th in e s s tha t psychologist s hav e c re at e d a n a m e fo

r th e pattern : th e paradis e sy n dro m e .
Ho w yo u th in k o f yourse l f als o af f e c t s ho w other
people f e e l a b o u t y o u . B e c a u s e m o r e t h a n 9 0 p e r c e n t o
f wha t yo u communicat e i s unconscious , th e peopl e
ar ou n d yo u ar e continuall y r es p o nd i n g t o yo u r bod y
l a n g u a g e , to n e o f voi ce , a n d th e e m o t i o n a l signal s y o u
ar e transmitting . E v e n i f th e wo rd s y o u us e soun d
positive , yo u ma y wel l fin d yoursel f conve yi n g on e
me ss ag e verball y a n d a c o m • pletel y differen t me ssag e
wit h yo u r b o d y l an g u ag e .
Here' s th e point :
You are constantly letting other people know

how to treat you by the way you treat yourself.
I n t h e b o o k The Mastery o f Love, D o n

W e 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
offere d y o u a pizz a b u t y o u ' d hav e t o le

t t h e m a b u s e y o u f o r t h e re s t o f y o u r life , y o u ' d l a u g h
i n hi s face . B u t i f y o u we r e livin g i n th e stree t a n d
h a d n ' t e at e n fo r day s a n d tha t s am e p e r s o n m a d e y o u
t h a t s a m e o ff e r , y o u ' d b e l i k e l y t o c o n s i d e r it . W e s e t d e
f o r w h a t w e f e e l w e a r e w o r t h — t h a t is , w e wi l l n e v e r
allo w a n y o n e t o ab us e u s m o r e tha n w e ab u s e ourselves .
22
S U C C E S S A N D TH E S E L F - I M A G E
Unfortunately , whil e eac h failur e reinforce s th e self

- fulfillin g prophec y of you r negativ e self-image ,
y o u r o u t e r successe s rarel y c h a n g e i t f o r t h e better . N o
matte r h o w m u c h yo u hav e o n th e o u t s i d e — b i g house ,
b i g car , m o n e y — i t wi l l no t ultimatel y satisf y y o u if
y o u d o n ' t alread y fee l g o o d a b o u t yoursel f o n th e inside
.
O v e r th e year s I hav e h a d th e op po rt un i t y t o m e e t a n
d w o r k w i t h a lar g e n u m b e r o f successfu l p e o p l e . I a m
co n • t in ua ll y struc k b y h o w man y o f the m creat e an
o ut e r v e n e e r a s a wa y o f h i d i n g pe r s on a l feeling s o f
inadequacy . Fo r ex a m p l e , the y projec t an y n u m b e r o f
thing s t o c o m • pensa t e fo r a lac k o f inne r s e l f- w or t h
, floutin g t h e i r w e a l t h , s ta t us , i n t e l l e c t u a l a c h i e v e m e n t ,
physica l st rengt h , socia l connections , o r mora l
"superio rity " i n a n a t t e m p t t o p r o v e tha t the y a r e n o t a s
worthles s a s the y fee l inside .
S o m e t i m e s i t s ta rt s o u t w i t h a l it t l e l i e o r a s m a l l
a ff e c • t a t i o n , b u t o v e r t h e y e a r s i t d e v e l o p s i n t o a n e n t i r
e oute r perso n a tha t i s th e comple t e opposit e o f h o w the
y fee l o n th e inside . T h e y con ti nua l l y fee l lik e a f ra u d ,
fearin g tha t a t an y m o m e n t the y ar e g o i n g t o b e "f ou n
d o u t " a n d i t wil l al l b e t a k e n a wa y f r o m t h e m . In
fact , m a n y p e o p l e w h o m w e c o n s i d e r i n o u r c ul tur e t o
h a v e e v e r y t h i n g a r e s e c r e t s e l f - h a t e r s . I c a l l th i s t h e
"bling-blin g f a c t o r " — t h e bigge r th e jewelry , th e smalle r
t h e self-image .
Ho wever , th e bling-blin g facto r i s b y n o m e an s exclu

• siv e l y a p r o b l e m o f t h e ric h a n d famous . I n fact ,
h a v i n g w o r k e d wit h p e o p l e f r o m al l w alk s o f lif e , I h a v e
come to
23
PA U L McKENN A
t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t a l m o s t everybody i s t o s o m e e x t e n
t hidin g or compensatin g fo r a par t o f themselve s
th a t the y d o n ' t like .
F o r a l o n g tim e I fel t th a t i f o n l y I c o u l d b e ric
h enoug h or famou s enough , or dat e lot s of
b e a u t i f u l w o m e n , t h e n I w o u l d f e e l b e t t e r a b o u t mysel f . I
h a d b e e n a ne r d y kid , a n d m y solutio n t o tha t wa s t o
affi x a v e n e e r o f s uc ce s s to mysel f s o tha t no on e
( i n c l ud i n g myself ) w o u l d n o t i c e h o w i n a d e q u a t e I reall y
felt .
Ove r a relativel y shor t perio d o f time , I worke
d incre dib l y h a r d a t achi evi n g a n d d i d ver y well . I
becam e famous , mad e money , an d create d al l th e
t r a p p i n g s o f a g l a m o r o u s l if e . M y T V s h o w s w e r e a h u g e
hit ; I h a d m o r e m o n e y tha n eve r befor e an d a
beautifu l mode l g i r l • f r i e n d . R o c k st ar s , m o v i e st ar s ,
e v e n royalt y w a n t e d m e t o w o r k wi t h t h e m .
However , I kep t thinking , " I hav e everythin g I hav
e e v e r w a n t e d — h o w c o m e I stil l f e e l e m p t y ? "
S O H O W I S YO U R SELF-IMAG
E FORMED ?
Whil e som e o f th e earlies t message

We are born princes,
s y o u g o t f r o m y o u r famil y w e r e n o
and the civilizing
d o u b t positive , man y of the m wer
process makes us into
e not . W h e t h e r y o u wer e tol d yo u wer
frogs.
e a " stu •
p i d c hi ld, " " un gr at e ful , " o r "clumsy,
"
—Eric Berne y o u s o a k e d u p al l t h e n e g a t i v e s u g g e s -
24
tion s a l o n g wit h wh at ev e r positiv e r e i n f o r c e m e n t c a m

e y o u r way . A r e c e n t s t u d y r e v e a l e d t h a t t h e averag e
A m e r • i ca n p a r e n t criticize s hi s o r h e r c h i l d r e n e i g h t
t im e s f o r ever y o n e t im e th e y prais e t h e m .
W h e n y o u star t s c h o o l , s o m a n y p e o p l e a r e b i g g e
r tha n yo u an d see m t o kno w mor e tha n yo u do . A
w h o l e n e w w o r l d o f p r o b l e m s c o m e s y o u r way . T e a c h e r s
u nw it • tingl y d e - g e n i u s y o u a t s c h o o l b y t h e i r effort s t
o m o l d you . You r spontaneou s childlik e qualit y
become s dissi • p a t e d i n t h e r a c e t o s h a p e y o u i n t o a n
adult .
Jus t a s you'r e gettin g th e han g o f it , pubert y
arrive s . H a i r g r o w s , b o d y par t s c h a n g e size , a n d j u s t b e i n
g aliv e i s em b a r r a s s i n g . T h e n o f c o u r s e ther e ar e thos
e p e o p l e a r o u n d y o u wit h lo w self-estee m w h o co v er d y
u n d e r m i n e y o u t o m a k e t h em s e l v e s f ee l better .
Re s ea r c h ha s s h ow n tha t b y th e a g e o f fo urt ee n , 9
8 p e r c e n t o f c h i l d r e n h av e a n e ga t iv e self-image . A n d
i t o n l y get s w o rs e . Iris h a u t h o r J . H . B r e n n a n de s c r ib e
s i t li k e this :
I f ther e i s on e wor d whic h a bl y describe s

adoles • c e n c e , tha t w o r d i s confusion . A n d th e
confusio n i s so s t r o n g l y fe l t t h a t i t c a n easi l y
imping e o n
y o u r b as i c se lf -i m ag e . It' s a s orr y p i c t u r e : s m a l l . .
. h e l p le s s .. . p o we r l e s s .. . dirt y . . . social l y
u n a c c e p t • a b l e . . . i n f e r i o r . . . c o n f u s e d — a n d in
p a r t i c ul a r l y b a d ca se s , u n l o v e d a n d u n w a n t e d a s
w e l l . A n d s orr y t h o u g h i t is , t h e i m a g e w a s l a r g e l y
a c c u r a t e w h e n i t w a s l a i d d o w n — n o t b y yo ur se l f ,
b u t b y t h e ac t i o n s
25
PAU L McKENN A
a n d o p i n i o n s o f o t h e r s . A n d a t thi s s t a g e , N a t u r
e playe d yo u th e di rt ie s t tric k i m a g i n a b l e . Y o u
g r e w u p , b u t y o u r s el f- im a g e d i d n ' t .
N o w on d e r ther e ar e s o m an y p e op l e w h o aren'
t a c h i e v i n g w h a t t h e y w o u l d li k e i n t h e i r lives !
A s I r e l a t e d J . H . B r e n n a n ' s w o r d s t o m y o w n l if e , I
wa s abl e to recogniz e tha t m y f u n d a m en t a l proble m
wa s a s e n s e o f p o w e r l e s s n e s s — d e e p d o w n , I stil l s a w
myse l f a s a nerd y , he lpl es s c hil d . W h a t e v e r sens e o f p o w e r
I h a d i n m y lif e d i d n o t c o m e f r o m m y a u t h e n t i c s e l f
b u t w a s d r a w n s o l e l y f r o m t h e r e f l e c t e d statu s I f e l t f r o
m m y s uc c e s s f u l c a r e e r , b e a u t i f u l g i r l f r i e n d , a n d f i n a n c i a l
resources .
Fr o m m e e t i n g a n d w o rki n g wit h man y famou s an
d successfu l p e o p l e I alr ead y k n e w h o w m u c h o f w h a t
the y h a d achieve d wa s to compensat e fo r thei r
feeling s o f inadequacy . I t h a d neve r befor e o ccu r r e d t
o m e tha t I wa s o n e o f t h e m .
O n c e I g o t reall y cl e a r o n th e c o n t e n t o f m y nega ti v
e self-image , I kne w i t wa s tim e t o mak e som e
f un d a m en t a l changes . I h a d alrea d y m a d e th e decisio n t
o t a k e r e s p o n • sib ilit y f o r m y l if e , s o i t w a s o n l y a s m a l l
s t e p f r o m t h e r e t o tak e responsibilit y fo r h o w I c h o s e t o
s e e mys e l f . I r e s o l v e d t h e n a n d t h e r e t o b e g i n p u r s u i n g a
ne w dream . I wante d t o develo p a n approac h t o
understandin g an d creatin g h u m a n excellenc e wit h a
h e a r t — n o t ju s t success , b u t h appi ne s s a n d f ulfillm en t a
s well . I d e t e r m i n e d t o fin d a
wa y t o hea l th e n e r d within !
26
TH E B E S T A D V I C E I N TH E W O R L
D
I n th e mid-1980s , J o h n O p e l , the n chairma n o f IBM

, ga v e a tal k t o a n a u d i e n c e o f S t an f o r d M B A s . I n
r es p on s e t o a r eq ue s t fo r hi s advic e a b o u t h o w newl y
m i n t e d M B A s s h o u l d e m b a r k o n t hei r ca ree r s , h e sai d
h e w o u l d s har e o n e o f hi s secret s fo r tr u e success . A s
th e eage r y o u n g mind s i n th e audienc e leane d forward
, O p e l whispered :
" D o n ' t fa k e it! "
H e pause d an d rea d th e bod y languag e i n th e room
. H e t h e n said , wi t h gr e a t pa ss io n :
" N o , r ea ll y , I m e a n i t ! "
T h e r o o m e r u p t e d i n l a u g h t e r . H e w e n t o n t o sa y
t h a t w e a r e al l s m a r t e n o u g h a n d s m o o t h e n o u g h t o
fak e i t a n d g e t awa y wit h i t fo r a whi l e , b u t eventuall y
o u r fait h
in ourselve s wil l be undermined , an d wit h it ou r
self - t r us t , s e l f - r e s p e c t , a n d s e l f - e s t e e m .
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.
W h e n al l y o u r e n e r g y i s g o i n g i n t o m a i n t a i n i n g t h
e illusio n o f y o u r p r o j e c t e d sel f a n d h i d i n g t h e i m a g e
o f y o u r f e a r e d s e l f f r o m t h e w o r l d , t h e still , s m a l l v o i c e o
f t h e a u t h e n t i c s e l f — w h o y o u reall y a r e — c a n ba re l y b e
heard .
27
PAU L McKENN A
B u t a s y o u practic e t h e exercis e s i n today' s lesson , y o

u w i l l b e g i n t o s e e y o u r s e l f i n a n e w l i g h t . Y o u wi l l l e a r n
t o tu r n u p t h e v o l u m e o n t ha t i n n e r vo ic e , t o trus t y o u r
gut , a n d t o b e g i n t o follo w th e p r om pt in g s o f y o u r o w n
h e a r t . A n d w h e n y o u d o t h a t , y o u r li f e w i l l c h a n g e
forever !
TH 5 THRE E SELVE S
A t o u r c o r e i s o u r a u t h e n t i c s e l f — t h e realit y o f w h o a n
d w h a t w e reall y ar e .
Bu t pile d on to p o f th e rea l us—wit h al l ou r
weird - ness , foibles , a n d u n a b a s h e d us-n ess—i s a laye r o f
s h a m e , fe a r , a n d g u i l t a b o u t t h e p e r s o n w e ' r e afraid w e
a re , o u r n ega ti v e self-image .
S o i n o r d e r t o m a k e s u r e p e o p l e stil l li k e u s , a p p r o v
e o f us , an d giv e u s lo v e a n d m o n e y , w e p i l e ye t
anotherlayer o n to p o f o u r feare d s e lf — t h e perso n w e
pretend t o b e .
Thi s u p p e r m o s t l a y e r is , i f w e ' r e very , v er y g o o d
p r e • t e n d e r s , al l th a t o t h e r s g e t t o s e e o f us . I n fact , w e
strugg l e s o vali an d y t o m a k e sur e n o o n e see s th a t laye r
o f l ia b il i • t i e s w e a r e a f r a i d c h a r a c t e r i z e u s t h a t w e
c o m p l e t e l y fo r • g e t ( s o m e t i m e s f o r y e a r s a t a t i m e ) t h a t
t h e r e ' s a n o t h e r , real s e l f u n d e r n e a t h a l l t h a t .
W h e n I firs t s h a r e d t hi s m o d e l w i t h o n e o f m y
f r i e n d s , s h e t o l d m e , " O h , I g e t it ! O u r r e a l s e l v e s a r e
lik e dia • m o n d s , a n d a s w e g r o w u p th e y g e t c o v e r e d u p
i n a lo t o f horseshit , s o w e p u t nai l polis h o n to p o f th e
h o r s e s h i t t o tr y a n d m a k e o u r s e l v e s m o r e a t t r a c t i v e t o
t h e w o r l d . B u t i f w e s p e n t a li tt l e b i t o f t i m e d i g g i n g
awa y a t t h e ho rse -
28
shit , p e o p l e w o u l d se e tha t w e ' r e reall y d i a m o n d s a n d

w e w o u l dn ' t n e e d an y nai l polish! "
I p r o b a b l y w o u l d ' v e p u t i t a b i t m o r e l i k e th i s :
A s y o u b e g i n t o e xc a v a t e y o u r re a l sel f o u t f r o m u n d e
r w h o y o u ' r e afrai d y o u ar e a n d w h o y o u p r e t e n d t o
b e (excavat e th e d ia m o n d o u t f r o m u n d e r th e hors e
manur e covere d in nai l polish) , yo u ge t to shif t
p o s i t i o n s f r o m p a s s e n g e r t o dr i v e r . A n d w h e n y o u r r e a l
sel f i s dr ivi n g th e bus , y o u g e t t o h av e m o r e ease , m o r e
f u n , a n d m o r e you
i n y o u r li f e
!
GETTIN G T O K N O W YO U R SELVE S
Let' s tak e a close r l o o k a t th e character

•
ist ic s o f t h e t h r e e s e l v e s a s t h e y r e l a t e t o The unexamined
life
y o u r o w n l if e . I w i l l s h a r e w i t h y o u s o m e i s not worth
living.
o f m y favorit e quest io n s fo r u n m a s k i n g —
Socrates
y o u r p r e t e n d self ; u n c o v e r i n g y o u r n e g
•
at i v e self-image , or feare d self ; an d unleashin g you
r a u t h e n t i c self . R e m e m b e r , t h e r e a r e n o r i g h t a n s w e r s
— eac h questio n i s simpl y d es i gn e d t o rais e y o u r
awarenes s o f wh a t stop s y o u f r o m livin g f r o m y o u r
a u t h e n t 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 th e i m a g e y o u pro je c t int o th e

w o r l d . O f t e n , t h i s i m a g e i s b a s e d les s o n h o w y o u r e a l l y
ar e tha n o n coverin g u p h o w y o u ar e afrai d y o u are .
A s k a n d answe r th e follo win g questions :
29
PAU L McKENN A
• H o w d o y o u lik e t o b e seen ?
• Whic h aspect s o f yo u r personalit y d o y o u h o p
e p e o p l e n o t i c e first ?
• Wh a t d o yo u mos t wan t everyon e t o kno w abou
t you ?
• I f y o u r lif e w e r e t r y in g t o p r o v e s o m e t h i n g a b o u
t you , wha t woul d i t be ?
Your Negative Self-image: Who you are afraid you

are
I f s o m e o n e ca l l s y o u a n a m e t h a t y o u d o n ' t i d e n t i f y w i t
h
( f o r e x a m p l e , ' Y o u di r t y g r e e n - s k i n n e d M a r t i a n ! " ) , t h e r
e i s rarel y a n emotiona l charg e attached . I f
s o m e t h i n g u p s e t s u s , it ' s u s u a l l y b e c a u s e a t s o m e l e v e l
w e b e l i e v e i t m i g h t b e t r u e . P e o p l e o f t e n t o t al l y d e n y
t h a t t h e n e g a t i v e t ra it s t h e y a r e i d e n t i f y i n g h a v e a n y t h i n g
t o d o wit h the m . W h e n they'v e h a d a c h a n c e t o thi n k
abou t it , the y ofte n c o m e b a c k wit h a shocke d
r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t thi s i s i n f a c t e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y ' v e f e a r e
d h a s b e e n t r u e al l a l o n g .
O n e fac t wil l m a k e i t easie r f o r y o u t o tak e a n

h o n e s t l o o k a t yourself :
Any "negative" traits you identify are not really

yours—they 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 b e h a r d t o l o o k directl y a t y o u r o w n wors t
f e a r s a b o u t w h o a n d w h a t y o u a r e — a f t e r al l , y o u ' v e
probabl y
30
s p e n t a l a r g e p o r t i o n o f y o u r l if e a v o i d i n g d o i n g j u s t
that . F o r t h a t r e a s o n , m o s t o f t h e s e q u e s t i o n s p o i n t t o
thing s tha t revea l y o u r n egati v e self-imag e ra th e r th a n
y o u r n e g • a t i v e s e l f - i m a g e itself :
• W h a t ' s t h e o p p o s i t e o f e a c h o f t h e t r ai t s o f y o u
r p r e t e n d self ?
• W h i c h o f y o u r s ec re t s wil l o n l y b e d i s c o v e r e d afte r
yo u die ?
• W h o i s y o u r leas t favori t e p e r s o n a n d wh y ?
Mos t perceptio n is projection—w e m o s t dislik e i

n other s wh a t w e fea r c a n b e f o u n d i n ourselves !
Your Authentic Self: Who you truly are
B y i d e n t i f y i n g t h e t r ai t s a n d c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f y o u r t h r e
e s e l v e s , y o u a r e f r e e i n g y o u r s e l f u p t o li v e m o r e a n d
mor e fro m th e hear t o f wh o yo u reall y are—you r
p o w e r f u l , l o v i n g , u n s t o p p a b l e a u t h e n t i c self .
H e r e ' s a g u i d e l i n e t o k n o w w h e t h e r y o u a r e identify
• i n g a trai t o r c h a ra c t er i s t i c o f y o u r a u t h e n t i c se l f o r i f
y o u a r e c a u g h t u p i n t h e t ra p o f y o u r n eg a ti v e self-
image :
Who you really are always feels like coming

home.
• W h o ar e yo u w h e n nobody' s watching ?
• I f y o u f e l t to tal l y s af e , w h a t w o u l d y o u d o d i f f e r e n d y ?
• W h o w o u l d y o u b e i f y o u l ive d b e y o n d fear ?
31
PA U L McKENN A
REPROGRAMMIN G YO U R SELF-IMAG E
I n m y e x p e r i e n c e , traditi on a l positiv e thinkin g i s no

t ver y effective . Standin g in fron t of th e mirro r
saying , "Da y b y da y i n ever y wa y I a m g et ti n g bett e r a n
d be t t e r " d o e s n ' t reall y w o r k unle s s y o u ar e abl e to
actuall y crea t e a f e el i n g o f ge t ti n g be t t e r a t th e s am e
time .
Fo r exampl e , i f y o u wer e t o sto p readin g fo r a m o m e n
t a n d te l l y o u r h e a r t b e a t t o spee d up , i t probabl y
w o u l d n ' t w o r k . B u t i f y o u vividl y i m a g i n e w a l k i n g d o w n a
d a r k alle y lat e a t n i ght , h e a r i n g foo ts te p s b e h i n d y o u
g e t t i n g c l o s e r a n d c l o s e r , c h a n c e s a r e y o u r h e a r t b e a t wi l l
quicken .
Thi s i s because :
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 fac t i s th a t y o u r b o d y r e s p o n d s fa r m o r e readil
yto th e vivi d us e o f imaginatio n tha n to a simpl e
c o m • m a n d . Tha t' s w h y t h e wa y w e se e ourselv e s i n o u r
i m a g i • n a t i o n i s c r u c i a l t o t h e w a y w e li v e o u r li ve s .
I n t h e ea rl y 19 7 0 s a plasti c s u r g e o n n a m e d M a x w e l
l Malt z n o t i c e d tha t alteri n g th e physica l a p p ea r a n c e
o f hi s patient s throug h surger y ofte n create d a
remarkab l e increas e i n co n f i de n c e a n d s o metim e s eve n
a complet e chang e in personality . However , som e of
hi s patient s e x p e r i e n c e d n o psy cho logic a l benefits , n o
m a tte r h o w spectacul a r th e physica l cha ng e s .
Malt z conclude d tha t cosmeti c correctio n to th e
32
e x t e r n a l a p p e a r a n c e o f a p a ti e n t d o e s n ' t w o r k w h e n hi
s o r h e r i n t e r n a l s e l f - i m a g e i s p o o r , or , a s h e p u t it ,
w h e n h e o r sh e i s "scarre d o n th e inside. "
S o h e t a ug h t thos e client s a simpl e visualizatio n tech
• n i q u e tha t c re a t e d a dramat i c c h a n g e i n the i r self-
image . T o hi s d el ig h t a n d surprise , i t d i d a s m u c h — o r
m o r e — f o r hi s p atien t s a s t h e actu a l surgery .
B y t e a c h i n g hi s patien t s w h o h a d a ne g at i v e self- imag
et o repeatedl y imagin e themselve s as the y ideall y
wante d t o be , h e notice d tha t the y b e c a m e happi e r a n d
m o r e a t p e a c e wit h themsel ve s i n a ma t t e r o f days .
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!
33
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,
^0 Your Life in Seven Days
Your Self-imag e for Success

ôgramff 1
^ e n t s t o relax and breathe deeply.
W r c relax, it b ecom e s easier and
a K e
a few rO .a* . . t
As,, /-' you r imagination.
6
^ er to u n l ^
si
^ o t h e r you standing in front of
n-iost magnificent you that you
w
' 'fnagin ^
Vo i ' This i s t H ^ / ^
> u U r a u t h e n t i c s e l f
"
n
'âgine-- " 7
to feel totally happy with your
^' fy 4^ o o k at th e wa y that the
P
authentic a fnome^ / 1
Mb* ^ t h e s , smiles, walks, and talks.

V<W ^ ^> authenti c yo u speaks to
others, nands b r ^
Lool. , ' f authent i c yo u handles problems
*at ho w t f
8
C e
howth£ ? rid synthesiz e with your authentic
d9
° e s for g
> t h e eye s of your authentic self,
, e p into ^
st
r «. , j (
f.5 ear s of your authentic self, and
" C g T t h ^ ^ 5 0 9
° 0 d t 0 l i f S
^ V 0 U r
feels ^
nt|
c self! rammin g session by taking a
5
' Nsl
f 4
*0
j ^ e a m abou t how your life will be
your D r o c i r ^
w ^ ' i v e
y° m o r e a n d m o r e f r o m u r
s ^daydre^ ju ca n imagine yourself living
d
hi* *J ^r i y number of real situations
" self. Y o i > V
c
. ...
• < ^ p re se n t , and future.
l y i n a n .C*
Ca|
35
PAU L McKENN A
T h e r e i s a stor y tha t w h e n M i c h e l a n g e l o wa s a s k e
d h o w h e carve d suc h beautifu l angels , h e replied , " I
se e th e ange l in th e stone , an d I chi p awa y at
e v e r y t h i n g a r o u n d i t. " •
R e p r o g r a m m i n g y o u r self-imag e i s a lo t lik e t h a t
— le s s a f u n c t i o n o f t r y i n g t o b e m o r e l i k e w h o y o u w i s h
y o u wer e a n d m o r e o f recognizin g th e magnificenc e o f
who
y o u reall y ar e .
i
R e m e m b e r , o u r po ssibiliti e s a t a n y m o m e n t i n lif e a r
e c o m p u t e d n o t f r o m h o w w e lik e t o thi n k o f ourselve s
b u t f r o m w h o m w e trul y be li e v e w e ar e . S o t h e m o r e
y o u alig n you r self-imag e wit h th e realit y o f you r
a u t h e n t i c self , t h e r i c h e r a n d m o r e r e w a r d i n g y o u r l if e
wil l b e . T h i s i s n o t a n e w c o n c e p t a n d i s c o n t a i n e d i n
eve r y spiritua l syste m o f t e a c h i n g o n th e pl anet .
W h a t f ol lo w s i s a v a r i a t i o n o n Dr . M a l t z ' s o r i g i n a l visu
• alizatio n , u p d a t e d t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e lates t f in di ng s i
n brai n scienc e an d self-imag e psychology . Whe n I
g u i d e m y client s a n d t h e p ar t i c ip an t s i n m y trai n i ng s
t h r o u g h it , t h e y o f t e n r e p o r t l i f e - c h a n g i n g i n s i g h t s a n d
f i n d t h e m • selve s u n a b l e t o v i e w t h e m s e l v e s o r t h e w o r l d
i n t h e s a m e wa y afterwards .
B y r e p e a t i n g thi s s i m p l e e x e r c i s e a t leas t o n c e a d a
y ever y d a y f o r a w e e k , y o u wil l a ll o w y o u r self-ima g e t o
e a s • il y i n t e g r a t e w i t h y o u r a u t h e n t i c self .
34
Reprogrammin g Your Self-imag e for Succes s
1. Take a fe w mome nt s to relax an d breath e deeply

.
A s you r muscle s relax, i t b e c o m e s easie r
an d easie r t o unleash you r imagination .
2. Now, imagin e anothe r yo u standin g in front

of you . This i s th e mos t magnificen t yo u tha t
yo u ca n imagine—you r authenti c self.
3. Take a mo men t to feel totall y happ y with you r

authenti c self. Loo k a t th e wa y tha t th e
authenti c yo u stands , breathes , smiles, walks , an
d talks. Loo k a t ho w th e authenti c yo u spe ak s t
o others . Notic e ho w th e authenti c yo u handle s
problem s an d g o e s for goals .
4 . Now, ste p into and synthesiz e with you r authenti

c self. S e e throug h th e eye s o f you r authenti c
self, hear throug h th e ear s of you r authenti c self,
an d feel ho w it feel s so g o o d to live life as you r
authenti c self!
5. Finish you r programmin g sessio n by takin g a

minute t o daydrea m ab o u t ho w you r life will b
e different a s yo u live mor e an d mor e from
you r authenti c self. You ca n imagin e yoursel f
living authenticall y in an y numbe r of real
situation s from you r past , present , an d future.
35
PAU L McKENN A
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
SOM E CLOSIN G THOUGHT S
A s y o u b e g i n t o li v e t h e t r u t h o f y o u r a u t h e n t i c self , i t
wil l b e c o m e easie r a n d easie r t o ac t consistentl y wi t h
tha t truth . Th i s snowbal l effec t (th e l arge r i t gets , t h e
faste r i t g o e s , t h e l ar ge r i t gets , e t c . ) — w h a t p h i l o s o p h e r
R . Bu c k - m in s t e r F ul l e r ca l l e d " p r e c e s s i o n " — i s w h a t wil l
allo w y o u t o m a k e dra mat i c c h a n g e s i n o n l y s e v e n days .
O n c e w e m a k e a c o m m i t m e n t , t h e res t o f u s al ig n s
36
w i t h it . R a t h e r t h a n a t t a c h y e t a n o t h e r i m a g e o r l i m i t e
d p e r s o n a l i t y o n t o y o u r d e f i n i t i o n o f self , t h e w o r k y o u
h a v e d o n e t o d a y wi l l a l l o w y o u r g r e a t e r p o s s i b i l i t i e s a n d
p o t e n • ti a l t o c o m e t h r o u g h . I p e r s o n a l l y b e l i e v e t h a t i f
t h e r e i s a r e a s o n o r p u r p o s e t o lif e , th i s m a y w e l l b e a
k e y p a r t o f it .
Al l trul y successfu l p e o p l e acce p t thei r b r il l ia n c e
— t h e y a r e n o t e m b a r r a s s e d b y it . W h i l e a l i g n i n g y o u r
self - i m a g e w i t h t h e r e a l i t y o f y o u r a u t h e n t i c s e l f i s n o
t th e answe r to al l o f l if e' s problems , i t wil l hel p
yo u t o respon d to you r l if e mor e resourcefull y . As
w h o y o u thin k y o u ar e a n d w h o y o u reall y ar e b e c o m e
mor e an d mor e a l i g n e d , y o u wil l b e g i n t o f ee l trul y
goo d a b o u t y o u r s e l f , e v e n b e f o r e y o u r li f e c h a n g e s o n
th e outside .
A n d a s I'v e f o u n d o u t f o r myself , t h e b e t t e r y o u
f e e l o n t h e i n s i d e , t h e b e t t e r y o u r li f e w i l l b e c o m e .
I wan t y o u t o k no w y o u ar e u n i q u e — t h e r e i s n o o n
e w h o h a s e v e r l i v e d w h o c a n d o t h i n g s exactly t h e w a y
y o u d o t h e m . Y o u h a v e a s p e c i a l gi f t o f u n i q u e n e s s t o
b r i n g t o t h e w o r l d . O v e r t h e n e x t si x d ay s , w e ' l l i de n t i f
y t h a t gi f t a n d b e g i n t o w o r k o n w a y s y o u c a n s h a r e i t w i t
h th e world !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
PS. Would you like to be able to feel just about whatever you
want whenever you want to feel it?
Tomorrow, I'm going to share with you the secrets of how to mas•
ter your emotions and run your own brain, and you 're going to
learn how your state of mind and body, your emotions, affects
everything in your life. . . .
37
DAY
2
A USER' S
MANUA L FO R
Y O U R BRAI N
Master your emotions and
release your full potential
PAU L McKENN A
Befor e yo u begi n today , listen to th e hypnoti c

tranc e ( www.paulmckenna.com/tranc e) , the n tak e a fe w
mo me nt s t o g o throug h th e "Reprogrammi n g Your Self-
Image " exer • cis e from da y one :
1. Relax an d breath e deeply . As you r muscle s relax, it

b e c o m e s easie r an d easie r t o unleash you r
imagination .
2. Now, imagin e anothe r yo u standin g in front of you .

This
i s th e mos t magnificen t yo u tha t yo u ca n imagine—
you r authenti c self.
3. Take a mo men t to feel totally happ y with you r authenti

c self. Loo k a t th e wa y tha t th e authenti c yo u stands ,
breathes , smiles, walks , an d talks. Loo k a t ho w th e
authenti c yo u speak s t o others . Notic e ho w th e
authenti c yo u handle s proble m s an d g o e s for goals .
4. Now, ste p into an d synthesi z e with you r authenti c

self.
S e e throug h th e eye s o f you r authenti c self, hear
throug h th e ear s of you r authenti c self, an d feel ho w
it feels so g o o d to live life as you r authenti c self!
5. Finish you r programmin g sessio n by takin g a minute

to daydrea m abou t ho w you r life will b e different a s
yo u live mor e an d mor e from you r authenti c self. You
ca n imagin e yoursel f living authenticall y in an y numbe
r of real situation s from you r past , presen t an d 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
PAU L McKENN A
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
TH E 1 , 0 0 0 - Y A R D W A L K
H a v e y o u eve r w o n d e r e d h o w s o m e athlete s o r stag e per

• former s suddenl y see m to com e aliv e whe n it is
thei r tim e t o perf orm ?
W h e n Elv i s P r e s l e y a r r i v e d a t a n e w c o n c e r t v e n u e , h
e w o u l d h av e hi s dr e ss i n g - r o o m traile r p l a c e d exactl y
1, 00 0 y a r d s a w a y f r o m t h e a r e n a . N o m a t t e r w h a t st a t e o
f m i n d h e wa s i n w h e n h e lef t hi s dr essi n g r o o m , h e
wou l d us e th e 1 , 00 0-y a r d w a l k t o g u i d e h i m s e l f i n t o a
s ta t e o f c o n f i • d e n c e a n d c h a r i s m a t h a t w a s s o t a n g i b l e
p e o p l e w o u l d sens e hi s p r e s e n c e a n d b e g i n c h e e r i n g
eve n befor e h e e nter e d th e building .
Today , I a m g o i n g t o s har e wit h y o u t h e secret s o f
mas • ter in g y o u r e m o t i on s , a n d g u i d e y o u t h r o u g h a
serie s o f ex e rc is e s th a t wil l e n a b l e y o u t o b r i n g y o u r
m o s t confi • d e n t , charis mat i c sel f t o an y e n d ea v o r . Y o u
wi l l l e a r n t h e b a s i c b u i l d i n g b l o c k s o f a n y e m o t i o n a l
state , a n d p r a c t i c e f e e l i n g t h e w a y y o u w a n t t o f e e l i n
a n i n s t a n t . B e f o r e w e ' r e d o n e , I' l l e v e n s h a r e w i t h y o u
t h e t e c h n i q u e th a t h e l p e d m e t u r n m y lif e a r o u n d w h e
n I w a s f i r s t s e t t i n g o u t o n t h e p a t h o f s e lf - m a s t e r y .
B u t i n orde r t o maste r ou r emotion s , w e mus t firs

t begi n by understandin g wha t the y ar e an d ho w
the y operate .
43
PAU L McKENN A
WHA T I S A N EMOTIONA L STATE

?
H av e y o u eve r witness e d th e sam e eve n t a s s o m e o n e els

e an d foun d o u t late r tha t h e o r sh e h a d a co m p l e t e l y
dif • f e r e n t e x p e r i e n c e o f i t f r o m y o u ? H o w i s i t p o s s i b l e
tha t y o u c o u l d b o t h b e i n th e sam e plac e a t th e s am e
tim e a n d ye t e x p e r i e n c e thing s s o differendy ?
O r tak e th e e x a m p l e o f h e i g h t s — s o m e p e o p l e won '
t eve n clim b a ladder , whil e other s delig h t i n cli mb i n g
tal l m o u n t a i n s o r t h r o w i n g t h e m s e l v e s o u t o f a i r p l a n e s
fro m
3 0, 00 0 f e e t a b o v e t h e e a r t h
.
T h e di f f e r e n c e i n b o t h case s arise s f r o m t h e e m o
• t i on a l state s y o u a r e i n a t th e time . Love , anger ,
c o n f i • d e n c e , fea r , a p a t h y , a n d c u r i o s i t y a r e a l l e m o t i o n a l
st at e s . W e a r e c o n s t a n t l y g o i n g i n t o a n d o u t o f t h e s e
d i f f e r e n t s t at e s o f b e i n g a l l d a y l o n g , a n d e a c h o f t h e m
i s a s indi • vidua l a n d u n i q u e t o u s a s ou r ow n
fingerprint .
A n e m o t i o n a l s ta t e c a n b e d e f i n e d a s t h e s u m t o t a l
o f al l th e neurologica l processe s occurrin g withi n
some • b od y a t an y o n e time . A simple r wa y o f thinkin g
a b o u t i t i s t ha t a n e m o t i o n a l stat e i s t h e m o o d y o u a r e
i n a t an y give n m o m e n t .
We'v e al l experience d man y unresourcefu l states
, s u c h a s d e p r e s s i o n , a n g e r , a n d f e a r . Si m i l a r l y , w e ' v e
al l h a d t i m e s w h e n w e f el t f i l l e d w i t h confidence ,
o ptimism , joy , a n d d e te rmin at io n .
Thi s i s importan t because :
All human behavior is the result of state.
44
INTERNAL
REPRESENTATION S
Th e pictures and sounds we make in
our mind and how we make them
STAT E ••BEHAVIO R
PHYSIOLOG Y
Posture, muscular tension,
breathing, etc.
45
PAU L McKENN A
A n y t h i n g e x c e l l e n t t h a t y o u h a v e e v e r d o n e o r wit
• n e s s e d o t h e r s d o i s t h e r e s u l t o f t h e e m o t i o n a l st a t e
y o u o r the y wer e i n a t th e time .
To day , yo u ' l l l ea r n ho w t o progra m you r min d t
o e x p e r i e n c e m o r e o f t h e state s y o u w a n t i n m o r e o f t h e
sit • u a t i o n s y o u w a n t t o e x p e r i e n c e t h e m !
WHE R E D O FEELING S COM E FROM ?
A t fi rs t g l a n c e , i t a p p e a r s t h a t h o w w e f e e l i n a n y
m o m e n t i s th e resul t o f event s outsid e o f us . S o m e t h i n
g h a p pe n s i n th e worl d a n d w e reac t t o i t b y ch a n g i n
g e m o t i o n a l s t at e s a u t o m a t i c a l l y . F o r e x a m p l e , i m a g i n e
s o m e o n e y o u ar e e xt r e m e l y attracte d to . N o w i m ag i n e
tha t p er s o n ha s
ju s t walke d int o th e r o o m b e h i n d you . I f y o u ' r e lik e
m o s t p e o p l e , y o u r st a t e j u s t c h a n g e d !
I n fact , m o s t o f u s a r e c o m p l e t e l y u n a w a r e o f h o w w
e ar e m a k i n g o u r feeling s f r o m m o m e n t t o m o m e n t .
I n re al it y , t h e r e i s a n i n t e r n a l p r o c e s s t h a t t a k e s p l a c e i n
t h e g a p b e t w e e n t h e e v e n t a n d y o u r r e a c t i o n t o it .
Physiology
O n e w a y i n w h i c h w e a r e c o n s t a n t l y a f f e c t i n g o u r s ta t e i
s t h r o u g h th e wa y w e us e o u r body . C h a n g e s i n o u r
pos • ture , breathing , muscl e tension , an d facia l
e x p r e s s i o n al l affec t o u r f ee l i n g s a n d b e h av i o r . I f y o u u s
e y o u r b o d y dif • f e r e n t l y , y o u w i l l h a v e a completel y
d i f f e r e n t e x p e r i e n c e o f b e i n g alive .
46
Fo r e xa m pl e , tak e a fe w m o m e n t s n o w t o thin k o f
a tim e w h e n y o u fel t particular l y nervous—perhap s
be fo r e s ta ndi n g u p t o giv e a p res en tati o n a t work , o r
b e f o r e ask • i n g a p a r t i c u l a r l y d i f f i c u l t q u e s t i o n o f s o m e o n
e y o u reall y c a r e a b o u t .
STOP !
W h e r e v e r y o u are , p l a n t y o u r fe e t firml y o n t h e
f lo o r , p u t y o u r s h o u l d e r s b a c k , p u t a b i g sill y g r i n o n
y o u r f a c e , a n d t a k e a d e e p b r e a t h . N o w tr y t o t h i n k o f
tha t unpleas • an t situatio n withou t changin g you r
posture . K e e p y o u r s h o u l d e r s b a c k a n d y o u r f e e t fla t ,
a n d k e e p smiling !
I f you'v e d o n e wha t I jus t asked , you'v e probabl
y alread y no t i c e d tha t eith e r y o u r feelin g s a b o u t th e
s it ua • t i o n h a v e c h a n g e d o r y o u ' r e n o l o n g e r a b l e t o t h i n
k a b o u t i t i n t h e s a m e wa y .
O u r m us cu la r tensio n o r relaxation , breathin g , a n d
b o d y p o s t u r e al l i n f l u e n c e o u r states . I f you r bod y i
s tense , i t i s p r o d u c i n g differe n t c hem ic a l s t h a n w h e n i t
i s r e l a x e d , s o o f c o u r s e y o u wil l f ee l d if f ere n t a n d th i n k
dif • f e r e n t t h o u g h t s .
Internal Representations
T h e othe r ke y d e te r min i n g facto r i n h o w w e fee l f ro

m m o m e n t t o m o m e n t i s th e picture s w e m a k e i n ou r
i m a g • i n a t i o n a n d t h e wa y w e tal k t o o ursel ve s i n o u r
h ead . W e refe r to thes e image s an d sound s as
internal representa• tions, an d the y ar e jus t that—
r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f r ea li ty , n o t r e a l i t y itself .
47
PAU L MCKENN A
Y o u r i n t e r n a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f r ea l -
We don't see things
6
lt y a r e u n i q u e t o y o u — y o u r o w n p e r
- a s they are, but s Q n a^ l Q f p e r c e i v i n g t h e w o r l d X h e y
rather as we are. , 1j u ^ c A
ar e y o u r o w n m a p o f th e world , b u t a s
—Anais A m a n y m a p ; a r e incomplet e a n d
fille d wit h generalizations , deletions ,
a n d distortions .
T hi s i s t h e r ea s o n w h y tw o p e o p l e c a n witnes s t h
e exac t sam e even t a n d ye t experienc e i t completel y
d i f f e r • e ntl y . In th e word s o f th e fathe r o f m o d e r n
linguistics , C o u n t A l f re d Korz ybsk i , "th e m a p i s n o t th e
territory. "
TH E M O V I E S O F Y O U R MIND
I n m y e x p e r i e n c e , everybody h a s t h e a b i l i t y t o v i s u a l i z e . T
o p r o v e thi s t o yourself , a n sw e r t h e f ol l o w i n g q u es ti o n s :
1 . W h a t d o e s y o u r f r o n t d o o r l o o k like ? W h a t c o l o r i
s it ? W h i c h s i d e i s t h e h a n d l e o n ?
2 . W h a t wa s th e firs t ca r y o u eve r drove ? W h a t di d

i t l o o k l i k e ? W h a t c o l o r w a s it ?
I n o r d e r t o answe r thes e questions , y o u h a d t o g o int

o y o u r imag inati o n a n d m a k e pictures . Now , fo r 9 9
percen t o f people , t h e s e i m a g e s wi l l n o t b e " p h o t o -
q u a l i t y " — a n d that' s a g o o d thin g . I f y o u r in ter na l i m a g e s
w e r e a s r e a li s • ti c a s w h a t y o u s e e i n t h e r e a l w o r l d , y o u
w o u l d n ' t b e a b l e t o tel l t h e d if f e re n c e !
Similarly , w e al l h a v e t h e abilit y t o tal k t o o u rs el ve s
48
a n d m a k e s o u n d s i n o u r m i n d . S o m e t i m e s thi s abilit y c a
n upl i f t us . F o r e x a m p l e , th i n k o f a s o n g y o u lik e o r
y o u r favorit e piec e o f music . Remembe r th e soun d
of t h e o c e a n , o r h e a r t h e v o ic e o f s o m e o n e y o u lov e
offeri n g y o u s o m e h o n e s t praise .
O n th e ot h e r han d , hav e y o u eve r h a d a n a r g u m e n
t wit h s o m e o n e a n d ev e n hou r s late r y o u k e e p repla yi n g
al l th e nast y th in g s t he y sai d t o y o u tha t m a k e y o u f ee l
bad ?
Let' s d o a n expe rimen t . . . .
I m a g i n e y o u h a v e b e e n a s k e d t o g o t o a party . M a k e
a pictur e o f yoursel f standin g awkwardl y i n th e
ki tc hen . T h e r e i s n o b o d y a r o u n d y o u tha t y o u know .
Y o u r leas t fav orit e m u si c i s p l a yi n g m u c h t o o lo ud l y i
n th e back • g r o u n d .
O n a scal e f r o m 1 t o 10 , h o w m u c h d o y o u w a n t t o g
o t o t h e party ?
N o w imagi n e yoursel f standin g confidentl y a n d co m
• forta bl y , s u r r o u n d e d b y lot s o f f u n p e o p l e w h o a r e
reall y in t er es t e d i n s p e n d i n g t im e w i t h y o u . I n th e
b a c k g r o u n d , y o u h e a r y o u r favorit e pi e c e o f m usi c c o m e
o n a t ju s t th e rig h t vol um e .
O n a scal e f r o m 1 t o 10 , h o w a p p e a l i n g i s t h e part y
no w ? I f y o u e x p e r i e n c e d a n y d i f f e r e n c e a t al l b e t w e e n
thos e
tw o s ce n ar io s , y o u c a n r e c o g n i z e h o w t h e qualit y o f y o u
r interna l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n s wil l largel y de t e r m i n e th e
qualit y o f y o u r life . Y e t t o o m a n y p e o p l e e x e r t m o r e
contro l ove r th e movie s the y g o t o o n th e outsid e tha n th
e movie s the y pla y i n thei r mi n d . Tha t' s a n e x a m p l e o f
yo u r brai n run • n i n g y o u instea d o f y o u r u n n i n g yo u r
brain .
49
PAU L McKENN A
R e c e n t l y I w o r k e d w i t h a r o c k sta r w h o h a d a f e a r o
f flying . W h e n w e s t e p p e d b a c k a n d too k a loo k a t
th e s e q ue n c e o f picture s a n d s o un d s tha t h e m a d e i n
hi s m i n d , i t wa s ea s y t o u n d e r s t a n d h o w h e c o u l d c r e a t e
suc h intens e fea r i n ju s t a fe w seconds .
A s soo n a s h e eve n th oug h t abou t goin g t o th e
airport , h e ' d m a k e a grea t bi g pictur e o f th e check-i n des
k a n d sa y t o h i m s e l f , " T h i s i s g o i n g t o b e b a d ! " T h e n
he w ou l d imagin e b oardin g th e plane . A s th e d o o r
c l o s e d , h e ' d sa y t o h i m s e l f , " I c a n ' t g e t o u t ! " H e ' d
imagin e th e cabi n fill • i n g wit h smoke , everyon e
s c r ea m i n g , t h e p l a n e c r as h i n g t o t h e g r o u n d i n a bal l o f
fl am e s , a n d t h e n hi s litd e d a u g h • te r sittin g a t h o m e
saying , " W h e r e ' s D a d dy ? "
Now , I d o n ' t k n o w a b o u t you , b u t w a t c h i n g tha t m e n

• ta l horro r movi e eve n onc e is enoug h to mak e
an yo n e scared , an d h e wa s playin g i t ove r a n d ove r agai
n i n h i s m i n d . E a c h t i m e h e w a t c h e d it , h e f e l t w o r s e
, a n d t h e w o r s e h e felt , t h e m o r e ho r r i f i c h e m a d e t h e
movie !
Now , n o t o n l y d o I n o t ha v e a fe a r o f flying , I actual l
y e n j o y flying . W h e n I k n o w I a m takin g a fl i g h t , I
t h i n k a b o u t w h e r e I a m g o i n g a n d w h o I wil l s e e . I sa y t o
myself , " T h i s i s g o i n g t o b e g o o d ! " i n a n e x c i t e d v o i c e .
T h e n I i m a g i n e my se l f sittin g b a c k a n d r e l a x i n g , wit h
n o tele • p h o n e r i ng i n g , a n i c e m e a l , a f u n m o v i e , a n d ,
o f course , beautifu l f em a l e fligh t attendants .
O n c e t h e r o c k sta r l e a r n e d t o c h a n g e t h e m o v i e i n hi
s m i n d , h e b e g a n t o f ee l b et t e r a b o u t flying . S o o n , h e
h a d r e con di ti o n e d himsel f t o th e poin t wh e r e h e wa s
actual l y l o o k i n g f o r w a r d t o hi s n e x t tour . T h e m o r a l o f
t h e stor y i s this :
50
As you learn to change the pictures and sounds

in your mind, you too will get conscious con•
trol of your life.
L e t' s tr y a n o t h e r e x p e r i m e n t .
T h i n k o f s o m e o n e w h o annoy s y o u o r w h o m y o u fin
d i t s t r e s sf u l t o thin k abou t o r spen d tim e with .
R e m e m b e r hi s o r h e r face . N o w a s y o u l o o k a t hi s o r h e
r fac e i n y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n , as k yourself :
• I s i t a c o l o r i m a g e o r i s i t bla c k a n d white ?
• A r e y o u m a k i n g i t t o t h e le f t , t o t h e r i g h t ,
o r directl y i n fron t o f you ?
• I s i t b i g o r small ?
• Lig h t o r dark ?
• M o v i n g o r still ?
N o w let' s pla y wit h th e wa y y o u ar e currentl y

repre • s e nt in g tha t p e r s o n i n y o u r m i n d . Tr y o u t e a c h
o f thes e change s i n tur n a n d notic e wha t happen s :
Movies of Your Mind
• If you r representatio n of tha t perso n is

moving , freeze-fram e th e pictur e so it is still.
• If th e imag e has any colo r in it, drain it all awa y
until it looks like an old black-and-whit e
photograph .
• Shrink th e imag e until it's tiny.
• Move th e location of th e imag e so it's farther
away.
51
PAU L MCKENN A
• Giv e th e perso n a clown' s nose , pink hair, an d

Mickey Mous e ears .
• Imagin e th e soun d o f th e p erson ' s voice . The
n alter it by givin g him or her a d e e p , sex y voice
. C h a n g e it agai n until he or sh e sound s like a
sque ak y little mou se .
B y m a ki n g thes e c h a n g e s i n y o u r interna l representa

• ti on s , y o u ar e r e p r o g r a m m i n g th e wa y y o u feel . T h i n k
o f th e perso n agai n . . . n o w h o w d o y o u fee l a b o u t h i
m o r her ? It' s ver y likel y tha t perso n no longe r
t r i g g e r s t h e st re s s f u l r e s p o n s e . N o t o n l y d o y o u a l m o s t
c e r t a i n l y f e e l d i f f e r e n t l y n o w , b u t n e x t t i m e y o u m e e t t hi
s p e r s o n yo u' l l fee l differendy , w h i c h m e a n s th e p e r s o n
w i l l r e s p o n d dif• f e r e n t l y t o y o u , c h a n g i n g t h e d y n a m i c
o f y o u r rel atio n • s hi p fo r t h e better .
T h e g e n e r a l p r i n c i p l e th a t w e a r e w o r k i n g wi t h i s this :
Images that are bigger, brighter, and bolder

have greater emotional intensity than those
that are duller, dimmer, and farther away.
N e x t , le t' s f i n d o u t w h a t a n a m a z i n g d i f f e r e n c e i t m a k e
s t o b e insid e a n d outsid e o f a m e m o r y . H e re ' s a n o t h e r
t ec h • n i q u e fo r r u n n i n g y o u r br ai n , ca ll e d dissociatio n :
1 . T h i n k o f a mildly stres sfu l o r u n c o m f o r t a b l e m e m o r y .
2. A s yo u notic e wha t imag e o r image s c o m e t o

m i n d , ste p o u t o f yoursel f s o y o u c a n se e th e b a c k o f
you r head .
52
Pul l b a c k f r o m tha t i m a g e a n d m en t al l y m o v e a s fa r awa

y f r o m t h e i m a g e a s y o u c a n . S t e p al l t h e w a y o u t o f t h e
p i c • t u r e s o y o u c a n s e e y o u r s e l f w a y o v e r t h e r e , stil l i n it
. T h i s p ro ces s o f disassociatin g r e d u c e s t h e intensit y o f
t h e feel • in g s t h e i m a g e wa s c r ea ti n g .
N ow , let' s d o i t t h e o t h e r wa y r o u n d a n d ste p in t o
a positiv e p ic t ure . T h i s i s ca ll e d association :
1. Thin k of a tim e in y o u r lif e whe n yo u fel t

great , a n d o n c e agai n allo w a n i m a g e t o c o m e t o
mind .
2 . Thi s time , ste p int o tha t i m a g e s o y o u ' r e seein

g t h r o u g h y o u r o w n eyes , he a r i n g t h r o u g h y o u r
ears , a n d f e e l i n g g r e a t i n y o u r body .
3 . M a k e th e i m a g e bigger , th e so u n d s louder , a n d th
e feeling s stronger .
It' s e a s y t o r e d u c e t h e intensity , s t e p o u t , a n d m o v e
b ac k , o r t o i n cr e a s e t h e intensity , st e p i n , a n d m a k e i t
bigger .
R e c e n t l y I w a s a t a d i n n e r p a r t y a n d sa t n e x t t o
a woma n wh o wa s tellin g m e h o w sh e wa s havin g
troubl e sleepin g sinc e sh e ha d bee n involve d in a
motorcycl e accident . W h e n I aske d he r t o r e m e m b e r
w h a t wa s mak • i n g h e r fee l s o b a d , sh e d es c ri b e d t h e
h o r r o r o f t h e cr a s h s c e n e a s i f i t wa s h a p p e n i n g t o h e r al
l o ve r ag ai n . Clearly , sh e wa s rememberin g wha t ha d
hap pen e d fro m inside t h e p i c t u r e ( a s s o c i a t i n g ) .
I a s k e d h e r t o sim pl y st e p o u t o f t h e m e m o r y (dissoci •
ate ) unti l sh e coul d se e th e bac k o f he r hea d as
sh e float e d th e pi ct ur e fa r in t o th e dist an c e a n d m a d e i t
blac k
53
PAU L McKENN A
a n d w h i t e . Ins ta n tl y , t h e t e n s i o n i n h e r f a c e r e d u c e d a
s h e r muscle s softened . I tol d h e r tha t i f sh e eve r
t h o u g h t a b o u t th e i n c i d e n t i n th e f uture , sh e s h o u l d d o
i t on l y i n a dissociat e d m ann e r . Tw o week s late r sh e
c a l l e d m e t o sa y t h a t s h e h a d b e e n s l e e p i n g b e a u t i f u l l y
a n d wa s feel • i n g m u c h better .
Here' s a simpl e char t y o u ca n us e fo r reference :
To diminish unpleasan t or stressful To intensify positive or resourceful

experiences : experiences :
• Ste p ou t o f th e imag e • St e p full y i n t o t h e i m a g e
( di ss oc ia te ) . ( as s oc ia te ) .
• M a k e t h e i m a g e still. • Mak e th e imag e int o a
• M a k e t h e i m a g e s m al l e r movie .
a n d f a r t h e r away. • M a k e th e ima g e large r
• M a k e th e i m a g e b l a c k a n d closer .
a n d w hi t e , du l l , o r o u t o f • Intensif y t h e co lo r s ;
f oc u s . i nc r e a s e t h e b r i g h tn e s s
• M a k e t h e s o u n d s fa r t h e r a n d clarity.
awa y a n d quieter . • M a k e t h e s o u n d s c lo s e
r a n d l o u d e r (unles s i t i
s
a n experien c e o f peac
e an d quiet) .
T h e p o w e r o f interna l representation s c a n eve n tur n

a lose r int o a winner . A numbe r o f year s ag o an
Olympi c champio n cam e t o m e becaus e h e wa s
experiencin g a los s o f confidence . Hi s sport s
psychologi s t h a d tol d h i m t o
54
visualiz e w i n n i n g t h e r a c e a s of t e n a s h e c o u l d t h r o u g h o u
t t h e day .
Althoug h he h a d i m a g i n e d w i n n i n g hi s rac e hun
• dre d s o f times , h e di dn' t fee l an y m o r e conf iden t . I n
fact , h e wa s no w reall y w o r r i e d abou t tw o othe r
competitors . W h e n I aske d hi m how h e imagine d
wi n ni n g , i t t u r n e d o u t tha t h e wa s dissociat e d f r o m th
e experience , stand • i n g outsid e o f th e picture .
E s s e n t i a ll y , h e w a s t e l l i n g h i s b r a i n t h a t t h e w i n n i n g w a
s fo r s o m e o n e else .
B u t w h e n I aske d h i m t o thin k a bo u t th e competitor
s w h o w or ri e d hi m , i t tu r ne d o u t h e wa s m a k i n g big ,
br igh t picture s o f t h e m lo ok in g co nf id e n t a n d strong . I
simpl y t o l d h i m t o ste p i n (associate ) t o th e p ic t u r e o f
w i n n i n g wh il e taki n g t h e picture s o f hi s co m p et it o r s a n d
s hr i n k i n g t h e m d o w n i n t o tin y black-and- whi t e i m a g e s . H
e practice d a fe w time s unti l h e coul d d o i t
automatically . Th e n e x t d a y h e w e n t o u t a n d b ea t hi s
p e r s on a l bes t i n practice .
I n a nutshell :
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.
N o w t h a t y o u k n o w h o w t o i n f l u e n c e y o u r state , y o
u don' t hav e to be at th e merc y o f other s or of
circu m • stance s t o m a k e y o u fee l a p a r t i c u l a r way . B
y takin g responsibilit y f o r th e picture s i n y o u r m i n d ,
t h e t h i n g s y o u sa y t o y o u r s e l f ( a n d h o w y o u sa y t h e m ) ,
a n d t h e wa y y o u us e y o u r body , y o u c a n n o w b e g i n t o
c h o o s e h o w y o u w a n t t o fee l i n a n y situatio n .
55
PAU L McKENN A
TH E INNE R CRIT I C
N o t h i n g t a k e s t h e w i n d o u t o f y o u r s ail s m o r e q u i c k l
y t h a n a fe w critica l c o m m e n t s m a d e b y t h e w r o n g
p e r s o n a t t h e w r o n g t i m e . A n d t h e w o r s t cr iti c
That voice inside v o u
will e v e r
encount e r i s th e on e w h o
jour head i s not the l l v

P s i n s i d e v o u r
ow n mind . T h e wa y
voiceofGod.lt just you tal k to yoursel f ha s a profoun d
sounds like i t thinks i m p a c t o n y o u r e m o t i o n a l state .
I t i_
s F o r e x a m p l e , w h e n y o u m a k e a mis -
C/i m Ruber take , c o ns i d e r th e t on e o f voic e y o u us
e whe n yo u ta l k t o y o u r s e l f . D o yo u
say, " O h , goody , anothe r learnin g
experi •
e n c e , " o r i s i t s o m e t h i n g m o r e like , ' Y o u st up i d idiot ; y o
u r e a l l y s c r e w e d u p t hi s t i m e " o r " W h e n a r e y o u e v e r
g oi n g t o learn? "
R e m e m b e r a tim e w h e n y o u m a d e a bi g mistake , a n
d recal l ho w yo u spok e to yourself . Wha t doe s it
s o u n d like ? I s i t critical , angry , sarcastic , o r r e s i g n e d ?
M a n y p e o p l e p r e s u m e tha t j u s t be c a u s e there' s a voic
e i n s i d e t h e i r h e a d t h e y h a v e t o l i s t e n t o it . B u t c r i t i c i s
m i s m e a n t t o b e constructive , a n d i f w h a t y o u r i n n e r
v o i c e say s i s no t supportin g you , tr y t hi s simpl e
experiment .
56
The Inner Critic
1. S t o p for a momen t an d talk to yoursel f in you r

critical voice , sayin g all thos e nast y thing s in
tha t unpleasan t tone .
2 . Now, notic e wher e yo u mak e tha t voice . Doe s

i t se e m t o b e comin g from inside you r hea d o
r outside ? Is it at th e front, th e sides , or th e
bac k ?
3 . Exten d you r arm an d stick ou t you r thumb .
4 . Whereve r th e critical voic e was , mov e i t

dow n you r arm t o th e tip o f you r thumb , s o
it's no w speakin g t o yo u from there .
5 . Next, slo w i t dow n an d c h an g e th e to n e o f it.

Make it soun d sexy, or sp e e d it up so it sound
s like Mickey Mouse.
It soun d s muc h less threatenin g like that,

doesn' t it?
N o w , e v e n t h o u g h it' s e a s y t o c h a n g e t h e v o i c e i n
y o u r m i n d , it ' s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t o r e m e m b e r t h a t t h e
i n t en t i o n o f t h e critica l v oic e i s p o s i t i v e — t o sto p y o u
f r o m m a k i n g mistake s a n d h e l p y o u d o th in g s better .
H o w e v e r , criti • c i s m n e e d s t o b e c o n s t r u c t i v e i f it' s g o i n g
t o b e o f an y use .
Imagin e tha t yo u w an t e d t o he l p a chil d t o lear
n s o m e t h i n g new . I f y o u w e r e co n ti nu a l l y yell in g ever y
tim e h e o r sh e m a d e a mistake , th e chil d w o u l d quickl
y los e c o n f i d e n c e . However , i f y o u us e a n e n c o u r a g i n g
ton e o f
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PAU L McKENN A
voic e whil e pointin g ou t wha t t o watc h ou t fo r o r mayb

e a bette r wa y t o do things , yo u woul d creat e an
entir el y d i ff er e n t result .
T r y th i s a p p r o a c h n o w w i t h y o u r s e l f :
1. R e m e m b e r a tim e w h e n y o u m a d e a mistak e a n
d y o u h ars h l y c ri ti ci z e d yoursel f . Recal l exactl y
w h a t y o u said .
2 . N o w a s k y o u r s e l f , " H o w c o u l d I sa y t h e s a m e m e s •
sag e i n a n e n c o u r a g i n g way? "
3 . Ste p b a c k int o yourse l f a t tha t tim e y o u m a d e th

e mistake . Thi s time , giv e yoursel f th e
constructiv e criticis m instead .
O v e r t h e n e x t fe w days , pa y particul a r at ten ti o n t o h o

w y o u tal k t o yourself . P la y wi t h y o u r t o n e o f t h e v oi c e
a n d th e c on t e n t o f th e m es sa g e unti l y o u fee l bette r i n
yourself .
T h e p o i n t i s this :
You have a choice. You are in control.
H O W T O FEE L WH A T Y O U WANT
, WHE N YO U WAN T
Whil e i t i s a wonde rf u l thin g t o b e abl e t o chang e

y o u r s ta t e i n t h e m o m e n t , i t i s e v e n m o r e u s e f u l t o b e
abl e t o consistend y fee l resourcefu l i n thos e
s i t ua t i o n s tha t d e m a n d y o u r best . T o p O l y m p i c a thl ete s
d o n ' t t r a i n p h y s • ic al l y f o r f o u r y e a r s a n d t h e n h o p e
they'l l fee l g o o d o n th e
58
Change Your Life in Seven Days"
da y o f thei r even t . T h e y su b m i t themselve s t o a n eq uall

y rigorou s menta l trainin g regime , programmin g thei
r mind s an d bodie s to automaticall y go int o grea t
s ta te s w h e n i t matter s most , i n th e momen t o f
competition .
Fo r th e p ur p o s e o f givin g y o u a n ex p e r ie n c e o f pro
• g r a m m i n g y o u r b o d y a n d m i n d fo r success , I a m g o i n g
t o tak e yo u t h ro u g h tw o simpl e exercise s i n boo sti n g
y o u r s el f- co nfi de n c e i n a n y situation . Y o u c a n r e t u r n t o
thi s se c • t i o n a t a n y t i m e a n d s u b s t i t u t e w h a t e v e r f e e l i n g
y o u want .
T h e m o r e y o u pra c tic e thes e exerci se s , t h e m o r e cer
• ta i n i t i s th a t y o u wil l b e c o m e c o n f i d e n t a t a ra t e th a t
i s comfortabl e t o you .
Whethe r yo u experienc e thi s boos t in confidenc
e straightawa y o r w h e t h e r i t h a p p e n s a bi t m o r e e a c h
tim e yo u practic e doesn' t matter . Fo r example , I'v e
s e e n p e o p l e w h o h a v e b e e n s h a k i n g wi t h n er v e s easil y
over • c o m e thei r fea r i n j u s t a fe w min ute s ; I'v e als
o see n peopl e wh o wer e paralyze d by stag e frigh t
g r a dual l y evolv e t o t h e p o i n t w h e r e the y c a n tal k t o a
n a u d i e n c e l i k e t h e y ' v e b e e n d o i n g i t a l l t h e i r li ve s .
Le t' s g e t started . R e a d t h r o u g h th e w h o l e t e c h n i q u
e f i r s t s o y o u ' r e f a m i l i a r w i t h e a c h s t e p , t h e n g o f o r it !
Instant Confidenc e Booste r
1. Hold you r hea d high in a comfortabl e an

d relaxed position on you r shoulders . Let you r
spin e suppor t you . Imagine tha t a golde n threa
d runs vertically u p throug h you r spin e an d
straight u p t o
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PAU L McKENN A
th e sky an d tha t that threa d support s you .

Let yourself relax, safely held by that thread. This
relaxed upright stanc e is th e natural position of
confidence , an d it will soo n be as natural to yo u as
breathing .
2. No w remembe r a tim e whe n yo u felt

totally confident . Return fully t o tha t tim e now,
seein g wha t yo u saw, hearin g wha t yo u heard , an
d feeling ho w g o o d yo u felt. (If yo u can' t
re memb e r a specifi c time, just imagin e ho w muc h
bett e r you r life woul d b e i f yo u wer e totally
confiden t an d secure—i f yo u had all th e power ,
strength , an d self-confidenc e yo u coul d eve r need.
)
3. No w mak e th e color s brighte r an d richer,

an d th e sound s louder, an d allow you r feeling s o f
confi• de n c e t o intensify.
4 . Notic e wher e tha t feeling of confidenc e

i s stronge s t in you r body . Give this feeling of
confi• de n c e a color, an d mov e tha t colo r u p t o th
e t o p o f you r hea d an d dow n t o th e tip o f you r
toes . Doubl e th e brightness . Doubl e it again !
5 . Repe a t ste p s 2- 4 at leas t five mor e

times . Vividly imagin e tha t even t wher e yo u are
confiden t agai n in detail. You ca n us e th e sam e
experienc e or ad d in ne w on e s eac h time.
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TH E C O N F I D E N C E S W I T C H
N o w tha t y o u k n o w h o w t o b oo s t yo u r con f id en c e whe n

• eve r y o u c ho o se , h o w w o u l d y o u lik e t o b e abl e t o hav
e a "switch " t ha t allow s y o u t o fi r e of f th a t c o n f i d e n t
f e e l i n g w h e n e v e r y o u n e e d it ?
I n t h e lat e 1900 s t h e Rus s i a n scientis t Pav lo v c o n
• ducte d som e famou s experiment s in whic h he
w o u l d offe r f o o d t o hi s d o g s a n d a t th e sa m e tim e ri n
g a b e l l . A f t e r h e h a d d o n e th i s s e v e r a l t i m e s t h e d o g s
associate d th e bel l wit h food , a n d withi n a shor t whil
e h e w o u l d onl y hav e t o rin g th e bel l a n d th e dog s w o u l
d salivate . H e h a d c r e a t e d a n as s oc ia ti o n b e t w e e n a b e l
l a n d fe e d i n g time . T h e r e wa s n o logica l c o n n e c ti o n
betwee n th e tw o things , bu t throug h constan t
r epe titio n , a n e u r ol o gi c a l c o n n e c t i o n wa s c r ea t e d i n t h e
mind s o f th e dogs .
T h e s i m p l e s c i e n t i f i c r e a s o n i s th i s : t h e b r a i n i s a m a s
s o f million s o f neur a l pathways , wit h eac h ide a o r
m e m o r y m o v i n g a l o n g it s o w n p a t h . W h e n e v e r w e d o
s o m e t h i n g new , w e creat e a n e w n eur a l pathw a y s o w e
c a n a c c e s s t h a t e x p e r i e n c e a g a i n m o r e easily . E a c h t i m e
w e rep ea t a particula r behavior , w e strengthe n th e
a ssoci at e d n e u r a l pathway , j u s t a s w h e n y o u w a l k d o w n
a p a t h t h r o u g h a f i e l d th e p a t h b e c o m e s m o r e distinct .
Re s e a r c h ha s s h o w n tha t thes e n e ur a l pathwa y s i n th

e bra i n actuall y g e t physicall y larg e r t h r o u g h re p et it i o n
o f behavior . T h a t i s h o w p e o p l e b e c o m e "h a rd wi re d " t o
cer • tai n automati c behaviors , suc h as smokin g an d
overeat • ing . W e c a n us e tha t s a m e m e n t a l a rc h it ec tu r e
t o desig n
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PAU L McKENN A
pathway s t o succes s a n d ha ppin es s , a n d t o creat e

associa • t i o n s th a t a ll o w u s t o swit c h o n c er ta i n f ee l in g s
wheneve r w e wan t them .
I r e m e m b e r year s a g o w h e n I t e a m e d u p wit h a h u g
e p r o m o t e r w h o b o o k e d m y li v e hypnosi s sho w int o
th e bigges t theate r i n L o n d o n . I' d neve r playe d anyplac e
l i k e i t b e f o r e , a n d w h e n I firs t s t o o d o n t h e s t a g e a f e w
day s b e f o r e t h e s h o w a n d l o o k e d o u t a t th e massiv e
e m p t y a u d i t o r i u m I starte d t o fee l fea r i n m y s t o m a c h .
I n o r d e r t o switc h o n th e leve l o f c o n f i d e n c e I k n e w
I neede d to perfor m a t m y best , I di d th e sam e
exercis e tha t y o u ' r e a b o u t t o d o . I creat e d a n associatio n
b e t w e e n a feel i n g o f c o n f i d e n c e a n d a s im pl e physica l
gesture , a n d I vividl y imagine d th e even t goin g
beautifull y .
The nigh t o f th e performanc e I wa s f eel i n g a bi
t unsur e abou t ho w I woul d fee l onc e I wa s ou t
t he re . Ho we v e r , th e m o m e n t I w a l k e d o u t o n t h e stag e i
t wa s a s t h o u g h a shee t o f cal m cam e ove r m e , an d
I glide d throug h a perfec t performance . Despit e th e
i n e v i t a b l e c h a l l e n g e s t h a t c a m e m y way , I f e l t s o c a l m a n
d i n c o n t r o l t h a t I h a n d l e d a l l o f t h e m e ffor tl es sl y .
I' m g o i n g t o guid e y o u th r o u g h accessin g a stron
g p o s i t i v e st a t e . E a c h t i m e y o u e x p e r i e n c e a p e a k o f
th e g o o d feelin g , pres s th e t h u m b a n d m i d d l e finge r o f
e a c h h a n d to ge th e r t o creat e a n associatio n b e t w e e n
c o n f i • d e n c e a n d t h e p h y s i c a l g e s t u r e . O v e r t i m e , th i s
g e s t u r e wil l be co m e you r confidenc e switch , enablin g
y o u t o a c c e s s y o u r m o s t c o n f i d e n t s t a t e s a t wi l l .
H e r e ' s t h e p r o ce s s , e xa c tl y a s I us e i t f o r myself . O n c e
62
a g a i n , b e f o r e y o u u n d e r t a k e thi s t e c h n i q u e r e a d t h r o u g h
i t firs t s o y o u k n o w e a c h s t e p .
The Confidenc e Switch
1. Re me mbe r a tim e whe n yo u felt really, really

confident . Fully return to it n o w — s e e wha t yo
u saw, hear wha t yo u heard , an d feel ho w g o o
d yo u felt. (If yo u can' t re membe r a specifi c
time, imagin e ho w muc h bett e r you r life woul
d be if yo u wer e totall y confident—i f yo u had
all th e power , strength , an d self-confidenc e yo
u coul d eve r need! )
2 . A s yo u kee p goin g throug h this memory , mak

e th e color s brighte r an d richer, th e soun d s
louder, an d th e feeling s stronger .
3 . A s yo u feel the s e g o o d feelings , sq u e e z e th e

thum b an d middl e finger o f either han d
together .
4 . Now, s q u e e z e th e thum b an d middl e

finger to geth e r an d relive tha t g o o d
feeling .
5. Repea t st e p s 1-4 several time s with

different positiv e memorie s until just
squ eezi n g you r thum b an d middl e finge r
t oget h e r begin s t o bring ba c k th os e g o o d
feelings .
6. Still holdin g you r thum b an d middl e finger

together , think abo u t a situation in whic h yo
u
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PAU L McKENN A
wan t t o feel mor e confident . Imagine thing s

goin g perfectly, goin g exactl y th e wa y yo u
wan t the m t o g o . S e e wha t you'll see , hea r
wha t you'll hear, an d feei ho w g o o d it feels .
P r a c t i c e t h i s e v e r y da y . T h e m i n d i s v e r y s e n s i t i v e , a n
d a s y o u fee l m o r e confiden t runnin g throug h thos e
sce • nari o s i n y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n , y o u wil l f ee l m o r e
c onf ide n t w h e n the y o c c u r i n th e rea l worl d .
W h e n e v e r y o u fee l cha ll en ge d , simpl y tur n o n y o u
r confidenc e switc h b y squeezin g you r thum b an d
m i d d l e finge r to gethe r , concentrat e fo r a fe w
moments , a n d a cce s s y o u r i n n e r stat e o f c o n f i d e n c e !
TH E S E C R E T O F C H A R I S M A
W e al l k n o w p e o p l e w h o h a v e a k i n d o f m a g i c qu al i t
y a b o u t t h e m . W h e n the y wal k in t o a r o o m , i t light s u p
an d w e fee l draw n t o them . T h e y don ' t hav e t o b e th
e l i f e a n d s o u l o f t h e p ar t y , b u t t h e y a r e m y s t e r i o u s l y
a t t r a c • ti v e . Man y Hollywoo d star s ar e n o t brillian t
actors , b u t s o m e t h i n g seem s to emanat e fro m insid e
the m tha t appeal s t o many , m a n y p eo p l e . T h a t i s th e
qualit y w e cal l charisma .
Charismati c p e o p l e fee l co mf o r ta b l e i n themselve s

. Becaus e the y ar e conten t wit h w h o the y are , the y
aren' t desperatel y loo ki n g fo r th e approva l o f other s a n
d the y
64
a ren ' t tryin g t o ma n i p ul a t e other s int o likin g t he m . Iron •

ically , t h a t ' s w h y w e f e e l d r a w n t o t h e m .
I ' m n o w g o i n g t o g u i d e y o u t h r o u g h tw o o f m y favori t
e technique s fo r crankin g up you r self-appreciation ,
mak • in g y o u fee l m o r e a t p e ac e i n yoursel f an d m o r e
charis • m a t i c t o t h e w o r l d .
S o m e b o d y Wh o Loves You
1. If it's appropriate , clo s e you r e ye s an d think

of s o me o n e w h o love s o r deep l y appre ciat e s
you . Re memb e r ho w th e perso n looks , an d
imagin e tha t perso n standin g in front of yo u
now.
2 . Gentl y ste p ou t o f you r bo d y and into th e b od

y o f th e perso n wh o love s you . S e e throug h
their eyes , hear throug h their ears, an d feel th e
love an d g o o d feeling s the y hav e a s yo u look a
t your • self. Really notic e in detail wha t it is tha t
the y love an d apprecia t e ab ou t you . Reco gn i z e
an d ac kn o w l e d g e th os e amazi n g qualities tha t
per • hap s yo u hadn' t appreciate d abou t
yoursel f
until now.
3 . St e p bac k into you r ow n b o d y an d tak e a

fe w mo men t s t o enjoy tho s e g o o d feeling s o
f knowin g tha t yo u ar e love d an d appreciate
d exactl y a s yo u are.
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PAU L McKENN A
Thi s n e x t te c hn i q u e i s excell en t fo r m a k i n g y o u fee

l m u c h m o r e attractiv e a s a p e r s o n , a n d wa s d e v i s e d b y
m y c o l l e a g u e M i c h a e l B r e e n . I n o r d e r t o d o i t y o u wil l
n e e d a mirror . Y o u ar e g o i n g t o creat e a n associatio n
betwee n you r reflectio n an d th e man y compliment s
you h av e r e c e i v e d t h r o u g h o u t y o u r lifetime .
O n e o f t h e re as o n s thi s t e c h n i q u e w o rk s s o we l l i
s b e c au s e e v e r y o n e receive s c o m p l i m e n t s a n d prais e f r o
m tim e t o time . Sometime s i t ma y see m triv ial , lik e
"Hey , y o u ' r e l o o k i n g g o o d to day! " o r "M y f r i e n d t hi n k s
you'r e gorgeous! " A t othe r times , i t ma y b e mor e
significant , lik e " D o y o u k n o w h o w m u c h p e o p l e res pe c t
you? " o r "T han k y o u fo r bein g w h o yo u ar e an d d o i n g
wha t yo u do. "
Si n c er e , positiv e a p p re c i a ti o n f r o m other s , especiall
y apprecia tio n tha t y o u m i g h t n o t hav e b e e n abl e t o
a c c e p t f r o m th e p o i n t o f vie w y o u h a d a t th e time , c a n
b e valu • ab l e in learnin g to appreciat e you r ow n
qualitie s m o r e full y a n d e n h a n c e y o u r self-respec t n ow .
What' s Right with You?
1. Standin g in front of a mirror wit h you r e ye s

c los ed , recall a specifi c tim e whe n yo u we r e pai
d a c omp li me n t b y s o m e o n e yo u re sp e c t o r
trust. Run throug h th e e x p e rie n c e in vivid detail.
2 . A s yo u recall t h e co mplime n t an d th e sincerit y

o f th e perso n w h o said it, pa y particula r attentio n
t o you r feeling s o f trus t an d regar d for th e othe
r p erson .
66
3 . Whe n yo u fee l tha t a s strongl y a s possible , o p e

n you r e y e s an d look in th e mirror. Allo w yoursel f
t o really s e e wh a t tha t perso n saw, an d notic e
ho w tha t feels .
4 . Wh e n yo u ar e really feelin g wonderfu l a b o u t

yourself, s q u e e z e t o ge t h e r you r thum b an d
middl e finger. Allo w th e feeling s o f self-lov e an
d s elf-re sp e c t t o blen d wit h th e feeling s o f
c on fi den c e tha t ar e alread y there .
Remembe r to us e thes e technique s e v e r y day , an

d don' t b e to o surprise d abo u t h o w confiden t an d
charis • m a t i c yo u become . A s you r confidenc e
i n c r e a s e s e a c h day , y o u ' l l f i n d y o u r s e l f n a t u r a l l y d o i n g
thing s tha t y o u us e d t o onl y d r e a m of !
DEVELOPIN G YOU R
EM OTION A L INTELLIGENC E
Okay , we 'r e c o m i n g t o th e e n d o f o n e o f th e mo s t impor

• tan t lesson s y o u wil l ev e r lear n . W e hav e s e e n h o w w e
c a n c h a n g e o u r feeling s b y m o di fy i n g th e wa y w e us e o u r
body , t h e wa y w e tal k t o ourselves , a n d t h e pict ure s w e
m a k e i n o u r m i n d . S o d o e s t hi s m e a n w e ' l l n e v e r f e e l
angry , sad , o r fearfu l agai n ?
Well , so m eti m e s , fo r s o m e p eo pl e , i t m i g h t b e tha

t simple , bu t fo r mo s t o f u s there' s an o th e r aspec t o f
o u r e m o t i o n a l l if e t h a t h a s t o b e c o n s i d e r e d .
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PAU L McKENN A
W o r k i n g w i t h y o u r f ee l i n g s i s reall y l e a r n i n g t o us
e y o u r e m o t i o n a l i n t e l l i g e n c e t o t h e f ul l . T h e r e i s a
whol e worl d o f understandin g an d insigh t availabl e
throug h you r emotions .
A n e m o t i o n i s a bi t lik e s o m e o n e k n o c k i n g o n y o u
r d o o r t o del ive r a me ss ag e . I f th e m essag e i s u rg e n t ,
i t k n o c k s lo ud l y . I f i t i s v e r y u r g e n t , i t k n o c k s v e r y l o u d l y
. I f y o u d o n ' t answe r th e door , i t knoc k s l o u d e r a n d
l o ud e r a n d l o u d e r unti l y o u o p e n th e door . The n i t
d e l i v e r s it s m e s s a g e . A s s o o n a s y o u u n d e r s t a n d e v e n
p a r t o f it , i t b e c o m e s p a r t o f y o u r s e l f - u n d e r s t a n d i n g . Y o
u a r e c h a n g e d , a n d t h e e m o t i o n h a s d o n e it s j o b .
T h i s d o e s n o t m e a n th a t al l e m o t i o n s ar e i m m e di a t e l
y i n f a l l i b l e g u i d e s t o a c t i o n . F a r f r o m it . B u t t o r e a c h
th e wisdo m o f ou r emotions , w e mus t wor k wit h them .
W e hav e t o r e m e m b e r tha t w e ex p e ri en c e a h u g e rang
e o f feelings—almos t a s grea t a rang e as we hav e
thoughts . Som e o f ou r thought s ar e bana l an d
meaningless ; other s ar e m e a n in gf u l a n d worthwhile . I t
i s t h e s a m e w i t h o u r f e e l i n g s . S o m e a r e t riv ia l ; o t h e r s
ar e p ro f ou n d .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , f o r t h e las t t h r e e h u n d r e d y e a r s W es t
• er n cul tur e ha s woef ul l y undervalue d emotions .
I n d ee d , mos t Wester n culture s pl ac e a h i g h valu e on
suppressin g a n d ignorin g emotiona l reactions . Ye t
learnin g t o handl e o u r emotion s a n d t o understan d the
m is a fun dam en ta l par t o f growin g up , jus t lik e
le ar n i n g t o us e o u r m i n d t o th i n k clearl y o r u s i n g o u r
h a n d s t o writ e o r dr a w o r m a k e d u n g s .
A t thi s p o i n t , y o u m a y b e w o n d e r i n g : " H o w c a n I
tel l t h e differenc e betwee n emotion s tha t ar e jus t
reaction s
68
t o th e picture s i n m y h e a d a n d e m o t i o n s tha t ha v e a
n importan t messag e I n e e d t o lear n from? "
T h e answe r i s simple . I f a n e m o t i o n i s unimp ortan t o
r n o l o n g e r trul y r e l e v a n t t o y o u r life , i t v a ni s h e s w h e n
y o u c h a n g e th e picture s i n you r h e ad . I f i t i s importan
t a n d relate s t o a real , c u r r e n t sit uati o n t ha t y o u n e e d t
o l e a r n f r o m , i t wil l c o m e b ack , a ga i n a n d a g a i n a n d
again . I n tha t case , w h e n t h e e m o t i o n turn s u p y o u n e e
d t o l i s t e n a n d l e a r n f r o m it . A s f o r h o w t o d o t h a t , r e a d
on . . . .
TH E N E G A T I V I T Y F A S T
T h e fina l t e c h n i q u e f o r toda y i s o n e o f th e m o s t powe r

• fu l i n t h e w h o l e b o o k , a n d e ve r y o n e c a n be ne f i t f r o m
it . I firs t bega n usin g i t i n 1990 , an d I almos t
immediatel y notice d a remarkabl e uptur n i n m y
c o n f i d e n c e a n d a b i l • it y t o s o l v e p r o b l e m s a n d r e a c h m y
goals .
W e hav e alread y see n tha t th e m o r e ofte n w e repe a t
a patter n o f behavior , th e stronge r tha t patter n
b e c o m e s . W h e n w e i n d u l g e i n negativit y o ve r t h e years ,
w e literall y h a r d w i r e ou r se l v e s t o b e n e g a t i v e .
Fo r th e res t o f th e week , yo u ar e goin g t o
i n t e r r u p t t h a t p a t t e r n . Y o u a r e g o i n g t o starv e y o u r s e l f o f
negativit y a n d retrai n yoursel f t o be mor e positiv e
in st ea d . D o n ' t j u s t r e a d this , live i t for the next week. T h i
s p ro c e s s a l o n e wil l rewri t e t h e o p e r a t i n g softwa r e o f
y o u r m i n d — i t ' s a p ro c e s s tha t wil l ser v e y o u wel l fo r t h
e res t o f y o u r life !
Her e' s h o w i t works .

Fo r th e nex t week , whenev e r y o u fee l ba d abou t
69
PAU L McKENN A
anything, s t o p w h a t y o u ' r e d o i n g (a s s o o n a s i t i s sa f e
t o d o s o ) a n d f o l l o w t h e s e fi v e e a s y s t e p s :
The Negativit y Fast
1. Ask yourself what you are feeling bad about and

notice what image, sound, or words come to mind.
Remember , your emotion s are like signals, letting yo u kno
w whe n you nee d t o pa y extra attention t o som e asp ec t o f
you r experience . Every feeling in your bod y is linked t o an
internal picture, sound , or th e word s yo u say to yourself in
your mind.
2. Listen for the message or positive intention of the

emotion.
Negativ e emotion s are just me ssen ge r s sen t by
you r mind an d b od y t o let yo u kno w it's tim e t o pa y
attentio n t o something . For example , if I hav e a worryin g
feeling and I sto p and notice, wha t co m e s to mind is th e
imag e of an upcomin g meeting . My mind is trying to alert me
to things that might go wron g in that meetin g an d mak e sure
1 am well prepared .
3. Act on the message!

So , in ou r example , I migh t mak e a list of all th e thing
s I ca n d o t o sto p tho s e proble m s occurring , an d tak e
actio n o n a t leas t on e o f them .
4. Turn off the messenger.

This i s like hangin g u p th e ph on e o r resettin g th e
sm ok e alarm. Whe n I've he e de d my mind's warning , I
drain all th e
70
colo r ou t of th e image , shrink it dow n to th e siz e of

a p o st a g e stamp , an d sen d it off into th e distance . If th e
pic• ture p op s back , it's be ca u s e there' s still somethin
g yo u nee d to be awar e of, so find ou t wha t it is.
5. Program your desired future.

Finally, imagin e event s goi n g exactl y th e wa y yo u
wan t the m to . In th e exampl e of my upcomin g meeting , I
mak e a big , brigh t movi e o f th e meetin g goin g perfectl y
an d watc h it all th e wa y up to th e happ y ending .
Tes t thi s a m a z i n g p ro c e s s o u t n o w f o r yourself :
1 . T h i n k a b o u t s o m e t h i n g tha t mak e s y o u fee l ba d

, an d notic e wha t imag e come s t o mind . A s y o u pa y
atten • t io n t o th a t i m a g e , n o ti ce :
• I s i t col o r o r blac k a n d white ?

• W h e r e i s i t located ? I s i t i n fron t o f you ? O r
t o t h e le f t o r r i g h t ?
• I s i t b i g o r small ?
• I s i t a m o v i e o r a stil l i m a g e ?
• I s i t a soli d i m a g e o r transparent ?
• I s t h e r e a n y s o u n d w i t h th i s i m a g e ?
2 . N o w STOP !
A l l o f thi s i n f o r m a t i o n i s w h a t give s t h e b a d f e e l i n g
it s p o w e r , an d yo u wer e unconsciou s o f i t goin g o n
u n t i l a m o m e n t a g o . S o n o w t h a t y o u a r e a w a r e o f it ,
we'r e goin g
71
PAU L McKENN A
t o a s k w h a t it s i n t e n t i o n is . W h a t m e s s a g e d o e s t h e e m o
•
tio n w a n t t o giv e you ?
3 . Now , tak e a fe w m o m e n t s t o br a i ns t o r m s o m e way

s y o u c a n solv e t h o s e p r o b l e m s . I f y o u h a v e ti m e , y o u
c a n writ e dow n som e notes . I f not , j u s t as k y o u r
u n co n sc i o u s m i n d t o r e m i n d y o u a t th e n e x t availabl e
opportunity .
4 . T h e n d r a i n al l t h e c o l o r o u t o f t h e i m a g e , s h r i n
k it , a n d m o v e i t o f f i n t o t h e d i s t a n c e . I f i t h a p p e n s t o
r e ap • pear , as k y o ur s e l f i f th e re ' s a n y t h i n g y o u ' v e missed .
T h e n j u s t d r a i n t h e c o l o r o u t a g a i n , s h r i n k i t s o it ' s
small , a n d m o v e i t fa r awa y o n c e agai n .
5. Fin a ll y , t a k e a f e w m o m e n t s t o i m a g i n e y o u r li f e
a s y o u w o u l d ideall y lik e i t t o b e . H o w d o y o u w a n t t o
be ? W h a t kind s o f thing s w o u l d y o u lik e t o do ? W h a t
w o u l d y o u mo s t w a n t t o have ?
W i t h ever y n e w habi t w e tak e o n , ther e i s a tippi n

g point—th e poin t a t whic h i t become s easie r t o
ex erci s e t h a n not , easie r t o ea t heal thil y tha n t o ea t
poorly , easie r t o t hi n k r ic h tha n t o thin k poo r .
Eve r y ti m e y o u pr a ct ic e , y o u wil l g e t benefit s , b u t y o
u wil l onl y ge t th e mos t amazin g benefit s o f thi s
tech n iq u e i f y o u practic e i t righ t u p t o a n d ove r th e
t i p p i n g p o i n t . U s e i t every t i m e y o u f e e l b a d a b o u t
anythin g fo r th e nex t week . Throug h th e shee r
r e p e t i t i o n o f thi s t e c h n i q u e , y o u wil l totall y r e c o n d i t i o
n y o u r se l f f o r success . Y o u wil l b e c o m e mor e positive ,
energized , an d optimistic . Y o u wil l star t to loo k at
l if e w i t h more optimism , seein g
72
o ppo rtun it ie s t o su cc e e d a n d achiev e i n situation s w h e r

e b e f o r e y o u sa w o n l y fear , f ail ure , a n d " m o r e o f t h e
same. "
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
PS. In the next chapter, I'll be sharing with you the secrets of a
positive perspective—how to turn any problem into an opportu•
nity to learn, change, and succeed!
73
TH E P O W E R O F
A POSITIV E
PERSPECTIV E
The art of refraining
PAU L McKENN A
Befor e yo u begi n today :
• Listen to th e hypnoti c tranc e

( www.paulmckenna.com/tranc e) .
• Revie w th e "Reprogrammin g Your Self-Image " exercis
e from p a g e 3 5 .
• Do th e followin g exerois e in creatin g a positiv e state. . . .
1. Remembe r a tim e whe n you felt really, really go od . Fully

return to it n ow — s e e wha t yo u saw, hear wha t yo u
heard, an d feel ho w g o o d yo u felt. (If yo u can' t
remembe r a specific time, imagine ho w muc h bette r
your life woul d
be if yo u wer e totally confident—i f you had all th e
power, strength, and self-confidenc e yo u could eve r
need!)
2 . A s yo u kee p goi n g throug h this memory , mak e th e

color s brighte r an d richer, th e soun d s louder, an d
th e feeling s stronger.
3 . A s yo u feel thes e g o o d feelings, sq ue ez e th e thum b

and middle finger of on e hand together .
4 . Now squ e ez e your thum b and middle finger togeth e r

and relive that go o d feeling. Think abou t th e rest of th e
da y ahead , feeling and imagining things goin g perfectly,
goin g th e wa y yo u wan t the m t o go . S e e wha t you'll
see , hear wha t you'll hear, an d feel ho w g o o d it feels.
Congratulations ! You hav e just programm e d yoursel f t

o hav e a grea t day.
76
I here is an old, old story about a farmer in China. One year
the weather was very good and his crops grew strong and high.
All his neighbors told him how lucky he was to have such a fine
crop, and he replied, "Maybe." Then the day before he was going
to start the harvest a herd of wild horses came running off the
plains and trampled all his crops flat. His neighbors came by and
said how unlucky he was to lose his fine crop. The farmer replied,
"Maybe." The next day the farmer's son went out with a length of
rope and caught a wild stallion and three mares, and the neigh•
bors came by to admire the horses and told the farmer how lucky he
was. The farmer said, "Maybe. " In the morning the farmer's son
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
PAU L McKENN A
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
TH E P O W E R O F
A P O S IT I V E P E R S P E C T I V E
A c o u p l e o f year s a g o I m e t th e a cto There's no such

r W i l l S m i t h a t a pa rt y . I t o l d h i m t h a thing as bad
t I a d m i r e hi s w o r k a n d tha t I thi n k h e weather—only the
i s a positiv e insp iratio n t o lo t s o f wrong clothes.
people . H e stopped , looke d at me, —Billy Connolly
thoug h t abou t wha t I ha d said , an d
rep lied , " T h a n k y o u — t h a n k y o u ver y
m u c h . B u t I h a v e t o say, " h e
c o n t i n u e d , "it' s b e e n
eas y fo r m e — I ' m black. "
When I a sk e d h i m a b o u t thi s ra t h e r extr aord i na r

y p o i n t o f v iew , h e t o l d m e t h a t s i n c e h e w a s a b o y , h e
ha s m a d e extensiv e us e o f th e p o w e r o f perspective . I n
an y situation , h e look s fo r a truthfu l b u t hi gh l y selectiv
e wa y o f thinkin g tha t make s hi m fee l positiv e an d
get s h i m exc it e d a b o u t m a k i n g thing s h a p p e n .
P e r h a p s o n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t c o n c e p t s i n thi
s b o o k i s th i 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 m e p e o p l e a lwa y s m a n a g e t o l o o k a t t h i n g s i n a p o s i •
tiv e way . T h e y h a v e a n a b ili t y t o f r a m e a n y s i t u a t i o n i n a
wa y
79
PAU L McKENN A
t h a t l ea v e s t h e m f e e l i n g e m p o w e r e d a n d s t r o n g . T h e y c a
n tak e a s ee m in g l y negativ e situatio n a n d refram e i t t o
f i n d t h e p o s i t i v e . F o r t h e s e p e o p l e , t h e glas s o f w a t e r i s
alwa y s h a l f f ul l , n o m a t t e r h o w e m p t y i t m a y l o o k t o t h e
res t o f us !
A fe w year s a g o I m e t th e f o r m e r R A F office r J o h
n N i c h o l , w h o wa s sho t d o w n whil e o n a missio n d u r i n g
t h e G u l f War . A s a result , J o h n wa s ho rr ib l y t o r t u r e d b
y hi s Iraq i captors . W h e n I ask e d h i m h o w h e m a n a g e d
t o ge t throug h thi s terrifyin g ordeal , he explaine d
ho w h e f r a m e d it in h i s m i n d . He knew that no matter
what, the tor• ture and the pain would stop. E i t h e r h i s c a p t o r
s w o u l d g e t b o r e d o r h e w o u l d pas s out . E v e n t h o u g h i t
wa s a terribl e situatio n t o b e in , th e p o w e r o f hi s
perspectiv e o f know • i n g i t w o u l d sto p wa s w h a t gav e h i m
th e strengt h t o m a k e i t throu gh .
Y o u c a n c h a n g e y o u r l if e w i t h t h e p o w e r o f p o s i t i v
e p e r s p e c t i v e s — t o d a y ' s l esso n wil l t ea c h y o u h o w !
MEDI A A N D M E A N I N G
A h i g h l y effectiv e communicator ca n
refram e anythin g t o creat e a differen t
We're not retreating, perspectiv e o r interpretation . I n fact
we're just advancing , ther e is so muc h spi n in th e
in another direction. m e d i a toda y tha t a b o u t th e onl y thi n g
—-General y o u c a n k n o w fo r sur e i s tha t i f y o u
George S. Patton d o n ' t tak e responsibilit y fo r th e fra m e s
yo u m a k e i n y o u r li f e , t h e n s o m e o n e
e l s e w il l !
80
• Advertiser s ge t pa i d a lo t o f m o n e y t o fram e thei

r p r o d u c t s i n th e bes t possibl e light . T h e y d o i t b y
c re a ti n g th e id e a tha t s o m e h o w wh a t the y ar e sellin g
wil l m a k e y o u s e x i e r , h e a l t h i e r , h a p p i e r , o r m o r e stylis h .
• P ubl i c relation s i s a b o u t a r r a n g i n g t h e truth s t
o p u t acros s y o u r p o i n t i n t h e be s t possibl e light .
• M a r k e t e r s , pol it ic ia ns , a n d e v e n r e l i g i o n s h a v e al
l becom e exper t at placin g thei r products , services ,
o r vie w o f h o w w e s h o u l d l e a d o u r l ive s i n c o n t e x t s
tha t m a k e the m appea r sophisticated , worthy , o r
desirable .
• T h e new s m e d i a shape s o u r op inion s o f th e worl
d b y w h i c h sto rie s t h e y c h o o s e t o r e p o r t . R a t h e r t h a n
m ak • i n g t h o s e d ecisi on s b a s e d o n w h a t wil l h e l p us
mak e informe d decision s abou t th e world , al l to o
ofte n th e choic e abou t wha t is feature d an d wha t
get s lef t o u t c o m e s d o w n t o w h a t wi l l p u l l h i g h e r
ratings .
In much th e sam e wa y a s a p h o to g -
, , . . - ^ . No matter how thin
r a p h e r tell s yo u wha t i s importan t i n
a
, i ^ i i_ j •J you slice it, there are
pictur e b y wha t h e o r sh e decide s to
J
i J • c J u ^ • i - always two sides.

i n c l u d e i n t h e f r a m e a n d w h a t i s ler t
out ,
, • ^ ^ . ^, . —Baruch Spinoza
th e meaning s w e attribut e t o th e event s
r
i n o u r live s a r e d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e p a r t
s
o f ou r ex perien c e w e choos e t o m a k e important . O u
r interpretatio n of an y situatio n depend s on wha t
w e includ e o r exclu d e fro m ou r fram e o f perception .
T h e f a c t is , e v e r y t h i n g i s r e l a t i v e . W h e n y o u t h i n k o n
e situati o n i s bad , tha t i s b e c a u s e y o u ar e c o m p a r i n g i t
t o so m ethi n g y o u perceiv e to b e better . On e of my
favorit e
81
PAU L McKENN A
e x a m p l e s o f thi s c o m e s i n a le tt e r f r o m a c o l l e g e s t u d e n
t t o h e r parents :
Dear Mom and Dad,

A p o l o g i e s f o r t a k i n g s o l o n g t o wr it e , b u t m y w r i t i n
g ut e ns il s w e r e d e s t r o y e d i n t h e fi r e a t m y a p a r t m e n t
. I a m o u t o f t h e h os p i t a l a n d t h e d o c t o r says t h a t I
shoul d b e a bl e t o lea d a normal , h e a l t h y life . A
handsom e youn g ma n calle d Pet e sa v e d m e f r o m
t h e fi r e a n d k i n d l y o f f e r e d t o s ha r e hi s a p a r t m e n t
wit h m e . H e i s ver y k i n d a n d polit e a n d f r o m a g o o d
family , s o I t h i n k y o u ' l l a p p r o v e w h e n I tel l y o u t h a t
w e g o t m a r r i e d las t w e e k . I k n o w y o u ' l l b e e v e n m o r
e e x c i t e d w h e n I tel l y o u th a t y o u a r e g o i n g t o b e
gr a n dp a ren t s ver y soo n .
A c t u a l l y t h e r e wa sn ' t a fire , I h a v e n ' t b e e n i n t h e

ho s • p ita l , I ' m n o t m a r r i e d , a n d I ' m n o t p r e g n a n t , b u
t I d i d fai l m y b i o lo g y e x a m a n d I j u s t w a n t e d t o
m a k e sur e th a t w h e n I t o l d y o u , y o u p u t i t i n p r o p e r
p e r s p e c ti v e .
Love,
Your daughter
I h a d a frien d w h o demo n stra t e d th e p ow e r o f com

• parativ e framin g eve n mor e dramatically . Fo r
m o n t h s , m y f rien d wa s continuall y tellin g me ho w
f r i g h t e n e d h e wa s th a t s o o n h e w o u l d b e fort y yea r s o l
d a n d hi s m u c h y o u n g e r gi rl f rie n d d i d n o t w a n t t o m ar r
y hi m . N o matte r h o w m u c h I attempt e d t o reassur e
h i m , h e persiste d i n f ocus in g o n wh a t h e c o n s i de r e d t
o be th e wors t th i n g tha t coul d happen—tha t he
m i g h t b e u n m a r r i e d a n d w it h o u t a famil y a t th e a g e o f
forty .
82
O n e da y I not i c e d tha t h e s e e m e d cal me r a n d wa s n

o longe r complainin g abou t hi s situa tio n . Whe n I
aske d h i m wha t ha d changed , h e tol d m e hi s
girlfrien d ha d recentl y f o u n d a lum p in h e r breast .
T h o u g h i t turne d ou t t o b e benign , h e reco gniz e d tha
t c o m p a r e d t o th e threa t o f losin g h e r t o cancer , n o t
bein g marrie d ye t w a s l itt l e mor e tha n a mino r
inconvenience .
Remember , th e advantag e o f b e in g abl e to decid
e h o w yo u fram e event s is t ha t i t give s y o u m o r e
c h o i c e s . M o r e c h o i c e s g i v e s u s g r e a t e r f l e x i b il i t y , a n d a s
w e ' l l se e i n a f e w m o m e n t s , g r e a t e r flexibilit y lea d s t o a n
i n c r e a s e d abilit y t o i n f l u e n c e t h e resul t s i n a n y si tua tio n
.
FLEXIBILIT Y I S P O W E R
Year s a g o th e p ro pe l le r s o n ship s u s e d t o b e a t t a c h e d wit

h m e t a l pins . T h e d u n k i n g wa s tha t b y m a k i n g t h e p i n s o f
th e stronges t materials , t h e y w o u l d las t l o n g e r a n d b e
m o r e s e cu r e . Unfort un atel y , th e y w e r e s o r igi d tha t i f
th e pr o • p ell e r hi t anythin g , the y b rok e . No wada ys , shi p
propeller s ar e a t ta ch e d wi t h flexibl e rubb e r couplings .
A l t h o u g h seemingl y les s stron g tha n thei r meta l
co un ter par ts , thes e c o up l i n g s offe r greate r longevit y
an d
s e c u r i t y t h r o u g h t h e i r fle xi bi lit y . Whoever sets
the
Si m i la r l y , r e s e a r c h e r s i n t h e r e la ti v e l y agenda controls the

n e w scienc e o f cybernetic s hav e f o u n d outcome o f
the
tha t th e mos t powerfu l perso n i n an y
debate.
grou p i s invariabl y th e mos t flexible . —Noam
Chomsky
T h e i nd i vidu a l w h o ha s t h e m o s t way s o
f
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PAULMcKENNA
l o o k i n g a t t hi ng s h a s t h e m o s t c h o i c e s a n d h e n c e t h e great
•
es t possibilit y o f co nt r o l l i n g t h e o u t c o m e o f a n y situa tion
.
T h e ar t o f re f r a m i n g th e w o r l d wit h a positiv e per
• spectiv e i s n o t a b o u t i g n o r i n g p r o b l e m s b u t a b o u t
h a v i n g sufficien t flexibilit y t o m a k e y o u r p o i n t o f vie w
w o r k fo r y o u instea d o f agains t yo u . W h e n I' m w o r ki n g
wit h chil • d r e n w h o h a v e t o g o t h r o u g h a n un p l e a s a n t
m edica l pro • cedure , I reframeit by turnin g i t int o
a game ; wit h grown-ups , I 'l l ofte n hel p the m refram
e thei r fea r a s e x c i te m e n t a n d thei r procrastinatio n a s
"perfectl y timin g th e universe . "
T H E R E ' S N O S U C H THIN G A S FAILUR

E
O n e o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t lesson s I'v e l e a r n e d f r o
m w o r k i n g wit h successf u l p e o p l e ov e r th e year s i s tha t
fa il • u r e i s a n a t t i t u d e , n o t a n o u t c o m e . T h a t is , it' s g o t
n o t h • i n g t o d o w i t h t h e resul t s y o u p r o d u c e a n d
everythin g t o d o wit h h o w y o u fram e things .
F o r e x a m p l e , afte r T h o m a s Edison ' s seve n h u n d r e d t
h unsuc cessf u l a t te m p t t o inven t th e electri c light , h e
w a s a s k e d b y a New York Times r e p o r t e r , "Ho w doe s i t
fee l t o hav e faile d seve n h u n d r e d times? "
T h e gr e a t i n v e n t o r r e s p o n d e d wi t h a classi c e x a m p l
e o f a positiv e perspectiv e :
" I hav e n o t faile d seve n h u n d r e d times . I hav e n o t faile
d once . I hav e s u c c e e d e d i n pr ovi n g tha t thos e seve n
h u n • d r e d wa y s wil l n o t w o r k . W h e n I h a v e e l i m i n a t e d
al l t h e w a y s t h a t wi l l n o t w o r k , I wil l f i n d t h e w a y t h a t
wi l l w o r k . "
84
T h o u s a n d s m o r e o f thos e successfu l p r oo f s o f w h a
t wil l n o t w o r k f o l l o w e d , b u t E d i s o n finall y f o u n d th e
wa y tha t di d work , a n d i n s o d o i n g h e illuminate d th e
world .
A b o v e all , w h a t E d i s o n s u c c e e d e d i n d o i n g wa s t
o fram e hi s particula r c ha ll e n g e i n a wa y tha t h e l p e d
k e e p h i m motivated . H e wa s flexibl e e n o u g h i n hi s
thinkin g t o giv e himsel f m o r e choices . A n d yo u ca n giv e
y o u r s e l f t h e s a m e flexibility !
Here' s a n exercis e i n puttin g th e powe r o f perspectiv e
t o w o r k i n y o u r o w n l if e :
The Frame G a m e
1. Think a b o u t a projec t or goa l tha t yo u m a d e

ha pp e n i n th e past . Wha t frame , meaning , o r
p e r sp e ct i v e did yo u o r s o m e o n e els e us e t o g e
t an d k e e p yo u motivate d an d 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 projec t or g oa l tha t yo u ar e currentl

y workin g on or considerin g workin g on in th e
future.
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PAULMCKENN A
3 . Wh a t ar e s o m e frame s yo u cou l d pu t aroun d th e

projec t tha t woul d red uc e you r interes t i n gett in
g involve d and makin g it ha p p e n ?
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 . Wh a t frame s coul d yo u put aroun d th e projec

t tha t woul d increas e you r interes t i n gett in g
involve d an d makin g it ha pp e n ?
EXAMPLES:
"She who dies with the most friends wins."
"Whatever the result, it will have been worthwhile."
"The universe wants me to succeed."
A QUESTIO N O F PERSPECTIV E
O n e o f t h e m o s t p o w e r f u l f r a m i n g t o o l s w e al l u s e o
n a d a i l y ba s i s i s a l s o o n e o f t h e s i m p l e s t — t h e p o w e r
o f questions .
Question s de t e r m i n e th e focu s o f o u r pe r ce p t i o n a
s w e l l a s t h e a m o u n t o f s u c c e s s , l o v e , fe a r , a n g e r , j o y ,
o r w o n d e r t h a t w e e x p e r i e n c e o n a n o n g o i n g b a si s . S o m
e o f th e p e o p l e I m e e t a n d w o r k wit h ar e stuc k o r i n
pai n becaus e the y ar e continuall y askin g themselve s
n e g a • ti v e l y o r i e n t a t e d q u e s t i o n s .
C o n s i d e r th e q u e s t i o n " W h y c a n ' t I d o this? " T h i s
86
q u e s t i o n a s s u m e s t h a t (a ) t h e r e i s s o m e t h i n g t o b e d o n
e a n d ( b ) y o u c a n ' t d o it .
I n orde r t o eve n unders tan d th e question , yo u r m i n
d automaticall y begin s to searc h o u t al l th e reason s
wh y y o u can' t d o whateve r i t i s tha t y o u perceiv e need s
t o b e d o n e . N o matte r wh a t an swe r y o u give , y o u ar e
a c c e p t i n g th e basi c p r em i s e o f th e question .
Al ternatively , imagin e askin g yo ursel f , "Ho w ca n
I mos t e as il y mak e thi s work? " Thi s questio n
p r e s u p p o s e s t h a t (a ) thi s c a n w o r k , (b ) ther e ar e a
n u m b e r o f w a y s t h i s c a n w o r k , a n d (c ) i t ca n b e don e
easily . T h e s e a ssump • tion s o r pre suppo si tio n s ac t a s a
di rectiona l compass , a n d yo u r m i n d th e n searche s fo r h o
w t o m a k e thing s work .
Q u e s t i o n s d i r e c t y o u r f o c u s , a n d y o u al wa y s g e t m o r
e o f w h a t y o u f o c u s o n i n li f e . I f y o u r q u a l i t y o f li f e i s
poor , examin e you r inne r question s and as k yoursel
f ho w m u c h mo r e em poweri n g yo u ca n mak e them .
S o m e ex am pl e s o f c o m m o n b u t un hel pfu l question
s are :
• W h y d o e s thi s alway s h a p p e n t o m e ?
• W h y d o n ' t I lik e myself ?
• W h y ca n' t I eve r los e weight ?
N ow , as k yo u rs el f a n e w q ues t i o n
How can I ask this in a way that points toward

the positive?
S o let' s l e a r n h o w q u e s t i o n s c a n e m p o w e r us . Star t b
y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s t h a t p r e s u p p o s e t h e p o s i t i v e , s u c h as :
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PAU L McKENN A
• What is th e m o s t e l e g a n t wa y I c a n solv e thi

s problem ?
• H o w m a n y d i f f e r e n t wa y s o f s o l v i n g t h i s p r o b l e
m c a n I c o m e u p with ?
• H o w c a n I m o s t easil y st o p d o i n g ?
T h e s e questio n s m a k e y o u r br ai n sor t fo r differen

t informatio n an d pu t yo u i n a differen t a n d m o r e
r e s o u r c e • f u l s ta te . I f y o u a r e n o t h a p p y w i t h t h e a n s w e r
y o u a r e get • t i n g b a c k , yo u ca n eithe r chang e th e
q u e s t i o n o r k e e p a s k i n g u n t i l y o u a r e . Y o u r b r a i n wi l l
k e e p s e a r c hi n g fo r y o u unti l a usefu l answe r ha s b e e n
found .
TH E W O R K O F B Y R O N KATI
E
Al l to o ofte n h u m a n bein g s b e c o m e e n t r e n c h e d i n a
n unresourcefu l plac e throug h lac k o f emotiona l
flexibilit y . B y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s tha t gentl y fo r c e th e
l istene r t o e x p e • r i e n c e th i n g s differently , I h a v e s e e n
p e o p l e b e c o m e fre e f r o m year s o f painfu l e mo ti o n s i n a
matte r o f minutes .
Byro n Katie , autho r o f th e a m a z i n g b o o k Loving
What Is, u s e s a s i m p l e b u t r e m a r k a b l y e f f e c t i v e s e t o f
question s tha t he l p s p e o p l e o v e r c o m e anger , r e se n tm e n t
, a n d f ea r ve r y quickly . S h e b e g i n s b y as k in g i f t h e r e i s
s o me on e yo u ar e j u d g i n g h a r s h l y — s o m eo n e yo u haven '
t ye t forgive n fo r whateve r i t i s tha t h e o r sh e ha s
d o n e . S h e as k s f o r s p e c i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n , s u c h a s : " H o w
d o yo u wan t th e m t o change ? Wh a t shoul d o r shouldn' t
the y do ? W h a t d o y o u n e e d f ro m the m i n orde r t o b e
happy? "
88
O n c e sh e ha s elicite d th e perspecti v e tha t i s causin

g t h e r e s e n t m e n t , s h e as k s f o u r s i m p l e q u e s t i o n s :
1. Is it true?
W h e n peopl e firs t c o n s i d e r w h e t h e r t h e i r p o i n t o
f vi e w i s t ru e , t h e a n s w e r i s of t e n a r e s o u n d i n g yes .
H o w • ever , s h e foll o w s i t u p wi t h a m o r e s e a r c h i n g
question :
2. Can you really know that it's true?
F o r m a n y p e o p l e i t c o m e s a s a surpris e tha t the y

c a n ' t k n o w f o r a fac t th a t w h a t t h e y th i n k i s u p s e t t i n g
t h e m i s t r u e . A shif t h a s al r ea d y 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?
T h i s q u es t i o n get s y o u i n t o u c h wi t h t h e n e ga ti v e c o n
• sequences , st re s s , an d up s e t o f y o u r mind-set . It
quickl y b e c o m e s obviou s tha t continuin g to vie w th
e worl d throug h thi s f r a m e i s unproductiv e a t bes t
a n d d o w n • r igh t d a m a g i n g a t worst .
4. Who would you be without that thought/

story?
I n o r d e r t o h o n e st l y an s w e r thi s q u e s t i o n , y o u h a v e t
o mov e outsid e th e limitation s o f th e negativ e
perspecti v e y o u originall y wrot e d o w n . Simultaneously ,
yo u be g i n t o fee l bette r almos t immediately .
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PAU L MCKENN A
A t th i s p o i n t , m o s t p e o p l e a r e r e a d y t o l e t t h e b u r d e
n o f th e upse t g o an d embrac e t h e i r n e w st re s s -f r e e
m i n d • s et . Y o u c a n w o r k w i t h t h e s e q u e s t i o n s a n y t i m e
y o u wa n t t o ste p b e y o n d a li mitin g per spe ctiv e .
PO SS IB I L I T Y Q U E S T I O N S
One o f th e difference s be t we e n geniuse s lik e Einstei

n a n d m a n y o f t h e o t h e r s ci en ti s t s o f h i s d a y w a s t h a t
h e aske d smart e r questions . Th e t yp e s o f questio n
Einstei n particularl y excelle d a t ar e wha t I cal l
"possibilit y que s • tio ns. " T h e s e a r e q u es t i o n s th a t f o c u s
th e m i n d o n w h a t i s possibl e b u t ma y n o t hav e eve r b e e
n con sider e d before .
T h i n k o f a situatio n i n w h i c h y o u' v e b e e n f eel in g a bi
t stuc k an d as k yoursel f th e followin g possibilit y
questions :
• W h a t w o u l d h a p p e n i f thi s j u s t w a sn ' t a p r o b l e
m anymore ?
• W h a t w o u l d i t tak e fo r e v e r y t h i n g t o b e al l right ?
• I f I k ne w ther e wa s a simpl e solution , wh a t w o u l
d i t be ?
• W h a t h a v e n ' t I t h o u g h t o f y et ?
• I f I m a d e a n a s t o u n d i n g b r e a k t h r o u g h i n th i s a r e a
, w h a t w o u l d i t b e like ?
R e m e m b e r th e g o l d e n rule :
You always get more of what you focus on in

life.
90
S o i t' s v i t al l y i m p o r t a n t t o a c k n o w l e d g e a n d c o n c e n •
trat e o n y o u r suc cesse s , g r e a t a n d s m a l l — o n wha t ' s reall
y health y an d rewardin g arou n d you .
Empowering Question s
Here is a techniqu e yo u ca n us e to put th e p owe r

of a positiv e perspecti v e to wor k in you r ow n life,
start • ing now. I ask myself thes e question s ever y
morning; the y forc e me to go into a positiv e stat e
in orde r to answe r them . The mor e specifi c yo u
are, th e richer th e positiv e stat e yo u will create !
• W h o or wha t in my life make s me feel happiest

?
• W h o or wha t in my life make s me feel mos t loved
?
• W h o or wha t in my life make s me feel richest
?
• W h o or wha t in my life make s me feel mo s
t passionate ?
• W h o or wha t in my life make s me feel mos
t
e m p o w e re d ?
As I answe r eac h question , I build up a vivid rep

• resentatio n of whateve r it is I am thinking
about , the n amplify it. For example , whe n I am
thinking abou t wha t really make s m e feel happy, I
mak e th e color s brighter, th e soun d s louder, an d
th e feeling s stronger. B y th e tim e I've aske d and
answere d eac h question , m y entire outloo k has
ch a ng e d for th e better, an d I'm read y to tak e on
th e day !
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PA U L MCKENN A
A N E W PERSPECTIV E
O N RELATIONSHIP S
T h e secre t o f gettin g alo n g wel l wit h other s i s t o b e abl

eto se e th e worl d throug h thei r eyes , or , as th e
N a t i v e A m e r i c a n s p u t it , "t o wal k a mil e i n thei r
moccasins. "
The p o w e r o f perspectiv e helpe d th e grea t India
n leade r Mahatm a Gandh i becom e a legendar y
negotiator . Se e i n g f r o m m an y perspective s gav e hi m
flexibilit y i n hi s t h i n k i n g a n d ac ti o n s th a t h e l p e d h i m t
o b e c o m e a pow • erfu l negotiator . Som e sa y h e eve n
brough t abou t th e e n d of th e Britis h Empir e
becaus e he wa s flexibl e e n o u g h t o i m ag i n e s ee i n g
thing s f r o m th e perspec ti v e o f hi s o p p o n e n t s . Durin g
th e negotiation s ove r th e futur e o f India , h e w o u l d vie w
th e situatio n f r o m ever y possibl e perspective , eve n
imaginin g himsel f standin g ove r th e s h o u l d e r o f hi s
n e g o t i a t i o n p a r t n e r s a n d s i t t i n g i n t h e i r se a t s u n t i l h e
fel t h e a l m o s t k n e w th e i r t h o u g h t s . B e c a u s e h e too k th e
tim e to prepar e so thoroughly , i t wa s a s thoug h h e
ha d an a n s w e r f o r al l o f thei r consideratio n s a n d
c o n c e r n s be f o r e discussio n s started .
I n m y o w n e x p e ri en c e , I believ e tha t w h e n a ttem pti n

g t o se e a situatio n f r o m th e vi e wp o i n t o f other s i t i s
impor • tan t t o be a r o n e thi n g i n mind :
People do what they do in order to achieve

some purpose or fulfill some need.
I personal l y p r ef e r t o bel iev e tha t m o s t p e o p l e hav e

a positiv e in te n t i o n b e h i n d t he i r behav ior , e v e n w h e n
the y
92
ar e takin g a positio n tha t see m s co n ten tio u s o r contrar y t

o o u r o w n bes t interests . W h e n I e n c o u n t e r a situati o n
s u c h a s t h a t , I o f t e n a s k mysel f : " W h a t b e n e f i c i a l i n t e n t i o n
c o u l d b e b e h i n d th i s b e h a v i o r ? " Thi s help s m e t o
a ppro ac h th e conflic t f r o m a m u c h m o r e resourcefu l
perspective .
I f y o u ' r e currentl y e x p e r i e n ci n g a conflic t i n o n e o
r m o r e o f y o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p s , p u t th i s s i m p l e e x e r c i s e
to
t h e tes t :
Putting Your Relationships into Perspectiv e
1. Think of so m e b o d y yo u are havin g a proble

m with. Return t o th e situation wher e yo u had a
con • flict, or imagin e tha t perso n is standin g in
front of yo u now. S e e wha t yo u see , hear you r
internal dia• logue , an d tak e not e o f ho w yo u feel.
No w float u p ou t o f yoursel f and let thos e feeling s
go .
2. Next, float into th e shoe s of th e perso n yo

u don' t g e t alon g with. If yo u like, yo u can eve n
imagin e putting on that person' s hea d like a virtual
reality hel• met . Notic e ho w th e worl d look s from
their pe rsp ec • tive. S e e yourself throug h their eyes .
Wha t migh t they b e sayin g t o themselv e s abo u t
th e situation? How do e s it feel to be in their shoe s ?
Now float ou t of tha t perso n an d let th os e feeling s
go .
3. Next, think of some o n e whos e intelligence

and wisdo m yo u admire. It can be a friend, a mentor, or
even a characte r from history. Ste p into their sh oe
s an d
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PAU L McKENN A
imagin e the m watchin g th e t w o o f yo u interact.

How woul d the y perceiv e this situation a s a
neutral o b • server ? Move t o a positio n wher e yo u
ca n s e e bot h yoursel f an d th e perso n yo u wer e
havin g th e pro b • lem with. Obser v e what' s goin
g o n with "thos e peopl e ove r there." Wha t are
the y doing ? Wha t kinds o f thing are the y sayin g
t o eac h othe r ? Wha t kinds of insight do yo u gain
inside th e mind of this wis e mentor ? Wha t adv ic e
d o the y hav e for y ou ?
4 . Finally, tak e wha t you'v e learne d and ste p

bac k into you r ow n shoe s . Loo k a t th e perso n yo
u wer e havin g th e problem s with i n ne w ways , an
d c h o o s e a t least on e thing t o sa y o r d o t o
mov e towar d a happ y resolution.
TH E P O W E R O F B E L I E F S
T h e mo s t powerf u l fram e w e ca n us e t o shap e o u r per

• spectiv e i s wh a t w e c h o o s e t o bel ie v e a b o u t oursel ve s
a n d t h e w o r l d . O v e r t h e yea r s I'v e o ft e n s e e n h o w o n e
belie f ca n mea n th e differenc e betwee n ordinar y
w o r ke r s a n d C E O s , succe s s a n d failure , also-ran s a n d
w or l d c h a m p i • ons . O u r belief s ca n d e t e r m i n e o u r leve l
o f intelligence , ou r happiness , th e qualit y o f ou r
r el ation sh ips , e v e n o u r h e a l t h a n d success .
I n m a n y ways , w h a t w e believ e ha s a fa r g r e a t e r
influ • e n c e on ou r lif e tha n objectiv e trut h . Fo r
example , i t doesn' t reall y matte r ho w fa r yo u t r av e l
aroun d th e
94
w o r l d — y o u w o n ' t fal l o f f it . B u t f o r t h o u s a n d s o f y e a r s ,
t h e c o m m o n l y h e l d b e l i e f t h a t t h e e a r t h w a s fla t m e a n t
t h a t m o s t p e o p l e d i d n ' t e v e n a t t e m p t t o t r av e l b e y o n d t h e
hor i • z o n . I t o n l y t o o k o n e m a n w h o wa s willin g t o se e
t h i n g s dif• f e r e n t l y t o t r a n s f o r m t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f t h e
planet .
Belief s ar e th e wi n do w s t h r o u g h w h i c h y o u vie w th
e world . I f y o u r "belie f win do w " i s c ov e re d wit h to o
m u c h negativity—idea s suc h as "Th e worl d is a
d a n g e r o u s p l a c e " o r " P e o p l e c a n ' t b e t r u s t e d " — y o u wil l
se e a dan • gerou s worl d fille d wit h untrustworth y
people . I f y o u replac e th e belief s on you r windo w
wit h po siti v e one s suc h a s " T h e w o r l d i s a friendl y
p l a c e " a n d " I c a n t r u s t m ys e l f , " y o u g e t t o li v e i n a
friendl y wo r l d w h e r e y o u ar e abl e t o m a k e smar t choice s
a b o u t e v e r y a s p e c t o f y o u r l if e .
Y o u r belief s d e t e r m i n e y o u r decisions , h o w y o u fee

l a b o u t things , a n d ultimatel y th e d i re ct i o n y o u g o i n
l if e . T h e y c o n t r o l e v e r y t h i n g a b o u t y o u . I n t h e s a m e w a y
tha t a movi e projecto r put s a n i ma g e fro m a pie c e o
f fil m o n t o a screen , w h a t y o u per ce i v e i n th e w o r l d i s a
mani • festati o n o f th e belief s y o u h o l d i n y o u r m i n d .
I f y o u ar e w o n d e r i n g w h a t y o u r belief s are , t h e n l o o
k a t ho w yo u fee l a b o u t y o u r li f e . D o yo u fee l in
control ? D o yo u fee l empowered ? D o yo u fee l
e x c e p t i o n a l level s o f h a p p i n e s s m o s t o f th e time ?
I f not , thi s f i n a l se ct i o n o f to d ay ' s l e s s o n wil l b e
ver y i m p or t a n t fo r y o u .
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PAU L McKENN A
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!"
TH E S E V E N K E Y B E L I E F
S O F HIGH A C H I E V E R S
O v e r th e year s I ha v e h a d th e oppo rtun i t y t o w o r k wit

h an d stud y man y peopl e wh o ar e widel y
considere d geniuse s i n ou r culture . Thes e ar e
e x t r a o r d i n a r y i ndi vid • ual s f r o m t h e field s o f t h e arts ,
business , sports , a n d s o o n . A s a resul t o f th e w o r k I
hav e d o n e wit h t h e m , h e r e ar e wha t I hav e discovere d
to be th e seve n cor e succes s p er spe ctiv e s o f happ y ,
heal th y h i g h achievers .
Re me mb e r , a belie f i s n o m o r e tha n a p ers pec tiv e —

a w i n d o w t h r o u g h wh i c h w e vie w th e world . W h e n
yo u
96
c h o o s e t o vie w th e worl d t h r o u g h th e w i n d o w o f thes

e positiv e pe rsp e c t iv e s , y o u c re a t e a m o r e r e s o u rc e f u l
poin t o f vie w an d ca n begi n experiencin g
breakthrough s i n y o u r li f e immediately . D on ' t worr y
a b o u t w h e t h e r o r n o t y o u actually t h i n k t h e s e t h i n g s a r e
t r u e — - j u s t v i v i d l y i m a g • i n e n o w w h a t y o u r li f e w o u l d b e
lik e i f y o u k n e w t h a t . . .
1. You Are the Expert on

You
T h e r e i s a n o l d Suf i stor y a b o u t a m a n w h o wa s l o o k i n
g fo r hi s ke y s outsid e hi s hom e unde r th e brigh t
s t r e e t - l a m p s t h a t li t h i s r o a d . M a n y o f h i s n e i g h b o r s
j o i n e d h i m i n hi s s ea r c h , un ti l o n e f in a l l y aske d , " W h e r e
d i d y o u los e y o u r keys? " T h e m a n re pl i e d , "Insid e m y
house. "
A m a z e d , th e n e i g h b o r asked , " T h e n wh y ar e y o u look •
in g ou t here? "
The man replied , "Becaus e there' s m o r e ligh t ou
t here. "
T h e s i m p l e fac t i s th a t n o b o d y k no w s y o u be t t e r t h a
n y o u k n o w yourself . E v e n i f y o u ha v e s p e n t y o u r e n ti r e
l if e s e a r c h i n g f o r a n s w e r s o ut si d e yourself , onc e yo u
star t l o o k i n g w ith i n , th e p e r f e c t answer s t o l i fe ' s
q u e s t i o n s wil l p o p o u t m o r e a n d m o r e .
2. You Are Not Broken; You Do Not Need to Be

"Fixed"
I n th e n i n e t e e n t h century , th e c o n c e p t o f p e o p l e b e i n
g "broken " grabbe d hol d o f th e nascen t psychiatri c
c o m • mun it y a n d b e c a m e th e standar d fo r m o r e tha n
a hun • dre d years . Geniuse s suc h as Richar d
Bandle r an d
97
PAU L McKENN A
m o d e r n psychologist s le d b y s u c h innova to r s a s Ma rt i
n Seligma n an d Mihal y Csikszentmihaly i se e thing s
dif fe r - e n d y . T h e e m e r g i n g f i e l d o f p o s i t i v e p s y c h o l o g y
is buil t o n t h e p r e m i s e th a t i f w e w a n t t o replica t e
m e n t a l h e a l t h , w e n e e d t o st ud y p e o p l e w h o a r e healthy
, n o t t h o s e t h a t a r e s i ck .
I'v e l e a r n e d i n m y year s o f w o r k i n g wit h p e o p l e i n
a l l w a l k s o f li f e t h a t e v e r y o n e d o e s w h a t t h e y d o f o r a
ver y g o o d reason , eve n t h o u g h th e reaso n ma y s e e m
i na p p r o • priat e t o th e outsi d e world . A n y dysfunction a l
b e h a v i o r h a s a positiv e i n t e n t o r o n c e se r v e d a p u r p o s
e th a t ha s sinc e b e e n o u t g r o w n .
Fo r example , i f someon e h a s a f e a r o f fly in g , it
m i g h t b e fo r an y n u m b e r o f reasons , b u t i f w e assum e th e
p h o b i a h a s a p o s i t i v e i n t e n t , w e k n o w i t wil l p r o b a b l y
c o m e d o w n t o t h e d e s i r e t o b e sa f e . A s y o u r u n c o n s c i o u
s m i n d f i n d s n e w wa y s o f k e e p i n g y o u s af e w i t h o u t t h
e unnecessar y phobi c response , th e phobi a it s e l f
b e c o m e s unnecessary .
Thi s i s wh y usin g m o d e r n psychologica l techniques
, w e c a n n o w cu r e lifetim e ph o bia s i n a ma tt e r o f
minutes .
3. You Already Have All the Resources You

Need to Succeed
A r e y o u c o n f i de n t a b o u t tyin g y o u r sh o e l a c e s o r s h o p
• pin g fo r groceries ? The n yo u alread y hav e th e
reso urc e o f co n f id e n c e withi n you . T h er ef o r e , y o u ca n
fee l confi • d e n t a b o u t s p e a k i n g i n public , approachin
g a p e r s o n y o u fee l attracte d to , o r an ythi n g els e y o u
desire .
H a v e y o u ev e r fel t lo v e i n y o u r he a r t , fo r a p a r e n t ,
98
child , o r a pet ? T h e n y o u c a n b e m o r e lovin g wit h yo u

r p a r t n e r , y o u r fa m il y , o r e v e n y o u r s e l f .
T h e onl y differenc e betw e e n y o u a n d s o m e o n e w h o i
s al read y livin g thei r ge ni u s i s le ar n i n g h o w t o acces s
y o u r r eso u rc e s a t th e a p p ro p ri a t e times . Th i s b o o k h el p
s y o u t o d o that !
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 m a n at e a n airp lan e o v e r a p e r i o d o f

a f e w m o n t h s b y b r e a k i n g i t d o w n i n t o tin y p i e c e s . W h i l
e I certainl y d o n ' t r e c o m m e n d a t tem pt in g t o replicat e
h i s f e a t , t h e f a c t i s t h a t a n y s ki l l c a n b e l e a r n e d a n d a n y
prob • l e m solve d i f i t i s b r o k e n d o w n int o smal l e n o u g h
pieces .
W h e n y o u t r a i n y o u r b r a i n t o l o o k a t h u g e t as k s i
n t erm s o f s im pl e , ac h i e va b l e steps , th e hug e task s
becom e muc h mor e possible . We naturall y do thi s
already . Fo r example , whe n yo u wan t t o re me mb e r a
p h o n e number , y o u brea k i t int o smalle r chunks ; i f y o
u w a n t t o b u y a n e x pe n s i v e it e m , lik e a ca r o r a h o u s e
, y o u p a y i n small , m a n a g e a b l e i n st al lm en ts .
M y p o i n t i s th i 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!
99
PAU L McKENN A
5. If What You Are Doing Isn't

Working, Do Something Else
I n hi s bestsellin g busines s boo k Who Moved M y

Cheese?, a u t h o r Spence r Johnso n point s ou t th e
d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n h u m a n s a n d r a ts . I f rat s d i s c o v e r
wha t t h e y ' r e d o i n g isn' t w o r k i n g , the y d o somethin g
else ; i f h u m a n s discove r wha t they'r e doin g isn' t
worki ng , the y l oo k fo r s o m e o n e t o bl am e !
I o f t e n h e a r p e o p l e w h o a r e s t u c k say, " B u t I ' v e alway
s d o n e i t lik e that " o r "I' m j u s t n o t tha t k i n d o f pe r son. "
T h e t r u t h is, w h a t f e e l s n o r m a l t o u s i s m o r e a p r o d u c t
o f o u r p r o g r a m m i n g tha n o f o u r potential . I f y o u wan t t
o b e g i n p r o d u c i n g d i f f e r e n t re s ul t s i n y o u r lif e , y o u ' l l n e e
d t o ste p outsid e yo u r c om fo r t z o n e a n d d o s o m e t h i n g
different .
6. There Is No Such Thing as Failure, Only

Feedback
W h e n hav e y o u failed ? W h e n y o u d e c i d
e t o sto p learning . Unti l then , ever y
Wouldyou like me to
respons e y o u g e t i s valuabl e informati o n
give you a formula
for success ? It's quite t h a t c a n b e u s e d t o tel l y o u w h e t h e r y o u
simple, really. Double r action s ar e takin g y o u close r t o o r
your rate of failure. far • t h e r a w a y f r o m w h a t y o u w a n t . I n
—Thomas J. Watson, t h e s a m e way , w h e n a n a i r p l a n e fl ie s t

founder of IBM o it s d e s t i n a t i o n , it' s o f f c o u r s e 9 0
p e r c e n t o f th e tim e , constantl y adjustin
g it s f l i g h t
pat h t o k e e p o n course .
I n fa c t , s u c c e s s f u l p e o p l e recogniz e th a t succes s i
s w h a t h a p p e n s w h e n y o u ' r e d o n e failing . I n m y
experi -
100
Change Youf~Life in Seven Days _
ence , th e pe op l e who'v e m a d e i t hav

e
on e thin g i n c o m m o n — t h e y ' v e mad e ^ âve learnt more
mor e mistake s tha n th e peopl e w h o fro m m y failures
haven't . Ever y mistak e or failur e is a t
^
lan m
y s u c c e s s e s
-
l e a r n i n g o p p o r t u n i t y i n disguise . —Richard Branson
Failur e is a requisit e par t o f th e

learnin g process , n o t th e e n d o f th e learnin g process . I
n fa c t , 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 a c t i c s , a n d p l a n s
f a il . W h a t d o y o u d o i f y o u r s t r a t e g y , t a c t i c , o r pla n
fail s t o produc e th e desire d re s ul t ? Chan g e you r
s t r a te g y , t a c t i c , o r p l a n u n t i l y o u f i n d o n e t h a t s u c c e e d s !
Fea r o f failur e i s a p ot e n t demotivator , b u t i t lose s
it s p o w e r o v e r u s if we l e s s e n it s emotiona l charge .
T h i s w e e k , c h o o s e a n a r e a o f y o u r li f e w h e r e y o u ' r e
h a v i n g dif • f i c u l t y a n d g i v e y o u r s e l f p e r m i s s i o n t o fa i l
at leas t te n times . Yo u'l l hav e t o defin e failur e fo r
yourself—i f you'r e
in sales , thi s migh t mea n collectin g at leas t te n
rejec • tion s ; i f y o u ' r e a writer , gi v e y o u r s e l f p e r m i s s i o n t
o w r it e a t l eas t t e n l o u s y p a g e s .
Succes s i s of te n m a d e sweete r w h e n i t take s a litd e
e f f o r t t o a r r i v e at . O n c e y o u r e a l i z e t h a t f a i l u r e i s n o t a n
e n d b u t ra th e r a n occasional l y frustratin g stepping- ston e , i
t l o s e s it s n e g a t i v e charg e a n d b e c o m e s a n essentia l
companio n on
y o u r j o u r n e y t o ha ppin es s , success , a n d well-being
.
7. You Are Creating Your Future

Now
W h e n I a m w o r ki n g wit h a privat e clie n t o n hi s o r h e

r g o a l , I w i l l o f t e n as k , " I f y o u c a r r y o n a s y o u a r e , w i l l
y o u a c hi e v e it? "
101
PAU L McKENN A
T o m y a m a z e m e n t , t h e y a l wa y s k n o w t h e a n s w e r , a n
d m o r e ofte n t h a n n o t tha t answe r i s n o .
O n e o f t h e m o s t s i g n i f i c a n t d i f f e r e n c e s I' v e notice
d betwee n th e peopl e wh o succee d an d th e one s
w h o struggl e i s wh e t h e r the y l o o k in t o th e pas t o r th e
presen t t o creat e thei r future . I f y o u continuall y l oo k t o
t h e pa s t , y o u wil l alway s f e e l t h a t h i s t o r y i s d o o m e d t o
r e p e a t itself ; i f y o u l o o k t o t h e p r e s e n t , y o u wil l al wa y s
fin d ther e i s s o m e n e w c ho i c e yo u c a n m a k e t o e n h a n c e
y o u r p o ss ib il it i e s .
N o m a tt e r h o w m u c h y o u ' v e s t r u g g l e d i n t h e past
, ever y m o m e n t o f ever y da y provide s y o u wit h a n
o p p o r t u • nit y t o m a k e n e w c h o i c e s a n d c rea t e n e w
results .
The Ne w Belief Generator
I'd like to finish toda y with a simpl e exercis e for you r

imag • ination tha t will enab l e yo u to train you r
unconscio u s mind t o opera t e ou t o f a ne w perspectiv e
mor e easily.
Ch oo s e on e o f th e seve n beliefs yo u hav e just

read abo u t tha t yo u believ e will mak e a real differenc e
in th e wa y yo u live you r life. . . .
1. Sto p for a mome n t an d imagin e tha t in front of yo u

is "anothe r y o u" — A "you " tha t alread y hold s tha t belief
yo u woul d like t o mak e you r own . Mayb e yo u believ e
tha t yo u are confident , motivated , d eser v e love, an d
are full of happy, vibrant energy .
102
2. Now, imagin e wh a t alread y havin g tha t belief

enable s tha t othe r yo u to achieve . I s tha t othe r yo u
motivated ? Confident ? Stron g ? Successful ?
3 . Imagine tha t othe r yo u demonstratin g tho s e

thing s effortlessly. How d o the y behave ? How d o the y
talk t o themselve s ? Wha t kind o f voic e ton e d o the y use
? How d o the y carr y themselve s ? How d o the y move ?
4. If it isn't quit e ho w yo u wan t it, mak e th e

adjustment s tha t mak e yo u feel better. Allo w you r
intuition t o b e you r guide .
5 . Whe n you'r e satisfied with th e othe r you , ste p

into them . Take th e ne w perspectiv e an d behavior s into
you .
6. No w think of a situation tha t yo u woul d like to vie

w from you r ne w perspective . Think throug h wha t it's
like to hav e tha t ne w perspecti v e an d wha t it will hel
p yo u to achieve . How are thing s goin g t o b e s o muc h
bette r now ?
7. For th e next fe w weeks , ac t as if your ne w belief is

true. Even if it feel s like you'r e making it up, this will teac h
you r brain to run th e new softwar e of this positive
perspective .
W h e n y o u h arnes s t h e p o w e r o f a positiv e p e r s pe c ti v
e i n y o u r o w n l if e , y o u g e t t o m a k e e v e r y d a y a g r e a t
one !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
PS. In just twenty-four hours, we will move forward into the

heart of our seven-day adventure—the secret of making your
dreams come true. . . .
103
DAY
4
DREA M SETTIN G
Discover what you truly want and
make your dreams come true
PAU L MCKENN A
Befor e yo u begi n today

:
• Listen to th e hypnoti c tranc

e
• Take a fe w minute s t o g o throug h th e
"Reprogrammi n g
Your Self-Image " exercis e o n p a g e 3 5 .
• Us e th e powe r o f perspecti v e b y askin g yoursel f
th e powe r question s from da y three :
1. Who or what in your life

makes you feel happiest?
in answerin g th e question , yo u will inevitably begi n to
feel happier. No w let's amplify tha t feeling —m a k e th e
image s bigger , brighter, and bolder, th e soun d s louder,
an d th e feeling s stronger. Notic e wher e thos e feeling s
are stronges t and giv e the m a color. Now, mov e tha t colo r
and feeling up t o th e to p o f you r hea d an d d ow n t o th
e tip o f you r to e s until it fills you r whol e body . . . .

makes you feel most loved?
On c e agai n let's amplify tha t feeling —m a k e th e
image s bigger , brighter, an d bolder, th e sound s louder,
an d th e feeling s stronger. Notic e wher e thos e feelings are
stronges t an d giv e the m a color. Now, mov e tha t colo r an
d feeling up t o th e to p o f you r hea d an d dow n t o th e
tip o f you r toe s until it fills you r whol e body . . . .
106

makes you feel richest?
Amplify that feeling of richness—mak e th e image s
bigger, brighter, and bolder, th e sound s louder, and th e
feelings stronger. Notic e wher e thos e feelings are stronges t
and giv e the m a color. Now, mov e that color and feeling up
to th e to p of you r hea d and dow n to th e tip of you r toe s
until it fills your whol e body. . . .
4. Who or what in your life makes

you feel most passionate?
Again , amplify th e feeling s b y makin g th e image s
bigger , brighter, and bolder, th e sound s louder, an d th e
feeling s stronger . Notic e wher e tho s e feeling s are
stronge s t an d giv e the m a color. Now, mo v e tha t colo r
and feelin g u p t o th e to p o f you r hea d an d dow n t o th e
tip o f you r to e s until it fills you r whol e body . . . .
5. Who or what in your life makes

you feel most empowered?
You ca n amplify thes e feeling s o f powe r b y makin g
th e imag e s bigger , brighter, an d bolder, th e soun d s
louder, an d th e feeling s stronger. Notic e wher e thos e
feeling s are stronge s t an d giv e the m a color. Now, mo v e
tha t colo r an d feelin g u p t o th e to p o f you r hea d an d
dow n t o th e tip o f
you r to e s until it fills you r whol e body . . .
.
107
PAU L McKENN A
6. Create an anchor for this super state!

While yo u feel this g oo d , think ab ou t th e rest o f th e
da y ahead , feeling an d imagining thing s goin g perfectly,
goin g th e wa y yo u wan t the m t o go . S e e wha t you'll
see , hear wha t you'll hear, an d feel how g o o d i t feels .
A s yo u g o throug h th e ritual of building this supe r stat e
eac h day, it has a powerful cumulativ e effect . You will
soo n begi n to experienc e life in a completel y different
way. Instead of manipulatin g th e world t o mak e yo u
feel go o d , yo u ca n begi n ea c h da y feelin g th e w a y yo u
wan t t o 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
PAU L McKENN A
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
TH E G O A L O F S E T T I N G G O A L
S
I' m sur e you'v e h ea r d a bo u t th e impor

•
t a n c e o f g o a l s b e f o r e , s o a t firs t g l a n c e , The purpose o f life
is
som e o f wha t I' m goin g to shar e wit h a uf e 0 f
purpose.
y o u t o d a y m a y s e e m f a m i li a r . Y o u m a y Robert
Byrne
ha v e e v e n se t goal s i n th e pa s t a n d g o
t al l e x c i t e d a b o u t a ch i e v i n g t h e m , o n l
y
t o fin d tha t yo u r motivatio n w a n e d w h e n wh a t y o u h a
d se t i n m o t i o n d i d n ' t c o m e t o pass . O r p e r h a p s y o u
g o t wha t y o u t h o ug h t y o u wanted , onl y t o discove r i t
w a s n ' t , a n d y o u w e r e l e f t t o r e f l e c t , "I s th i s a l l t h e r e is ? "
B u t d o n ' t b e f o o l e d o r t e m p t e d t o ski p a h e a d — t o d a
y
i s g o i n g t o b e different . T h e cr uci a l dif fe re n c e i s tha t
thi s t i m e w e ' r e goin g t o p u t goal s i n thei r p r o p e r
p l a c e — a s s e r v a n t s o f a b e t t e r l if e .
T od a y y o u ' r e g o i n g t o l e a r n a w h o l e n e w wa y o f think
• i n g a b o u t w h a t i t i s y o u w a n t i n life . G o a l s a r e ac tua l l y
t h e least i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h e three-ste p proces s y o u
wi l l l ear n . Usin g th e amazin g technique s in today' s
l e s s o n , I ' m g o i n g t o h e l p y o u t a k e c o n t r o l o f y o u r li f e
a n d stee r i t i n th e directio n y o u want .
B y t h e ti m e y o u ' r e f in is h e d today , y o u ' l l n o t o n l y b

e cleare r tha n eve r a b o u t wh a t i t i s tha t y o u want ,
yo u'l l als o hav e begu n to progra m you r goal s an d
dr e a m s directl y int o you r unconsciou s mind . Thi s
wi l l m a k e t h e m easie r t o achiev e tha n eve r befo r e !
Ill
PAU L McKENN A
T H R E E S T E P S T O A W O N D E R F U L LIF
E
T h e r e ar e essential l y o n l y t h r e e t h in g s y o u n e e d t o h av
e a w o n d e r f u l li f e :
1 . A clea r directio n (you r d r e a m )
2 . A well-al igne d co m p a s s (you r values )
3 . M i l e s t o n e s y o u c a n v is i t a l o n g t h e w a y t o y o u r ul ti •
ma t e destin a tio n (you r goals )
F o r o u r p u r p o s e s , w e c a n t h i n k a b o u t i t lik e this :
When you pursue your goals guided

by your values in the context of
All men dream, but
your dreams, miracles happen!
not all equally. Those
who dream by night,
in the dusty recesses
of their minds, wake D R E A M E R S O F TH E DA Y
to find it was all
vanity. But the W e al l h a v e d r e a m s — d e e p l y f el t desire
dreamers of the day s fo r a different , bette r lif e . Tak e
are dangerous, for a momen t no w jus t to fantasize , to
they may act their le t you r min d wander—literall y to
dreams with open day • d r e a m .
eyes, and make Answe r th e followin g question :
things happen.
—T. E. Lawrence What would you do if you knew
you couldn't fail?
112
I f y o u paus e d a n d co n side re d th e questio n fo r eve n

a moment , you'v e jus t don e wha t al l trul y
successf u l p e o p l e t h r o u g h o u t histor y ha v e d o n e — u s e d
a p u r p o s e • f u l s ta t e o f d a y d r e a m i n g t o a c c e s s t h e c r e a t i v
e realm .
N i k o l a Tesla , th e i nv e n to r o f a l te rn a ti n g c u r r e n t ( A C )
an d holde r o f 11 1 oth e r U.S . patents , coul d desig n
a machin e perfectl y in hi s min d an d operat e it
m e n t a l l y f o r y e a r s b e f o r e e v e r c r e a t i n g it s c o u n t e r p a r t i n
th e phys • ica l w o r ld . Ein st e i n i m a g i n e d r idi n g t h r o u g h
spac e o n a b e a m o f ligh t t o develo p hi s theor y o f
r el at iv it y ; Mozar t he ar d whol e symphonie s alread y
complete d i n hi s cre • ativ e mind . Michelangelo ,
Goethe , a n d Wal t Disne y al l e n t e r e d th e creativ e
daydrea m or reveri e dail y as a s our c e o f idea s a n d
inspiration .
W h a t al l t he s e i n no v a t o r s w e r e d o i n g wa s a f o r m o
f v i s u a l i z a t i o n , s e l f - h y p n o s i s , or , a s it' s k n o w n i n t h e
c o r p o • rat e w o rl d , strategi c p l a n n i n g , w h i c h I wil l b e
s h a r i n g w i t h y o u l a t e r i n th i s c h a p t e r . A l l o f u s n e e d t o
e n g a g e i n th i s c r e a t i v e acti vit y . I n f a c t , t h e m o r e t i m e
y o u s p e n d i n creativ e d r e a m i n g , t h e m o r e successfu l y o
u wil l b e c o m e .
W h y i s th i s s t a t e o f c r e a t i v e r e v e r i e s o i m p o r t a n t ?
Because for anything to happen in the real

world it first has to happen in the imaginary
world.
Sto p readin g an d loo k aroun d you—almos t every

• thin g yo u ca n se e starte d a s a though t i n
s o m e o n e ' s h e a d . I n o r d e r f o r y o u t o i m p r o v e y o u r lif e ,
yourself , o r t h e w o r l d , y o u f i r s t n e e d t o al l o w y o u r s e l f t o
dream .
113
PAU L McKENN A
D I S C O V E R I N G Y O U R BIG D R E A M
Vikto r Frankl , a famo u s psychologist ,

Success, like w a s im pr is on e d b y th e Nazi s i n a con -
happiness, cannot b e c e n t r a t i o n c a m p d u r i n g W o r l d W a r II .
pursued; i t must Ra the r tha n se e himsel f a s a victi m o
f ensue . . . a s the even , suc h exceptiona l circumstances
, unattained side n e de ride d instea d t o m a k e a persona l
effect of ones stud y o f wh a t we r e th e psychologica
l personal dedication d i f f e r e n c e s b e t w e e n t h e o n e i n t we nt y
- t o a couise greater e ig h t prisone r s w h o survive d th e e x t r e m e
than oneself d e p r i v a t i o n a n d th e vas t m ajorit y w h o
—Viktor Frankl ^ J ^ J n o j-
H e o bs erv e d tha t thos e w h o m a d e i

t throug h wer e n o t n e c e s s a r i l y t h e f it te s t , healthiest ,
o r m o s t intelligent , b u t r at h e r thos e w h o h a d a p ur p o s e
t o li v e f o r — a drea m o f sufficie n t size , scope , an d
m e a n i n g tha t the y h a d a b u r n i n g desir e t o o verc om e an y
obstacle . D r e a m s we r e wh a t ke p t t h e m go i n g .
W h e n th e m i n d ha s a target , i t c a n focu s a n d direc
t i t s e l f u n t i l i t r e a c h e s it s g o a l . I f y o u h a v e n o t a r g e t ,
t h e n y o u r e n e r g y i s dissipated . Ye t w h a t y o u achie v e i n
y o u r pursu i t o f succes s i s of te n n o t a s i m p o r t a n t a s w h
o y o u b e c o m e i n th e process . Here' s th e grea t secre t
o f ou r dreams :
When you're working on a truly worthwhile

dream, the dream is also working on you.
114
I n t h e 1960 s U .S . p r e s i d e n t J o h n F
When asked about
. K e n n e d y talke d o f puttin g a m a n o
the most positive
n th e m o o n . H e tol d American s :
things that came
about as a result of
W e choo s e t o g o t o th e m o o n i n
America's involve•
thi s d e c a d e a n d d o t h e o t h e r t h i n g s ,
ment in the space
no t becaus e the y ar e easy, bu t
race, most scientists
becaus e the y ar e hard—becaus e
agree that it was
th a t g o a l wil l s e r v e t o o r g a n i z e a n
neither the ad•
d measur e th e bes t o f o u r energie s
vances in engineer•
a n d skills . B e c a u s e t h a t c h a l l e n g e i
ing or rocket design
s o n e t h a t w e a r e wi ll i n g t o a c c e p t ,
nor even the dis•
o n e w e ar e unwillin g to postpone
coveries about the
, an d o n e w hi c h w e i nt e n d t o win
geological forma•
.
tions on the moon.
It was rather the

Jus t a s g o i n g t o co ll e g e isn' t a b o u
discovery of a cure
t get ti n g a pie c e o f paper , d r e a m settin
for smallpox, which
gis no t jus t abou t gettin g wha t
came about as a
yo u
result of research
want — it ' s abou t b e c o m i n g m o r e tha
into how to keep
n y o u eve r th oug h t y o u cou l d be .
the astronauts safe
I do believ e tha t havin g goal s i
from any diseases
s essential , becaus e the y giv e y o u a
they might en•
direc • tio n in l if e . Y o u w o u l d n ' t se t
counter in space.
ou t in a boa t withou t a r u d d e r — y o u
c o u l d e n d u p a n y w h e r e . W e al l k n o w
thos e p e op l e w h o leav e everythin g t o
chance , gettin g
t o s s e d a r o u n d b y l if e ' s r a n d o m e v e n t s .
I als o beli ev e th a t k n o w i n g w h a t y o u r val u e s ar e i

s excellent , becaus e happines s come s fro m livin g
you r
115
PAU L McKENN A
value s ever y singl e day , regardles s o f h o w clos e or

fa r awa y y o u r goal s m a y s e e m t o b e .
B u t j u s t a s V i k t o r F r a n k l f o u n d t h a t p e o p l e c a n su r
• viv e a lm o s t a n yt hi n g i f t he y h av e a p u r p o s e , al l t h e
trul y g r e a t achiever s in histor y ha d t hi s additiona l
facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e purpose , o r drea m . A n
d k n o w i n g h o w y o u r goal s a n d val ue s refl ec t t ha t d r e a m
i s t h e k e y t o b o t h s u c c e s s and f u l f i l l m e n t .
WHA T I F I DON' T KN O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t l es s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing cent of us writ e dow n ou r goals .
W e more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r d es t i n y ,
p r e - with a deadline. ferrin g t o stumbl e t h r o u g h life ,
leav e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c ha n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
e f e e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
s p e n d m o r e t i m e m a k i n g a lis t f o r t h e s u p e r m a r k e t t h a
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • k e tb a l l coac h in colleg e history , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fa i l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f ai l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u wan t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k ab o u t h o w i t m i g h t c o m e about , the n focu s you
r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o ur s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o re aliz e tha t i f I c ar r i e d o n wi t h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t ua l pa tt e r n s o f thinki n g a n d acting ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y mor e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or f in a n c i a l l y . I' d jus t
be fi v e y e a r s older , a l itt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o day .
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I' l l b e s h a r i n
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualizatio n s lik e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s ch a p t e r .
Th e r es ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g t hi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o f e e l b e t te r . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
enerey . Opportunitie s floode d my in ,
& / rr
' The talent i s i n the
f in a n c e s t o o k a sign if ican t u p t u r n , a n d I
choices.
b e c a m e ver y wel l known . I bega n t
o
' ° —Robert De Niro
attrac t t h e k i n d o f p e o p l e a r o u n d m
e t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d a lwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s fi n a l l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l life .
B a s e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e t h e n
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e mys e l f
a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e liv e s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
value s ever y singl e day , regardles s o f ho w clos e or

B u t j u s t a s V i k t o r F r a n k l f o u n d t h a t p e o p l e c a n sur
• viv e a l m o s t a n y t h i n g i f t h e y h a v e a p u r p o s e , al l t h e
facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e pu rpo s e , o r d r ea m . A n
d k n o w i n g h o w y o u r goal s a n d value s reflec t tha t d r e a m
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t le s s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s writ e down ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s t i n y , p r e
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h lif e , l e a v
e
e fe e l s o b a d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wil l
n t h e y wil l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
l bas • ke tbal l coac h in colleg e history , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
s o m e t h i n g y o u wan t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k ab o u t ho w i t mig h t com e about , the n focu s
y o u r m i n d u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 98 0 s I s a t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g th e pr e se n t co ur s e I' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carr ie d o n wit h
m y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d a ct in g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financiall y . I' d jus
t be fi v e y e a r s o l d e r , a l i t d e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I 'l l b e s h a r i n
g w i t h y o u t od a y . I d i d v i s u a l i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f th i s c h a p t e r .
T h e r es u l t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g th i s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
b e g a n t o fee l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
energy . Opportunitie s floode d in , my
The latent is in the
finance s to o k a significan t u p t u r n , a n d
choices.
I becam e ver y wel l known . I bega n
—Robert lie Mm
t o attrac t t h e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d tim e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alway s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f in al l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l l if e .
B as e d o n tha t e x pe r ie n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e
then , her e is th e seven-st e p syste m I u s e to guid e
mysel f a n d tho usan d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d
t r a i n i n g s t o li v e
t h e live s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A
value s ever y singl e da y , regardles s o f h o w clos e or

fa r awa y y o u r goal s ma y s e e m t o b e .
• viv e a lm o s t a n yt hi n g i f t he y h av e a p u r p o s e , al l t h e
trul y g re a t achiever s in histor y ha d thi s additiona l
facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e p u rp o s e , o r d r e a m . A n
WHA T I F I DON' T K N O
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t l es s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing cen t o f u s writ e dow n ou r goals .
W e more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s ti n y ,
p r e - with a deadline. ferrin g t o stumbl e t h r o u g h life ,
leav e
wi l l
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
l bas • k e tb a l l coac h i n colleg e h is to r y , wa s fon d o f
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fa i l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f ai l . "
I n essence , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o thin k o f
s o m e t h i n g y o u wan t , i m ag i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k abou t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s
116
B a c k i n t h e l at e 1980 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d myself ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g t h e p r e s e n t c o u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carrie d o n wi t h m
y day-to-da y h a bi t u a l p a t t e r n s o f thinkin g a n d acting ,
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionall y , or financially . I' d jus
t be fiv e y e a r s o l d e r , a l itt l e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
stil l l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o da y .
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualizatio n s li k e t h e o n e s a t
t h e e n d o f thi s cha pt e r .
T h e re s ul t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k no w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
The talent is in the
finance s too k a significan t u p tu r n , a n d
choices.
—Robert De Mm
t o attrac t t h e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
t h a t I a lwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f i na l l y l i v i n g
B a se d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e t he n
, h e r e i s t h e seven-st e p syste m I u s e t o g u i d e m y s e l f
a n d tho usa n d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e l ive s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A

facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e pu rpo s e , o r d r ea m . A n
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
S t u d i e s h a v e s h o w n t h a t les s t h a n 3 p e r
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s writ e down ou r goals . We
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h l if e , l e a v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r wh y w
wil l
n t h e y wil l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
the y wan t i n l if e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , th e mos t
s u c c e s s f u l b a s • k e t b a l l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e h is to r y , w a s f o n
d o f s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
I n e s s e n c e , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
g y o u w a n t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e l i k e t o h a v e it ,
c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s you r min d
u p o n y o u r d r e a m regularly .
116
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I ca r r i e d o n wit h
m y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d ac t i n g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t real l y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r financially . I' d ju s t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a l itt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
t h e e n d o f thi s c h a p t e r .
Th e r es ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e on e o f th e
b e g a n t o fe e l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
finance s to o k a significan t up t ur n , a n d
choices.
—Robert DeNiro
t o attrac t th e kin d o f peopl e aroun d
me
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . No t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f i n al l y l i v i n g
Base d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
o li v e
.
117
PAU L McKENN A

trul y g r e a t achiever s in histor y ha d thi s additiona l
facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e purpose , o r dr ea m . A n
d k n o w i n g h o w y o u r go a l s a n d v al ue s refl ec t t ha t d r e a m
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
- A goal i s nothing cent of us writ e dow n ou r goals .
W e more than a dream don\ b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r d e s t i n y ,
p r e - with a deadline. ferrin g t o stumbl e throug h li f e ,
leav e
wi l l
n t h e y wil l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
l bas • ketba l l coac h in colleg e h is to r y , wa s fon d of
c h e c k t o s e e i f it' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
116
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o reali z e tha t i f I car r i e d o n wi t h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d acting ,
fi v e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financiall y . I' d ju s
t b e f i v e y e a r s o l d e r , a li tt l e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
S o I t o o k m y s e l f t h r o u g h t h e p r o c e s s I'l l b e s h a r i n
t h e e n d o f thi s c ha p t e r .
Th e r e s ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , an d ar e on e o f th e
b e g a n t o fe e l better . I s u d d e n l y f o u n d I h a d m o r e
f in a nc e s t o o k a significan t up t u r n , a n d
choices.
—Robert De Mm
me
t h a t I alway s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h
,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d a lwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . No t
onl y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g true , b u t I wa s finall y livin g
a w o n • d e r f u l l ife .
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
a n d th o usa n d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
t h e li ve s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A

facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e p u r p o s e , o r d r e a m . A n
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
- A goal is nothing c e n t Q f u s w r j t e dow n ou r goals . We
more than a dream d o n ' t b o t h e r t o d e s i g n o u r de s ti n y , p r e
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r w h y w
wil l
n t h e y w i l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
t h e y w a n t i n lif e . Y e t a s J o h n W o o d e n , t h e m o s t s u c c e s s f u
l bas • k e tb a l l coac h in colleg e history , wa s f o n d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o fa i l . "
c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it , t h i n k a b o u
116
B a c k i n t h e l a t e 1 9 8 0 s I sa t d o w n a n d a s k e d m y s e l f ,
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g th e p r e s e n t co u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carrie d o n wit h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f think in g a n d acting ,
fiv e year s fro m no w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financially . I' d j u s
t be fiv e y e a r s o l d e r , a lit t i e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
g w i t h y o u t o da y . I d i d v i s u a l i z a t i o n s l i k e t h e o n e s a t
T h e r es u l t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
re a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g th i s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
f in anc e s t o o k a s i g n i f i c a n t u p t u r n , a n d
choices.
—Robert De Niro
me
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f i n a l l y li v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l lif e .
B as e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s t h e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
o li v e
t h e li ve s o f o u r d r e a m s
.
117
PAU L McKENN A

facto r i n
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e dow n ou r goals . We
e
wi l l
n t h e y w i l l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
l bas • ke tbal l coac h in colleg e h is to r y , wa s f on d of
s o m e t h i n g y o u w an t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f i t' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k a bo u t h o w i t mig h t com e about , the n focu s
116
wi l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wil l I b e fi v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carri e d o n wit h m
y day-to-da y h a bi t u a l p a t t e r n s o f thinki n g a n d actin g ,
fiv e y e a r s fro m no w I wouldn' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r f i n a n c i a ll y . I' d jus t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a li tt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
g w i t h y o u today . I d i d visu alizatio n s li k e t h e o n e s a t
T h e re s ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
67 rr ;
7 h e talent i s i n the
f in an c e s t o o k a significan t u p t u r n , a n d I .
choices.
b e c a m e ver y wel l k now n . I b e g a n t
o
' ° —Robert De Niro
attrac t t h e k i n d o f p e o p l e a r o u n d m
e
t h a t I alwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d a lwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s fina l l y l i v i n g
Ba se d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e th e n
a n d thousand s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o li v e
.
117
PAU L McKENN A

B u t j u s t a s V i k t o r F r a n k l f o u n d th a t p e o p l e c a n sur
facto r i n
d k n o w i n g h o w yo u r goal s a n d value s reflec t tha t d r e a m
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r ite dow n ou r goals . We
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h life , lea v
e
—JoeL. Griffith thing s t o c h a n c e , a n d w o n d e r w h y w
wil l
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
l bas • ke tba l l coac h in colleg e history , wa s fon d of
s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o fa i l . "
116
wil l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wil l I b e f iv e year s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carrie d o n wit h
m y day-to-da y h a b i t u a l p at te r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d ac ti n g ,
fiv e year s fro m no w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , or financially . I' d ju s
t b e f i v e y e a r s o l d e r , a lit t l e b i t m o r e p a r a n o i d , a n d
T h e r es ul t s w e r e astounding , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
rea • son s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k now . I i m m e d i a t e l y
The latent is in the
f in an c e s t o o k a s i g n i f i c a n t u p t u r n , a n d
choices.
—Robert De Niro
me
t h a t I al wa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e
with ,
on l y we r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g tr ue , b u t I wa s finall y livin g
B as e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e then
, h e r e i s th e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
o li v e
.
117
PAU L McKENN A

facto r i n
d k n o w i n g h o w y o u r goa l s a n d value s reflec t tha t d r e a m
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e down ou r goals . We
e
wi l l
n t h e y wi l l m a k i n g a li s t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
the y wan t i n lif e . Y e t a s Joh n Wooden , th e mos t
s u c c e s s f u l b a s • k e t b a l l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e h is to r y , w a s f o n
d o f s a y i n g , " I f y o u fai l t o p l a n , p l a n t o f a i l . "
s o m e t h i n g y o u w an t , i m a g i n e w h a t i t w o u l d b e lik e t o
h a v e it , c h e c k t o s e e i f it ' s o k a y f o r y o u t o h a v e it ,
thin k ab o u t ho w i t migh t com e about , the n focu s
116
w i l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e wi l l I b e fiv e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o realiz e tha t i f I carr ie d o n wit h m
y day-to-da y h a b i t ua l p a t t e r n s o f thinki n g an d actin g ,
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r financially . I' d jus t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a l itt l e bi t m o r e paranoid , an d
T h e r e s ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , a n d ar e o n e o f th e
r e a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g thi s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
finance s to o k a significan t up t ur n , a n d
choices.
—Robert DeNiro
me
t h a t I a lwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h
,
a n d d o t h e t h i n g s I ' d alwa y s d r e a m e d o f d o i n g . N o t
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s fin al l y l i v i n g
B a s e d o n tha t e x p e r i e n c e a n d m a n y m o r e sinc e t h e n
, h e r e i s th e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e myse l f
o li v e
.
117
PAU L MCKENN A

fa r awa y y o u r goal s ma y s e e m t o b e .
B u t j u s t a s V i k t o r F r a n k l f o u n d t h a t p e o p l e c a n s ur
facto r i n
c o m m o n — t h e y h a d a definit e p u rp o s e , o r d r e a m . A n
W WHA T T O DREAM ?
- A goal i s nothing c e n t Q f u s w r i t e down ou r goals . We
- with a deadline. f e r r i n g t o s t u m b l e t h r o u g h life , lea v
e
e fe e l s o ba d . I n fact , m o s t p e o p l e
wi l l
n t h e y w i l l m a k i n g a lis t o f t h e r e a l l y i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s
the y wan t i n l if e . Y e t a s Joh n Wooden , th e mos t
s uc ces sf u l bas • k et b a l l c o a c h i n c o l l e g e history , w a s f o n
d o f s a y i n g , " I f y o u fa i l t o p l a n , p l a n t o fa i l . "
I n e s s e n ce , al l y o u n e e d t o d o i s t o t h i n k o f s o m e t h i n
116
"I f I c o n t i n u e a l o n g th e p r e s e n t c o u r s e I ' m o n , w h e r e
wi l l I e n d u p ? W h e r e w i l l I b e f i v e y e a r s f r o m n o w ? "
I wa s s h o c k e d t o reali z e th a t i f I c ar r i e d o n wit h
m y d ay - t o - d a y h a b i t u a l p a t t e r n s o f t h i n k i n g a n d a c t i n g ,
fiv e year s fro m n o w I w o u l d n ' t reall y b e an y m o r e
f u l f i l l e d s p i r i t u al l y , emotionally , o r financially . I' d j u s t
be fiv e y e a r s older , a l itt l e b i t m o r e paranoid , an d
g wit h y o u today . I d i d visualization s lik e t h e o n e s a t
Th e r es ul t s w e r e a s t o u n d i n g , an d ar e o n e o f th e
re a • s o n s y o u ' r e r e a d i n g t h i s b o o k n o w . I i m m e d i a t e l y
energy . O p po r tu n i t i e s f l o o d e d in , m y . .
Ihe talent is in the
finance s t o o k a s i g n i f i c a n t u p t u r n , a n d I .
choices.
b e c a m e ver y wel l k now n . I b e g a n t
o
' —Robert he Niro
a ttrac t t h e k i n d o f p e o p l e a r o u n d m
e
t h a t I a lwa y s w a n t e d t o s p e n d t i m e w i t h
,
o n l y w e r e m y d r e a m s c o m i n g t r u e , b u t I w a s f in al l y l i v i n g
a w o n • d e r f u l l if e .
, h e r e i s th e seven-ste p syste m I us e t o g u i d e m ys e l f
a n d tho usa n d s o f p e o p l e o n m y seminar s a n d training s t
o liv e
.
117
PAU L MCKENN A
TH E D R E A M - S E T T I N G S Y S T E M
W h a t m a k e s t h e d r e a m - s e t t i n g s y s t e m d i f f e r e n t f r o m tr a
• ditiona l goa l settin g i s tha t w e be g i n a n d e n d wit h
e v e r y • o n e ' s u l t i m a t e g o a l — l i v i n g a w o n d e r f u l l if e .
I n o r d e r t o d o this , i t wil l f i r s t b e n ec e s s a r y t o
i d e n • tif y y o u r cor e values—thos e thing s tha t mak e
y o u r l if e w o r t h l i v i n g . T h e s e w i l l a c t a s a c o m p a s s f o r
y o u r j o u r • n ey . O n c e y o u ar e clea r o n yo u r values , w
e w i l l i d e n • tif y y o u r b i g d r e a m — t h e t h i n g t h a t g i v e s
yo u a clea r sens e o f directio n a n d purpose . Fi na ll y ,
w h e n y o u r c o m • p as s i s a l i g n e d a n d y o u r d i r e c t i o n i s
clear , w e wil l f o c u s o n mor e traditiona l goals—th e
mil e marker s on th e roa d to you r dream s an d th e
b u i l d i n g b l o c k s o f y o u r w o n d e r f u l lif e .
Thi s sectio n o f Change Your Life i n

Seven Days m a y w e l l b e t h e m o s t i m p o r
- Things which matter tan t o f all , so tak e you r tim e wit h
it . most must never b e Gra b a pe n an d som e pape r an d
t a k e a t the mercy o f things th e tim e t o answe r th e question s
i n a s which matter least. m u c h detai l a s possible . Don' t
worr y
—Goethe a b o u t g e t t i n g i t r i g h t — l i f e wil l re w a r
d ever y sincer e effor t t o m a k e i t better !
Step 1: The Most Important Things in the

World
Wha t woul d yo u d o i f th e w o r l d wa s g o i n g t o en d
o n e w e e k f r o m today ?
118
Y o u r answe r t o tha t questi o n i s th e ke y t o identifyin

g y o u r v a l u e s — t h o s e t h i n g s t h a t m a t t e r m o s t i n y o u r l if e
. I hav e w or ke d wit h a n u m b e r o f pe opl e w h o wer e a t
t h e e n d o f t h e i r li ve s . I a s k e d s o m e o f t h e m w h a t t h e y
w i s h e d t h e y ' d d o n e m o r e o f a n d le s s of . N o n e o f t h e m
said , " I wis h I h a d a n o t h e r M e r c e d e s . "
T h e y sai d thin g s like , " I wis h I' d l a u g h e d m o r e a n
d l o v e d m o r e , " o r " I w i s h I h a d s p e n t l es s t i m e
worrying. " I wa s shocke d recentl y to hea r one
motivationa l s p ea ke r e x h o r t hi s a u d i e n c e t o dev o t e
twenty-fou r h o ur s a da y t o t h e pursu i t o f thei r financi a l
g o a l s . " I f y o u r f a m • il y d o e s n ' t u n d e r s t a n d , " h e w e n t o n
, " g e t a n e w fa m i l y . " A s h i s f o u r t h w i f e s m i l e d a n d
n o d d e d a t th e bac k o f th e ro om , I thought , "Wha t g o o d
i s a s u c c e s s f u l c a r e e r i f it ' s a t t h e c o s t o f y o u r m a r r i a g e
a n d y o u hardl y eve r se e y o u r
children? "
T h e o p p o r t u n i d e s t o li v e a b u n d a n t i y a r e a l l a r o u n
d us , b u t jus t acquirin g th e symbol s o f succes s wi l l
n o t m a k e u s an y happier . W h e n y o u lear n t o focu s o n
y o u r v a l u e s a n d y o u r li f e ' s p u r p o s e i n s t e a d o f j u s t y o u r
g o a l s , y o u wi l l automaticall y begi n to tak e th e bi g
p i c t u r e o f y o u r lif e i n t o a c c o u n t .
N o w m a k e a lis t o f t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s t h a
t emerge d fro m answerin g thes e questions . Be sur e
t o l o o k b e y o n d a n y m a t e r i a l t h i n g s o n y o u r lis t t o t h e
s ta te s o f b e i n g t h a t l i e b e h i n d t h e m .
Fo r example , I r e m e m b e r i n o n e o f m y seminar s
a ma n di d thi s exercis e an d discovere d tha t th e
m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g i n hi s w o r l d wa s m on e y . W h e n I
aske d
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PAU L McKENN A
In his boo k The Power of Full Engagement, co rp o

• rate co a c h Dr. J am e s Loehr offers th e
followin g question s t o help yo u g e t i n touc h
with you r cor e values—t h e mos t importan t thing s
in you r world:
1. Jum p ahea d to th e en d of you r life. Wha t are

th e thre e mo s t importan t lesson s yo u hav e
learned , an d wh y ar e the y s o critical?
2 . Think o f so m e o n e yo u d eepl y respect .

Describ e thre e qualities in this perso n tha t yo u
mos t admire.
3 . W h o are yo u a t you r best

?
4 . Wha t on e-senten c e inscription woul d yo u like t

o s e e o n you r t o mbsto n e tha t woul d captur e
w h o yo u really wer e in life?
120
h i m w h a t hav in g m o n e y w o u l d giv e him , h e to o k s o m

e t i m e t o i m a g i n e h i m s e l f h a v i n g l o t s a n d lo t s o f t h e
stuff . W h e n he opene d hi s eyes , he said , "Havin g
m o n e y wil l g i v e m e a f e e l i n g o f s e c ur i t y , a n d i f I h a v e
money , p e o p l e wil l respec t me. " Wha t wa s reall y
i m p o rt a n t t o h i m we r e securit y a n d r e s p e c t — t h o s e w e r
e t h e state s o f b e i n g h e wa s p u r s u i n g m o n e y t o tr y t o
experience .
B a s e d o n y o u r list , c h o o s e y o u r t o p f i v e v a l u e s — t h
e thing s o n y o u r lis t y o u a b s o l u t e l y c a n n o t i m a g i n e
g o i n g without . T h e s e fiv e thing s ar e th e ver y essenc e
o f w h a t wil l giv e you r li f e meaning—th e mos t
i mp o r ta n t thing s
i n y o u r world
.
According to Paul
Asters book I t' s N o t
If you do nothing else but live
H o w G o o d Yo u Are ,
these values every single day,
It' s H o w G o o d Y o u
you cannot imagine how fulfill•
W a n t t o B e , former
ing your life will become!
Spice Girl Victoria
Beckham's dream was
Step 2: Brainstorm! not to be better than
her bandmates or
W h e n i t c o m e s t o y o u r success , y o
even to be a famous
u n e e d t o b e c o m e unreasonable . Y o
singer but to become
u n e e d t o hav e dr ea m s tha t ar e
a world brand. In
beyo n d wha t yo u an d everybod y
her own words, she
a r o u n d y o u think s of as
described her dream
possibl e . As Georg e
by saying: "I want
B e r n a r d Sh a w said , " T h e r e a s o n a b l e
to be as famous as
m a n adapt s himsel f t o th e world ; th
Persil Automatic."
e unreasonabl e o n e persist s i n t r y i n
g
121
PAU L McKEN N A
t o a d a p t t h e w o r l d t o h i m s e l f . T h e r e f o r e , al l
progres s d e p e n d s o n th e unreasonabl e man. "
W i t h y o u r v a l u e s fir ml y i n m i n d , m a k e a list o f
eve ry • t h i n g (y e s , e v e r y t h i n g ) y o u w a n t now , h a v e w a n t e
d i n t h e p as t , o r c a n c o n c e i v e o f w a n t i n g i n th e
f ut ur e . J u s t g e t e v e r y t h i n g o u t o f y o u r h e a d a n d d o w n
o n p a p e r . I t i s n o t n ec es sa r y t o h a v e a n y
You want what you
i n t e n t i o n o f actual l y g e t t i n g a n y o f t h e s
want, whether or not
e things , no r is it n ec es s a r y tha t
you think you can
y o u b e l i e v e g e t t i n g a n y o f t h e i te m s o n
get it.
y o u r lis t i s p o s s i b l e . N o m a t t e r h o w
—Robert Fritz
w e i r d o r i m p o s s i b l e i t m a y s e e m , al l y o
u n e e d t o d o i s writ e i t do wn !
T a k e a t l e a s t fiv e m i n u t e s t o d o thi s n o w b e f o r e m o v •
i n g o n t o ste p 3 .
Step 3: The Big Dream
O n l y y o u k n o w wh a t y o u trul y w a n t o u
Don't ask what the t o f life—wha t make s you r hear t
world needs—ask sing . W h e n y o u ar e answerin g th e
what makes you q u e s t i o n s b e l o w , i t' s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h a t
come alive and then yo u don' t sto p to conside r wheth e r
go and do that. s o m e t h i n g i s possibl e or not . Jus t le
Because what the t th e a n s w e r s flo w . . . .
world needs is people
who have come alive. • W h a t d o y o u lov e t o d o s o m u c h tha
—Howard Martin t y o u ' d p a y t o d o it?
• W h a t d o y o u fee l reall y p a ss io na t
e about ?
122
• Wh a t woul d yo u choos e t o d o i f yo u ha d unlimite

d resources ?
• W h o ar e th e p e o p l e o r character s f r o m histor y y o u
m o s t a d m i r e , a n d why ?
Answer in g thes e q u e s t i o n s wi l l h e l p y o u t o g e t a
n o v e r a l l i d e a o f w h a t y o u r l if e ' s p u r p o s e is . I t r e m o v e s
t h e limitatio n s o f y o u r p r e s e n t min d- s e t a n d let s y o u
b e c o m e outrageous l y creative .
I f y o u f e e l y o u w a n t a d d i t i o n a l clarit y , a s k y o u r s e l f t h
e followin g questions :
• W h a t di d y o u wan t t o d o a s a child ?
• Wh a t di d yo u wan t t o b e wh e n yo u gre w up ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u d o i f y o u w e r e g u a r a n t e e d success ?
Writ e d o w n whateve r c o m e s t o min d . Y ou ' r e n o t co m

• mittin g to anythin g here , an d yo u ca n organiz e
y o u r t h o u g h t s l at e r . Y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o b e t o o s p e c i f i c a
t first , a n d y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o f i g u r e o u t h o w i t' s g o i n g
t o h a p • pe n— - ju s t le t th e creativ e pro c es s c o n t i n u e .
N o w , t h i n k a b o u t al l t h e m a j o r ar e a s o f y o u r l i f e
— fa m i l y , relationships , career , health , community ,
a n d spiritua l d e v e l o p m en t .
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y lov e t o h a p p e n ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y li k e t o le ar n ?
• W h a t skil l s d o y o u w a n t t o m a s t e r ?
• H o w m u c h m o n e y d o y o u wan t t o earn ?
• W h a t c h a r a c t e r tr ai t s d o y o u w a n t t o d e v e l o p ?
• W h a t d o y o u w a n t t o giv e b a c k t o th e world ?
123
PA U L McKENN A
t o a d a p t t h e w o r l d t o him sel f . T h e r e f o r e , al l p r o g r e s
s depend s o n th e unreasonabl e man. "
W i t h y o u r v a l u e s fi r m l y i n m i n d , m a k e a lis t o f
e ve r y • t h i n g (y e s , e v e r y t h i n g ) y o u w a n t n o w , h a v e w a n t e
d i n t h e pa s t , o r c a n c o n c e i v e o f w a n t i n g i n t h e f u t u r e
. Jus t g e t every th i n g o u t o f y o u r h e a d a n d d o w n
o n paper . I t i s n o t necessar y t o h av e an y
You want what you
i n t e n t i o n o f actuall y ge t t i n g a n y o f thes
want, whether or not
e things , no r is it necessar y tha t
you think you can
y o u believ e gettin g an y o f th e item s o n
get it.
y o u r lis t i s p o s s i b l e . N o matte r ho w
—Robert Fritz
w e i r d o r i m p o s s i b l e i t m a y s e e m , al l y o
u n e e d t o d o i s writ e i t d o w n !
T a k e a t l e a s t fi v e m i n u t e s t o d o t h i s n o w b e f o r e m o v •
i n g o n t o ste p 3 .
Step 3: The Big Dream
O n l y y o u k n o w w h a t y o u trul y w a n t o u
Don't ask what the tof life—wha t make s you r hear t
world needs—ask sing . W h e n yo u ar e answerin g th e
what makes you q u e s t i o n s b e l o w , it' s v e r y i m p o r t a n t t h a t
come alive and then y o u d o n ' t sto p to conside r whethe r
go and do that. s o m e th i n g i s possibl e or not . Jus t le t
Because what the th e a n s w e r s flow . . . .
world needs is people
who have come alive. • W h a t d o y o u lov e t o d o s o m u c h tha
—Howard Martin t y o u ' d p a y t o d o it ?
• Wha t d o yo u fee l reall y p assiona t
e about ?
122
• Wh a t woul d yo u choos e t o d o i f yo u ha d unlimite

d resources ?
• W h o ar e th e p e o p l e o r character s f r o m histor y y o
u m o s t a d m i r e , a n d why ?
An s w er i n g thes e q u es t i o n s wil l h e l p y o u t o g e t a
n o v e r a l l i d e a o f w h a t y o u r l if e ' s p u r p o s e is . I t r e m o v e s
t h e l i m i t a t i o n s o f y o u r p r e s e n t m i n d - s e t a n d le t s y o u
b e c o m e o ut r a g e o us l y creative .
I f y o u f e e l y o u w a n t a d d i t i o n a l cla rit y , a s k y o u r s e l f t h
e followin g questions :
• W h a t di d yo u wan t t o d o a s a child ?
• W h a t di d yo u wan t t o b e w h e n yo u gre w up ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u d o i f y o u w e r e g u a r a n t e e d s uc c e s s ?
Writ e d o w n whateve r c o m e s t o mi nd . Yo u ' r e n o t co m

• mittin g to anythin g here , an d yo u ca n organiz e
y o u r t h o u g h t s la te r . Y o u d o n ' t n e e d t o b e t o o s p e c i 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 g u r e o u t h o w it ' s g o i n g t
o h a p • p e n — j u s t le t th e creativ e pro ces s c o n t i n u e .
N o w , t h i n k a b o u t al l t h e m a j o r a r e a s o f y o u r l i f e
— f am i l y , relationships , career , health , community ,
a n d spiritua l d e v e l o p m e n t .
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y lov e t o h a p p e n ?
• W h a t w o u l d y o u reall y lik e t o lear n ?
• W h a t skil l s d o y o u w a n t t o m a s t e r ?
• H o w m u c h m o n e y d o y o u w a n t t o earn ?
• W h a t c h a r a c t e r t r ai t s d o y o u w a n t t o d e v e l o p ?
• W h a t d o y o u wa n t t o giv e b a c k t o th e world ?
123
PAU L MCKENN A
I n a f e w m o m e n t s , I ' m g o i n g t o as k y o u t o b e g i n t
o formulat e you r bi g dream . A s yo u do , mak e sur e
tha t yo u r d r e a m i s f o cu s e d o n wh a t y o u d o want , n o t o n
wha t y o u don't .
O n e t h i n g t h a t al l o f t h e u n h a p p y p e o p l e I h a v e e ve
r wo r k e d wit h hav e i n c o m m o n i s tha t the y k n o w wh a t
t h e y don't w a n t a n d t h e y f o c u s on it to th e poin t o f
obsession . W h a t the y h a ve n ' t ye t realize d i s tha t y o u
a l wa y s g e t m o r e o f w h a t y o u f o c u s o n .
F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e p e o p l e s p e n d al l t h e i r t i m e thin k
• i n g o f wa y s t o n o t b e fat . O f c o u r s e , t h e p r o b l e m i s t h a
t i n o r d e r t o n o t b e a n y t h i n g y o u firs t h a v e t o t h i n k
a b o u t b e i n g it . S o c o n s t a n t l y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s l i k e " W h y
a m I s o fat? " a n d " H o w c a n I n o t b e fa t a n y m o r e ? " i s lik
e contin • uall y reinforcin g you r min d wit h interna l
r e p r e s e n t a • tion s o f y o u r s e l f a s a fa t p e r s o n .
B y com p ar i s o n , a qu e st i o n lik e " H o w a m I g o i n g t
o becom e fit , healthy , an d strong? " focuse s you r
attentio n o n wha t y o u want .
W h e n y o u focu s o n wh a t y o u d o wan t a s op p os e d t
o wha t yo u don't , yo u ar e makin g sensory-ric h
e x p e r i e n c e s o f w h a t y o u w i l l s e e , h e a r , f e e l , ta st e , a n d
smel l w h e n y o u ge t wha t yo u want . B y regularl y
c o n c e n t r a t i n g o n w h a t y o u d o w a n t , y o u wi l l c o n d i t i o n
y o u r m i n d t o attrac t m o r e o f i t t o y o u .
T a k e a t l eas t f i v e m i n u t e s t o d o s o m e t h i n g c o m p l e t e l
y u n r e l a t e d t o th i s e x e r c i s e , t h e n c o m e b a c k a n d w r i t e
a fi rs t draf t o f y o u r b i g dream . Yo u ca n us e th e
followin g for m a s a guide .
124
My Big Dream
Th e mos t importan t thing s i n th e worl d t o m e are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I coul d be , do , an d hav e anythin g in th e world ,

I
woul d . . .
125
PAU L McKENN A
I n a fe w m o m e n t s , I ' m g o i n g t o as k y o u t o b e g i n t
o formulat e you r bi g dream . A s yo u do , mak e sur e
tha t y o u r d r e a m i s f o c u s e d o n w h a t y o u d o want , n o t o n
wha t yo u don't .
O n e t h i n g t h a t al l o f t h e u n h a p p y p e o p l e I h a v e e v e
r w or k e d wit h hav e i n c o m m o n i s tha t the y k no w wh a t
t h e y don't w a n t a n d t h e y f o c u s o n i t t o th e poin t o f
obsession . W h a t the y haven ' t ye t realize d i s tha t y o u
a lw a y s g e t m o r e o f w h a t y o u f o c u s o n .
F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e p e o p l e s p e n d al l t h e i r t i m e think
• i n g o f w a y s t o n o t b e fa t . O f c o u r s e , t h e p r o b l e m i s t h a
t i n o r d e r t o n o t b e a n y t h i n g y o u firs t h a v e t o t h i n k
a b o u t b e i n g it . S o c o n s t a n t l y a s k i n g q u e s t i o n s l i k e " W h y
a m I s o fat? " a n d " H o w c a n I n o t b e fa t a n y m o r e ? " i s lik
e conti n • uall y reinforcin g you r min d wit h interna l
re pre s e nt a • tion s o f yo urse l f a s a fa t p e r s o n .
B y c o m p a r i s o n , a q u e s t i o n lik e " H o w a m I g o i n g t
o becom e fit , healthy , an d strong? " focuse s you r
attentio n o n wha t y o u want .
W h e n yo u focu s o n wha t yo u d o wan t a s o p p o s e d t
o wha t yo u don't , yo u ar e makin g sensory-ric h
e x p e r i e n c e s o f w h a t y o u wil l s e e , h e a r , f e e l , t as te , a n d
smel l w h e n yo u ge t wha t yo u want . B y regularl y
concentratin g o n w h a t y o u d o w a n t , y o u wi l l c o n d i t i o n
y o u r m i n d t o attrac t m o r e o f i t t o yo u .
T a k e a t l e a s t fiv e m i n u t e s t o d o s o m e t h i n g c o m p l e t e l
y u n r e l a t e d t o thi s e x e r c i s e , t h e n c o m e b a c k a n d writ e
a firs t d r a f t o f y o u r bi g dream . Yo u ca n us e th e
followin g for m a s a guide .
124
My Big Dream
The mo s t importan t thing s in th e world to me are:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
If I coul d be , do , an d hav e anythin g in th e world ,

I
woul d . . .
125
PAU L McKENN A
Step 4: Measuring
Success
I n th e 1930s , a f a m o u s stud y wa s d o n e o f th e factor s

tha t c o n t r i b u t e d t o efficienc y i n t h e w o r k p l a c e . A t e a
m o f s o c i a l s c i e n t i s t s w e n t i n t o f a c t o r i e s t o a s se s s , a m o n
g ot h e r things , th e effec t o f increase d lightin g on
efficienc y i n assembl y lines . A s wa s th e typica l
p r o c e d u r e o f t h e day , t h r e e g r o u p s w e r e o b s e r v e d .
T h e firs t g r o u p w a s g i v e n i n c r e a s e d l i g h t i n g a s t h e
y w e n t a b o u t t h e i r r e p e t i t i v e a s s e m b l y tasks ; t h e s e c o n d
wa s give n d e c r ea s e d li ghting ; th e third , o r con tro l , g r o u
p wa s simpl y ob ser v e d g o i n g a bo u t thei r w o r k i n th e usua
l m a n • ner . Wha t happene d nex t confounde d th e
observers .
A s e xpec ted , th e g r o u p wit h increase d lightin g expe
• r i e n c e d a m e as ura b l e increa s e i n efficienc y a n d well -
bein g o n th e j o b . Ho weve r , th e increas e i n efficienc y a n
d well - b e i n g wa s almos t identicall y m a t c h e d i n bot h
o f th e othe r gr oup s be in g observed .
Afte r furthe r ex peri m enta ti o n , th e con clusi o n re a c h e
d b y th e researc h te a m wa s tha t th e singl e mos t
i m p o r t a n t fac to r i n positivel y aff ectin g th e efficienc y a n d
well-bein g o f e m p lo y e e s wa s th e f eel in g tha t attentio n
w a s b e i n g p a i d t o t h e i r e ff o r t s .
H e r e ' s h o w m y f r i e n d li f e c o a c h M i c h a e l N e i l l p u t s it :
On e o f t h e s im ple s t key s t o stayi n g m o t i v a t e d

o v e r ti m e i s t o g iv e y o ur s e l f ev e r y o p p o r t u n i t y t o
e x p e r i • e n c e a n o n g o i n g s en s e o f p r o g r e s s i n t h e
p u rs u i t o f y o u r g oa l s . I ns te a d o f wa i t i n g un t i l y o u
h a v e e i t h e r a c h i e v e d y o u r g o a l o r fai led , co n t i n u a l l
y l o o k a n d lis-
126
t e n f o r a n y si g n o f p r o g r e s s t o w a r I never ran 1,000

d y o u r g o al ; w h e n y o u f i n d o n e , miles. I could never
g r a b o n t o i t wit h al l y o u r h e a r t . have done that. I
Seiz e o n a n y e v i d e n c e y o u c a n fi n d ran one mile 1,000
tha t y o u ar e m o v i n g i n th e righ t times.
d i r e c t i o n a n d d e l i g h t i n it. H o l d i —Stu Mittleman,
t l a r g e i n y o u r m i n d . B as k i n its world record

holder for ultra-
glow . T h r o w i t o n t o you r be d an
distance running
d rol l a r o u n d n a k e d i n it! M o r e
t h a n a n y t h i n g e lse , i t i s thi s o n g o i n
g s e ns e o f p r o g r e s s
t h a t wil l k e e p y o u m o v i n g i n t h
e
directio n o f y o u r dream s we e k b y w e e k a n d m o m e n
t b y moment .
A s k yoursel f :
• W h a t wi l l y o u s e e a s y o u a c h i e v e y o u r d r e a m ?
• W h a t wil l y o u hea r ?
• W h a t w i l l y o u f e e l , s m e l l , a n d tast e ?
Y o u r an swe r s t o th e s e q u es t i o n s wil l gi v e y o u a w a y
o f kn ow i n g i f y o u ar e gettin g neare r t o o r furthe r fro m
y o u r d r e a m s , a n d wil l k e e p y o u m o t i v a t e d a s y o u b e g i n
l i v i n g t h e li f e o f y o u r d r e a m s .
Step 5: Overcoming
Obstacles
Sometime s w e ca n ge t s o caugh t u p i n ou r excitemen

t ove r pursuin g a drea m tha t w e overloo k importan t
fa c • t o r s t h a t m i g h t i n t e r f e r e w i t h o u r g e t t i n g w h a t w e
want .
127
PAU L McKENN A
A s y o u p r o j e c t y o u r s e l f i n t o t h e f u t u r e , as k y o u r s e l f t h
e f ollo wi n g q ues t i o n s t o e n s u r e tha t livin g y o u r d r e a m
wil l b e g o o d fo r y o u a n d d o e s n ' t h a r m o the rs :
• W h e n I t h i n k a b o u t th i s d r e a m , d o e s i t s e e m c l e a
r o r fu zz y ?
• D o I f ee l fre e i n m y feel in g s o r restricted ?
• I s thi s s o m e t h i n g I a m m o v i n g t o w a r d o r a w a y f r o m ?
• I s t hi s m y d r e a m o r s o m e o t h e r p e r s o n ' s d r e a
m fo r me ?
• W h a t h i d d e n reward s m i g h t th e r e b e t o n o t livin
g th i s d r e a m ?
I f y o u r ans wer s t o a n y o f t h es e q u e s t i o n s rais e d o u b t

s i n you r mind , congratulat e yourself ! Y o u ' v e save d
your • sel f m o n t h s a n d possibl y e v e n year s o f st rugg l e b y
identi • fyin g po t en ti a l p r o b l e m s be fo r e the y strike .
Step 6: Setting Goals on Your Success

Timeline
S o m e t h i n g amaz i n g h ap p e n s w h e n yo u hav e a timelin

e o f event s tha t n e e d t o tak e plac e i n s e q u e n c e t o lea d
t o y o u r d r e a m — y o u k n o w w h e n y o u ar e o n track .
H o w l o n g d o y o u t h i n k i t wil l ta k e fo r y o u t o b e
f ul l y l i v i n g y o u r d r e a m ? O n e y e a r ? S i x y e a r s ? A l i f e t i m e ?
Wor ki n g b a c k f r o m yo u r d r e a m date , figur e o u t th
e m a j o r s t e p s t h a t wi l l n e e d t o t a k e p l a c e a l o n g t h e w a y
a n d writ e the m down . Thes e ar e you r goals—t h e
m i l e s t o n e s a l o n g t h e r o a d t o t h e li f e o f y o u r d r e a m s .
M a k e a lis t o f a t l e a s t s e v e n g o a l s a n d a t i m e l i n e
tha t wil l le t y o u k n o w y o u ar e o n t h e wa y t o liv in g y o u r
dream .
128
I f y o u l i k e , v i v i d l y li v e e a c h g o a l i n y o u r i m a g i n a t i o n ,
see • i n g w h a t yo u ' l l see , h e a r i n g w h a t y ou ' l l hear , a n d
feelin g h o w goo d you'l l fee l as yo u achiev e eac h
step . M o s t i m p o r t a n t , g e t a clear , big , b r i g h t i m a g e o f
e a c h goa l a s i f i t i s alrea d y h a p p e n i n g now .
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Step 7: Activate Your

Resources
N o w i s t h e t i m e t o b e g i n t o e x p l o r e w h a t it' s g o i n g
t o tak e to li v e y o u r d r e a m . A g a i n a n d again , I se e
p e op l e relyin g o n th e sam e o n e o r tw o resourc e s t o
bai l t h e m o u t o f tro ubl e o r p r o p e l t h e m fo rw ar d towar d
t h e i r g o a l s a n d d r e a m s . W h e t h e r it ' s t h e i r c h a r m , t h e i r
trus t fund , o r thei r friends , the y hav e becom e s o
h a bi t u a t e d t o us i n g thes e reso u rc e s tha t the y f o rg e t wh a t
e l s e t h e y h a v e av ai l • a b l e t o t h e m .
W h e n t h e y g e t s t u c k , it' s n o t b e c a u s e t h e y ' v e r e a l l
y ru n ou t of options , bu t rathe r becaus e thei r
habitua l knight s in shinin g armo r aren' t workin g o r
a r e n ' t av ai l • a b l e t o t h e m i n th i s p a r t i c u l a r s i t u a t i o n .
129
PAU L McKENN A
I n o r d e r t o activ at e y o u r r e s o u r c e s a n d st e p o u t s i d
e y o u r c o m f o r t z o n e , t a k e s o m e t i m e n o w t o lis t t h e
myria d resource s y o u hav e a t y o u r c o m m a n d .
H e r e ar e s o m e ca t e g o ri e s t o g e t y o u started :
1. Your skills, qualities, gifts, and talents
Examples:
loving , k ind , a gr ea t dance r , a g o o d negotiator
, fun n y , c a n d r i n k a p i n t o f b e e r i n o n e g o , e t c .
2. Your community
Examples:
• P e op l e y o u wor k wit h
• Peopl e yo u wo r k fo r
• Peopl e wh o wor k fo r yo u
• Famil y
• Friend s
• Neighbor s
• Y o u r "fa n cl u b "
• P e op l e y o u we n t t o schoo l wit h
• Peopl e yo u use d t o wor k wit h
• Customers/client s
3. Your available cash and credit
Examples:
b a n k a c c o u n t s , i n v e s t m e n t s , h o m e equity , b u s i n e s
s equity , e tc .
130
4. Your possessions
Examples:
h o u s e , c o m p u t e r , car , f a x m a c h i n e , p h o t o c o p i e r
, d e s k , c ha i r s , e tc .
O n e r e a s o n it ' s i m p o r t a n t t o l is t o u r r e s o u r c e s i s t h a
t i t force s u s to e x p a n d o u r thinkin g outsid e ou r
c om for t zone . A n d w h e n y o u ar e willin g t o d o wha t
y o u h a v e n e v e r d o n e b e f o r e , al l th i n g s b e c o m e p o ss ib l e
!
131
PAU L McKENN A
PUTTIN G I T A L L TOGETH E R
H e r e ' s a n e x a m p l e o f h o w t h e w h o l e d r e a m - s e t t i n g sys •
t e m fit s t o g e t h e r :
My Big Dream
The most important things in the world to me are:
±. 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
132
Key Goals Timeline

±- 13&sea.rck
products
2_. Choose a
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
PAU L McKENN A
N o w it ' s y o u r t u r n . Fi l l i n t h e f o r m b e l o w o r c o p y i t
int o a no teb oo k o r journal .
My Big Dream
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. ..
134
.........-
I will know I am succeeding when ...
135
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 com e back to it
when you can relax completely and indulge your imagination.
TAKING ACTIO N
O f course , i f all y o u h a d t o d o wa s t h i n k a b o u t wha t

y o u wa nt e d a n d i t magicall y s h o w e d u p a fe w m o m e n t s
later , ever yo n e w o u l d b e d r i v i n g a Fe rrari ,
livin g i n a m a n s i o n , w e a r i n g e x p e n
You can't build a
• sive jewel ry , an d s l e e p i n g wit h
reputation on what
beauti • fu l lovers . I t w o u l d al s o b
you re going to do.
e chao s ! Th at' s wh y th e univers e
It's simple, fantasize,
put s on e mor e ste p in betwee n
rehearse, then go out
thinkin g o f wha t yo u wan t an d
into the world and
actuall y g e tti n g i t — t h e a c t i o n step .
do it!
S o m e p e o p l e sit a r o u n d a n d day•
—Henry Ford
d r e a m w i t h o u t e ve r d o i n g any th in g
.
137
PAU L McKENN A
A s you'l l r e m e m b e r f r o m da y two
At the height of his , wheneve r we do somethin g new , w
success, Hall of e creat e a neura l pathway , so we
Fame basketball c a n acces s tha t experienc e agai n
player Larry Bird easily . E a c h t i m e w e r e p e a t a p a r t i c u l a r
was filming a cola b e h a v • i or , w e strengthe n th e
commercial that a ss ociat e d n e u • ra l pathwa y .
called for him to Thi s i s wh y i t i s so importan t t
shoot for the basket o mentall y rehears e success . Mos t o f
and miss the shot. th e to p athl et e s I hav e w o r k e d wit h
The film crew had playe d hundred s o f successfu l
to film the shot matche s an d wo n thousand s o f race s
seven separate times i n thei r o w n mi nd s bef o r e eve r settin
because he couldn 'I g foo t o n th e playin g field . As yo u
help getting the ball visualiz e l i v i n g y o u r d r e a m e v e r y day ,
in the basket, even y o u wi l l b u i l d s t r o n g e r n e u r a l p a t h w a y
when he was trying s t o success .
to miss! Here' s a simpl e exercis e y o u ca n d
o ever y da y to progra m you r min d
fo r
success :
Program Your Direction in Life
1. S t o p for a m om e n t and vividly imagin e wh a t you r life

will loo k like as yo u are living you r dream . Wha t will yo u
s e e ? Wh a t will yo u hear ? Wh a t will p e op l e sa y t o yo u ?
Wh a t will yo u sa y t o yourse lf ? A s yo u d o this, really imag
• ine living you r drea m in as muc h detai l as possible . Creat e
a rich internal exp e rien c e as if yo u ar e alread y living
you r drea m now.
136
2. Next, we will tak e everythin g yo u hav e learned abou

t wha t yo u want , wha t really matter s t o you, and wha t
you r bigge s t drea m is, and desig n the m all into your ideal
week .
3. How d oe s your wee k begin ? Imagine th e kind

of peopl e yo u hav e around you , th e place s yo u go , th e
thing s yo u have. How g o o d d o yo u feel? Wher e d o yo u
g o eac h day ? Wha t d o you do ? W h o d o yo u see ? Wha t
are so m e o f th e thing s that let you know ho w successfu l
yo u are?
4 . Continu e to go through your ideal wee k until

you can imagine ever y detail vividly. This should be an
enjoyable process—i f it feels like work, tak e a break and com
e bac k to it whe n you can relax completel y and indulge your
imagination.
T AK I N G A C T I O N
O f c o u r s e , i f al l y o u h a d t o d o wa s t h i n k a b o u t w h a t
y o u w a n t e d a n d i t magicall y sh o w e d u p a fe w m o m e n t s
lat e r , e v e r y o n e w o u l d b e d r i v i n g a F e r r a r i ,
livin g i n a m an s i o n , w e ar i n g e x p e n
You can't build a
• siv e j e w e l r y , an d sleepin g wit h
reputation on what
beauti • fu l lovers . I t w o u l d als o be
you 're going to do.
chaos ! That' s wh y th e univers e
It's simple, fantasize,
put s on e mor e ste p in betwee n
rehearse, then go out
thinkin g o f wha t yo u wan t an d
into the world and
actua ll y g e t t i n g i t — t h e a c ti o n step .
do it!
S o m e p e o p l e si t a r o u n d a n d day •
—Henry Ford
d r e a m wi tho u t eve r d o i n g anything
.
137
PAU L McKENN A
Ho w ev e r , b y c r e at i n g a vivi d r e p r e s e n t a ti o n o f h o w y o
u i d e a l l y w a n t t o li v e y o u r l if e a n d f o c u s i n g o n i t e v e r y
day , y o u wi l l b e c o m e m o t i v a t e d t o t a k e a c t i o n a n d y o
u wi l l k n o w w h e r e y o u a r e g o i n g .
As th e sayin g go es , a j o u r n e y o f a thousan d mile
s b e g i n s w i t h a si ng l e ste p . T h i n k o f a t leas t o n e t h i n g
t h a t y o u c a n d o t o d a y t h a t wi l l t a k e y o u i n t h e d i r e c t i o n
o f liv• i n g y o u r d r e a m , a n d d o it . E v e n a s m a l l s t e p i s
f i n e — f o r e x a m p l e , a p h o n e c a l l o r a li tt l e b i t o f r e s e a r c h .
R e m e m b e r tha t th e m o m e n t y o u c o m •
Who dares wins. mi t t o som e th in g , p r ov i de n c e m ove s too
—Motto of the , a n d al l sort s o f u n f o r e s e e n i n c i d e n t s

an d
British Special a ss is ta n c e o c c u r . It' s a s t h o u g h y o u r c o m m i t -
Forces m e n t b e c o m e s a m a g n e t fo r g o o d thin g s t
o b e draw n t o you .
I n th e word s o f Goethe :
"Whateve r yo u ca n do , o r drea m yo u ca n do , begi n
it . B o l d n e s s h a s g e n i u s , m a g i c a n d p o w e r i n it . B e g i n i t
now! "
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
PS. Tomorrow, we'll be exploring the first cornerstone of your

wonderful life—abundant health!
138
DAY
5
HEALTH Y
FOUNDATION S
Creating and maintaining a healthy
body, mind, and spirit
PAU L McKENN A

• Take a fe w minutes to go throug h th e "Reprogrammin g
Your Self-Image " exercis e o n p a g e 3 5 .
• Revie w you r purpose , values , an d goal s from da y four.
Answe r th e followin g questions :
1. How will yo u live you r value s throughou t th e

da y to da y ?
2. Wha t ar e thre e action s yo u will tak e tha t will

bring yo u close r t o th e achieve men t o f you r
goals ?
3. Imagine yo u ar e living "on pu rp o se "—h o w will yo u

handl e any challenge s tha t migh t c o m e u p
through • ou t th e day ?
A s yo u continu e t o progra m yoursel f for success ,

yo u will find tha t you r life b e c o m e s mor e an d mor e 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
W H A T I S TH E N U M B E R O N E C A U S
E O F ILLNES S A N D D IS E A S E ?
A startlin g r e c e n t st ud y b y Dr . B e r n a r d St ewa r t p re d i c t
s tha t unles s peopl e begi n takin g responsibilit y fo r
the i r h e al t h a n d well-bein g , gl o b a l rate s o f c a n c e r c o u l
d ris e
5 0 p e r c e n t t o 1 5 m i l l i o n n e w c a s e s a y e a r b y 2 02 0 . T h
e s t u d y w e n t o n t o sa y t h a t a s m a n y a s t w o - t h i r d s o f
t he s e case s ca n be prevente d and/ o r cure d throug h
l ife s t y l e c h a n g e s .
W h i l e s o m e o f t h e s e l ife s t y l e c h a n g e s a r e o u t s i d e t h
e s c o p e o f thi s b o o k , t h e m aj or i t y o f t h e m c a n b e
summed
u p qu i t e simply :
Limit the amount of toxins you

put into your body while simulta•
What is it that heals neously increasing your body's
a cut finger? Is it the stress-hardiness.
bandage or whatever
ointment is applied Mos t doctor s no w agre e tha t th
to the wound? Of e min d ha s a profoun d effec t on a
course not; it's the per • son' s sens e of well-being—
body. The human certain l y nearl y everyon e know s yo u
body is self-repairing, c a n t h i n k y o u r s e l f i n t o b e i n g ill . W h e
self-healing and self- n I wa s a child , i t n eve r cease d t o
maintaining. a m a z e m e h o w m a n y o f m y classmate s
—Harvey Diamond w o u l d g e t sic k o n exa m day . Thes e

ar e th e s a m e p e o p l e w h o a r e al wa y s
affecte d b y wh a t
142
I cal l "cultura l h y p n o s i s " — t h e y o n l y hav e t o h e a r a fe

w peopl e sayin g "There' s a col d goin g around " an d
t h e y c a t c h it .
Researc h ha s show n tha t optimist s generall y li v
e l o n g e r , h a p p i e r , h e a l t h i e r liv e s . O n e o f t h e k e y r e a s o n s
i s becaus e optima l s ta t e s enhanc e ou r immun e
system . St udi e s i n re ce n t year s hav e n o w irrefutabl y
p r o v e n tha t w e ca n dramaticall y e n h a n c e ou r immun
e syste m b y activel y choosin g ou r belief s an d
consistentl y practici n g visualizatio n te ch n iq ue s .
Bu t i f th e secre t o f healt h i s a positiv e
pe r s p ec t i v e , wh at ' s c a u s i n g al l t h e illnes s a n d disease ?
Let' s ge t righ t t o th e point :
The single biggest cause of ill health is an inap•

propriate response to stress.
Studie s hav e s h o w n tha t th e majo r threa t i n m o d e r

n lif e i s b e i n g k i l l e d b y o u r o w n d e f e n s e syste m b e i n g
t ri g • g e r e d t o o o f t e n — b y o u r r e s p o n s e t o st re s s .
WHA T I S STRESS ?
A c c o r d i n g t o t h e d i c t i o n a r y , st re s s is
:
• A constrainin g forc e o r influenc e

• A forc e exerte d when on e bod y or bod y par
t presse s o n , pull s o n , pu s h e s against , o r ten d s
t o c o m p r e s s o r twis t a n o t h e r b o d y o r b o d y p a r t
143
PAU L McKENN A
• A physical , chemical , or emotiona l facto r tha

t cause s bodil y o r m en t a l tensio n a n d ma y b e a
fac • t o r i n disea s e c au s at i o n
H o w e v e r , t h e str es s w e e x p e r i e n c e i n o u r o w n live
s doe s no t com e fro m outsid e us—i t is ou r body' s
re • s p o n s e t o l if e ' s c h a l l e n g e s , b o t h r e a l a n d i m a g i n e d .
T h i s stres s r e s p o n s e g o e s b a c k t o t h e e a r l i e s t h u m a n s , a
s o u r ancesto r s n e e d e d e x t r e m e physica l reaction s a n d
a burs t o f e ner g y t o en a bl e t h e m t o figh t a wil d anima
l o r r u n away . E v e n n o w , a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f st re s s i n
o u r live s h e l p s u s t o f u n c t i o n — a p p r o p r i a t e a r o u s a l o f
th e aut o • n o m i c n erv ou s syste m actuall y motivate s u s t o
d o thin g s lik e ge t ou t o f th e wa y o f a n oncomin g
vehicl e o r ad d energ y t o a presentatio n o r workout .
Fo r ex a m p l e , w h e n th e m i n d perceive s a threat , th
e heartbea t immediatel y quickens . Pupil s dilat e
a u t o m a t i • call y , muscle s tighten , an d adrenalin e i s
release d int o th e bloodstream . Th e digestiv e proces s
halts , you r bl oo d pressur e r is e s , an d th e immun e
syste m i s su p pr e s s e d . T hi s i s k n o w n a s th e fight-or-fligh
t response .
Now , i f y o u ar e ab o u t t o b e attacke d (say , by a
saber - t o o t h e d tiger) , yo u nee d energ y an d
adrenalin e t o respon d appropriatel y to th e situation .
The p r o b l e m arise s w h e n w e a r e c on t i n ua l l y p r e p a r i n g
fo r e m e r g e n • cie s tha t n ev e r h a p p e n . Thi s put s a n
u n n e c e s s a r y strai n o n ou r immune system s , ultimatel y
burnin g ou t o u r a d r e n a l gla n d s a n d s p r e a d i n g nast y
toxin s i n th e body .
I 'l l sa y i t a g a i n :
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 th i s s o - c a l l e d n e g a t i v e
st re s s u s e d t o b e c o n s i d e r e d s o m e t h i n g M y ^fi ^ been full
as
tha t affecte d onl y peopl e i n highl y o f terrible misfor-

pressure d job s , th e trut h is tha t to tunes, most o f which
som e degre e it a ff e c t s nearl y al l of never happened.
u s . A n d k i l l i n g o u r s e l v e s t o k e e p u s sa f e —Michel d e Montaigne
i s lik e b u r n i n g d o w n th e h o u s e t o ro as
t a pig .
T h e s e day s w e d o n o t h a v e t o b e con stan t l y o n t h

e l o o k o u t f o r w i l d a n i m a l s , b u t t h e twe nt y- fi r s t c e n t u r y
i s ful l o f th rea t s f r o m al l k i n d s o f differen t sources .
An y averag e da y ha s it s demand s an d stresses—
drivin g t o w o r k t h e r e ' s a traffi c j a m , y o u g e t i n t o a n
a r g u m e n t , y o u re ce i v e a n u n e x p e c t e d bill , t h e kid s h a v
e m a d e a mess , y o u ar e criticize d a t work .
T h e s e th in g s m a y n o t co n scio u s l y s e e m lik e threat s t
o yo u , b u t y o u r n e r v o u s syste m d o e s n o t differentiat e
be • twee n a physica l threa t t o yo u r b o d y a n d a m en t a l
threa t t o you r ego . Researc h ha s show n tha t mos t
worrie s ar e eit he r a b o u t thing s tha t n ev e r h a p p e n o r
a b o u t thing s fr o m th e pas t tha t can ' t b e c h a n g e d .
I n fa c t , a l o t o f w o r r y c o m e s d o w n t o n o t h a v i n g g i v e
n you r m i n d s om e thi n g bette r t o do . O b v i o u s l y it' s
impor • tan t t o hav e a n emotion a l dynami c range , a n d i
f some • one' s attackin g you , the n yo u migh t n e e d t o ge t
a ng r y o r s c ar e d t o d e f e n d yourself . B u t w h a t I ' m sayi n g i
s tha t th e
145
PAU L McKENN A
st re s s r e s p o n s e i s b e i n g unnecessarily a r o u s e d a l l d a y l o n g
, a n d thi s b ui l d s u p o v e r t i m e , c a u s i n g p r o b l e m s .
T h e firs t r e s e a r c h e r o f t h e p h y s i o l o g i c a l c o n s e q u e n c e
s o f st re s s , H a n s S e l y e , r e m a r k e d ,
"The mos t importan t s t r es s e s fo r man ar e emo
• tional . . . . I t i s no t th e even t bu t rathe r ou r
interpreta • tio n o f i t tha t cause s o u r e m o t i o n a l re action.
"
B y b r i n g i n g a positiv e perspectiv e t o o u r l ive s a n
d i n t e r p r e t i n g o u r e x p e r i e n c e s differently , w e c a n b e g i n
t o r e s p o n d b e n e f i c i a l l y t o t h e e v e n t s i n o u r l if e , r a t h e r
tha n
chaoticall y .
W h e n e v e r you'v e fel t ba d in you
r I f you want t o know l i f e , i t w a s a p r o d u c t o f y o u r o w n
st re s s what your thoughts response . Tha t i s wh y i n ou r
c u l t u r e were like yesterday s o m e p e o p l e tur n t o al co hol ,
c i g a r e t t e s , then check how your o r drug s t o c h a n g e th e wa y
t h e y f e e l — body feels today. t o c o p e w i t h s tr e s s . A s
continua l nega -
—Indian proverb t iv e st re s s c a n l e a d t o d i s e a s e s , i t i s
a p r o b l e m tha t n e e d s t o b e deal t with .
S O SHOU L D I JUS T AVOI D STRES S ?
A n y stud y int o t h e e f f e c t s o f str e s s o n w e l l - b e i n g a n

d huma n performanc e ca n usef ul l y b e broke n dow n
i n t o t h r e e a r e a s — s t r e s s e x p o s u r e , s t r es s r e s p o n s e , a n d
s tr e s s c a p a c i t y .
M o s t p r o g r a m s d e a l i n g w i t h s tr e s s m a n a g e m e n t f o c u
son a combinatio n of th e firs t tw o factors—
r e d u c i n g s tr e s s exposur e (downshifting ) an d
developin g mor e
146
e f f i c i e n t stres s r e s p o n s e ( r e l a x a t i o n t r ai n Don't wish it was

• ing , meditation , etc.) . Ye t o f th e easier—wish you
t h r e e f a c t o r s , s tr e s s c a p a c i t y i s t h e m o s t were tougher.
*
sign if - —Km J
ican t i n pre di c ti n g long-ter m wellnes

,
sand success .
T h e greate r o u r capacit y t o h a n d l
e
s t r e ss , t h e m o r e o f t e n w e w i l l p e r f o r m a t t h e p e a k o f
o u r abilities , pa rt ic u l a r l y i n h ig h - p r e s s u r e situat ion s . H o
w d o w e d e v e l o p o u r st re s s c a p a c i t y ?
S i m p l e — w e s y s t e m a t i c a l l y i n c r e a s e o u r st re s s e x p o
• sur e whil e balancin g ou r e f fo r t s wit h wha t s tr e s s
a n d p e r f o r m a n c e specialis t Dr . J a m e s L o e h r call s "qualit
y re • cov er y time. "
T h e f o r m u l a l o o k s l i k e t hi s :
Increased stress exposure + Quality recovery

time = Greater stress capacity
Let' s tak e a c o m m o n e x am p l e . W h e n y o u wor k ou

t y o u r b o d y , y o u a r e d e l i b e r a t e l y p u t t i n g i t u n d e r st re s s .
T o m a xi m i z e t h e effectivenes s o f yo u r w orko u ts , y o u n e e
d t o allo w yo u r b o d y tim e t o recover . Ever y tim e y o u r
muscle s (includin g you r heart , i n th e cas e o f a e r o b i c
e x e r c i s e ) a r e p u t u n d e r st re s s a n d t h e n a l l o w e d t i m e t
o recover , the y g r o w stronger .
W h y d o m a r a t h o n r u n ne r s a n d triathlete s p u t su c h
a heav y e m p h a s i s o n interva l trainin g ? B e c a u s e i t follow s
th e sam e pattern . B y alternatin g betw e e n period s of
i n t e n s e activ ity , suc h a s sprintin g o r racin g ( stres s
exposu re ) , an d gentl e activi ty , suc h as walkin g or
coastin g (recover y
147
PAU L M c K E N N A
t i m e ) , t h e y systematicall y d e v e l o p thei
Famous Nappers
r st re ng t h an d stamin a (stress
Thomas Edison and capacity ) .
Salvador Dali were O s c il l a t i n g betwe e n stress ex p o
both prodigious nap• • su r e an d r e co v e r y i s n o t j u s t a
pers who used an g o o d i d e a , i t i s a n inevitability . T h
interesting variation e m o s t e x t r e m e e x a m p l e o f thi s c a n
of the power nap to b e f o u n d i n J a p a n , w h e r e karoshi, o r
recharge their mental de a t h fr o m o v e r w o r k i n g , ha s a t time
and physical batteries. s t hr e at en e d t o b e c o m e a na tiona l
They would sit in e p i d e m i c . Whi l e d e a t h m a y b e th e
their favorite chair ultimat e i n qualit y r e c o v e r y ti m e , j o
by the fire while b burnout , ex hau s • tio n , an d
holding a spoon or myste ri ou s illnesse s tha t
other metal object in k e e p u s f r o m w o r k i n g ar e t h e m o r
their hand. e fam i li a r way s w e un con sc io us l y
As their bodies fulfill o u r b o dy ' s n e e d fo r b al an c e .
drifted off toward H e r e a r e s o m e simpl e te ch n i q u e

sleep, the hand s t ha t yo u ca n us e to di m i ni s h
holding the spoon stress a n d increas e y o u r stress
would relax, har di ne s s .
dropping the spoon
to the ground.
As soon as they POW E R N A P S

heard the clatter of
the metal spoon on R e c e n t r es ea r c h ha s show n tha t th
the hardwood floor, e m i n d a n d b o d y h av e thei r o w n
they would arise patter n o f res t a n d alertness , wit h o n e
refreshed! p re do m • i n a n t cycl e tha t occur s
a pp ro ximate l y e v e r y n in et y minute s .
Thi s i s w h e n th e b o d y stop s externall
y or ie n te d behav • io r a n d take s a bo u
t fifteen minute s t o r e l a x a n d re pleni s
h its energy .
148
T h i s h a s b e c o m e k n o w n a s t h e u l t r a d i a n r h y t h m . It'
s thos e m o m e n t s w h e n y o u fin d yoursel f da y dr e am i n g a n
d a g e n t l e , s w e e t , so f t f e e l i n g i s p r e s e n t i n y o u r b o d y . I t i s
qui t e simpl y th e body' s ow n natura l s t r e s s - co n t r o l
mechanism .
Unfor tun at el y , m a n y p e o p l e i g n o r e thi s m e ss a g e f r o
m thei r b o d y tha t i t i s tim e t o rela x a litde , a n d instea d
t h e y h a v e a n o t h e r c u p o f c o f f e e o r tr y e v e n h a r d e r t o
c o n c e n • trate . A f t e r a wh i l e th e y e sta bl i s h a p a t t e r n o f
overridin g th e ultradia n rhythm .
I n future , w he n ev e r y o u fin d your - ^, ,
,. , , . I he. hypnotic
s e l f d a y d r e a m i n g a n d a feeline r o f c o m -
trance (www.
f o r t s t a r t i n g i n y o u r b o d y , aro w i t h i t a n d , . .
paulmckenna.com/
a ll o w yo u rse l f t o reall y r e l a x f o r t e n t o . . , . ,
' „ , • trance) is designed
fi f t e e n m i n u t e s . Y o u wi l l t h e n a r i s e f e e l - , ,
_ , . to help you relax
m g refreshe d an d wit h bette r c onc en - ,
deeply so that you
tratio n afterward .
, gain healthy
Y o u c a n d e e p e n th i s e x p e r i e n c e e v e n , . ,
„ , , replenishment
furthe r b y practicin g s e l f- h y p n o s i s . I
r
, every time you

ofte n rela x int o tranc e an d imagin e
.
mysel f sunbath in g o n a n exo ti c b e a c h
. G i v e n tha t th e nerv ou s syste m d o e s
no t
d i f f e r e n t i a t e b e t w e e n a r e a l e v e n t a n d a vi vid l y i m a g i n e
d o n e , w h e n I awake n f r o m a tran c e lik e th a t I fee l a s
t h o u g h I hav e j us t b e e n o n v a c a t i o n — a n d a s fa r a s m y
n e r v o u s sys• t e m i s c o n c e r n e d , I h a v e .
T h e gre a t thin g a b o u t r e c h a r g i n g y o u r batter ie s wit
h p o w e r n a p s i s tha t y o u c a n d o i t a n y w h e r e — a f t e r a b i
t o f p r a c t i c e , n o o n e wil l n o t i c e . I f y o u d o i t o n t h e b u s
o r t h e t r a i n , e v e r y o n e wil l j u s t t h i n k y o u a r e d o z i n g .
T h e followin g exercis e i s t h e ve rsi o n o f p o w e r n a p p i n g
149
PAU L McKENN A
t i m e ) , th e y systematicall y d e v e l o p t hei
Famous Nappers
r strengt h an d stamin a (stres s
Thomas Edison and capacity) .
Salvador Dull were Oscillatin g betwee n s tres s expo
both prodigious nap• • sur e a n d recover y i s n o t j u s t a g o o
pers who used an d idea , it is an in e vi ta bi li ty . Th e
interesting variation m o s t e x t r e m e e x a m p l e o f thi s c a n b e
of the power nap to f o u n d i n J a p a n , w h e r e karoshi, o r d e a t
recharge their mental h fr o m overworking , ha s a t time s
and physical batteries. threatene d t o becom e a nationa l
They would sit in epidemic . Whil e deat h ma y b e th e
their favorite chair ul tima t e i n qualit y
by the fire while recover y t im e , j o b bur no ut , exhaus •
holding a spoon or tion , an d mysteriou s i ll n e s s e s tha
other metal object in t k e e p u s fr o m wo rki n g ar e th e m o r
their hand. e familia r way s w e unconsciousl y
As their bodies f ul fi l l o u r b o d y ' s n e e d f o r b a l a n c e .
drifted off toward H e r e ar e s o m e simpl e technique

sleep, the hand s tha t yo u ca n us e to diminis h
holding the spoon s t r es s a n d increas e you r s t r es s
would relax, hardiness .
dropping the spoon
to the ground.
As soon as they POWE R NAP S

heard the clatter of
the metal spoon on Rece n t researc h ha s show n tha t th
the hardwood floor, e min d a n d bod y hav e thei r ow n
they would arise pa tt e r n o f res t a n d alertness , wit h o n e
refreshed! pr e do m • inan t cycl e tha t occur s
appro ximate l y ever y ninet y minute s .
T h i s i s w h e n t h e b o d y stop s e x te rn al l
y o r i e nt e d behav • io r a n d take s a b o u t
fiftee n m inute s t o rela x a n d replenis h
it s e n e r g y .
148
T h i s h a s b e c o m e k n o w n a s t h e u l t r a d i a n r h y t h m . It'
s thos e m o m e n t s w h e n y o u fin d yoursel f da y d re a m i n g a n
d a g e n d e , s w e e t , so f t f e e l i n g i s p r e s e n t i n y o u r b o d y . I t i s
quit e simpl y th e body' s ow n natura l s t r e s s -c on tr o l
mechanism .
U n f o r t u n a t e l y , m a n y p e o p l e i g n o r e thi s m e s s a g e f r o
m thei r b o d y tha t i t i s tim e t o rel a x a litde , a n d inste a d
t he y h av e a n o t h e r c u p o f coff e e o r tr y e v e n h a r d e r t o
c o n c e n • trate . A f t e r a w h i l e t h e y e st ab l i s h a p a t t e r n o f
overridin g th e ultradia n rhythm .
I n future , w h e ne v e r y o u fin d your -
The hypnotic
sel f d a y d r e a m i n g a n d a fe el i n g o f c o m
trance (www.
• fo r t startin g i n y o u r body , g o wit h i t
paulmckenna. com/
a n d allo w yo u r s e l f t o reall y rel a x f o r
trance) is designed
te n t o f i f t e e n m i n u t e s . Y o u wi l l t h e n
to help you relax
aris e feel • i n g refreshe d an d wit h
deeply so that you
bet te r co n c e n • tratio n afterward .
gain healthy
Y o u c a n d e e p e n th i s e x p e r i e n c e e v e
replenishment
n f urthe r by practicin g self-hypnosis .
every time you
I ofte n rela x int o tranc e an d
USB tt
imagin e
mysel f s un ba t h i n g o n a n exoti c b e a c h
. Gi v e n tha t th e ner vo u s syste m d o e s
no t
d i f f e r e n t i a t e b e t w e e n a r e a l e v e n t a n d a v iv idl y i m a g i n e
d o n e , w h e n I a w a k e n fr o m a tran c e lik e tha t I fee l a s
t h o u g h I h a v e j u s t b e e n o n v a c a t i o n — a n d a s fa r a s m y
n e r v o u s sys• t e m i s c o n c e r n e d , I h a v e .
T h e grea t t h in g a b o u t r ec h a rg in g y o u r batterie s wit
h p ow e r nap s i s tha t y o u ca n d o i t an y w h e r e — af t e r a bi t
o f pr a ctic e , n o o n e wil l n o t i c e . I f y o u d o i t o n t h e b u s o r
t h e train , e v e r y o n e wil l j u s t t hi n k y o u a r e d o z i n g .
T h e followin g exercis e i s th e versio n o f p o w e r n a p p i n g
149
PAU L McKENN A
I us e m o s t d a y s — i t d o e sn ' t tak e l o ng , a n d i t i s a g o o d
h a b i t t o e s t a b l i s h t h a t wil l r e i n f o r c e al l y o u r o t h e r s t r e s s -
r e d u c i n g e ffort s . E v e n i f y o u w o r k i n a n o p e n - p l a n o f f i c e
o r f ac to r y , y o u c a n al wa y s f i n d a n e x c u s e t o g e t o u t f o r fiv
e m i n u t e s — remember , repedtio n i s th e m ot h e r o f
success !
The Power Na p
D o this on c e o r twic e a da y t o giv e yoursel f

recover y tim e an d improv e you r well-being .
1. Begi n by movin g you r attentio n do w n to

you r feet . Notic e th e feeling s o f you r feet , their
relative warmt h o r coolness , an d their weight .
2. Take a d e e p breat h in, the n let it out . As yo u

do so, imagin e a pleasant , warm , an d relaxing
feeling developin g in you r feet .
3 . No w tak e anothe r deep , gentl e breat h i n

an d imagin e tha t war m an d relaxing feeling
traveling u p th e leg s to you r knees . Sa y "one " in
you r mind.
4 . Allow tha t war m an d relaxing feeling t o

pene • trat e you r muscle s an d bones , gentl y
spreadin g an d soothin g as it moves .
5 . Whe n yo u ar e ready, tak e anothe r gentl e

d e e p breat h and imagin e tha t warm , relaxing
feeling ris• ing up to you r waist , an d as it d oe s so ,
sa y "two. "
150
6. Breathin g in, pull th e feeling of ea s e an d relax•

ation u p t o you r shoulder s an d sa y "three."
7. Let th e relaxation flow up you r b o d y to you

r shoulde r s an d the n dow n alon g you r arm s t o
you r hands .
8. Breathing in, let th e feeling go all th e way,

right t o th e to p o f you r head . Sa y "four" an d sprea
d thos e g oo d , relaxing feeling s all ove r your body .
9. Now, sa y in you r mind "five" an d imagin e tha

t relaxing feeling doubling , as if a new, fresh flow
of relaxation wa s d escen di n g from abov e you r
hea d an d joining th e warm , relaxing feeling s
alread y goin g o n inside you .
10. An d as yo u imagin e this flow of

relaxation spreadin g bac k dow n you r body , imagin e
an y and all tensio n bein g wash e d dow n alon g
with it, draining ou t o f you r b od y throug h th e
bott o m s o f you r feet , makin g roo m for yo u t o b e
refilled o n eac h breat h with new, relaxing,
refreshing energy . Make sure yo u tak e a fe w
momen t s t o really enjoy tho s e feeling s o f
relaxation.
11. Paus e for a little while to notic e th e feeling

and then, if yo u wish, repea t th e sequence . The mor
e yo u practic e th e techniqu e th e more effectiv e it
be co me s .
Sta y with this feeling as long as yo u wish . If at

this poin t you r attentio n wande r s o r yo u woul d
like t o clos e you r eyes , that' s perfectl y ok a y — y o u
will arise refreshe d an d alert in just a fe w minutes.
151
PAU L McKENN A
ESSENTIA L EXERCIS E
A s w e hav e alread y seen , th e b o d y do e s n o t distinguis

h betwee n an emotiona l threa t an d a physica l one .
S o regardles s o f wh a t h a pp en s , i t prepar e s t o protec t
itsel f b y f i g h t i n g o r r u n n i n g a w a y — b u t o f t e n t h e r e i s n
o o n e t o figh t a n d n o w h e r e t o r u n to . T h e b o d y get s
w o r k e d u p b u t c a n n o t f i n d a w a y t o r e l e a s e it s t e n s i o n .
Fortunatel y , j u s t a s th e m i n d influ •
e n c e s t h e body , s o c a n t h e b o d y influ
All ten studies
• e n c e th e mind . W h e n y o u fin d a wa y t
confirmed that ex•
o h e l p y o u r b o d y releas e th e tensio n
ercise significantly
o f th e st re s s response , it feel s
reduces mild to
c a l m e r , saf er , a n d h e a l t h i e r . T h a t i n t u r
moderate depression.
n a ff e c t s y o u r mood , makin g yo u
And the three studies
emotionall y cleare r an d bette r abl e
that compared
to functio n we l l — t o concentrate , to
exercise to psycho•
rel ax , a n d t o s l e e p so un dly .
therapy found that
T h e sim pl es t wa y t o h e l p t h e b o d
exercise was at least
y releas e th e exces s tensio n o f th e
as effective.
st re s s r e s p o n s e i s t o us e up th e
—Consumer Reports
e n e r g y a n d alertnes s fo r actio n tha t
on Health
it ha s pre • p a r e d — i n othe r words ,
to ge t som e
exercise .
N o w , b e f o r e y o u t h r o w u p y o u r h a n d s i n h o r r o r , real
• iz e tha t yo u r exercis e d o esn ' t hav e t o b e anythin g
gra n d . I f y o u ar e n o t u s e d t o exercise , eve n a bris k wal
k wil l b e h e l p f u l . T h e p o i n t i s t o u s e u p t h e e x c e s s
tensio n a n d energ y flowin g t h r ou g h yo u r bo d y a n d t
o trigge r th e
152
b o d y ' s n a t u r a l i m p u l s e t o w a r d rest , r e l ax a t i o n , a n d r e c u
•
p er a ti o n , als o k n o w n a s th e pa ra symp a the t i c r es p on s e
.
T h e p a r a s y m p a t h e t i c r e s p o n s e i s t h e s w e e t , so f t f e e l
• i n g y o u g e t i n y o u r m usc l e s w h e n y o u hav e finishe d
s o m e heav y w o r k o r v i g or o u s m o v e m e n t . Y o u als o fee l a
natura l h i g h ca use d b y th e releas e o f en do rp hi n s , th e
bo d y ' s nat • u ra l o pi at e s . ( W e'l l tal k m o r e a b o u t th e s e o
n d a y s e v e n . ) W h i l e m u c h h a s b e e n m a d e i n t h e la s t
twent y year s a b o u t t h e v alu e o f a er ob i c ex e rc i s e i n
i n c r e a s i n g o u r g e n e r a l fitnes s l evels , stu d ie s h a v e s h o w n
t h a t i t i s e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t i n c o n t r o l l i n g s t r es s .
S w imm in g , r un n in g , o r an y exercis e tha t oxygenate s th
e b l o o d make s control •
l i n g s t r es s e a s i e r
.
S o ev e n b efo r e y o u maste r th e pattern s o f thin ki n
g a n d f e e li n g tha t y o u ha v e l e a r n e d thu s fa r i n t h e
p r o • g r a m , y o u c a n g i v e y o u r s e l f a s i m p l e , easy , p o s i t i v e
b o o s t si m p l y b y g e t t i n g t e n t o fif tee n m i n u t e s o f b ris k
e x e r c i s e e a c h a n d e v e r y day .
E N E R G E T I C EATIN G
Literall y th o us a n d s o f bo o k s hav e b e e n writte n o n wh a

t constitute s a h eal th y diet , man y o f whic h directl y
contra • dic t o n e another . In orde r to mor e easil y
navigat e th e volume s o f informatio n an d
misinformatio n tha t fil l b o o k s t o r e s , l i b r a r i e s , a n d t h e
I n tern e t , I s u gg e s t follow • i n g o n e s i m p l e r ul e :
Learn to listen to your body.
153
PA U L McKENN A
ESSENTIA L EXERCIS E
A s w e hav e alread y seen , th e b o d y do e s n o t distinguis

h betwee n an emotiona l threa t an d a physica l one .
S o regardles s o f wh a t h a pp en s , i t prepar e s t o pro te c t
itsel f b y f i g h t i n g o r r u n n i n g a w a y — b u t o f t e n t h e r e i s n
o o n e t o f i g h t a n d n o w h e r e t o r u n to . T h e b o d y get s
w o r k e d u p b u t c a n n o t f i n d a w a y t o r e l e a s e it s t e n s i o n .
Fo rt una t el y , j u s t a s t h e m i n d influ •
e n c e s t h e body , s o c a n t h e b o d y influ
All ten studies
• e n c e th e min d . W h e n yo u fin d a wa y t
confirmed that ex•
o h e l p y o u r b o d y releas e th e tensio n
ercise significantly
o f th e s t re s s response , i t feel s
reduces mild to
c a l m e r , s afer , a n d h e a l t h i e r . T h a t i n t u r
moderate depression.
n a ff e c t s y o u r mood , makin g yo u
And the three studies
emotionall y cleare r an d bette r abl e
that compared
to functio n we l l — t o concentrate , to
exercise to psycho•
rel ax , a n d t o sl ee p so un dly .
therapy found that
T h e simples t wa y t o h e l p th e b o d
exercise was at least
y releas e th e exces s tensio n o f th e
as effective.
st re s s r e s p o n s e i s t o us e u p th e
—Consumer Reports
en e r g y a n d alertnes s fo r actio n tha t
on Health
it ha s pre • p a r e d — i n othe r words ,
to ge t som e
exercise .
Now , b e f o r e y o u t h r o w u p y o u r h a n d s i n hor ro r , real

• iz e tha t yo u r exerci s e do es n ' t hav e t o b e an ythi n g
g r a n d . I f y o u a r e n o t u s e d t o e x er c i s e , e v e n a bris k wal
k wil l b e h e l p f u l . T h e p o i n t i s t o u s e u p t h e e xc es s
tensio n an d en erg y flowin g t h r o u g h you r b od y a n d t
o trigge r th e
152
b o d y ' s n a t u r a l i m p u l s e t o w a r d rest , r e l a x a t i o n , a n d r ec u
•
p e ra ti o n , als o k n o w n a s th e pa ra symp athe ti c res p ons e
.
T h e p a r a s y m p a t h e t i c r e s p o n s e i s t h e s w e e t , so f t f e e l
• i n g y o u g e t i n y o u r muscl e s w h e n y o u hav e finishe d
s o m e heav y w o r k o r vig or ou s m o v e m e n t . Y o u als o fee l a
natura l h i g h ca use d b y th e releas e o f e n d or ph i n s , th e
bo d y ' s nat • u ra l o pi at e s . ( We'l l tal k m o r e a b o u t th e s e o
n d a y s e v e n . ) W h i l e m u c h h a s b e e n m a d e i n t h e la s t
twent y year s a b o u t th e va lu e o f aerobi c exercis e i n
i n c r e a s i n g o u r g e n e r a l fitnes s levels , s tud ie s h a v e s h o w n
t h a t i t i s e q u a l l y i m p o r t a n t i n c o n t r o l l i n g s tr es s .
Swimm in g , running , o r an y exercis e tha t oxygenate s th
e b l o o d make s control •
l i n g s tr e s s e a s i e r
.
S o ev e n befo r e y o u ma st e r th e pattern s o f thi nki n
g a n d feelin g tha t y o u hav e learne d thu s fa r i n th e
p r o • g r a m , y o u c a n g i v e y o u r s e l f a s i m p l e , easy , p o s i t i v e
b o o s t si mp l y b y g e t ti n g te n t o fiftee n m i n u t e s o f bris k
e x e r c i s e e a c h a n d e v e r y day .
E N E R G E T I C EATIN G
Literall y th o us a n d s o f b o o k s ha v e b e e n writte n o n w h a
t constitute s a he a lt h y diet , man y o f whic h directl y
contra • dic t on e another . In orde r to mor e easil y
navigat e th e volume s o f informatio n an d
misinformatio n th a t f i l l bo o ks to r e s , libraries , a n d th e
I n tern e t , I s u gg e s t follow • i n g o n e si m p l e rule :
Learn to listen to your body.
153
PAU L McKENN A
I n a fas ci natin g e x p e r i m e n t p e r f o r m e d i n th e 1930s

, scientis t s g a v e a g r o u p o f t o d d l e r s u n l i m i t e d acces s t o
a vas t r a n g e o f food s fr o m ic e crea m t o spinach ,
essentiall y allowi n g t h e m t o cr ea t e t he i r o w n die t o ve r
a p e r i o d o f thirt y day s base d o n no thi n g m o r e tha n
thei r o w n sens e o f wha t the y w a n t e d t o ea t a n d w h e n .
T h e result ?
Despit e variation s in dming , sequence , an d fre
• quency , ever y c hil d i n th e stud y w o u n d u p c h o o s i n g
w h a t wa s considere d t o b e a b al anc e d die t ove r th e
cours e o f th e month . As we lear n to liste n to th e
wisdo m o f o u r bodies , we to o ca n experienc e th e
benefit s o f optim a l health .
T h e f a c t is , s o m e f o o d s i n c r e a s e y o u r vitali t y a n d
well - b ei n g ; o t h e r f oo d s dimi ni s h t h e m . A u t h o r a n d
r e s e a r c h e r Dr . Ga y H e n d r i c k s r e c o m m e n d s th e fol l o w i n g
exercis e t o determin e whic h food s ar e you r persona l
high-energ y foods :
Step One: Eat a foo d yo u like.
Step Two: Notic e you r b od y sensation s forty-five

to sixty minute s later. If yo u feel clea r an d
energetic , yo u at e a high-energ y foo d for you . If
yo u don't , yo u didn't!
I n Dr . H e n d r i c k s ' s r e s e a r c h , h e d i s c o v e r e d t h a t w h e
n p e o p l e fel t e n er g i z e d a n h o u r afte r eating , th a t fe eli n g
of
154
energ y tende d t o st a y w i t h t h e m fo r severa l m o r e

h o u r s , usua ll y un t i l t h e n e x t tim e t h e y n e e d e d t o eat .
B y p r a c t i c i n g t h i s s i m p l e e x e r c i s e f o r a s lit t l e a s
a week , y o u ca n custom-desig n a perfec t die t fo r you r
ow n u niq 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
M E D IC IN A L L A U G H T E R
R e c e n t re s e a r c h ha s s h o w n th a t h ea l t h y p e o p l e ar e usu
• al l y h a p p y p e o p l e . T h a t ' s w h y a g o o d s e n s e o f h u m o r
i s s o i m p o r t a n t . H a v i n g a se n s e o f h u m o r i s vital , n o t j u s
t to
155
PAU L McKENN A
a m u s e yo u rs e l f a t partie s b u t a s a n essentia l psy cho lo

• gica l resource . Whe n yo u ar e lighthearted , you r
b o d y ma nuf ac tur e s differen t ch e m ic a l s f r o m d io s e i t
m a n u f a c • ture s w h e n y o u ar e u n h a p p y .
In Anatomy o f a n Illness, Norman Cousin s write s o
f usin g laughte r t o hel p contro l hi s pai n an d
ultimatel y hea l hi s b o d y o f ankylosin g spondylitis , a
d e g e n e r a t i v e illnes s tha t a t th e tim e wa s considere d
irreversibl e i n
49 9 o u t o f 50 0 cases . N o t o n l y d i d C o u s i n s recover , h
e w e n t o n t o li v e i n e x c e l l e n t h e a l t h f o r a n o t h e r uv e n t y -
fiv e ye ar s .
Re s e a r c h ha s s h o w n th a t w h e n w e smil e w e releas
e serotonin , otherwis e k now n a s "happ y chemical, " i n
t h e b r a i n . S o w h i l e l a u g h i n g y o u r s e l f h e a l t h y i s stil l s e e
n a s radica l thera p y h e r e i n th e West , con si d e r th e fac
t tha t th e Taoist s hav e bee n usin g th e powe r o f th e
" i n n e r s m i l e " a s a h e a l i n g t o o l f o r o v e r 2,50 0 year s !
I firs t c a m e a c r o s s t h e p r a c t i c e o f t h e i n n e r s m i l e I a
m g o i n g t o s har e wit h y o u n o w i n th e work s o f m o d e r n-
d a y Taois t maste r M a n t a k Chi a , w h o wrote :
T ao i s t Sa g e s sa y t h a t w h e n y o u smile , y o u r
o rg a n s releas e a honey-lik e secretio n whic h
n o u r i s h e s t h e w h o l e b o d y . W h e n y o u a r e an g r y ,
f e a r f u l o r u n d e r stress , the y p r o d u c e a po iso no u
s secretio n whic h block s u p th e en er g y channels .
T h e practic e o f th e i n n e r smil e I shar e be l o w i s th

e wa y I us e i t t o releas e tensio n a n d p r o m o t e eas e a n d
well - b e i n g i n m y o w n bo dy .
156
The Inner Smile
1. Sit comfortably—ultimately , yo u ca n practic

e th e inner smile anywhere , in an y position.
2. Allow a smile to d anc e into you r eyes . If yo

u like, raise th e corner s of you r mout h eve r so
slightly, like so m e o n e wh o know s a really coo l
secre t bu t doesn' t nee d t o tell.
3 . Smile into any part o f you r bo d y tha t feel s

tigh t or uncomfortable , until it b egi n s to eas e or
relax,
4 . Smile into any part o f your bod y tha t feels e sp e

• cially go o d . You ca n increase th e smile by
expressin g gratitud e to that part of your bod y for
helping to kee p yo u healthy and strong .
5. Allow th e inner smile to reac h ever y corne r

of you r body . Here are som e specifi c su ggesti on s :
a. Smile into th e organ s of you r b od y —yo u r

heart, liver, pancreas , kidneys, genitals, an d
adrenal glands . If yo u don' t kno w wher e the s
e organ s are, it's oka y to pretend—yo u r bod y
will redirect th e energ y for you .
b. Smile dow n throug h you r e so p h ag u s and

into your stomach . Smile all th e wa y throug h
your large and small intestines and ou t of you r
bot • tom . (If anyon e can think of a mor e delicat
e wa y to put that, answer s on a postcard ,
please! )
157
PAU L MCKENN A
a m u s e yo u rs el f a t part ie s b u t a s a n essentia l p s yc hol o

• gica l resource . Whe n yo u ar e lighthearted , you r
b od y manufactur e s differen t chemical s fr o m thos e i t
m an ufa c • ture s w h e n y o u ar e un ha p py .
In Anatomy o f a n Illness, Norman C o u s i n s writ e s o
f usin g laughte r t o hel p contro l hi s pai n an d
ultimatel y hea l hi s bod y o f ankylosin g spon dyliti s , a
d e g e n e r a t i v e illnes s tha t a t th e tim e wa s considere d
irreversibl e i n
49 9 o u t o f 50 0 cases . N o t o n l y d i d C o u s i n s recover , h
e w e n t o n t o li v e i n e x c e l l e n t h e a l t h f o r a n o t h e r tw e n t y -
fiv e years .
Re sear c h ha s s h o w n tha t w h e n w e smil e w e releas
e serotonin , otherwis e k n o w n a s "ha pp y chemical, " i n
t h e b r a i n . S o w h i l e l a u g h i n g y o u r s e l f h e a l t h y i s stil l s e e
n a s radi ca l t h e r a p y h e r e i n th e West , c o n s i d e r th e fac
t th a t t h e Taoist s hav e b e e n usin g th e powe r o f th e
" i n n e r s m i l e " a s a h e a l i n g t o o l f o r o v e r 2,50 0 y e ar s !
I firs t c a m e a c r o s s t h e p r a c t i c e o f t h e i n n e r s m i l e I a
m g o i n g t o shar e wit h y o u n o w i n th e work s o f m o de rn -
d a y Taois t maste r M a n ta k Chia , w h o wrote :
Ta o i s t S a g e s sa y t h a t w h e n y o u s m il e , y o u r
o rg a n s releas e a honey-lik e secretio n whic h
n o u r i s h e s t h e w h o l e b o d y . W h e n y o u a r e an g r y ,
f e a r f u l o r u n d e r stress , t h e y p r o d u c e a p o i s o n o u
s secretio n whi c h block s u p th e en erg y channels .
T h e practic e o f th e i n n e r smil e I shar e be l o w i s th

e wa y I us e i t t o releas e tensio n a n d p r o m o t e eas e a n d
well - b e i n g i n m y o w n bo dy .
156
The Inner Smile
1. Sit comfortably—ultimatel y , yo u ca n practic

e th e inner smile anywhere , in an y position.
2. Allo w a smile to d an c e into you r eyes . If yo

u like, raise th e corner s of you r mout h eve r so
slightly, like so m e o n e wh o know s a really coo l
secre t bu t doesn' t nee d t o tell.
3 . Smile into an y part o f you r b od y tha t feel s

tigh t or uncomfortabl e , until it begi n s to ea s e or
relax.
4 . Smile into any part o f you r bod y tha t feel s

e sp e • cially go o d . You ca n increas e th e smile b y
expressin g gratitud e t o tha t part o f you r b od y
for helping t o kee p yo u healthy and strong .
5. Allo w th e inner smile to reac h ever y corne r

of you r body . Here ar e so m e specifi c su gge stion s :
a. Smile into th e organ s of you r b od y—y o u r

heart, liver, pancreas , kidneys, genitals, an d
adrenal glands . If yo u don' t kno w wher e thes
e organ s are, it's oka y to pretend—you r b od y
will redirect th e energ y for you .
b. Smile dow n throug h you r e so p ha gu s and

into you r stomach . Smile all th e wa y throug h
you r large and small intestines and ou t of you r
bot • tom . (If anyon e ca n think of a mor e delicat
e wa y to put that, answer s on a postcard ,
please! )
157
PAU L McKENN A
c. Smile u p into you r brain, the n d ow n throu g

h th e b as e o f you r skull an d all th e wa y d ow n
t o th e b ot t o m o f you r spine .
You ca n smile into you r life as well as you r body .

Try smiling an d expressin g gratitud e into a
relation• ship, an environment , or a projec t yo u ar e
currentl y workin g on, an d notic e ho w th e en e r g y
aroun d tha t situation beg in s t o shift!
B E LI E V E Y O U R S E L F W E L L
A f e w year s a g o a n i nt er e st in g stud y wa s c o n d u c t e d t o
tr y t o d i s c o v e r w h y a s m a l l n u m b e r o f p e o p l e s u r v i v e
cance r whil e t h e vas t m aj o ri t y o f p e o p l e d o no t . Th e
researcher s interviewe d a h u n d r e d p e op l e w h o h a d a t o n
e t i m e b e e n d i a g n o s e d a s t e r m i n a l l y il l b u t w e r e stil l
aliv e a t leas t twelv e ye ar s afte r t h e initia l d ia g n o s i s wa s
made .
Th e intentio n o f th e stud y wa s to discove r an y
pat • te r n s o f t h i n k i n g o r b e h a v i o r s h a r e d b y th e s e l o n g -
t e r m survivor s . T h e result s w e r e startl in g b u t co n cl u s iv e .
W h i l e t h e surv iv or s h a d al l u s e d di f f e r e n t t r e a t m e n t s ,
rangi n g fro m surger y a n d c h em o t h er a p y t o ac u pu n c tu r e
a n d nat • u r a l die ts , a n d s o m e h a d e v e n r e l i e d o n p u r e l
y p s yc h o • l o g i c a l t e c h n i q u e s o r r e l ig i o u s pr a ct ic e s , al l o n
e h u n d r e d p e o p l e s h a r e d o n e e s s e n t i a l t rait :
They believed that what they were doing would

work for them.
158
Wh y can't I just tak e

prescription drug s to reduc e my
stress?
A s the y sa y in Alcoholic s An ony mou s , you r

bo d y can' t tell th e difference betwe e n a
prescription dru g an d on e bough t on a stree t
corner.
Ther e are als o othe r way s t o improv e you r
health. Thes e day s ther e are man y report s abou t
what' s ba d for us, bu t let's no t forge t on e ver y
importan t thing . W e all hav e ou r ow n immun e
system : th e b o d y an d mind workin g t oge th e r t o
heal, protect , an d regulat e th e fantasti c vesse l that
w e essentiall y are. W e live in an ag e whe n
incredible medica l ad v an c e s ar e constantl y takin
g place . Drug s an d surger y hav e b e c o m e
co mmo npla c e . Many peopl e e xp e c t instant cure s
from th e d octor s for their ills, and the y hand ove r
responsibility for their health to th e medica l
profession , preferring a prescriptio n to instigatin g
a c h a n g e in their lifestyle or diet.
Th e cultural acceleratio n of use of prescriptio
n drug s has led to othe r problems . Dr. E. W.
Marting believe s tha t mor e peopl e ar e killed ea c
h yea r b y prescribe d drug s in th e United State s
an d Britain than are killed in road accident s . Perhap
s this is on e reaso n wh y s o man y peop l e ar e
looking t o alterna• tive wa y s t o improv e their
health.
159
PAU L MCKENN A
I n m e d i c a l h is to r y , t h e r e i s a n i n t e r e s t i n g d e m o n s t r a
• ti o n o f t h e p o w e r o f b el i e f k n o w n a s t h e p l a c e b o effect .
A placeb o i s a table t wit h n o inheren t curativ e
p ro p e rt ie s . B e c a u s e t h e U n i t e d State s re q ui re s al l n e w
drug s t o b e teste d agains t plac ebos , there' s a n unusu a
l am o u n t o f researc h o n them .
O n a v e r a g e , p l a c e b o s a r e a b o u t 3 0 p e r c e n t a s e ff ec
• ti v e a s a m e d i c a l d r u g . However , i n s o m e specifi c
case s th e i r effectivenes s is muc h higher . Compare d
agains t m o r p h i n e , placebo s ar e 5 4 percen t a s
effective , e v e n t h o u g h m o r p h i n e i s c o n s i d e r e d a cl as s - A
narcotic .
W e ar e onl y b e g i n n i n g t o un der s t a n d th e incredibl
e p o w e r o f h y p n o s i s a n d it s p o s s i b l e r o l e i n m e d i c i n e
a n d th e ra p y i n th e f uture . S o m e d octor s hav e recentl y
p r o v e n h o w ju s t usi n g th e imag inati o n c a n affec t y o u r
health . O t h e r researc h ha s s h o w n tha t p e o p l e w h o
be lie v e the y c a n c o n tr o l the i r i m m u n e syste m fi n d tha t
t h e y c a n e as i l y d o so b y usin g hypnoti c o r guide d
imager y techniques . Man y individua l s coul d actuall y
increas e th e n u m b e r o f protectiv e bloo d cel l s in thei
r bodie s almos t at will , instantl y i m p r o v i n g th e i r
res is tan c e t o illness .
I n a r e l a t e d st ud y , tw o do ct o r s a t a universit y i n
Yoko • hama , Japan , demo nstrate d tha t 8 4 per ce n t o f
subject s c o u l d e l im in a t e t h e st anda r d hi s t a m i n e r e s p o n s
e t o poi • so n ivy. Th e itching , swellin g , a n d blister s
d i s a p p e a r e d w h e n t h e subject s u n d e r hy p nos i s simpl y
i m a g i n e d t h e p o i s o n iv y t o b e a h a r m l e s s p l a n t . J u s t a s
importan t i n ou r understandi n g o f th e impac t o f th e
m i n d o n well ness , a lar g e n u m b e r o f subject s b r o k e o u t
i n blister s w h e n t he y
160
reverse d th e experimen t an d imagine d th e harmles

s p l a n t t o b e p o i s o n ivy.
A s a resul t o f thes e a n d o t h e r studie s li k e them ,
m o s t health-car e professional s n o w a c k n o wl e d g e th a t a
patient' s attitud e i s a m aj o r f ac to r i n t h e succes s o f the i
r recovery .
But What if I'm Really

Sick?
Anothe r amazin g experiment , c o n d u c t e d b y Dr . Davi

d Spiega l at Stanfor d Universit y , examine d a grou p
o f w o m e n wit h breas t cancer . W hi l e everyo n e i n th e
g r o u p receive d th e lates t m e d i c a l treatmen t fo r thei r
i l l n e s s , h a l f o f t h e g r o u p al s o l e a r n e d s e l f - h y p n o s i s a n d
d i d ver y simpl e g u i d e d imagery , imaginin g themselve s
r e l a x e d a n d f l oa ti n g . A f t e r a year , t h e g r o u p t h a t h a d
learne d t o rela x an d imagin e themselve s relaxe d
r e p o r t e d m u c h les s p a i n a n d m o r e o p t i m i s m .
W h a t reall y sur pris e d t h e re s e a rc h e r s d i d n ' t e m e r g
e unti l muc h l at e r . Te n year s afte r th e initia l
e x p e r i m e n t wa s conducted , member s o f th e secon d
g r o u p h a d live d a n averag e o f twic e a s lon g a s th e
first . W h i l e n o b o d y i s s a y i n g t h a t h y p n o s i s i s a c u r e f o
r cancer , r e g u l a r self - h y p n o s i s o r g u i d e d i m a g e r y wil l
clearl y i m p r o v e t h e qualit y o f y o u r l if e an d ma y wel l
h a v e a p o s i t i v e e f f e c t o n t h e l e n g t h o f it .
O n e o f t h e firs t t e r m i n a l l y il l p e o p l e I e v e r w o r k e
d wit h wa s a lad y w h o ha d cancer . Eac h tim e sh e
ha d chemotherap y he r immun e syste m becam e
depleted ,
w h i c h lef t he r feelin g low , bot h physicall y an d
mentally .
161
PAU L McKENN A
H e r d o c t o r h a d e x p l a i n e d t o h e r th a t i t usual l y take
s a b o u t tw o we e k s f o r th e i m m u n e syste m t o r e t u r n t o
nor • m a l afte r th e typ e o f c h e m o t h e r a p y sh e wa s
having , b u t o n c e sh e l e a r n e d th e simpl e visualizatio n
t e c h n i q u e t h a t I wi l l s h a r e w i t h y o u i n a f e w m o m e n t s ,
h e r syste m wa s c o m p l et e l y rejuvenate d afte r j u s t fiv e
d a y s . T h e d o c t o r c o u l d h a r d l y b e l i e v e it .
A les s s e r i o u s b u t e q u a l l y d r a m a t i c e x a m p l e w a s a
n actres s f r i e n d o f m i n e w h o n o t i c e d s h e w a s g e t t i n g a
c o l d s o r e , w h i c h n o r m a l l y w o u l d las t f o r u p t o fi v e
days . S h e wa s d u e t o b e g i n f i l m i n g l ate r th a t e v e n i n g .
Sh e relaxe d he r body , the n visualize d hersel f usin g
th e i m m u n e - s y s t e m b o o s t e r e a c h d a y f o r fiv e days ,
cro ssi n g t h e day s of f a m e n t a l c a l e n d a r o n e a t a ti m e .
Fiv e "inne r d a y s " la te r , s h e v i s u a l i z e d t h e c o l d s o r e
g o n e . W h e n sh e c a m e b a c k o u t o f r e l a x e d visualizatio n
o r trance , th e tingl e tha t usuall y signifie d th e
i mm i n e n t onse t o f a col d sor e h a d disappeared , a n d i t
neve r c am e back .
M y inspiratio n fo r th e immune-syste m bo oste r c a m

e f r o m a n e x p e r i m e n t c a r r i e d o u t b y Dr . K a r e n O l n e s s
a t th e Rainbo w Babies ' an d Children' s Hospita l in
Cleve • land . Th e experimen t involve d a grou p of
childre n bein g show n a vide o featurin g puppets . On e
p u p p e t r e p • r e s e n t e d a v i r u s ; a n o t h e r , w h i c h l o o k e d li k e
a p o l i c e m a n , r e p r e s e n t e d th e i m m u n e system . T h e v i d e o
wa s a simpli • fie d illustratio n o f th e inte r na l wo r ki n g s o f
t h e b o d y t h a t t h e c h i l d r e n c o u l d ea si l y u n d e r s t a n d .
W h e n t h e v i d e o w a s ove r , t h e c h i l d r e n w e r e t o l d t
o c l o s e t h e i r e y e s , r e l a x , a n d i m a g i n e lot s o f p o l i c e m e n
p up • pet s r u n n i n g a r o u n d thei r bodies . Sa li v a s a m p l e s
wer e
162
t h e n t a k e n f r o m e a c h chil d , a n d t h e result s s h o w e d
tha t thei r immunoglobuli n l ev el s ha d s ub s t a n t i a l l y
i n c r e a s e d — t h a t is , thei r i m m u n e sy st e m s ha d begu n
w o r k i n g a s t h o u g h the y w e r e fi ghti n g of f rea l inf ections .
I b e g a n w a d i n g t h r o u g h t h e cl in ic a l re s ea r c h i n a rela
• tivel y ne w are a know n as psychoneuroimmunology ,
o r PNI . T h e r e , I f o u n d masse s o f irrefutabl e ev i d e n c e
c o n • f i r m i n g t h a t it' s p o s s i b l e t o b o o s t y o u r i m m u n e s y s t e
m j u s t b y t hi nk i n g a b o u t i t i n c erta i n ways . T h e i de a
behin d PN I
i s t h a t o u r b o d y k n o w s h o w t o r e p a i r i ts el f a n d m a i n t a i
n perfec t holisti c health . Programme d int o you r
i m m u n e s ys t e m i s t h e ab i li t y t o r e c o g n i z e t h o s e c el l s t h a t
belon g t o yo u an d thos e tha t ar e invader s f r o m th e
outside , whic h mus t b e destroye d o r appropriatel y
consumed .
O n c e y o u r i m m u n e syste m c o m e s i n c o n t a c t wit h bac

• teri a , vi ruse s , o r a b n o r m a l cells , i t wil l n e v e r f o r g e t
t h e e n c o u n t e r . D u r i n g it s firs t e x p o s u r e , y o u r i m m u n e
sys • t e m produce s targete d "biochemica l weapons "
d e s i g n e d t o c o m b a t th a t specifi c a b n o r m a l invader . Y o u
r immune
syste m i s s t ro n g a n d i n tell ige n t e n o u g h t o co n t r o l a n
d c o o r d i n a t e it s a c t i o n s s o t h a t y o u e f f o r t l e s s l y m a i n t a i
n a s ta t e o f h e a l t h y vitality .
The Immune-System
Booster
A n o r m a l , h e a l t h y i m m u n e syste m i s a w o n d e r f u l t h i n
g an d ha s almos t miraculou s healin g powers . Bu t
thos e power s ca n b e e n h a n c e d t h r ou g h th e applicati o n
o f t h e s i m p l e v i s u a l i z a t i o n I wi l l b e s h a r i n g w i t h y o u .
H e r e ' s a lette r I r e c e i v e d rece nt l y f r o m o n e o f m y
163
PAU L McKENN A
student s w h o us e d thes e techn iqu e s t o m a k e a dramati

c d i f f e r e n c e i n h i s o w n li f e a n d i n t h e liv e s o f o t h e r s :
Dear Paul,
A b o u t fiv e y e ar s a g o , I r e c e i v e d t h e w o r s t n e w s I c o u l
d h a v e f e a r e d . A suc ce s s f u l sale s e x e c u t i v e , I ha d
be e n trouble d b y stran g e bout s o f di z z i ne s s ,
n u m b n e s s , a n d s l u r r i n g . A t o n e sale s p r e s e n t a t i o n , I
h a d ev e n b e e n struc k d u m b i n m id se n t e n c e . Af te r
extensiv e m e d i c a l tests , th e neurolo gis t gav e th e
dreadf u l dia gn osi s mul • ti p l e sclerosi s (MS) , th e
i n c u r a b l e a n d d e g e n e r a t i v e n e r v e dis ea se . T h e n e w s
c a m e a s a h a m m e r blow . M y d r e a m s f o r t h e f u t u r e
w e r e s w e p t away , a n d t h e d o c • to r s t o l d m e t o b r a c
e m y s e l f f o r " m a n a g e d d e c l i n e " — t h e h e a r t l e s s cl i n i c a
l t e r m f o r t h e i n e x o r a b l e slid e i n t o d e p e n d e n c y ,
di s e a s e , a n d d e a t h . W i t h c a r e f u l m a n a g e • m e n t , th e
d o c t o r s sai d , I m i g h t l o o k f o r w a r d t o a p e r i o d o f
re la ti ve l y n o r m a l l i v i n g — p e r h a p s a year , p o s s i b l y a
littl e more—befor e th e dreade d illnes s s t ar t e d t o
r o t m y n e r v e s o n c e m o r e . I wa s e n c o u r a g e d t o g o
aw a y a n d cry, a s I n e e d e d t o c o m e t o t e r m s wit h m y
plight . Tw o exacerbatio n s o f th e di s e a s e in th e
spac e o f tw o m o nt h s in dicat e d t o m y neur ol ogi s t tha
t M S wa s v e r y a ct iv e i n m y bo d y , a n d hi s v ie w wa s
t h a t thi s wa s lik el y t o b r i n g a b o u t m y swif t d e c l i n e .
H o w ev e r , afte r si x month s o f th e deepes t

des pair , m y a tti tu d e a b o u t thi s dis ea s e c h a n g e d , a n d
I b e g a n t o m o v e t o w a r d h o p e . I t r a n s f o r m e d m y wa y
o f l i f e — s t a r t i n g wi t h a r adi c a l c h a n g e o f d i e t — a n d
reachin g
164
in t o m y d e e p e s t p h i l o s o p h i c a l a n d spiri tua l atti tude s

. T h e catalys t f o r thi s c h a n g e wa s y o u r C D Supreme
Self Confidence. I n o t i c e d th a t f r o m s o m e w h e r e wit h i
n a n ew f ou n d h o p e surged . I n m y m i n d ' s ey e I
c r e a t e d a p ositiv e a n d v i b r a n t self-i mage , w h i c h I
m o v e d t o w a r d w it h i n c r e a s i n g c o n f i d e n c e . O n e y e a r
afte r m y d i a g n o • sis, I wa s b a c k t o m y o p t i m a l w e i g h t ;
f o l l o w i n g L a s i k ey e surger y , I h a d 2 0 / 2 0 v i si o n f o r t h e
firs t t i m e ; a n d I wa s e v e n b a c k p l a y i n g r u g b y a g a i n .
T h i s wa s a p os it iv e r e i n • f o r c e m e n t o f m y new ,
he alth y , i n v i g o r a t e d s e lf- im a ge .
I n thi s t i m e I al s o d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t r a d i t i o n a l
Chi • nes e m e d i c i n e — d e v e l o p e d ove r thousand s of
y e a r s — o f f e r e d i n t e r e s t i n g po s si bi lit ie s . I t h r e w m y s e l
f int o a n in t e ns i v e educatio n i n th e subject ,
becomin g first a patien t of, an d subsequentl y
accomplish e d in , t h e a n c i e n t C h i n e s e h e a l i n g arts ,
particularl y a cu p u n c • tur e a n d th e a d v a nc e d e n e r g y
a n d m i n d - h e a l i n g sys• t e m o f m e d i c a l q i g o n g . I h a v
e studie d wit h l ea di n g grandmaster s i n C h i n a a n d th
e U n i t e d State s a n d I a m n o w on e o f Europe' s
foremos t exponent s o f medica l qigong , teachin g
a c u p u n c t u r i s t s h o w t o uti li z e thi s p o w e r f u l h e a l i n g
syste m .
I a m n o w i n d i e b es t physica l a n d m e n t a l h e a l t h o f
m y life . I c o n t i n u e t o h ar ne s s t h e p o w e r o f m y
u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d a s m y lif e a n d h e al t h c o n t i n u e t o
flouris h . A m a z • ingly , fiv e year s afte r t h e e v e n i n g I
first li st en e d t o y o u r C D , I h a v e n o t h a d a sing l e
e x a c e r b a t i o n o f M S , a n d I ha v e b e e n c o m p l e t e l y
s y m p t o m f re e f o r m o r e t h a n f o u r years . I a m h o n o r e d
t o ha v e n o w b e c o m e a s t u d e n t o f
165
PAU L MCKENN A
P a u l M c K e n n a , a n d a s a C h i n e s e m e d i c a l p ra ctitioner ,
I r eg ul ar l y a n d successfull y trea t p e o p l e suffer in g f r o
m M S a n d o t h e r " i n c u r a b l e " diseases . A s p a r t o f m y
treat • m e n t I o ft e n p r e s c r i b e P a u l M c K e n n a C D s .
P e o p l e li k e m e — h o p e l e s s ca se s , a s j u d g e d b y Wes t
• er n medica l standards—ar e li v i n g proo f tha t
th e po w e r o f th e un c on s c i o u s m i n d ha s p r o f o u n d
le ss o n s f o r u s al l . F o r m e , h e a l i n g o t h e r s i s n o w m o r e
t h a n j u s t a m i s s i o n — i t i s al s o a n a m a z i n g a d v e n t u r e i
n lif e , a n d i n li v i ng .
Whethe r you'r e as health y as an ox o r you'r e

cur • rentl y e x p e r i e n c i n g s y m p t o m s o f un we l l n es s , tak e
a f e w m i n u t e s n o w t o tr y t h e f o l l o w i n g t e c h n i q u e :
166
Immune-System Booste r
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. Clos e your eye s and imagine your immune syste m in

a wa y that appeal s to you . My personal preferenc e is to think
of it as lots of light-colored jellyfish-type creatures, which is
sim• ilar to ho w th e protectiv e cells actually look. Make sure
there are plenty of them , and se e the m as stron g and
purposeful.
2 . Next, imagin e traveling inside you r b od y t o th e

are a tha t need s healing, and notic e ho w you imagin e th e
prob • lem manifesting . You migh t se e th e infection o r
disease d cells as lots of little tiny blac k jelly globule s .
3. In your mind, se e th e big light-colored jellyfish enca p •

sulating and devourin g th e little black globules
.
4 . Whe n th e little black globule s are go ne , it's

very importan t to then imagine th e light jellyfish happily
swim • ming an d patrolling your bloodstream . This is to
ensur e tha t yo u d o not overstimulat e your immun e system
.
5. Now imagine a healthier you standing or sitting in front

of you . S e e how th e healthier yo u looks, breathes , an d
smiles.
6 . Finally, ste p into th e healthier you , s e e throug h

th e eye s o f th e healthier you , hear throug h th e healthier
you' s ears , an d feel ho w muc h bette r yo u feel!
167
PAU L McKENN A
B y now , I ' m sur e yo u ' v e b e g u n t o realiz e yo u r amaz

• in g potentia l fo r health , energy , an d well-being .
R e t u r n t o t h e i d e a s a n d e x e r c i s e s i n th i s c h a p t e r a s o f t e
n a s y o u lik e to unleas h tha t potentia l a n d energiz e
o n e o f th e c o rn ers to n e s o f w e a l t h — y o u r physica l body !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
PS. Tomorrow, we'll take a look at another cornerstone of wealth

and the key to a happy, healthy life—the ability to create money
from every opportunity!
168
DAY
6
CREATIN G
MONE Y
Discovering the secrets of
the millionaire's mind
PAU L McKENN A

• Take a few minutes to go through th e "Reprogrammin g
Your Self-Image" exercise o n pa g e 3 5 .
• Revie w you r purpose , values , an d big drea m from
da y four.
• If yo u nee d mor e energy , guid e yoursel f throug h
th e natural relaxation exercis e from da y five.
• Cho os e your favorite exercis e from day s tw o and three
to creat e a grea t stat e and progra m 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
PAU L McKENN A
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 dollars—a 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
T H E W E A L T H O F TH E W O R L D
Y o u ar e o n e o f th e wealthies t p e o p l Lack of money is the

e w h o h a s ev e r lived . root of all evil.
Now , I d o n ' t k n o w y o u , o f cours e —George Bernard Shaw
, b u t I c a n stil l safe l y m a k e m y
assertio n
becau s e o u r m o d e r n cultur e i s s o m u c
h
wealthie r tha n an y previou s societ y in th e histor y

o f mankind . I n fact , w h e n I wal k d o w n t h e stree t i n
a l m o s t a n y ci t y I visit , I ' m s t r u c k b y h o w m u c h w e a l t h
t h e r e i s i n t h e w o r l d a n d h o w f e w o f u s a r e trul y a w a r e
o f it .
Re a l we a l t h isn' t j u s t a b o u t m o n e y — i t ' s a b o u t y o u
r acces s t o reso urc es , w h e t h e r o r n o t thos e reso urc e s
tec h • nicall y b e l o n g to you . The India n gur u Swam i
Muk - tananda , u p o n a r r i v i n g i n A m e r i c a f o r t h e firs t
t i m e , s t o o d i n t h e a i r p o r t a n d s ai d :
" T h e y li v e i n p a r a d i s e , y e t t h e y wi l l n e v e r k n o w i t . "
Jus t thin k a b o u t wh a t y o u hav e accessibl e t o y o u ev e
n
i f y o u h a v e virtuall y n o m o n e y a t a l l — b e a u t i f u l street
s a n d p ar k s t o w a l k t h r o u g h , l ib ra ri e s ful l o f b o o k s t o
re a d , sc ho o l s fo r y o u r c h il d re n , a n d hospital s f o r y o u r
body . I n short , t hi n g s tha t w e r e availabl e o n l y t o th e
p ri vi le g e d elit e a f e w s ho r t c e n t ur i e s a g o p r o b a b l y f ee
l lik e y o u r birthrigh t .
Rea l wealt h i s a b o u t havin g a n a b u n d a n c e o f g o o

d healt h an d tru e happiness . It' s abou t havin g
g o o d f riend s o r famil y y o u ca n shar e intimat e an d
pleasurabl e ex pe ri en c e s wit h an d l au g h with , peopl e
w h o stimulat e
173
PAU L MCKENN A
a n d fascinat e y o u . Rea l wea l t h i s f eel i n g h a p p y m o s t o

f th e time . It' s a sens e o f knowin g tha t y o u ar e
c o n t r i b u t • i n g s o m e t h i n g t o t h e w o r l d a n d t h a t y o u r li f
e i s w o r t h • w h i l e . A f t e r al l , y o u a r e u n i q u e — n o b o d y
ca n d o thing s exactl y th e wa y y o u d o t h e m .
O f c o u r s e , w e a l t h i s als o partl y a b o u t h a v i n g m o n e y
. A n d toda y w e ar e g o i n g t o focu s ver y specificall y a n d
ver y deliberatel y o n tha t o n e t h i n g — m o n e y .
AL L A BO U T MONE Y
T h e earlies t syste m o f trad e wa s barte ring . Co i n s w e r e th

e f i r s t official l y s a n c t i o n e d I O U s , u s e d t o r e p r e s e n t t h e
valu e o f thing s i n th e wo rl d . T h e n c a m e p a p e r mo ne y . A
b an k • n o t e o r a d o ll a r bil l i s essentiall y a n I O U f r o m t h e
g ov er n • m e n t . U n ti l recently , th e y u s e d t o p r i n t on l y a s
m a n y n o t e s a n d b il l s a s t h e y h a d g o l d r e s e r v e s t o b a c k
the m up .
H o w e v e r , i n t h e 1940 s t h e g o v e r n m e n t s o f t h e w o r l
d d e c i d e d t o a b a n d o n th e g ol d standard . Sinc e then ,
the y hav e b e e n printin g m o n e y a s t h o u g h i t wa s g o i n g
o u t o f fashion . Now , th e g o l d i n reserv e i s onl y a fractio
n o f th e a m o u n t o f pape r mone y i n circulation , an d
eve n p a p e r m o n e y i s b e i n g r e p l a c e d b y plasti c c r e d i t
card s a n d nu m • ber s i n co m put e r s .
S o mone y i s e s s e n t i a l l y a symbol o f value—that is , it

rep • resent s value , a l t h o u g h i t ha s n o i n h e r e n t valu e
o f it s o w n . S i n c e o u r m o n e y i s n o l o n g e r b a c k e d b y
g o l d , w h y d o w e stil l a c t a s i f it ' s w o r t h s o m e t h i n g ?
174
B e c a u s e o f o u r c on f i d e n c e o r fait h i n th e so ur c e o f th e
m o n e y — i n t h i s c a s e , t h e g o v e r n m e n t t h a t i s s u e d it . T h i
s lead s us to a simpl e ye t radica l wa y o f thinkin g
abou t money :
Money is a symbol of our confidence in our

products, our services, and ourselves!
H e r e ' s h o w a u t h o r S e r g e K a h i l i K i n g p u t s it :
P e o p l e c a n fail , t o o , w h e n [we ] l os e c o n f i d e n c e i
n the m o r whe n the y los e confidenc e i n
t he m se lv e s , re ga rdle s s o f t h e v a l u e o f t h e i r g o o d s
a n d ser vices . Li ke wis e , peopl e ca n succee d whe n
peopl e hav e extraordinar y confiden c e i n t he m o r
whe n the y hav e extraordinar y con fide n c e i n
t he m s e l v e s , al s o re g a r d • less o f t h e v a l u e o f th e i r
g o od s a n d services. . . .
I f y o u wan t t o hav e m o r e m o n e y i n yo u r l i f e — f o
r yo ursel f o r t o h e l p othe r s o r b o t h — t h e n y o u
h a v e t o m a k e y o u r s e l f m o r e v a l u a b l e i n t h e e ye s o f
othe r peopl e . I t won' t be enoug h to provid e
v a l u a b l e g o o d s a n d s e r v ic e s , o r t o b e i n t h e r i g h t
p l a c e a t t h e r i g h t t im e , o r e v e n t o p i c k t h e r i g h t
n u m b e r s . Y o u ' l l ha v e t o b e m o r e spiritua l t h a n
that . You'l l hav e t o h a v e m o r e fait h , mor e
c o n f i d e n c e , i n y o u r o w n v al u e , a s a p r o v i d e r o r a s a
person .
Thi s reveal s th e magi c formul a fo r makin g mor

e money :
175
PA U L McKENN A
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 h er e ' s t h e reall y g o o d news : i f m o n e y i s confi

• d e n c e , a n d c o n f i d e n c e i s a state , t h e n y o u al r e a d y
h a v e e v e r y t h i n g i t take s t o m a k e al l t h e m o n e y y o u c o u l
d ev e r possibl y w a n t — y o u j u s t ha v e t o c h o o s e t o cultivat
e it !
H O W I B E C A M E A MILLIONAIR E
B e f o r e I s t a r t e d u s i n g t h e t e c h n i q u e s I wi l l b e s h a r i n g w i t
h y o u i n thi s c h a p t e r , I w a s i n d e b t , l i v i n g f r o m d a y t o d a
y i n a tin y r o o m I r e n t e d i n s o m e o n e else' s a p a r t m e n t . I
h a d a sma l l circl e o f fr ie n d s a n d a j o b I d i d n ' t reall y like .
I t wa s a n effo r t t o g e t myse l f u p a n d o u t o f b e d i n t h e
morning .
Withi n a fe w months , I ha d completel y transforme d
m y financia l situation . I m a d e m o r e m o n e y i n thos e fe
w m o n t h s t h a n I h a d i n th e pre vio u s fe w years . Thi s
n e w p a t t e r n i n m y li f e s t a r t e d a c h a i n r e a c t i o n , a n d I
bega n creatin g mone y everywher e I looked . I
develope d a n a m a z i n g l y successfu l s e c o n d career , th e
succe s s o f w h i c h i s probabl y wh y you'r e r e a d i n g th i s
b o o k , a n d m y circl e e x p a n d e d to includ e peopl e I' m
proud to n u m b e r a m o n g m y friend s nearl y tw o d ec a d e
s la te r . W i t h i n a f e w
years , I h a d b e c o m e a mi llio nai r e .
W h a t ' s f a s c i n a t i n g i s t h a t u n t i l t h a t p o i n t , I h a d al w a y
s believe d tha t i n orde r t o m a k e m o n e y I ha d t o g o
o u t int o th e w or l d a n d g e t i t f r o m o t h e r p e o pl e . Instead ,
as I
176
c h a n g e d mysel f a n d m y percept io n o f th e world , m o n e

y b e g a n flo win g t o m e . Af te r a fe w m o r e year s h a d
passed , I b e g a n t e a c h i n g o th er s th e principle s o f h o w I
h a d cre • a t e d a b u n d a n c e i n m y life , a n d v er y qu i c k l y
t h e i r li ve s t r a n s f o r m e d too . N o w I' m goin g to shar e
th o s e s am e secret s wit h y o u !
HO W T O OVERCOM E
TH E P O V E R T Y C O N S C I O U S N E S S
R e s e a r c h h a s s h o w n th a t a massiv e p r o •
port i o n o f thos e w h o sudden l y g e t larg e I f someone hands
s u m s o f m o n e y — f o r e x a m p l e , f r o m lot - you a million
terie s o r i n h e r i t a n c e s — a r e a lm o s t guar - dollars, best you
a n t e e d t o l o s e i t a l l v e r y q u i c k l y . I n fa c t , become a millionaire,
8 0 p e r c e n t ar e actuall y wo rs e of f finan - o r you won't get t o
d a i l y j u s t t w o y e a r s la te r . T h a t ' s b e c a u s e keep the money.
i n s i d e t h e y stil l f e e l p o o r . —Jim Rohn
I n p sy ch o lo g y , thi s i s r e f e r r e d t o a s
t h e P y g m a l i o n e ff e c t , o r t h e se lf -f ulfi lli n g p r o p h e c y , w h i c
h I'v e t a l k e d a b o u t already . W h a t w e e x p e c t t o b e t r u e
i n o u r m i n d s w i l l t e n d t o b e c o m e t r u e i n reality . E v e n i f
o u r e x p e c t a t i o n s a r e n ' t initiall y a c c u r a t e , w e a c t i n way s
tha t ar e consisten t wit h o u r expec ta tion s . T h o s e action s
th e n creat e th e result s w e expected , an d th e
" p r o p h e c y " o f o u r e x p e c t a t i o n s i s fulfilled .
I f y o u be l i e v e y o u c a n ' t reall y b e c o m e wealthy , y o u

wil l s p e a k a n d ac t consistentl y wit h th a t b e l i e f a n d i n
m o s t c a s e s " p r o v e " y o u r s e l f r i g h t . Si m i l ar l y , i f y o u c h a n g
e you r
177
PAU L MCKENN A
e x pe c ta ti o n s o f t h e w o r l d t o ref lec t y o u r infinit e po ten t i a

l f o r w e a l t h , y o u wi l l q u i c k l y g e n e r a t e t h e t h o u g h t s ,
feel -
i,
in gs , a n d b ehav io r s tha t wil l dr a w m o n e y t o y o u .

O u r cultur e i s continual l y p r o g r a m m i n g u s wit h nega
• tiv e financia l association s . We hav e bee n taugh t
t h i n g s l i k e , t h e B i b l e says , " M o n e y i s t h e r o o t o f a l l
e v i l . " W h a t t h e B i b l e a c t u a l l y say s is , " T h e love o f m o n e y
i s t h e r o o t o f a l l e v i l " — t h a t is , t h e a c q u i r i n g o f m o n e y f o
r it s o w n s a k e , a s a c o m m o d i t y t o b e h o a r d e d .
O r w e ar e tol d tha t the r e i s onl y a finit e a m o u n t
o f w e a l t h a n d t h a t t h e m o r e w e h a v e , t h e l es s t h e r e wi l
l b e f o r o t h e r s . O r t h a t a l l r i c h p e o p l e a r e li a r s a n d
t h i e v e s . (It' s c o m m o n i n o u r c u l t u r e t o h e a r t e r m s s u c h
a s "f ilt h y r i c h " o r " fa t c a t , " w h i c h a r e i n d i c a t i v e o f a n
un d erl y i n g mistrus t o f p e o p l e wit h money. )
M a n y o f t he s e l im i t i n g idea s a b o u t m o n e y ar e histori
• call y de ri v e d . D u r i n g t h e M i d d l e A g e s , t h e f e u d a l syste
m k e p t w e a l t h i n t h e h a n d s o f t h e p r i v i l e g e d few , w h i l e
t h e masse s w e r e tricke d int o believ in g tha t po vert y wa s
t h e i r salvation . Thi s hierarchica l syste m o f powe r
worke d o n th e as sum p t i o n th a t ther e i s o nl y a finit e
amoun t t o g o a r o u n d , i m pl y i n g a scarcit y o f w e a l th .
Povert y wa s glamor • ize d b y th e c h u r c h , a n d fo r m a n y
yea r s i t wa s actuall y c o n -
sidere d a Christia n virtu e t o b e poor ,
wit h m o n k s havin g t o tak e a vo w o
You can't help the
f pover t y t o b e initiate d i nt o thei r
poor by being one of
order .
them.
Som e peopl e wh o gre w u p durin g
—Abraham Lincoln t h Depression , o r w h o experien ce d th e
e
r a t i o n i n g o f f o o d a n d essential s d u r i n
g
178
W o r l d W a r II , stil l c a r r y a n u n c o n s c i o u s b e l i e f t h a t t h e r
e jus t won' t b e enoug h to go around . A n d man y o f
t h e m hav e unconsciousl y passe d thes e limitin g belief s
o n t o thei r children .
E v e n i f y o u believ e s o m e o f thes e thing s ar e true , i t
i s i mpo rt a n t tha t y o u rec o gn i z e th e i n h e r e n t p r o b l e m :
If you believe money is bad in some way, you

will unconsciously sabotage your attempts to
create more of it in your life.
I' v e f o u n d t h a t m o s t w e a l t h y , s u c c e s s f u l p e o p l e t e n d t
o shar e th e sam e simpl e habit s an d belief s abou t
prosperity . H o w e v e r , I believ e tha t man y peopl e
u n k n o w i n g l y u s e th i s s a m e p o w e r f u l p r i n c i p l e t o k e e p
themselve s poor , t hr ou g h th e belief s a n d habit s the y
hav e towar d money .
I n st ea d o f t a k i n g responsibilit y f o r the i r belief s a n
d action s (an d therefor e thei r weal th) , the y us e thei r
lac k o f m o n e y a s " p r o o f tha t the y ar e m e a n t t o b e poor .
T h e y hav e affirme d thei r povert y ove r a n d ove r s o m a n y
time s tha t i t unwittingl y becam e a self-fulfillin g
p roph ecy, . a povert y consciousness .
T h i s i s n o t t o sa y t h a t i f y o u a r e p o o r t h a t i t i s i n
a n y w a y y o u r fault . W e a r e n o t re s p o n s i b l e f o r t h e h a n
d w e ar e dealt , bu t w e ca n an d mus t tak e ful l
responsibilit y fo r h o w w e pla y tha t h a n d .
F o r e x a m p l e , s o m e artis t s b e l i e v e t h a t t h e y c a n n o
t hav e c o m m e r c i a l succes s be c au s e i t w o u l d c o m p r o m i s
e t h e i r a rt ist i c i n t e g r i t y . O t h e r p e o p l e b e l i e v e t h a t y o u
can' t
77 9
PAU L McKENN A
b e a g o o d p e r s o n u n l e s s y o u a r e alwa y s p u t t i n g o t h e r s
first , e v e n i f it' s t o y o u r o w n d e t r i m e n t . S o m e p e o p l e sta
y p o o r b e c a u s e i t feel s s a f e r — i t ' s w h a t th e y know .
A s yo u us e th e Change Your Life i n Seven Days s y s t e m
, y o u ar e g o i n g t o le t g o o f an y o l d limitin g idea s y o u
ha d abou t mo ne y an d reprogra m you r m i n d t o be c o m e
m o r e p r o s p e r o u s a n d t h i n k lik e a mil li on air e . H e r e a r
e t w o m e n t a l la w s t h a t e x p l a i n w h y s o m e p e o p l e b e c o m
e stuc k i n a never-en di n g l o o p o f povert y whil e o ther s
see m t o
tur n everythin g the y touc h t o gold
.
A particular train TH E L A W O F R E V E R S E
of thought D EFFOR T
persisted in, be it
good or bad, One o f th e mos t importan t idea s i
cannot fail to n hypnosi s i s calle d "th e la w o f
produce its results r e v e rs e d effort. " Th e la w o f reverse d
in the character effor t c a n b e s u m m e d u p i n th e p o p
and circumstances. psycholog y phrase :
A man cannot
directly choose his What you resist persists.
circumstances, but
he can choose his Som e peopl e hav e deep-roote d be
thoughts, and so • l ief s t h a t k e e p t h e m p o o r . Fo r on e
indirectly, yet rea • so n o r anothe r the y sabotag e
surely, shape his themselve s f r o m getti n g rich . N o ma tte
circumstances. r h o w h a r d t h e y tr y con scio usl y , thei r

u n c o n s c i o u s b e l i e f s wi l l no t suppor t
—-James Allen
them .
Ye t t h e la w o f r e v e rs e d effo r t te a ch e s
180
u s tha t i f d e e p d o w n y o u thi n k o f yoursel f a s p oor ,

y o u ' l l c o n s t a n d y f ea r poverty . S i nc e w h a t y o u f oc u s o n
y o u g e t m o r e of , p o v e r t y i s u s ua l l y e x a c t i y w h a t y o u ' l l g e t
.
T h e e x c e p ti o n t o tha t rul e ar e p e op l e w h o ar e drive
nto a c c u m u l a t e m o n e y b y t h e i r f e a r o f po verty . I'v e
m e t an d go tte n t o k no w s o m e o f th e riches t pe o p l e i
n t h e w o r l d , b u t fe w o f t h e m ha v e w h a t I ' d cal l rea l
wealth . Ma n y o f t h e m ar e workaholics , drive n t o l oo k
fo r the i r n e x t m il l i o n a t th e cos t o f ti m e fo r famil y
o r f r i e n d s . T h e y a r e d r i v e n b y a fe a r o f po verty , a n d n o
m a t t e r h o w m u c h m o n e y t h e y a c c u m u l a t e , i t wi l l n e v e r
be enough .
Obviousl y a c o n c e r n fo r org an ize d finance s is no
t t h e s a m e a s a d r e a d o f po verty . B u t t h a t d e e p - r o o t e d
fea r o f povert y i s wh y s om e p e op l e m a n a g e t o amas s
h u g e riche s withou t eve r gettin g ou t o f th e tra p of
povert y consciousness .
TH E LA W O F ATTRACTI O N
Hav e yo u eve r though t abou t s om e o n e and , moment

s l at e r , t h e p h o n e r i n g s a n d it' s t h e m ? H o w d i d y o u
e x pl a i n th a t t o yourself ? Wa s i t telepath y ? C o i n c i d e n c e ?
M a g n et i c attraction ? O r perh a p s y o u we r e thi n ki n g a b o u
t gettin g a particula r ca r a n d the n sudden l y b e g a n seein
g t ha t typ e o f c a r e v e r yw h e r e . H o w d i d y o u e x p l a i n that
?
T h e L a w o f A t t r a c t i o n s ta te s :
What you focus on consistendy, you get more

of in your life.
181
PA U L MCKENN A
I f y o u f o c u s o n p o v e r t y a n d la c k , y o
When asked the u wil l ten d to ge t mor e o f tha t in
secret to great y o u r life * I f y o u f o c u s o n t h e w e a l t h
wealth, billionaire tha t i s alread y there , yo u wil l ten d
H. L. Hunt gave a to ge t m ore . T h o s e w h o focu s u p o n
simple four-step t h e p o s i • t iv e i n l i f e a n d a t t r a c t i t t o
formula: the m ar e calle d lu ck y . I personall y
believ e w e ca n creat e ou r ow n luck .
I. Decide on what Tha t is w h a t ' s m e a n t w h e n i t say s i n
it is that you th e Bible , "A s a m a n think e t h , s o i s
want. he. "
Whethe r or no t yo u choos e t
2. Decide what
o believ e in th e la w of attraction ,
you are willing
i t' s i n t e r e s t i n g to not e tha t man y
to give up to
hi gh l y successfu l peopl e do . Thi s is
get it.
o n e rea • so n w h y ric h p e o p l e t e n d t o
3. Set your associat e wit h o t h e r ric h p e o p l e a n d wh
priorities y the y g e t richer . You r thought s ar e
accordingly. an energ y tha t i s b ot h powerf u l a n d
creative .
4. Go about it!
S o m e p e o p l e bel ie v e t h e m i n d i s lik
e a magnet , an d wha t w e hol d
u p p e r m o s t i n o u r atten ti o n w e attrac t
t o us . In
m u s ic , thi s i s ca l l e d t h e p r i n c i p l e o f sym •
patheti c reso nan ce . I f y o u hav e tw o piano s i n th e sam
e r o o m a n d y o u h i t a C o n o n e p i a n o , y o u wil l f i n d t h a t
t h e C s t r i n g o n t h e o t h e r p i a n o start s v i b r a t i n g a t t h e
s a m e r a t e . I n t h e s a m e way , y o u a r e a l wa y s a t t r a c t i n g
p e o p l e a n d c ir cum st a nc e s tha t re s on a t e wit h y o u r
pr e do m i na n t thoughts . Wo uldn' t i t b e g o o d t o attun e
you r m i n d t o notic e ho w man y opportunitie s ther e
ar e to become
182
w e a l t h i e r ? I f y o u w a n t t o b e c o m e r i c h a n d st a y r i c h , y o
u nee d to begi n thinkin g o f yoursel f as someon e
w h o deserve s grea t wealth . Y o u m u s t beg i n b y f eeli n g
r ic h withi n fo r i t t o ma n if es t outwardly . A s y o u b e g i n t o
trul y se e y o u r s e l f a s a w ea l t h y p e r s o n , y o u wil l s e e y o u r
fina n • cia l a b u n d a n c e gro w .
CREATIN G WEALT H C O N S C I O U S N E S S
W h a t w e a r e g o i n g t o d o n e x t wi l l h e l p y o u d e v e l o p a n
d in s t al l i n y o u r m i n d a w e a l t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s . T h i s i s
a b o u t m u c h m o r e t h a n attractin g m o n e y — i t ' s a c h a n g e i
n y o u r self-imag e t o o n e o f gr eat e r c o n f i d e n c e
a n d greate r ha r m o n y s o tha t y o u begi n Some men see things t
o no tic e th e a b u n d a n c e tha t surro und s a s they are and ask,
y o u . A n d i t wi l l g r e a t l y e n h a n c e y o u r Why ? I dream things
e x p e r i e n c e o f b e i n g alive . that never were and
I' d lik e t o s ha r e wit h y o u t h e s a m e ask, Why not?
techniqu e s tha t I us e d mysel f t o dramat - —George Bernard Shaw
i c al l y increas e my persona l financia l
weal th . I t a ug h t t h e m t o ot her s , a n d the y als o i n c r e a s e
d thei r financia l wealth . N o w I' m g o i n g t o shar e t h e m
wit h you .
W h e n I firs t d e c i d e d t o m a k e t h e s h i f t f r o m a p o v e r t
y consciousnes s t o on e o f wealth , I wa s constantl y
worryin g ab o u t b e i n g p o o r o r h o w n o t t o b e poor . I h a
d a s cr uf f y l it t l e checkboo k tha t reflecte d m y s cr uf f y
li tt l e f i n a n c e s a t t h e t i m e . W h e n a b i l l c a m e i n t h e m a i l ,
I' d worr y a b o u t
183
PAU L MCKENN A
h o w I w a s g o i n g t o p a y it , a n d I ' d f e e l p o o r i n s i d e .
Thi s co ntin ua l focu s o n povert y ke p t m e stuc k i n p o o r
think • i n g a n d p o o r de c is i o n m a k i n g .
O n c e I' d m a d e t h e d ec is i o n t o affir m w ea l t h i nstead ,
I b e g a n t o o p e n m y bill s a n d vi v i d l y i m a g i n e t h a t I h a d
t ho u • sand s i n t h e b a n k , fa r m o r e t h a n I n e e d e d t o p a y
t h e bill . Y o u c a n i m a g i n e h o w g o o d tha t feels . I wa s
sen di n g a n e w messag e t o m y unconscious . S o m e p e o p l e
tr y t o g e t t h e s a m e e f f e c t b y s a y i n g a f f i r m a t i o n s l i k e " I a
m wealthy , I a m wealthy , I a m wealthy, " b u t i f t h e r e i s a
b e l i e f i n t h e u n c o n • sciou s a b o u t poverty , t h e affirmati o n i
s n e x t t o u s e l e s s . It' s n o t e n o u g h t o h i d e y o u r h e a d i n t h
e san d a n d p r e t e n d — y o u hav e t o actuall y creat e th e
feeling o f w e a l t h b y vi vid l y i m a g i n i n g y o u r s e l f a s w e a l t h y
ove r a n d ove r again .
O f c o u r s e , y o u d o h a v e t o p a y t h e b i ll s , b u t c r e a t i n
g th e f e e l i n g o f w e a l t h wil l mak e th e proces s mor e
enjoy • a bl e an d sen d yo u o n th e roa d t o greate r
abundance .
T h e m i n d i s s e n s i t i v e , s o i t' s i m p o r t a n t t o s i g n a l t
o yoursel f tha t positiv e change s ar e happening . I
c ha ng e d bank s a n d go t a clea n ne w che ck bo o k t o hel p
m e star t t o f e e l di f f er en t . T h e n t h e r e a l f u n b e g a n .
I n e e d e d t o ge t a stron g sens e o f wha t greate r wealt
h w o u l d b e like , s o I g o t a n o l d b a n k statement , c u t i t
u p , r e m o v e d t h e bi t t h a t sa i d " o v e r d r a w n , " r e a r r a n g e d
th e figures , a n d glue d it bac k togethe r so tha t it
s h o w e d t h o u s a n d s i n credit . A s s o o n a s I' d finished , I
burs t ou t laughing . Someho w , eve n t h o u g h I k ne w I' d
m a d e i t u p , actuall y h o l d i n g i t i n m y h a n d s m a d e i t
begi n to fee l m o r e real . I f o c u s e d o n i t severa l tim e s
e v e r y da y .
A n o t h e r te ch n i q u e I u s e d wa s t o practic e writin g o u t
184
d e p o s i t slip s a n d c h e c k s f o r m i l l i o n s o f d o l l a r s u n t i l I
f e l t c o m f o r t a b l e d o i n g it . B y t h e t i m e I w a s a b l e t o f e e l
c o m • fortabl e "depositin g " a n d "s pen din g " s uc h larg e
a m o u n t s , i t wa s eas y f o r m e t o se e m y se l f a s a trul y
wealth y perso n .
T o m y surprise , w i th i n a f e w m o n t h s th e i m a g i na r
y a moun t o n m y h o m e m a d e ban k statemen t ha d b e c o m e
a r ea li ty . Havin g tha t tangibl e piec e o f paper , th e
b a n k statement , h a d reall y h e l p e d . S o I searche d fo r
o t h e r wa y s t o m a k e m y w e a l t h c o n s c i o u s n e s s t a n g i b l e .
I d e c i d e d t o m a k e a "wealt h scr apb o o k , " c o ll ec ti n
g p i c t u r e s o f t h i n g s I w a n t e d , p l a c e s I w a n t e d t o visi t ,
an d peopl e I wante d t o meet . I n orde r t o mak e you r
o w n w e a l t h s c r a p b o o k , star t c o l l e c t i n g p ic t u r e s o f t hi n g s
y o u wan t , p e o p l e y o u ' d lik e t o m e et , a n d place s y o u ' d
l i k e t o g o . A n y t h i n g y o u ' d l i k e t o b r i n g i n t o y o u r li f e ,
brin g int o yo u r scrapbook .
T h e n , ever y tim e y o u l o o k t h r o u g h y o u r b o o k , prac
• tic e c r ea t i n g sensory-ric h e x p e r i e n c e s o f y o u r goals . I f
it' s a p a r t i c u l a r car , g o t a k e a t e s t d r i v e s o t h a t a f t e r w a r
d y o u c a n vividl y i m a g i n e d r i v i n g o n e , o v e r a n d o v e r
a g a i n . I f it' s a b e a u t i f u l h o u s e , i m a g i n e w a l k i n g a r o u n
d i t unti l y o u k n o w ever y in c h o f i t — t h e feeli n g o f th e
carpet , t h e s m e l l o f t h e h a ll wa y , t h e t e x t u r e o f t h e
f u r n i t u r e , a n d s o o n . It' s v e r y s i m p l e , b u t i t d o e s t a k e
r e g u l a r p r ac ti c e . Y o u a r e r e h e a r s i n g b e i n g weal thy , a n d
lik e a Metho d actor , y o u n e e d t o totall y g e t i n t o t h e
part .
O n e t i m e I w e n t i n t o a M e r c e d e s s h o w r o o m a n d sa t i
n a ca r t o g e t co m f o r t a b l e . I s m e l l e d t h e leather , w e n t fo
r a tes t drive , a n d i m a g i n e d i t wa s m y own . I too k
awa y a b r o c h u r e t o a d d t o m y s c r a p b o o k a n d i m a g i n e d
drivin g
185
PAU L McKENN A
i t e v e r y day . P r e t t y s o o n m y m i n d w a s s o f o c u s e d u p o
n gettin g me on e tha t I starte d to se e Mercede s
every • w h e r e . Befor e long * a seemin g coincidenc e
b r o u g h t a b a r g a i n d e a l m y wa y , a n d I b o u g h t m y firs t
Mercedes .
A f r i e n d o f m i n e reall y g o t i n t o thi s ty p e o f cre at iv
e visualizatio n . H e ' d b e e n prac ti ci n g visualizin g p ark i n
g spaces , a n d amazingly , i t s e e m e d t o work . So he
d e c i d e d t o g o fo r bi g g e r things .
Althoug h he' d neve r bee n outsid e England , h
e d e c i d e d t h a t h e w a n t e d t o t r a v e l t h e w o r l d i n styl e .
H e didn' t hav e muc h money , bu t h e collecte d som e
t r av e l b r o c h u r e s , c u t o u t t h e p i c t u r e s o f a l l t h e e x o t i c
place s h e wante d t o g o t o , a n d s t u c k t h e m i n hi s
s c r ap b oo k . T h e n , i n o r d e r t o m a k e i t rea l t o himsel f , e a c
h S u n d a y f o r a m o n t h h e p a c k e d h i s su i tc a s e a n d w e n t t o
t h e a i r p o r t , e v e n s t a n d • i n g i n l i n e b e f o r e f in al l y t u r n i n g
aroun d an d goin g home .
W h e n h e arrive d h o m e , h e ' d watc h a vide o o f a pro
• gra m abou t travelin g fir s t cl a s s an d spen d tim e
l o o k i n g t h r o u g h hi s s c r a p b o o k a t al l th e p la c e s h e
w a n t e d t o g o . H e reall y g av e himself , hi s un c o n s c i o u s ,
tha t ex p e r i e n c e o f travelin g t o a n d enjoyin g exoti c
locations . H e fo cus e d o n i t fo r a m o n t h no n st o p .
O n e day , w i t h n o w a r n i n g , h e w a s c a l l e d i n t o h i
s b os s ' s o f f i c e a n d a s k e d i f h e w o u l d l i k e t o b e c o m e
thei r internationa l reporter . Hi s bos s e x p l a i n e d i t w o u l d
m e a n t r a v e l i n g al l o v e r t h e w o r l d — f i r s t class . H e c o u l d
h a r d l y b e l i e v e it !
M o s t a m a z i n g o f al l , a f t e r a f e w m o n t h s o f t r a v e l i n g
,he arrive d a t a smal l villag e in Switzerlan d w h e r e
he
b e g a n t o ge t a feelin g o f dej a vu . I t wa s onl y w h e n h e
got
186
b ac k t o E n g l a n d a n d c h e c k e d i n hi s s c r a p bo o k tha t h
e realiz e d h e ' d b e e n stayin g i n t h e e x a c t s a m e villag e
he' d cu t ou t an d paste d int o hi s scrapboo k an d
ul timatel y hi s u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d .
Extraordinar y a s i t ma y seem , I hav e witnesse d s
o man y suc h occurrence s tha t I hav e becom e
skeptica l a b o u t th e i d e a o f c oi n ci d en c e s a n d a m willin
g t o co n • side r th a t a l t h o u g h I d o n ' t k n o w exactl y h o
w i t w o rk s , o u r m i n d s m a y act ual l y h a v e t h e abilit y t o
attrac t events ,
t h i n g s , o r p e o p l e i n t o o u r li ve s
.
MON E Y , H A P P I N E S S , A N D Y O U
B e f o r e w e g o a n y further , le t m e as k y o u a questio n :
What would having more money give you that

you don't already have?
W h e n e v e r I a s k t hi s q u e s t i o n i n m y s e m i n a r s , p e o p l
e g iv e a n s w e r s li k e h a p p i n e s s , f r e e d o m , security , or
p o w e r . H o w e v e r , m o n e y itsel f i s n o t t h e s o u r c e o f a n y
o f t h e s e t h i n g s . E a c h o f t h e s e w o r d s r e p r e s e n t s a st a t e
y o u c a n g en er a t e withi n y o u , a n e u r o c h e m i c a l eve n t i n
y o u r b o d y a n d m in d . Let' s fa c e i t — i f m o n e y wa s
really t h e k e y t o h a p p i n e s s , f r e e d o m , All the money i n the
security , or power , peopl e lik e Kur t world i s spent o n
C ob ai n , H o w a r d H u g h e s , Marily n M o n - feeling good.
r o e , a n d J o h n B e l u s h i w o u l d stil l b e _ # y cooder
w i t h u s t o da y .
187
PAU L MCKENN A
H e r e ' s a co r o l l a r y t o t h e la w o f r e v e r s e d effort :
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.
T r y t h e f o l l o w i n g t e c h n i q u e t o a p p l y thi s p r i n c i p l e t
o crea tin g financia l a b u n d a n c e !
Ancho r Yourself to Wealth
1. Make a list of all th e state s an d feeling s yo

u believ e mone y will bring you . Examples :
confident , happy, peaceful , gene ro us , etc .
2. Cho o s e th e first stat e on you r list. Reme mb e r

a tim e whe n yo u really felt tha t way. Fully return to
it n o w — s e e wha t yo u saw, hea r wha t yo u heard ,
an d feel ho w goo d yo u felt. (If yo u can' t
re memb e r a specifi c time, imagin e ho w muc h
bett e r you r life woul d be if yo u felt tha t wa y
now!)
3 . Kee p goin g throug h this memory . Make th e

col • or s brighte r an d richer, th e soun d s louder,
an d th e feeling s stronger.
4 . A s yo u feel the s e g o o d feelings , s q u e e z e

th e thum b an d middl e finger o f on e o f you r
hand s to g e th e r an d sa y th e word s "I am wealthy! "
in you r mind or ou t loud.
188
5 . Rep e a t s t e p s 2- 4 wit h e a c h emotiona l stat e o

n you r list. S oo n , just sq u e e z i n g th e t hu m b and middl
e finge r t o ge t h e r an d re peat in g th e phras e "I
am wealthy! " will begi n to brin g b ac k all th os e
g o o d feelin g s yo u a s so ci a t e wit h wealth .
This is you r "wealt h anchor." Use it anytim e yo

u ar e thinking a b o u t o r wantin g mor e mone y t o
condi • tion yoursel f for s uc ce ss !
S U C C E S S , MON EY , A N D TIME
A n o t h e r o n e o f th e f u n d a m e n t a l aspect s o f th e million
• aire' s mind-se t is separatin g ou t you r abilit y to
m a k e m o n e y f r o m t h e n e c e s s i t y o f s p e n d i n g t i m e t o d o it
. Trad • in g y o u r ti m e fo r m o n e y i s th e corn ersto n e o f
povert y consciousness . (That' s wh y you'l l nev e r m e e t a
million • air e w o r k i n g fo r a n ho u r l y wage! )
I f y o u w a n t t o c re a t e massiv e fi nan ci a l a b u n d a n c e , i t i
s necessar y to firs t recogniz e tha t you r abilit y to
m a k e m o n e y i s i n t i m a t e l y l i n k e d t o y o u r a b il i t y t o a d d ,
create , a n d provid e value , w h e t h e r t o a pers o n , a project ,
a c o m • p a n y , o r a n e n t e r p r i s e . I n f a c t , I' l l sa y i t e v e n m o r
e c le ar l y :
Money is one of the rewards you get for

adding value to the lives of others.
T h e r e a r e e s s e n t i al l y f o u r k e y s t o m a k i n g m o r e m o n e
y b y a d d i n g m o r e value :
189
PAU L MCKENN A
/. Uniqueness
T h e m o r e uniqu e th e valu e yo u provide , th e m o r e y o

u w i l l b e a b l e t o e x c h a n g e i t for . W h i l e t h e r e a r e t e n s
o f thousand s o f actor s i n Holl yw ood , ther e ar e onl y
a b o u t si x a t a n y o n e t i m e w h o c a n r e l i a b l y c a r r y a m o v i e .
T h a t ' s w h y t h e r e a r e o n l y a b o u t si x actor s i n t h e w o r l d
w h o ar e p a i d i n e xc es s o f $2 0 m i l l i o n a m o v i e .
2. Scope
T h e m o r e p e o p l e y o u a d d valu e to , th e m o r e m o n e y y o
u g e t t o m a k e . W h a t e v e r y o u m i g h t t h i n k o f Bil l G at e s
a n d Microsof t , thei r billion s o f dollar s i n n e t wor t h i s
largel y a c c o un t e d fo r b y th e million s o f p e o p l e wh o s e
live s ar e im p act e d dail y b y th e developmen t o f
W i n d o w s a n d it s c o m p e t i t i v e o p e r a t i n g s y s t e m s .
3. Impact
T h e m o r e o f a d i f f e r e n c e y o u m a k e i n t h e liv e s o f
others , th e m o r e mone y yo u ca n deman d in return .
W h y d o m o s t do cto r s g e t p ai d m o r e tha n m o s t teachers
? B ec a u s e m o s t p e o p l e valu e thei r healt h abov e thei r
education .
4. Perception
T h e r e a r e m a n y s t o r i e s o f p e o p l e w o r k i n g ti r e l e s s l y a n
d a n o ny m o us l y b e h i n d th e scene s t o m a k e a differenc e
i n th e world . Whil e i t ma y b e tru e tha t thes e u n s u n g
h e r o e s ar e th e rea l r easo n w h y th e w or l d work s a s wel l a
s i t does ,
190
thi s d o e s n o t m e a n tha t the s e p e o p l e ar e de s t i n e d t

o b e c o m e rich . N o matte r h o w m u c h valu e y o u a d d t o
th e world , it is onl y perceiv e d valu e tha t ca n b e
e x c h a n g e d fo r h a r d currency .
I n th e earl y 1970s , a r e c o r d la be l i n Britai n wa s sellin
g album s containin g cove r version s of contemporar
y s o n g s . A l t h o u g h t h e r e c o r d s s o l d f o r l es s t h a n $ 2 a
copy , h ar d l y anyon e bough t the m an d th e recor d
c o m p a n y wa s suffering .
A whi z ki d j o i n e d th e boar d an d announced h
e wante d to mor e tha n doubl e th e pric e o f th e
records . T h e othe r executive s wer e shocke d bu t
e v e n t u a l l y a g r e e d t o hi s p l a n . W i t h i n a f e w w e e k s , t h e
re co r d s w e r e flyin g of f t h e shelves . When th e record s
didn' t cos t m u c h , p e o p l e di dn' t valu e the m . T h e rec o r d
c o m p a n y wa s save d b y re def in i n g pe o pl e ' s p er c e p t i o n o
f th e valu e o f thei r product .
I n si mp l e terms , i n o r d e r t o creat e money , I believ
e y o u n e e d t o giv e s o m e t h i n g t o th e wor l d tha t p e o p l e
wil l p a y y o u for , p r e f e r a b l y p l e n t y . Y o u m i g h t f i n d i t
usefu l t o as k y o u rs e l f t h e f o l l o w i n g w e a l t h - p r o d u c i n g
question :
What unique product or service would I like to

provide that will be of massive value to the
world?
191
"1
PAU L McKENN A
K EEP I N G S C O R E WIT H M O N E Y
I t ha s b e e n sai d m a n y time s tha t i n th e gam e of

life , m o n e y i s j u s t a w a y o f k e e p i n g s co r e .
Now , i f you'r e someon e wh o ha s neve r balance d
a c h e c k b o o k o r rec on c il e d y o u r b a n k statement , thi s
migh t see m a b i t s c a r y a t first , bu t whe n yo u kno w
w h e r e y o u ar e i n relatio n t o m on ey , i t b e c o m e s possibl e
t o m ea su r e you r progress .
A n d a s M i c h a e l L e B o e u f say s 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 m e p a p e r , a c a l c u l a t o r , a n d v e r
y possibl y a se n s e o f h u m o r !
Wealth Measure 1: Your Net

Worth
N e t w or t h i s a traditiona l m ea s u r e o f wealth . I t i s calcu

• l a t e d b y a d d i n g a l l y o u r a ss e t s i n o n e c o l u m n a n d a l l
y o u r debt s i n th e other .
Divid e a piec e o f p ap e r int o tw o column s . O n th e
left - h a n d s i d e , w r i t e " A ss e t s " ; o n t h e r i g h t , " L i a b i l i t i e s . " I
n t h e asse t s c o l u m n , w r i t e d o w n a n y t h i n g t h a t y o u o w
n a n d approx imatel y wh a t tha t thi n g w o u l d b e wor t h i f
y o u s o l d i t t o da y .
I n t h e l i a b i l i t i e s c o l u m n , w r i t e d o w n a n y t h i n g y o u stil
l o w e m o n e y for . T h i s m i g h t i n c l u d e y o u r h o m e , y o u r
car ,
192
a n d an y m o n e y y o u o w e o n cre d i t card s o r o t h e r out

•
standi n g loans .
T h e fo rm u l a fo r d e t e r m i n i n g n e t wort h i s simple :
Total Assets — Total Liabilities = Net Worth
D o n ' t b e di sc ou r ag e d i f y o u fin d y o u ha v e a negativ

e ne t w ort h— t h e journe y to wealt h a l wa y s begin s
exactl y w h e r e y o u are !
Her e' s a n e x a mp l e o f h o w i t m i g h t work :
Assets Liabilities
H o u s e : $150,00 0 M o r t g a g e : $100,00 0
C a r lo a n : $3,00 0
C ar : $10,00 0
S t u d e n t l o a n : $15,00 0
IRA : $35,00 0
O u t s t a n d i n g bills : $2,50 0
M o n e y o w e d m e : $3,50
0
Lif e i n s u r a n c e cas h v a lue : $ 15,00 0 C r e d i t car ds : $4,50 0
T ot a l asset s = $2 13, 5 0 0
T ot a l liabilitie s = $ 125,00 0
$ 2 1 3, 50 0- $ 1 2 5 , 0 0 0 = $88,50 0
N e t w o r t h = $88,50 0
193
PAU L McKENN A
K EE PI N G S C O R E W IT H M O N E Y
I t ha s bee n sai d m a n y time s tha t i n th e gam e of

life , m o n e y i s j u s t a w a y o f k e e p i n g sco r e .
Now , i f you'r e someon e wh o ha s neve r balanc e d
a c h e c k b o o k o r rec on c il e d yo u r b a n k statement , th i s
m i g h t s e e m a b i t s c a r y a t first , bu t whe n yo u kno w
w h e r e y o u ar e i n relatio n t o money , i t b e c o m e s possibl e
t o m ea sur e yo u r progress .
A n d a s M i c h a e l L e B o e u f say s i n The Greatest Manage•
ment Secret in the World,
What gets measured gets done. \
Y o u wil l n e e d t o g e t s o m e p a p e r , a ca lcula to r , a n d ve r
y possibl y a sen s e o f h u m o r !
Wealth Measure 1: Your Net

Worth
N e t wor t h i s a traditiona l m ea s u r e o f wealth . It is

c a l c u • l a t e d b y a d d i n g a l l y o u r a s set s i n o n e c o l u m n a n d
al l y o u r d e b t s i n t h e o t he r .
Divid e a pi e c e o f p a p e r int o tw o co l u m n s . O n th e
left - h a n d s i d e , w r i t e "A s s e t s " ; o n t h e r i g h t , " L i a b i li t i e s . " I
n t h e ass e t s c o l u m n , w r i t e d o w n a n y t h i n g t h a t y o u o w
n a n d approximatel y wha t tha t thi n g w o u l d b e wo rt h i f
y o u s o l d i t t o da y .
I n t h e l ia b i l i t i e s c o l u m n , w r i t e d o w n a n y t h i n g y o u stil
l o w e m o n e y fo r . T h i s m i g h t i n c l u d e y o u r h o m e , y o u r
c ar ,
192
a n d an y m o n e y y o u o w e o n c redi t card s o r o t h e r out •

standin g loans .
T h e f o r m u l a fo r d e t e r m i n i n g n e t wor t h i s simple :
Total Assets — Total Liabilities = Net Worth
D o n ' t b e discourag e d i f y o u fin d y o u hav e a negativ

e ne t w ort h— t h e journe y t o wealt h al w a y s begin s
e xa c d y w h e r e y o u are !
He re ' s a n e x a m p l e o f h o w i t m i g h t work :
Assets Liabilities
H o u s e : $150,00 0 M o r t g a g e : $100,00 0
Ca r : $10,00 0 C a r l o a n : $3,00 0
IRA : $35,00 0 S t u d e n t lo a n : $15,00 0
M o n e y o w e d m e : $3,50 0 O u t s t a n d i n g bills : $2,50 0
Li f e i n s u r a n c e cas h v al u e : $15,00 0 C r e d i t car ds : $4,50 0
T ot a l asset s = $ 21 3, 5 0 0
T ot a l liabilitie s = $125,0 0 0
$ 2 1 3 , 5 0 0 - $ 125,00 0 = $88,50 0
N e t w o r t h = $88,50 0
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PAU L MCKENN A
Wealth Measure 2: The Number of Days Forward

You
Can Live Without Earning Any More
Money
T o calc ulat e y o u r n e x t wea l t h s co re , simpl y tak e y o u r

ty p • i c a l m o n t h l y e x p e n s e s a n d d i v i d e b y 3 0 . L e t ' s c a l
l t h e an sw e r y o u r dail y rate . T h e n divid e y o u r n e t w o r t
h (ho w m u c h you'v e go t minu s h o w m u c h yo u owe ) b y
y o u r d a i l y r a t e . T h e a n s w e r i s t h e n u m b e r o f da y s y o u
c a n li v e w i t h • o u t e a r n i n g a n y m o r e m o n e y . A s y o u r
e a r n i n g s , savings , a n d i n v e st m e n t s c o n t i n u e t o grow , y o u
c a n k e e p s cor e b y h o w m a n y day s yo u ' v e a d d e d t o y o u r
wealt h score .
EXAMPL E
Y o u ha v e a n e t w o r t h o f $100,00 0 a n d m o n t h l y e x p e n s e
s o f $5,000 . $5,00 0 d i v i d e d b y 3 0 i s $ 1 6 6. 6 6 , o r $ 1 6 7 .
T h i s i s y o u r dail y rate . $100,00 0 divide d b y $16 7 i s
598.8 , o r
599 . Thi s m e a n s tha t i f y o u h a d to , y o u c o u l d mai ntai
n you r curren t l if e s t y l e withou t earnin g an y mor e
m o n e y f o r 59 9 day s (a bo u t I K years) .
Wealth Measure 3: The Amount of Money

You
Wouldn't Worry About
Losing
Th i s o n e ' s m o r e subjective , a n d easi e r t o calc ul at e . F o

r e x a m p l e , twen t y year s a g o , I los t $5 0 a n d wa s ne ar l y
s u i c i • d a l . N o w a d a y s , i f t h e a m o u n t I l o s e i s le s s t h a n
$ 5 , 0 0 0 , I d o n ' t w o r r y a b o u t it . U s i n g th i s s c a l e , my
w e a l t h s c o r e h a s g o n e f r o m a b o u t 5 t o o v e r 500 . Partl y
th i s i s b e c a u s e I h a v e m o r e m o n e y . P a r t l y it' s b e c a u s e
I' m mor e conf i • d e n t i n m y abilit y to ear n mor e
m o n e y . Partl y I'v e j u s t
194
l e a r n e d t o relax . Th i s i s o n e o f m y favorit e m ea s ur e s
o f w e a l t h , b e c a u s e it' s p o s s i b l e t o i n c r e a s e i t w i t h o u t
earn • in g an y m o r e m on e y !
Wealth Measure 4: You Magic Number for

Financial
Independence
Thi s i s o n e o f th e mos t usefu l m o n e y formul a s you'l l eve

r c o m e a c r o s s . I t wi l l h e l p y o u t o c a l c u l a t e y o u r
magi c n u mb e r fo r financi a l independence—the
amount o f m o n e y that , i f y o u p u t i t i n t h e b a n k a t a n
averag e (6- 8 p e r c e n t ) rat e o f retur n , y o u w o u l d b e abl
e t o m a k e al l y o u r d e ci s i o n s i n d e p e n d e n t o f fi n anc i a l
consideration .
1 . M a k e a lis t o f a l l t h e o n e t i m e p u r c h a s e s y o u w o u l
d li k e t o m a k e i n y o u r l i f e t i m e a n d t h e a p p r o x i m a t e
p r i c e — pa rt icul arl y a n y big- ticke t item s .
EXAMPLE
H o u s e : $250,00 0
C a r s : $ 50, 0 0 0
A l u x u r y v a c a t i o n : $ 5,00 0
C o l l e g e ed u c a t i o n ( x 3) : $1 50,00 0
M i s c e l l a n e o u s f u n : $45,00 0
2 . T o t a l u p al l t h e i t e m s — t h i s i s f i g u r e A .
EXAMPL E
In ou r mathematicall y convenien t exampl e above

,
$ 50 0 , 0 0 0 w o u l d d o u s n i c e l y
!
195
1
PAU L McKENN A
3 . D e c i d e o n a c o m f o r t a b l e a n n u a l s a l a r y f o r l if e . (I
f i n d o u b t , j u s t d o u b l e y o u r e x i s t i n g salary! )
EXAMPL E
I f y o u c u r r e n d y e a r n $ 2 5 ,0 0 0 , f i g u r e t h a t $50,0 0 0 a y e a r
f o r lif e w o u l d p r o b a b l y c o v e r y o u r o n g o i n g n e e d s a n d
wants .
4 . M u l t i p l y t h a t s a la r y b y 1 2 (approximatel y 8 per
• cen t return ) o r b y 1 5 (approximatel y 6 percen t
re t u r n ) . Thi s i s th e figur e y o u w o u l d n e e d t o inves t a t a
fa i r l y c o n • s e r v a t i v e r a t e o f r e t u r n t o " e a r n " y o u r a n n u a
l salar y f o r l i f e — w e ' l l cal l i t f i g u r e B .
EXAMPLE
B e t w e e n $ 6 00, 0 0 0 a n d $ 7 5 0 , 0 0 0
5 . Figur e A + figur e B = you r mag i c n u m b e r — t h

e a m o u n t o f m o n e y y o u w o u l d n e e d t o hav e i n th e b a n k
i n o r d e r t o b e u t t e r l y f i n a n c i a l l y i n d e p e n d e n t , t h a t is ,
abl e t o m a k e al l y o u r dec i si o n s i n d e p e n d e n t o f finan cia l
con • cer n o r consideration .
EXAMPLE
M a g i c n u m b e r = 50 0, 0 0 0 ( A ) + 7 5 0 , 0 0 0 ( B ) = $ 1 . 2 5 m i l •
lio n fo r financia l i n d e p e n d e n c e
TH E TE N S E C R E T S O F A B U N D A N C
E
H e r e ar e th e te n bes t idea s I c a n giv e y o u o n h o w t o

s t a r t i n c r e a s i n g y o u r w e a l t h s c o r e s to da y . A n y o n e o f
t h e s e wi l l
196
m a k e a n i mm edi a t e differenc e t o yo u r wealt h conscious

• ness . A s y o u star t u s i n g m o r e a n d m o r e o f t h e m i n
y o u r day-to-da y li f e , you'l l fin d yoursel f o n th e fa s t
t r a c k t o w a r d a w e a l t h i e r l if e , w i t h a m i l l i o n a i r e ' s m i n d .
1. Decide Right Now That You Are Responsible

for
Your Financial Abundance
Fa r to o m a n y pe op l e ar e scare d t o accep t th e
r e s p o n s i b i l • it y o f h u g e f i n a n c i a l w e a l t h . W h e n y o u g e t
m o r e m o n e y y o u r financi a l pressu re s d o n ' t g e t smaller ,
th e y g e t bigger . W h a t m o s t p e o p l e d o n ' t realiz e i s tha t
that's the fun o f it\ A s y o u a c c e p t t h e r e s p o n s i b i l i t y t h a t
c o m e s w i t h pla y •
in g th e bigge r m o n e y game , yo u b e c o m e a m o r e capabl
e person . Th e mor e substantia l th e challenges , th e
m o r e substantia l th e rewards , n o t o n l y financiall y b u t
s p i r i t u • al l y a n d e m o t i o n a l l y a s w e l l . A n d a s y o u t a k e
r e s p o n s i b i l • it y f o r y o u r o w n f i n a n c i a l s u c c e s s , g e t t i n g
w e a l t h i e r w i l l s e e m les s a n d le s s o v e r w h e l m i n g a n d m o r
e l i k e t h e p l e a • s u r e i t w a s al wa y s m e a n t t o b e .
2. Save First, Then Spend Only What You

Can
Truly Afford
I n th e sa m e wa y tha t th e rea l secre t o f losin g wei g h t

i s e a t i n g les s an d movin g more , th e rea l secre t o f
g a i n i n g w e a l t h i s s p e n d i n g le s s a n d e a r n i n g m o r e . C r e a t
e a pl a n toda y t h a t wi l l enabl e yo u t o clea r an y
o uts t an d in g debt s a n d buil d you r financia l reservoi r
(se e n u m b e r 4 ) a s qui ck l y a s possible .
197
PA U L McKENN A
X C o n s i d e r t a k i n g t h e firs t 1 0 p e r
The difference between • cen t o f you r monthl y incom e an
poor people and rich d immediatel y usin g it to pa y
people is easy. The poor dow n you r de b t a n d / o r buil d you r
spend their money and savings . A s y o u tak e step s t o r e d u c e
then save what's left you r deb t an d increas e you r ne t
over; the rich save their wort h mont h b y month , you'l l
money and then spend quickl y mak e t h e transitio n fro m
what's left over. tryin g t o kee p you r hea d abov e
—-Jim Rohn wate r t o layin g th e foun • dation s o f
wealth .
3. Study Wealthy
People
O n e o f t h e q u ic k e s t way s t o b e c o m e w ea l t h y i s t o s p e n
d tim e wit h peopl e wh o hav e alread y achieve d
wealth . R e m e m b e r , wealt h is mor e tha n financia l
a b u n d a n c e . M a n y p e o p l e hav e b e c o m e millionaire s onl y
t o disco v e r tha t a l o n g t h e wa y th e y los t s o m e t h i n g fa r
m o r e i m p o r • t a n t — t h e i r s e l f - r e s p e c t a n d s e n s e o f self .
Tak e s om e tim e t o researc h a n d discove r yo u r ow
n "heroe s o f wea l th" —tho s e peop l e who'v e foun d a wa y
t o creat e m as s i v e financia l abundanc e withou t
s a c r i f i c i n g t h e i r li ve s o r t h e i r s o u l s a l o n g t h e way . F i n d
o u t w h a t the y ar e d o i n g tha t y o u aren't . See k t o
If you want to learn understan d ho w the y thin k an
d about money, learn from behav e towar d m o n e y a n d wealth .
I f somebody who has a lot possible , contac t th e m a n d as k
fo r
of it. advice . N o t onl y d oe s askin g m a k
e
—Charles Givens ot h e r p e op l e awar e o f w h o y o u are , i
t als o let s t h e m k n o w th a t y o u a r e
tak -
198
i n g y o u r p u r s u i t o f w e a l t h seriously . W h i l e n o t e v e r y o n
e w i l l o f f e r t o h e l p , it' s b e e n m y e x p e r i e n c e t h a t a s l o n g
a s y o u ar e polit e a n d respectful , m a n y wealth y p e o p l e
ar e grat efu l f o r t h e o p p o r t u n i t y t o b e o f servic e .
4. Build Your Financial

Reservoir
T h e m o r e m o n e y y o u h a v e i n t h e b a n k , t h e l es s f r i g h t e n
• i n g i t i s t o e x p e r i m e n t wit h n e w a n d differe n t way s
o f m aki n g money . Thi s i s wh y th e mos t powerfu l
in vestme n t y o u c a n m a k e i s t o bu il d yo u r financia l
reservoir— a sav • i n g s a c c o u n t wit h betwee n thre e
m o n t h s ' a n d t w o y e a r s ' s a l a r y i n it .
I n Dr . Richar d Carlson' s b o o k Don't Worry, Make
Money, h e tell s th e stor y o f tw o m e n w h o w e r e b o t h
offer e d th e sam e j o b wit h a n e w c o m p a n y i n th e 1970s .
T h e of f e r wa s fo r ve r y lo w p a y b u t a lar g e a m o u n t o f stock
. T h e m a n w h o wa s liv in g f r o m p a y c h e c k t o p a y c h e c k
t h o u g h t i t w a s t o o risk y a n d p a s s e d ; t h e o n e w h o h a d
a financia l r e s e r v o i r t o o k t h e offer . T h e c o m p a n y w a s
M i c r o s o f t , a n d n e e d l e s s t o say, w i t h i n a f e w y e a r s t h e
m a n w h o t o o k t h e ris k h a d a m a s s e d a h u g e f o r t u n e .
T h e m o r a l o f t h e stor y i s th a t i n m o s t case s , c r e a t i n
g abundanc e usuall y involv e s som e r is k , an d
nothin g make s ris k m o r e tolerabl e tha n havin g m o n e
y i n t h e b a n k . A s a u t h o r S t u a r t W i l d e say s , " T h e t r i c k t
o m o n e y i s havin g some. "
199
PAU L MCKENN A
5 . The 80/20
Rule
O n c e y o u figur e out wh a t i s mo s t importa n t t o you , y o

1
u ca n prioritiz e you r lif e accordingl y . Th e

n in e te e nt h - cen t u r y e c o n o m i s t Wilfri d Pare t o wa s th e
firs t t o p o i n t o u t t h a t a p p r o x i m a t e l y 8 0 p e r c e n t o f t h e
world' s wealt h wa s c o n c e n t r a t e d i n th e han d s o f onl y 2
0 per ce n t o f th e world' s populatio n .
T h e 8 0/ 2 0 rul e h ol d s tru e i n m o s t area s o f l i f e — 8 0
p e r • c e n t o f y o u r r e s u l t s wi l l t e n d t o c o m e f r o m 2 0
p e r c e n t o f y o u r e ffo r ts ; 8 0 p e r c e n t o f y o u r w e a l t h wi l l
c o m e f r o m 2 0 p e r c e n t o f y o u r client s o r cu st om er s . B y
identifyin g a n d c o n c e n tr a t i n g o n tha t all-importa n t 2 0
p e r c e n t , w e c a n con ti nua l l y re fo c u s o u r prioritie s wit h a
l a s e r li k e inten si ty .
6. Get in Touch with Your Passion Every

Day
I r e m e m b e r t h a t y e a r s a g o , w h e n I firs t g o t i n t e r e s t e d i
n hypnosis , o n e o f t h e o l d stag e p e r f o r m e r s I wa s
l e a r n i n g f r o m wa s als o a salesman . Th i s wasn ' t j u s t hi s j o
b — i t wa s hi s pa ssio n . I n e v e r sa w h i m g o m o r e t h a n a
c o u p l e o f hour s witho u t sellin g so m e t h i n g t o s o m e o n e .
W e ' d b e a t a re staur an t a n d h e ' d strik e u p a
conve rsati o n wit h th e p e o p l e a t th e n e x t table . B e f o r e
l o n g , h e ' d fi n d o u t al l a b o u t t h e i r n e e d s a n d o ff e r t o
sel l t h e m e x a c t l y w h a t t h e y w a n t e d . M o s t o f t h e t i m e , h e
didn' t eve n hav e wha t h e ' d
jus t s o l d — h e ' d hav e t o g o ou t an d bu y i t himsel f i n
orde r t o tur n aroun d an d delive r i t to th e peopl e
who ' d jus t bough t i t fro m him . H e simpl y lo ve d th e
thril l o f per • s u a d i n g p e o p l e .
200
W h e n I a s k e d h i m w h a t h e t h o u g h t hi s se cr e t was
, h e said :
" Exc it e m e n t a n d passio n ar e contagious . W h e n y o
u g e t trul y p a s s i o n a t e a b o u t w h a t y o u w a n t t o d o ,
other s
wil l fi n d t h em s el v e s d r a w n t o y o u . "
7. Charge What You Are Truly Worth
S o m e peop l e ar e frightene d t o charg

Life is so simple,
e w h a t th e y ar e reall y w o r t h b e c a u s e
really. Think
th e y fea r th e y wil l los e thei r clients .
through what people
Bu t i n m y ow n experien ce , ever y tim e
want, invite them to
I ha v e r ais e d m y fe e s I'v e f o u n d m y s e l f
get it from you, and
attract • i n g m o r e a n d b e t t e r clien t s a n
when they show up,
d losin g onl y thos e peopl e I wasn' t
bill 'em!
particularl y e njo yin g workin g wit h
a ny wa y . —Stuart Wilde
Here' s a simpl e f ormu l a fo r w or kin

g ou t wha t you r tim e i s worth , n o
matte r
h o w m u c h o r l it t l e y o u m a y e a r n
:
1 . Writ e d o w n th e a m o u n t o f m o n e y y o u e xp e c t t
o e a r n thi s year .
2 . E ras e o r cros s o u t t h e las t t h r e e n u m b e r s .
3 . Divid e b y two . Thi s i s wh a t a n h o u r o f y o u r tim e

i s worth , base d o n a n averag e w or ki n g week .
Example: A n n u a l e a r n i n g s = $3 0, 00 0 . L e s s la s t t h r e
e n u m b e r s = $30 . D i v i d e d b y tw o = $ 1 5 . Y o u r
hourl y "wage " i s $15 .
201
PAU L MCKENN A
J u s t f o r t o da y , i m a g i n e y o u r h o u r l y w a g e h a s d o u b l e d
. I f y o u wer e b e i n g p ai d twic e a s m u c h p e r h o u r fo r
w h a t y o u d o , w h a t w o u l d y o u d o differently ?
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 You r Lif e i n

Seve n Day s Techniques
Fo r mos t pe opl e , opportunitie s t o b e c o m e wealthie r pre
• sen t themselve s ever y day . B y practicin g th e
techniques , y o u ar e co n dit io n i n g yoursel f t o focu s o n
wealth . Ver y fe w multimillionair e s ge t t o b e ric h b y
accident . F i n a n • cia l s ucces s i s simpl y a matt e r o f
maintainin g you r focu s o n wealt h an d consistentl y
practicin g th e action s tha t l ea d t o a b u n d a n c e .
Tak e som e tim e e ac h da y t o wal k a r o u n d a s i f y o
u alread y hav e everythin g y o u want . C r e a t e a sen so ry-
ric h e x p e r i e n c e o f wha t yo u wan t s o tha t you r
unconsciou s m i n d get s a clea r idea . As k yoursel f
e m p o w e r i n g ques • tions . C r ea t e a wealt h scrapboo k an
d imagin e wha t i t w o u l d b e li k e l i v i n g t h e lif e o f y o u r
dr e am s . Se e w h a t you' l l see , hear , a n d feel . D o i t a s ofte n
a s y o u c a n e v e r y day .
Y o u m a y n o t g e t i n s t a n t r e s ul t s , b u t y o u wi l l a t t r a c t t
o yoursel f i n o n e wa y o r a n oth e r whateve r y o u thin k
a b o u t most . Us e you r favori t e technique s dail y to
c o n d i t i o n yo u rs e l f f o r success !
202
9. Celebrate Your Life, Starting Today!
O n e o f th e singl e m o s t i mp orta n t thing s

y o u ca n d o t o ce me n t you r wealt h con - Today's gratitude
sciousnes s is to mak e a practic e of ^ y tomorrow's
U S
r e f l e c t i n g o n al l t h e g o o d t h i n g s i n y o u r happiness
lif e a s y o u dr i f t o f f t o s l e e p e a c h n i g h t . -Michael McMillian
A s y o u sa y t h a n k y o u t o lif e , G o d , t h
e universe , o r wha te ve r y o u fee l m o s t
com •
fortabl e wi t h a n d c o n n e c t e d to , y o u ar e cultivatin g w h a t
A m e r i c a n s cal l "a n attitud e o f gratit ude . "
A n attitud e o f gratitud e i s th e exac t opposit e of

a p o v e r t y c o n s c i o u s n e s s . W h e n y o u star t t o regul arl y
t h i n k o f al l t h e goo d thing s y o u hav e an d o f ho w
fortunat e y o u ar e to hav e them , y o u ar e sendin g a
stron g messag e o f abundanc e to you r unconscious ,
whic h wil l creat e a stead y flo w o f financia l a b u n da n c e
.
10. Keep Going
T h e r e i s a s t o r y t h a t i n a n c i e n t T i b e t , al l t h e m o n k s
w e r e g a t h e r e d t o g e t h e r o n c e eve r y h u n d r e d year s a n d
give n a n opportunit y fo r guarante e d e n l i g h t e n m e n t — a l l
th e y h a d t o d o wa s wal k t h r o u g h th e R o o m o f a T h o u s a n
d D e m o n s a n d c o m e o u t aliv e . T h e R o o m o f a T h o u s a n d
D e m o n s w a s a p i t c h - b l a c k r o o m f il l e d w i t h a t h o u s a n d
d e m o n s w h o w o u l d a pp e a r t o th e m on k s i n th e guis e o
f th e i r big ges t a n d wor s t fears : spiders , snakes , shee r
p r e c i p i c e s — w h a t • e v e r t h e y s e n s e d w o u l d fil l t h e m o n k s '
hea rt s wi t h terror . T h e o n l y rule s w e r e tha t o n c e t h e
monk s entered , n o on e
203
PAU L McKENN A
c ou l d c o m e i n a n d rescu e them , a n d i
Never give in. Never
t wa s impossib l e t o leav e b y th e d o o r
give in. Never, never,
the y w e n t in . F o r t ho s e fe w br av e soul
never, never—in
s wh o dare d to fac e thei r fear s in
nothing, great or
pursui t o f happiness , success , an d
small, large or petty—
e n l i g h t e n m e n t , th e r e wa s o n e crucia l
never give in,
p i e c e o f advice :
except to convictions
of honor and good
No matter what you think you see,
sense. Never yield to
hear, think, or feel, keep your feet
force. Never yield to
moving. If you keep your feet
the apparently
moving, you will eventually get to
overwhelming might
where it is you want to go!
of the enemy.
—Sir Winston Churchill
Perhap s m y favorit e quot e on th
e powe r o f persisten c e come s fro m
Presi • d e n t Cal vi n C o o l i d g e :
N o t h i n g i n th e worl d ca n tak e th e plac e o f

persi s • t e n c e . T a l e n t wil l n o t ; n o t h i n g i s m o r e
c o m m o n t h a n un s u c c e s s f u l m e n w i t h ta le n t . G e n i u
s wil l n o t ; u n r e w a r d e d g e n i u s i s a l m o s t a p r o v e r b .
E d u c a t i o n wil l n o t ; t h e w o r l d i s ful l o f e d u c a t e d
d e r e l i c t s . P e r • si s t e n c e a n d d e t e r m i n a t i o n a l o n e a r
e omnipotent .
IN C O N C L U S I O N
Fin al l y , I w a n t y o u t o r e m e m b e r t h a t r e a l w e a l t h i s
n o t m e a s u r e d b y m o n e y a l o n e . Star t today . C r e a t e a p l a
n f o r f i n a n c i a l a b u n d a n c e a n d star t m o v i n g f o r w a r d .
Mak e th e
204
c h a n g e s y o u n e e d t o m a k e , b o t h a t th e leve l o f y o u r
con • sciousnes s a n d i n actio n . Afte r y o u hav e b e g u n t o
en jo y m o r e o f t h e succes s th a t y o u desir e , y o u wil l l o o
k b ac k a n d b e thankfu l tha t y o u did !
Unti l tomorrow ,
Paul McKenna
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 close—the secrets of living happily ever after. . . .
205
DAY
7
HAPPIL Y EVE
R AFTE R
Live the secrets of lifelong
happiness—now
PAU L MCKENN A
Before you begi n today :

• Take a few minutes to go throug h th e "Reprogrammin g
Your Self-Image" exercis e o n pa g e 3 5 .
• Revie w you r purpose , values , an d big drea m
from da y four.
• Fire you r wealt h ancho r an d do a one-minut e wealt
h visualization:
Imagine yo u alread y hav e all th e g o o d feeling s yo u

kno w tha t bein g wealth y will bring you . All th e happiness
, all th e confidence , an d all th e love yo u coul d eve r
ho p e for are ther e inside you . . . .
No w imagine yourself goin g through your day. How do
you treat people ? How do they treat you ? Wha t are you
especially proud o f abou t today ? Wha t d o you love doing ?
Wha t d o you d o exceptionally well?
Wha t valu e hav e yo u a dd e d t oda y ? How could yo u
ad d eve n more ? W h o els e could yo u impac t with you r
work ? How ab ou t with you r 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
PAU L Mc K E N N A
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 W O KIN D S O F H A P P I N E S S
I believ e tha t the r e ar e tw o kind s o f happi nes s i n th

e world . T h e o n e mo s t o f u s thin k o f i s simpl y feelin g
w on • derf u l i n y o u r body . T h e other , m o r e subtl e f o r m
o f h a p • p in e s s i s a stat e o f b e i n g i n p e r f e c t h a r m o n y w i t h
l if e a n d t h e universe . Thi s i s th e st a t e tha t
psychologist s ca l l "f l ow , " m u s i c i a n s c a l l " t h e g r o o v e , " a n
d a t h l e t e s c a l l " t h e z o n e . " T o d a y y o u wi l l b e l e a r n i n g h o
w t o t a k e r e s p o n s i • b i li t y f o r y o u r o w n h a p p i n e s s , a n d
th e secret s o f b r i n g i n g m o r e o f b o t h ki nd s o f h a p pi n e s s
i n t o y o u r li f e v i r t u a l l y o n d e m a n d .
I n t h e West , o u r c ul tu r e e m p h a s i z e
/ have come to
s th e pursui t o f happines s throug h
understand that life
exter • na l m e a n s . Mos t peopl e woul d
is best to be lived
c o m p l e t e t h e s e n t e n c e "I ' l l b e h a p p y
and not to be
whe n " w i t h e x t e r n a l s li k e " W h e n
conceptualized. I am
I' v e m a d e a m i l l i o n d o l l a r s , " " W h e n I '
happy because I am
m marrie d t o th e pe r s o n o f m y dreams, "
growing daily and I
"Wh e n I fin d a j o b . " W e ar e tol d fro m a
am honestly not
ver y earl y a g e tha t thes e ar e th e thing s
knowing where the
t h a t wil l m a k e u s h a p p y , b u t a q u i c k limit lies.
glanc e a t th e new s e a c h d a y reveal s
—Bruce Lee
clearl y tha t h avi n g t h e g o o d thing s i n
lif e c a n o n l y b e p a r t o f
t h e story .
I n t h e East , t r a di t i on a l c u l t u r e e m •
pha si z e s a c c e p t a n c e o f t h e c o n d i t i o n s o f e x i s te n c e , posit •
in g th e ide a tha t happines s i s f o u n d within . M y ow n
211
PAU L McKENN A
e x p e r i e n c e suggest s tha t whil e th e easter n idea l o f happ i

• nes s c o m i n g f r o m with i n i s m o r e accura te , ha v i n g g r o w
n u p i n t h e W e s t I f i n d it' s a l o t e a s i e r t o b e h a p p y
w h e n y o u r l if e d o e s n ' t s u c k . P e r s o n a l l y , I b e l i e v e it' s
g o o d t o hav e a balance .
Here is today's key lesson:

Happiness is not a result—it's a state of mind
and body.
T h e g o o d n e w s i s t h a t y o u a l r e a d y k n o w h o w e as y i t i s
t o c r e a t e state s , a n d y o u c a n l e a r n t o e x p e r i e n c e t h a t st a t
e w e cal l ha p pi n e s s m u c h m o r e of te n t h a n y o u d o rig h t
now .
T h i n k a l itt l e m o r e d e e p l y n o w — w h a t d o e s h a p p i n e s
s fee l lik e i n y o u r b o dy ?
Fo r some , it ' s a warm , peaceful , glowin g feelin g
. O t h e r p e o p l e descri b e i t a s a k in d o f delightfu l sens e
o f i n n e r satisfactio n . W h i l e I d o n ' t k n o w p r ec i s el y w h a t
h a p • pin es s feel s lik e fo r y o u , I d o k n o w th a t i f y o u
be g a n t o hav e th e f eel i n g tha t y o u cal l h a p p i n e s s i n
y o u r b o d y ri g h t now , y o u c o u l d identif y i t i n a n instant .
WHE N I S I T NO T OKA Y T O B E HA PPY

?
Man y peopl e pu t obstacl e s i n th e wa y o f feelin g

happiness . Whi l e som e peopl e ar e stil l waitin g fo r
thing s outsid e t h e m t o m a k e t h e m ha pp y , o t her s ar e
c o n c e r n e d a b o u t feeli n g h appin e s s inappropriately .
212
I wa s leadi n g a semina r o n creati n g happines s w h e n

a pa r tic ip a n t s t o o d u p wi t h tear s i n hi s eyes .
" M y d a u g h t e r j u s t d i e d , " t h e m a n s a i d . " A r e y o u say •
i n g I ' m s u p p o s e d t o b e h a p p y a b o u t that? "
Fi r s t I s a i d : "It ' s o n l y r i g h t , o n l y n a t u r a l , t h a t y o u
ar e sa d abou t th e deat h o f you r daughter . Yo u fee l
sa d b e c a u s e sh e m e a n t s o m u c h t o y o u , b u t w o u l d s h e
w a n t y o u t o f e e l s a d f o r e v e r ? " A s h e t h o u g h t a b o u t it , I
a s k e d h i m t o re f l e c t o n al l t h e g o o d ti me s h e ' d h a d
wit h hi s d a u g h t e r — a l l th e lov e tha t h e ' d s ha re d wit h
he r an d al l t h e experience s the y ha d enjoye d
together . When I c o u l d s e e th a t h e wa s reall 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 k e d h i m h o w h e t h o u g h t sh e
w o u l d wa n t h i m t o feel .
H e p au s e d fo r a m o m e n t , the n a smil e b e g a n t o shin
e acr os s hi s f a c e b e n e a t h t h e tears . W h e n h e finall y
s p o k e , w e c o u l d al l h e a r t h e l o v e i n hi s h e a r t a s h e sai
d simply , " S h e w o u l d ' v e w a n t e d m e t o b e h a p p y . "
W e al l ha v e o u r o w n rule s fo r w h e n h a p p i n e s s i s a
n inappropriat e respons e t o wha t i s goin g o n aroun d
us . T h e i m p o r t a n t th i n g t o r e m e m b e r i s tha t h a ppi ne s
s i s firs t a n d f o r e m o s t a c h o i c e . A s A b r a h a m L i n c o l n
o n c e said : "Mos t p e o p l e ar e a b o u t a s h a p p y a s the y
mak e u p
thei r mind s t o be. "
TH E S C I E N C E O F H A P P I N E S S
A f e w year s a g o I h e a r d a b o u t a m e d i c a l d o c t o r i n N e
w
Yor k w h o h e l p e d d r u g addict s o ve r c o m e thei r addiction
s
213
PAU L MCKENN A
b y putti n g t h e m int o a tranc e a n d tea ch i n g thei r bo die s t

o creat e th e respons e t o th e drug . O n c e the y learne d
t h e t e c h n i q u e , t h e y w e r e a b l e t o g e t h i g h na t u r a l l y . S i n c e
the y n o w realize d i t wa s thei r b o d y tha t wa s m a k i n g t h e m
fee l s o g o o d a n d n o t th e drug s , i t b e c a m e progressivel y
easie r fo r d i e m t o w e a n the msel ve s of f t hei r c h e m i c a l
dependency .
Here ' s h o w i t works .
A n y d r u g y o u ' v e eve r t ak e n ( a n d tha t i nc l u d e s caffein e
, nicotine , an d cocaine ) create d a specifi c
n e u r o c h e m i c a l respon s e i n y o u r body . Th i s r esp ons e i s
th e sourc e o f th e high . In othe r words , it' s no t wha t
th e d r u g do e s tha t mak e s y o u fee l a particula r w a y — it ' s
w h a t y o u r b o d y d o e s i n response t o t h e d r u g t h a t g i v e s y o u
th e feeling .
W h i l e I wa s ver y i m pr e s s e d wit h th e rese ar c h b e h i n
d th e doctor' s work , w h a t particularl y intereste d me
w a s t h e i d e a o f c r e a t i n g h a p p i n e s s o n d e m a n d — t h a t is
, th e proces s o f t e a c h i n g th e m i n d t o ge t th e b o d y t o
creat e th e c hem ic al s insid e tha t le a d t o g o o d feeling s
wher e an d whe n w e wan t them .
F o r d e c a d e s , re se a rc h e r s h a d b e e n tryin g t o fi n d o u
t w h a t i t wa s tha t allo we d th e dru g opiu m to hav e
its e u p h o r i c ef f e c t s . W h e n Dr . C a n d a c e P e r t w a s still o n l
y a g ra d ua t e student , sh e di sc o ve r e d th a t o piat e r ec ep t or s
a r e n o t j u s t i n t h e bra i n b u t i n eve r y singl e cel l i n t h e
body .
S h e f o u n d thes e recep to r s w e r e particularl y i n tu n
e wit h on e specia l kin d of chemica l messenger ,
calle d e nd o g en o u s morphine , o r mor e commonl y
e n d o r p h i n . E n d o r p h i n s ar e y o u r body' s natura l opiates ,
th e n e u r o • transmitter s tha t c on t r o l p a i n a n d c re at e
plea sure . T h e r e ar e h a p p y ch em ic a l s insid e yo u !
214
Y o u hav e a natura l e n d o r p h i n releas e w h e n y o u d

o physica l ex e rc is e , m a k e love , l a u g h a lot , o r re l a x
deeply . Y o u k n o w h o w i t feel s o n a co l d winter' s da y t o
sli-i-i-id e i n t o a h o t b a t h a n d g e t t h a t f e e l i n g o f g e n t l e
warmth ? O r w h e n yo u ea t you r favorit e food , ho w
good i t f e el s ? T h a t ' s t h e f e e l i n g o f e n d o r p h i n s a t p l a y i
n y o u r body .
Bu t endorphi n s ar e m o r e tha n jus t th e sourc e o f g o o
d feeling s in you r body . Becaus e endorphin s ar e
n e ur o • transmitters , t h e y crea t e m o r e b o n d i n g i n t h e
brain , s o ever y tim e y o u ex p e r i e n c e a n endorphi n
r e l e a s e , i t a c t u • al l y m a k e s y o u m o r e i n t e l l i g e n t . A n d
ever y cel l i n y o u r b o d y ha s r ec ep t o r s fo r e n d o r p h i n s .
H o w g r e a t a de s i g n f ea tu r e i s that ? N o t on l y c a n ever
y cel l i n o u r b o d y ex p e r ie n c e happiness , b u t th e m o r e
ofte n w e c h o o s e t o b e happy , th e m o r e intelligen t w e
become !
T h e wa y tha t y o u r brai n a n d b o d y c o m m u n i c a t e t o le
t y o u k n o w t h a t i t' s t i m e t o f e e l g o o d i s c e l l t o c e l l . A
c h e m • ica l m e s s a g e trip s of f a t o n e c el l , take s o n t h e
s h a p e f o r t h e e n d o r p h i n , a n d se t s u p a v i b r a t i o n , a n d t h
e cell s n e x t d o o r g o , " O o o h — t h e r e ' s s o m e t h i n g c o o o o l
g o i n g o n ! " a n d s t a r t r e s o n a t i n g i n t h e s a m e way . T h e n
t h e m e s s a g e sp re a d s f r o m cel l t o cell , lik e a wa v e o f
pleasure . Now , w h e n yo u experienc e a wav e of
pleasure , yo u fee l s o g o o d b ec a u s e ever y cel l i n y o u r
b o d y i s s h a r i n g t h a t st a t e .
W h e n I h e a r d a b o u t th e d o c t o r w h o wa s h e l p i n g d r u
g addict s t o overcom e thei r addictio n b y gettin g
naturall y h ig h us i n g hypnosis , I starte d ex p e r i m en t i n g
t o se e i f I c o u l d g e t p e o p l e t o h av e e n d o r p h i n releas e s
usin g imag • inatio n exercises . Not onl y wer e man y o
f the m a b l e instantl y t o experienc e thos e grea t
f eel in gs , b u t als o i t
215
PAU L McKENN A
wa s witho u t an y form a l hypnoti c induction , ju s t usin g

a simpl e imaginatio n technique .
Peopl e I trie d i t wit h s u d d e n l y f o u n d th e y fel t
f a n t a s • ti c ! I w o u l d s i m p l y a s k t h e m t o r e m e m b e r t i m e
s i n th e pas t w h e n thei r e n d o r p h i n s we r e flo wing , t h e
n t o tur n u p th e brightnes s a n d colo r o f thos e h ap p y
memorie s an d kee p goin g throug h the m agai n an d
agai n unti l s o m e p e op l e wer e smilin g wit h delig h t a n d
t h e n n earl y fel l of f th ei r chair s l a u g h i n g .
Sinc e the n I hav e taugh t thousand s o f p e op l e h o w t
o giv e themselve s a n instan t e n d o r p h i n release . Rec ent l y
a psychiatris t w ro t e to me an d explaine d ho w he' d
b e e n usin g th e t e c h n i q u e wit h hi s patient s w h o suffere
d fro m depressio n a n d ho w m u c h i t h a d he l p e d the m .
L et' s g e t h a p p y righ t now . . . .
Instant Endorphin Releas e
1. R e m e m b e r a tim e whe n yo u felt totall y h ap p y

an d a t p e ac e . Return fully t o tha t tim e now, see in
g wh a t yo u saw, hearin g wha t yo u heard , an d feelin
g ho w g o o d yo u felt. (If yo u can' t re me mb e r a
specifi c time , just imagin e ho w mu c h bette r you r
life woul d b e if yo u we r e totall y happ y an d
peacef u l right now—i f yo u ha d all th e pe ac e , love,
and cont entme n t yo u coul d eve r want. )
2 . No w mak e th e colo r s brighte r an d richer, th

e soun d s louder, an d allo w you r feeling s o f
happines s t o intensify.
216
3. Notic e wher e tha t feelin g of happines s

is stronges t in you r body. Give this feeling of
happi • nes s a color, an d mov e tha t colo r u p t o
th e to p o f you r hea d an d dow n t o th e tip o f you
r toes . Doubl e th e brightness . Doubl e it again !
4. You ca n visualize th e endorphin s like little dol

• phins at play in you r bloodstream , happily swimmin
g from cell to cell. Or feel th e flow of endorphin s like
a river o f golde n hone y throughou t your body .
5 . Repea t step s 2- 4 at leas t five mor e

times . Vividly imagin e in detail tha t even t wher e
yo u are happy, agai n an d again . You ca n us e th e
sam e happ y experienc e or ad d in ne w one s ea c h
time.
W h e n I firs t d i s c o v e r e d t h i s t e c h n i q u e , I thought
, " F a n t a s t i c — I ' l l j u s t fee l g r e a t al l t h e time! " Ho we v e r ,
a s w i t h a n y e m o t i o n a l s ta t e , i t i s i m p o r t a n t t o h a v e a
sens e o f context . W h e n you 'r e crossin g th e road , i t i s
n o t t h e wises t i d e a t o b e b u z z e d o u t o f y o u r m i n d o
n e n do r • p hins . W h e n y o u ' r e driving , y o u wa n t t o hav e
y o u r wi t s a b o u t y o u w h i l e n e g o t i a t i n g t h e tr af fi c .
H o w e v e r , w h e n e v e r it ' s a p p r o p r i a t e t o f e e l w o n d e r f u l
, w h y n o t m a k e u s e o f thi s g r e a t n a t u r a l t e c h n i q u e ?
DESIGNE R HAPPINES S
Profess o r Miha l y Csikszentmihaly i (Mee-h i Chik- sent- mee

- hi ) f r o m th e Universit y o f C h i c a g o ha s s pen t m o r e
tha n
217
PA U L MCKENN A
th i r t y y e a r s s t u d y i n g h a p p i n e s s . B e c a u s e h e c o u l d n ' t g e
t fundin g to researc h happines s directl y (i t w a s n ' t
consid • e r e d a sufficiend y seriou s sub je c t f o r scientifi c
s t u d y ) , h i s s t ud i e s f o c u s o n wha t h e call s "optima l
e x p e r i e n c e s , " o r "flow. "
As a resul t o f hi s research , he ha s identifie d
e i g h t characteristic s tha t ar e invariabl y pr e se n t d u r i n g
optima l e x p e r i e n c e — t h a t is , th e experienc e o f
h a p p i n e s s , enjoy • m e n t , a n d f u l f il l m e n t i n t h e m o m e n t
o f d o i n g whate ve r i t i s y o u ar e doin g .
E a c h o f th e characteristic s serve s a s a po te n ti a l ha pp i
• nes s t r i g g e r — a wa y o f turn i n g a n ordin ar y situatio n
int o a n optimal , enjoyabl e flo w e x pe r ie n c e . A s y o u rea d
t h e m now , y o u ma y wel l hav e idea s a b o u t w h e r e y o u c a n
creat e m o r e o p p o r t u n i t i e s f o r t h e m i n y o u r li f e an d
b e g i n t o f e e l t h e f l o w s ta t e s t a r t h a p p e n i n g .
T h e e ig h t ha ppin e s s trigger s are :
1. Clear Goals
H a v i n g a c le a r go a l , p u r p o s e , o r i n t e n t i o n act s a s a sor t
o f o r g a n i z i n g p r in c i p l e fo r o u r a tte n ti o n , filterin g o u r
ex • p e r i e n c e d o w n f r o m a w o r l d o f i nfini t e possibil itie s
t o a selecti v e c o l l ec t i o n o f e x p e r i e n c e s t h a t allow s u s t o
focus , fee l i n contro l , m a k e sens e o f wha t i s h a p p e n i n
g t o us , a n d r e s p o n d deliberatel y .
T h e r e f o r e , t h e s i m p l e s t w a y t o t r a n s f o r m a n y ta s k i n t
o a po tent i a l flo w e x p e r i e n c e is to se t ourselve s an
i n t e n • t i o n , p u r p o s e , o r g o a l i n r e l a t i o n t o t h a t ta sk .
I n case s w h e r e t h e tas k i s m u n d a n e , r e pe t i ti v e , o r sim -
218
pl y n o t interesti n g t o us , ou r intentio n nee d not b

e d i r e c d y r e l a t e d t o t h e a c t u a l t as k . F o r i n s t a n c e , l i v i n g
t h e i n t e n ti o n o f b e i n g full y p r e s e n t c a n tu r n a b o r i n g
driv e int o a Z e n m ed it at io n ; livin g th e intent i o n o f
p e r f o r m i n g w i t h e n e r g y , e n t h u s i a s m , a n d a s i f it ' s t h e
m o s t i mpo rt a n t thi n g i n th e worl d ca n tur n washin g th e
d i s h e s i n t o a h i g h l y e n j o y a b l e acti vit y .
2. Immediate
Feedback
D o y o u r e m e m b e r a s a chil d playin g th e w a r m e r/ c o l d e
r g ame ? T h e close r y o u go t t o you r goal , th e h i d d e n
objec t y o u wer e seeking , th e warme r y o u were ; th e
f a r t h e r away , t h e c o l d e r .
T h e r e a s o n thi s g a m e i s s o p o p u l a r cross-cul tu ral l
yis tha t th e huma n brai n is designe d as a
c y b e r n e t i c m e c h a n i s m — t h a t is , i t t h r i v e s o n h a v i n g a
clea r go a l a n d m a k i n g constan t adjustment s i n pursui t o
f tha t g o a l , j u s t lik e a h ea t- s ee ki n g missile . However , i
n o r d e r f o r o u r b r a i n t o f u n c t i o n a t it s f u l l c a p a c i t y , w
e mu s t giv e i t con • tinua l fe e d b a c k a s t o w h e t h e r w e ar e
o n track .
3. Ability to Concentrate on the Task at

Hand
G e n i u s e s ar e oft e n c ha r ac te r iz e d a s b e i n g lik e p lat e spin

• n e r s i n a c i r c u s , a b l e t o k e e p m a n y d i f f e r e n t task s
g o i n g a t a n y o n e t i m e . A n d y e t o n e t r ai t t h a t c o n s i s t e n t l y
c o m e s u p i n t h e r e s e a r c h i n t o creativit y a n d f l o w i s th a t
b o t h ar e m o s t likel y t o o c c u r w h e n y o u ar e f oc us e d o n
o n l y o n e t h i n g a t a t im e . I n fact , w h e n a s k e d h o w h e
c a m e u p wit h
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PAU L McKENN A
t h e t h e o r y o f g r av i t y , S i r I s a a c N e w t o n i s r e p u t e d t o
h a v e said , ' Y o u w o u l d ha v e c o m e u p wi t h i t t o o i f y o
u h a d s p e n t al l y o u r t i m e t h i n k i n g o f n o t h i n g el se ! "
4. The Possibility of Successful

Completion
O n e o f th e ke y factor s i n successfu l re cov er 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 h i n g s c a n g e t bette r , g iv e n tim e . Similarly , i

f
a c t w n
- w e wan t t o tur n a n ordinar y e xpe rien c e int o
—Ron Howard a £j Q W e x p e r i e n c e j w e m U s t genera t e feeling s
o f h o p e o r p o s s i b i l i t y t h a t w e wil l b e a b l e t
o s u c c e s s f u l l y c o m p l e t e t h e p r o j e c t o r ta s k a t h a n d .
O u r proba bi li t y o f succes s g o e s u p an ytim e w e c h o o s
e attitude s an d action s tha t ar e withi n o u r contr o l a n d
als o incre as e th e likelihoo d o f gettin g wh a t w e wan t
e i t h e r n o w o r i n t h e f u t u r e . T h i n g s li k e p r e p a r a t i o n , da i l y
action , a n d invitin g other s t o participat e i n o u r goal s a n d
dream s no t onl y mak e ou r succe s s mor e likel y in
realit y , the y m a k e i t m o r e believabl e i n o u r mi nd s a n d
h e a r t s , i n c r e a s • i n g o u r wil l t o s u c c e e d b y m a k i n g t h e p a t
h t o s uc c e s s m o r e a n d m o r e a p p a r e n t .
5 . Total Involvement
R o c k c l i m b i n g i s s o m e t h i n g t h a t al wa y s p u z z l e d m e . W h
y w o u l d a n y o n e w a n t t o d o that ? W h y w o u l d a n y o n e
aspir e t o th e sam e s ki l l leve l tha t a smal l lizar d
demonstrates ? T h e r e doesn' t appe a r t o b e an y gai n i n
it . E v e n m o r e
220
c o n f u s i n g , c l i m b s a r e n ' t r a t e d b y y o u r abilit y t o g e t t o t h
e top , bu t rathe r b y th e rout e yo u choos e to take .
Fello w climber s ar e fa r mor e impresse d b y a n
interestin g jou r • ne y tha n b y re achi n g th e destination .
A n d that' s par t o f th e a p pe a l : c li m b i n g fo r c l i m bi n g '
s sake . Man y climber s repor t tha t whe n they'v e
r e a c h e d th e to p o f a rock , afte r th e relie f ha s subsided ,
there' s a desir e t o co n t i n u e cl im b i n g .
O n e c l i m b i n g i n s tr u ct o r I k n e w c r e a t e d a n interest
• in g "entranc e exam " fo r hi s advance d climbin g
course . H e assigne d al l th e potentia l student s a n
e x t r e m e l y diffi • c u l t c l i m b . T h e instructo r tol d th e
aspirin g student s tha t h e w o u l d m a k e hi s decisi o n w h e n
the y r e a c h e d th e top , the n secrete d himsel f b e h i n d a roc
k partwa y u p a t wha t i s k n o w n a s a f al s e summit—
s o m e t h i n g tha t appear s t o b e th e to p o f th e m o u n t a i n
b u t isn't .
When th e student s reache d th e f al s e summit , h
e w o u l d wa tc h th e i r face s a s the y realiz e d tha t r a th e r
t h a n b e i n g d o n e , t h e y w e r e stil l o n l y p a r t w a y t o t h e t o p .
T h o s e w h o a p p e a r e d di s ap poi n te d we r e politel y refuse
d en tr y t o t h e a d v a n c e d g r o u p , b u t th o s e w h o s e eye s
wide n e d i n ex ci temen t a t th e prospec t o f m o r e climbin g
a h e a d wer e w e l c o m e d wit h o p e n arms .
A c c o r d i n g t o Csikszentmihalyi , mo s t optim a l experi
• enc e i s th e resul t o f th i s kin d o f teleologica l
a c t i v i t y — t h a t is , act i v i t y t h a t i s i n t r i n s i c a l l y s at is fy i n g a s
o p p o s e d t o goal-oriented . W h e n w e d o thing s n o t becau s
e w e b e l i e v e t h e y wi l l n e c e s s a r i l y m a k e u s l o o k g o o d o r
m a k e u s m o n e y b u t fo r th e s h ee r lov e o f d o i n g th e thin g
, w e increas e th e
l i k e l i h o o d o f e x p e r i e n c i n g flow
.
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PAU L McKENN A
6. Loss of Self-Consciousness
O n e o f th e thing s tha t p e o p l e ofte n re p o r t afte r b e i n

g hypnotize d a t m y show s i s th a t i t allow s t h e m ,
s o m e t i m e s f o r t h e firs t t i m e i n t h e i r a d u l t li ve s , t o f e e l
t o t a l l y u n s e l f - c o n s c i o u s . W h i l e w e a l l li v e i n t hi s s t a t e a s
s m a l l c h i l d r e n , b y t h e t i m e w e ' r e a b o u t fi v e w e h a v e
alread y b e g u n t o
j u d g e ourselv e s t h r o u g h t h e eye s o f t h e p e o p l e a r o u n
d us . W h e n w e ar e a bl e t o b e c o m e c o m p l e t e l y a b s o r b e d i
n a fl o w e x p e r i e n c e , w e r e t u r n t o tha t p l e a s a n t stat e i n
w h i c h w h a t w e ar e d o i n g a n d e x p e r i e n c i n g b e c o m e s fa
r m o r e interestin g tha n wh a t othe r peop l e m ig h t b e
thinking .
7. A Sense of
Control
A s t u d y r e p o r t e d i n t h e New York Times p o i n t e d o u t t h

e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f a s e n s e o f c o n t r o l i n o u r li ve s :
T h e f e e l i n g o f b e i n g i n c o n t r o l , o f h a v i n g a sa
y i n w h a t h a p p e n s i n o n e ' s life , ha s f a r - r e a c h i n g
con • sequence s fo r physica l an d menta l health
. . . . Incr e asi n g th e sens e o f contr o l a m o n g m e
n a n d w o m e n livin g i n con va le sce n t h o m e s m a d
e t h e m happier , increase d thei r a le r t n e s s and—
p e r h a p s mos t dramatically—lowere d thei r
mortali t y rate , o ve r a p e r i o d o f 1 8 m o n th s , b y 5 0
percent .
T h e increase d contro l c a m e fr o m simpl e changes

, suc h as allowin g th e convalescent-hom e resident s
to
222
d e c i d e wha t the y w o u l d hav e fo r meals , w h e n th e p h o n

e w o u l d rin g i n thei r roo ms , a n d h o w th e furnitur e
woul d b e arranged .
B y takin g contro l ove r eve n th e simples t element s o
f ou r environmen t (wher e w e a r e sitting , h o w thing s
ar e a rr an g e d o n o u r desk , o r eve n wh a t w e ar e l o o k i n
g a t w h e n w e da y dr ea m ) , w e increas e th e likelihoo d o f
expe •
r i e n c i n g h a p p i n e s s i n o u r e v e r y d a y li ve s
.
8. Time Distortion (i.e., minutes becoming hours

and/or hours feeling like minutes)
Hav e y o u not ice d w h e n y o u ar e d o i n

Put your hand on a
g som e thing s tim e seem s t o mov e
hot stove for a
reall y slowl y o r reall y qu ickl y ? H e r e ar
minute, and it seems
e s o m e o f m y favorit e time- distor tin g
like an hour. Sit with
activities :
a pretty girl for an
hour, and it seems
S p o r t s t h a t t es t y o u r abilit y .
like a minute.
R ea di n g a n illuminatin g book .
T h a t ' s relativity.
W h e n dra win g , correct i y portray
• i n g perspectiv e , light , a n d —Albert Einstein
s h a d e . D r i v i n g o n difficul t terrain
. Dancing , hearin g th e bea t an
d melod y o f a song , an d movin g i
n a n e x p r e s s i v e w a y t o it .
Thinking , reasonin g throug h th e strand s of

a p ro bl em , a n d arrangin g t he m i n consciousness .
N o t i c i n g t h e s u b t l e d i f f e r e n c e s i n tast e o f e xo t i
c foods .
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PAU L McKENN A
BALANCIN G CHALLENG E
A N D MASTER Y
W h i l e e a c h o n e o f the s e e i g h t characteristic s i s im p o r t a n t
, p er h a p s t h e m o s t usefu l o n e , i f w e w a n t t o de s i g n o u r
o w n o ptim a l e xp e ri en c e s , i s a n int h metacharacteristi c :
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.
F o rt un a te l y , m o s t o f u s h a v e a t leas
t Enjoyment appears occasionall y e x p e r i e n c e d th e cal m , fo
- a l the boundary c us e d e ne r g y tha t c o m e s wit h p e rf o r m
- between boredom m g m ^ e fj o w z o n e w h e n w e fee l u p t o
and anxiety, when t n e cha l l en g e s w e ar e f ac e d with .
the challenges are jjf C j a t i t e b e s t ) j s a constan t shuttl e
just balanced with bet we e n master y a n d challeng e , a con -
the person s capacity tinua l proces s o f stretchi n g a n d consol -
i o a c t
' idatin g o u r gain s a n d learning .
Mihaly § Q h o w d 0 w e d es i g n a n d adjus t o u r
J
exp e ri en c e t o ensur e w e hav e th e high •
es t p o ssib l e c h a n c e o f b o t h e n j o y i n g a
n a ct iv i t y a n d p e r f o r m i n g a t o u r b e s t ?
T h e k e y i s i n t h e w o r d perception—that is , b y a d j u s t i n
g
ou r perception s (o f th e cha ll eng e s w e fac e a n d o f o u
r abilit y t o m e e t t h o s e c h a l l e n g e s ) , w e c a n literall y re-
creat e o u r e x p e r i e n c e fo r o pti m a l p e r f o r m a n c e .
224
T R A N S F O R M I N G F E A R INT O F L O W
T h i n k o f a s i t u a t i o n , p r o j e c t , o r act ivi t Bonus Tip

y t h a t to ta l l y f r e a k s y o u o u t — t h a t y o u
It would appear
fee l y o u shoul d o r mus t o r eve n wan t t o
that not all balance
p ar • t ic ip a t e i n b u t i s s o fa r o u t o f y o u r
is created equally.
l eag u e tha t y o u k n o w y o u ' r e b o u n d t o
Research shows
fa il . T h i s c a n be a busines s act ivi t y
that people are most
( q u a d r u p l i n g y o u r s al e s v o l u m e i n t h e
likely to describe
nex t month ) o r a persona l o n e (askin g
their experience and
th e perso n o f you r dream s ou t o n a
performance
date) .
levels as optimal
H e r e a r e t w o s im p l e strategie s tha
when both the
t w il l h e l p y o u t u r n y o u r f e e l i n g s o f
challenge and skill
p ani c o r o v er w h e l m int o th e focu s o f
are balanced at a
flo w .
high level (e.g.,
brain surgery) than
Lowering Your Sights at a low level (e.g.,

learning to use
W h i l e c o n v e n t i o n a l w i s d o m te ll s u s t
chopsticks).
o shoo t fo r th e stars , happines s
researc h point s ou t tha t lowerin g yo u r
sigh t s a n d f o c u s i n g o n a t ar ge t tha t y o
u k n o w y o u c a n hi t c a n quickl y tur n
eve n th e mos t
daunti n g challeng e int o a fu n adventure . W h e n a n N L

P trainin g tea m wen t to transfor m th e U.S . Arm y
pistol - s h o o t i n g p r o g r a m , o n e o f t h e f i r s t t h i n g s t h e y d i d
w a s c u t t h e d i s t a n c e t o t h e t a r g e t i n h al f . A s p e o p l e ' s
confidenc e an d s ki l l increased , th e target s wer e
graduall y r et u r n e d t o th e origina l distance . T h e r e s u l t
— a v astl y i n c r e a s e d s u c c e s s r a t e i n le s s t h a n h a l f t h e
origina l trainin g time .
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PAU L McKENN A
EXAMPLE: QUADRUPLING M Y SALE S V OLU M E
"I lowe r m y si gh t s and se t mysel f a smalle r target

— d o u b l i n g m y s al e s v o l u m e . N o , stil l t o o scar y . W h a t i f I tr
y t o increas e m y v o lu m e b y o n e i n th e n e x t week ? D o e s n '
t fee l with i n m y con tr o l . I k n o w — I ' l l m a k e twent y m o r e
ca ll s a d a y t h a n I d i d las t m o n t h ! T h a t p u t s m e f i r m l y i n t
o flow. "
Focus on Past
Success
I f y o u ' v e g o t t e n thi s fa r i n life , c h a n c e s a r e y o u ' v e d o n

e m o r e t h a n a f e w th in g s rig h t . W h e n y o u star t t o f o c u s
o n w h a t y o u d o that' s wo r ki n g , y o u r p e r c e p t i o n o f y o u r
a b i l • it y i n c r e a s e s , a n d a l o n g w i t h i t y o u i n c r e a s e t h e
p o s • s ib il it y o f f l o w .
EXAMPLE: ASKIN G DREA M LOVE R O U T O N A DAT E
" H m m m . . . I'v e actuall y d a t e d b ef o r e . And som e o

f t h e m ha v e eve n g o n e well ! A n d r e m e m b e r tha t t im e
tha t
sai d yes , w h i c h reall y s u r p r i s e d m e ? A n d t h a
t o t h e r time ? A n d th a t o t h e r time ? Okay , m y heart ' s
stil l p u m p i n g , bu t it ' s turne d int o excitement—I'm
stil l p u m p e d u p b u t i t f e e l s l i k e a p o s i t i v e c h a l l e n g e . "
ASK YOURSELF, "WHAT CAN I DO NOW? "
226
B A C K G RO U N D HAPPINES S
S o m e psychologist s believ e i n wha t th e y

cal l " b a c k g r o u n d str es s. " I n o t h e r w o r d s , The secret o f being
eve n thoug h s omeo n e migh t b e d oin g happy i s not doing
s o m e t h i n g e n j o y a b l e , t h e r e ' s still h i d d e n what one likes, but
worr y lurki n g s o m e wh e r e bac k there . liking what one does.
B u t r a t h e r t h a n b a c k g r o u n d s tr es s , I —J- M . Barrie
t h i n k it ' s a m u c h b e t t e r i d e a t o h a v e
b ack g r o u n d happiness : a k i n d o f al l -
p e r v a d i n g f e e l i n g i n t h e b a c k o f y o u r m i n d t h a t l if e i
s g o o d , tha t yo u r u n c o n sc i o u s d o e s everythi n g 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 m s c a n b e r e s ol v e d i n a
h e a l t h y , l i f e - e n h a n c i n g wa y .
C a n y o u l e a r n h o w t o d o it? A b s o l u t e l y . T h e r e a r e t h o u
• sand s an d thousand s o f peopl e walkin g aroun d
experienc • in g b ack groun d happines s an d flo w i n al l
area s o f t h e i r l iv es , muc h t o th e annoyanc e o f
p s y c h o l o g i s t s a n d t h e r a • pist s w h o c o n t i n u e t o " p r o v e " t h
e i m p o s s i b i l i t y o f d o i n g it .
I n t h e past , m a n y p e o p l e h a v e w o r k e d h a r d t o c r e a t
e f l o w i n t h e i r liv e s . H o w e v e r , t h e r e i s a n e a s y w a y t o d
o it .
W h e n e v e r y o u ' v e e x p e r i e n c e d fl o w i n t h e past , y o u
r unconsciou s min d ha s mad e a recor d o f th e
p sy ch o lo g i • ca l a n d ph y si ol o gi c a l aspect s o f th a t op t i m a l
experience . Thi s i s becaus e flo w i s a
neurophysiologica l s ta t e : i n ot h e r wor d s , i t i s a se t o f
electrica l impulse s i n yo u r brai n a n d c h em i c a l c ha n g e s i
n y o u r body . Y o u r m i n d a n d b o d y h av e a m ul t is en s o r y
r e c o r d i n g o f exactl y h o w y o u m a k e flo w h a p p e n , o f h o w
y o u m a k e t ha t state .
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PAU L McKENN A
S o wha t we'r e goin g t o d o i s ge t you r unconsciou

s m i n d t o g o o n a s e a r c h a n d fi n d al l t h e t im e s i n t h e
pas t w h e n you' v e e x pe r i e n c e d flow , th e n m a k e a recor d
o f t h e stat e s o t h a t y o u c a n b e g i n t o t r i g g e r i t f o r
yoursel f m o r e a n d m ore .
Afte r a whil e almo s t anythi n g y o u d o ca n b e c o m
e effortles s a n d j o y o u s . Y o u ' l l b e d o i n g s o m e t h i n g a n d
y o u won' t kno w wh y yo u fee l s o good , o r wh y yo u ar e s
o har • m o n i o u s l y inv olv e d wit h w h a t y o u ar e d o i n g , a n
d i t wi l l h a p p e n m o r e a n d m o r e .
On e o f th e bes t way s to reacces s flo w is by
r e m e m • berin g a tim e w h e n yo u wer e i n th e zone , i n
flow . Re • m e m b e r tha t th e huma n nervou s syste m
c a n n o t tel l t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e t w e e n a re a l e x p e r i e n c e a n
d a vividl y i m a g • i n e d o n e . A l l y o u n e e d d o i s r e m e m b e
r a tim e y o u wer e
i n f l o w a n d a m p l i f y it . I f y o u d o th i s e a c h day , i t w i l l
pro • g r a m yo u r m i n d a n d b o d y t o tak e y o u int o th e
z o n e m o r e a n d m o r e , a b l e t o sa y t h e r i g h t t h i n g s i n
j u s t t h e r i g h t w a y a t t h e r ig h t ti m e , easil y t h i n k i n g o f t h
e p e r f e c t t h i n g t o d o , g l i d i n g t h r o u g h y o u r da y s w i t h a
n a m a z i n g se ns e o f satisfactio n .
Ok ay , let' s d o i t no w . . . .
Steppin g into the Zon e
1. Make yoursel f comfortable , relax, an d clo s

e you r eyes .
2. No w remembe r time s whe n yo u hav e bee n

in state s o f flow, seein g wha t yo u saw, hearing
wha t
228
yo u heard, feeling ho w g o o d yo u felt. This start s re•

creatin g th e flow stat e within you .
3. Now amplify it: mak e th e picture s

bigger, brighter, bolder, th e sound s louder, th e
feelings stronger, and ancho r th e stat e b y
squeezin g th e thum b and middl e finger of on e
of you r hand s togeth e r (or us e any othe r self-
ancho r you wan t to).
4 . No w d o i t again , se e wha t yo u saw, hea r

wha t yo u heard, feel ho w go o d yo u felt.
5. No w find anothe r time whe n yo u experience

d flow an d g o throug h th e procedur e all ove r
again , seein g wh a t yo u saw, hearing wha t yo u
heard, feel • ing ho w goo d yo u felt, until yo u
only hav e t o s q u e e z e you r finger s t o ge th e r t o
feel yoursel f g o into th e flow state .
A s k y o u r u n c o n s c i o u s m i n d t o t r ig g e r t h a t fl o w stat
e t h r o u g h o u t t h e day . A s y o u b e g i n t o f i n d y o u r s e l f
e x pe r i • e n c i n g flo w m o r e a n d m o r e o f t h e t i m e , t h e
n e u r a l p a t h • wa y s i n yo u r brai n tha t creat e flo w a n d
b ac k g r ou n d happines s b e c o m e stronge r a n d stronge r
u n t i l y o u ha r d • w i r e yo u r s e l f t o b e i n f l o w al l t h e ti m e .
TH E P R O B L E M W IT H P L E A S U R E
A n u m b e r o f p e o p l e ha v e c o m e t o m e o ve r th e year s
suf•
ferin g fro m wh a t I ca n onl y describ e a s "a n exces s o
f
229
PAU L McKENN A
pl ea s ur e . " I lik e t o shar e wi t h t h e m a dis tin ctio n b e t w e e

n p l e a s u r e a n d w h a t I wi l l c a l l s a t i s f a c t i o n — t h a t is ,
be t we e n thos e thing s tha t fee l g o o d i n th e momen t
a n d thos e th in g s tha t w e fee l g o o d a b o u t afterward .
H e re ' s th e distinctio n i n a nutshell :
Pleasures give the body pleasant sensations;

satisfactions gratify the soul.
D o e s th i s m e a n p l e a s u r e i s b a d ?
Every heart that has
N o t a t al l . Bu t th e p r o b l e m wit
beat strongly and
h pleasur e i s tha t i t feel s s o da r n g o o d ,
cheerfully has left a
w e c a n b e easil y t e m p t e d t o p u t i t a t
hopeful impulse
t h e t o p o f o u r p r i o r i t y lis t a s w e p u r s u e
behind it in the t h e g o o d li f e a t a l l c o s t s . B u t t h e g o o d
world, and bettered lif e i s la r ge l y d e v o i d o f t h e satisfactio n
the tradition of s tha t c o m e w h e n w e pi t ourselve s
mankind. agains t a worth y challenge . Perhap s
—Robert Louis thi s i s w h y Si r R i c h a r d B r a n s o n
Stevenson c o n t i n u e s t o r i s k li f e a n d l i m b in a
heliu m b a l l o o n — becaus e h e recognize
s tha t to o m u c h o f
t h e s o - c a l l e d g o o d l if e c a n b e b a d f o r y o u .
I n f a c t , p l e a s u r e p u r s u e d f o r it s o w n s a k e a c t u a l l
y s e e m s t o g e t i n t h e w a y o f h a p p i n e s s . A l i z a r d wi l l
s t a r v e t o d e a t h i f y o u t r y t o h a n d - f e e d it , y e t i t w i l l
t h r i v e w h e n a l l o w e d t o h u n t it s o w n f o o d ; a n e a r o f c o r
n wi l l r o t o n t h e s t a l k i f n o t c h a l l e n g e d b y w i n d a n d
rain . A n d i f y o u wa n t t o b e happy , y o u n e e d t o tak e
o n a w o r t h y c h a l • l e n g e — e v e n i f t h a t ' s t h e la s t t h i n g y o
u fee l y o u want !
S o h o w d o w e c r e a t e a h a p p i e r , m o r e s a ti s f y i n g lif e
?
230
1. Allow More Pleasure into Your

Life
T h i s m a y s e e m t o g o a g a i n s t e v e r y t h i n g I h a v e b e e n say
• in g , b u t f o r m o s t o f us , o u r lus t fo r p l e a su r e i s ti e d i n
t o t h e a p p e a l o f f o r b i d d e n fruit . I n fact , t h e w o r d i n
o u r societ y m o s t c o m m o n l y p ai r e d wit h pleasur e is
guilty. B y m a k i n g i t o k a y t o t a k e t i m e o u t t o l i s t e n t o t h e
rai n whil e takin g a w ar m , candl eli t b a t h (o r w a t ch i n g
footbal l whil e d rinkin g a b e e r ) , w e c a n sto p s p en d i n g
s o m u c h tim e po l i c in g ourselve s a n d be g i n takin g m o r
e tim e t o chal • l e n g e ourselves .
2. Discover Your Strengths and

Begin to Put Them to Work
W e t e n d t o f ee l o u r b es t w h e n w e a r e d o i n g o u r best , a n
d w e c a n on l y d o o u r bes t w h e n w e ar e d o i n g wha t w e
d o best—tha t is , playin g to ou r strengths . Whil e
conven • tiona l wisdo m encourage s u s t o develo p ou r
wea kn esses , resear c h i nt o succes s a n d fulfillmen t po int s
o u t tha t w h e n w e pla y t o o u r s treng th s a n d manage o u
r weakness , w e n o t onl y p er f o r m bette r bu t w e ge t m o r e
satisfactio n f r o m o u r p e r f o r m a n c e .
T o identif y y o u r strengths , e m p l o y w h a t m a n a g e m e n
t consultant s cal l "360-degre e feedback"—tha t is ,
a s k p e o p l e i n e v e r y a r e a o f y o u r l if e w h a t t h e y c o n s i d e r
y o u r s t re ng t h s t o b e un t i l y o u c a n cl earl y identif y t h e
common
characteristic s a n d standards .
231
PAU L MCKENN A
3. Do at Least One Difficult Thing Each

Day
When Mihal y Csikszentmihaly i complete d hi s initia

l studie s int o flo w a n d th e psycholog y o f optima l
experi • e nc e , h e wa s aske d b y a rep or t e r t o s um ma riz e
t h e find • i n g s o f w h a t wa s a 2,000-pag e d o c u m e n t . A f t e
r thinkin g fo r a mo me n t , Cs iksz e nt mihal y i said : "Ever
y day , t h e h a p p y p e r s o n d o e s a t l eas t o n e di ff ic u l t
thing. "
W hi l e i t ma y s e e m o d d t o c o n c l u d e a lesso n i n h ap pi
• nes s b y talkin g abou t del iberatel y seekin g ou t
d if fi cu lt ie s , i t i s a l e s s o n t h a t li f e i ts e l f c o n t i n u a l l y a t t e m p t
s t o tea c h us .
Lillia n Galbraith , one of th e mos t extraordinar y
w o m e n o f t h e t wen t i e t h c e n t u r y a n d a n earl y p i o n e e r i
n t h e fiel d o f productivity , wa s a s k e d wh a t k e p t h e r s o
a li v e a n d v i t a l i n t o h e r s e v e n t i e s . S h e r e p l i e d , "Ever y
mornin g I as k G o d t o giv e m e a d a y fille d wi t h
c h a l l e n g e s a n d dif • f i c u l t i e s . E v e r y e v e n i n g I g i v e t h a n k s ,
a s h e al wa y s a n s w e r s m y m o r n i n g p r a y e r ! "
W h e n s e e k i n g o u t w o r t h y c h a l l e n g e i n y o u r o w n l if e
, b e a r i n m i n d t h a t o p t i m a l e x p e r i e n c e t e n d s t o li v e a t
th e balancin g poin t at th e oute r edg e of you r
abilities — whe n you'r e f ul l y engage d bu t no t
o verwhel m e d b y th e challenge .
Congratulations—you'r e almos t d on e ! In th e con
• c l u d i n g c h a p t e r , I'l l s h a r e w i t h y o u s o m e i d e a s o n h o w
t o mai ntai n a n d de v el o p th e c h a n g e s tha t ha v e b e e n
o c c u r • r i n g o v e r t h e la s t s e v e n da y s .
Unti l then ,
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.
"Medicine—I'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
PA U L McKENN A
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
TH E P O W E R O F S U G G E S T I O N
I n m y hy pno ti c shows , I ofte n offe r th e p e o p l e o n stag e

a po s th y pn o t i c suggestio n . L o n g afte r the y thin k thei r
p a r t i n t h e s h o w i s o v e r , e v e r y t i m e I sa y a k e y w o r d o r
p h r a s e t h e y wil l b e g i n to enac t th e behavio r I hav e
suggeste d t o them .
T h r o u g h o u t thi s b o o k , I h av e b e e n givi n g s ugg es t io n
s f o r h o w y o u c a n n o t o n l y c h a n g e y o u r l if e b u t k e e p
th e c h a n g e ove r th e weeks , m o n t h s , a n d year s a hea d .
S o m e o f thes e suggestion s wer e d i r e c t — t h a t is , yo u
wi l l h a v e n o t i c e d my suggestin g the m as you read .
Howeve r , other s we r e i n d i r e c t — e m b e d d e d int o th e tex
t i n o r d e r t o s e n d t h e m directl y in t o y o u r un c o n s c i o u
s min d a n d d e s i gn e d t o b e trigge r e d b y th e natura l
o c c u r r e n c e s t h a t h a p p e n i n e v e r y o n e ' s lif e .
Pl ea s e k n o w this :
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 fa c i l i t a t e a n d r e i n f o r c e y o u r o n g o i n g su c
• cess , I hav e create d th e followin g dail y succes s
wo rko u t . Thi s i s th e sam e routin e I us e ever y m o r n i n g t o
s e t m y s e l f u p f o r a w o n d e r f u l day . I s u g g e s t t h a t f o r t h e
n e x t w e e k o r so , y o u f ol l o w thi s r o u t i n e e xa ctl y a s I h a v e
designe d i t fo r
237
PAU L McKENN A
Your Daily Succes s Workout
1. Begi n by takin g thre e d e e p breaths . Each

tim e yo u breath e in, feel an y area s of tension an d
stres s in you r body . Each tim e yo u breath e out,
feel yoursel f letting go an d relaxing into a lovely,
peacefu l state .
2. Imagine th e qualities of your authentic self. Se e

yourself goin g through your da y as your authentic
self. Do this several times until it b e co m e s eas y to
imagine.
3. Now, review your to p five values. Take a momen

t to really feel eac h one, and on c e again guid e your
mind through the da y ahead. Each time you do this,
yo u are programmin g yourself to have a wonderful
day!
4 . Use th e inner smile t o activat e you r endorphi

n response . Smile into ever y are a o f yoursel f and
kee p feeling bette r an d bette r an d better.
5 . Review you r big dream . As k you r mind t o

guid e yo u in thought , word , an d actio n to do
an d sa y exactl y th e right thing s t o mak e you r
drea m s co m e tru e for th e highes t g o o d o f all
concerned .
6. Wha t are yo u mos t grateful for in you r

life? Spen d a t leas t on e minute focuse d o n all th e
g o o d thing s yo u alread y hav e and everythin g that'
s right with you r world .
7. Finish by taking thre e more d e e p breaths .

This time, allow eac h breath in to fill yo u with energy
, and eac h breath ou t t o energiz e yo u eve n more .
238
yo u . A s y o u b e c o m e m o r e familia r wit h th e te ch nique s i

n t h e b o o k , y o u c a n b e g i n t o substitut e o t h e r e x er ci s e s
fo r th e one s writte n here . B y m a k i n g tim e i n y o u r da y t o
pro • g r a m you r m i n d wit h po siti v e suggestions , you r
energ y an d motivatio n wi l l increas e an d yo u wi l l
becom e h a p • pier , st ron ge r , a n d m o r e creativ e a s y o u r
li f e c o n t i n u e s t o g e t e v e n b e t t e r .
W i t h p r a c t i c e , y o u wi l l f i n d y o u c a n c o m p l e t e th i s r o u
• tin e i n a s li tt l e a s fi v e minutes . However , I
r e c o m m e n d tha t w h e n e v e r possible , y o u tak e a t leas t
f i f t e e n m i n u t e s t o r e a l l y s e t y o u r s e l f u p f o r t h e da y . A s
Mahatm a Gandh i onc e sai d i n th e mids t o f hi s
c a m p a i g n t o creat e a fre e a n d self-governin g India :
T h a v e s o m u c h t o d o t o d a y I wil l n e e d t o m e d i t a t
e twic e a s l o n g ! "
HO W G O O D CA N I T GET ?
Fi n all y , a s w e r e a c h t h e e n d o f t h e b o o k , I ' d l i k e t o
tal k a b o u t th e f uture . Y o u m a y r e m e m b e r th a t I starte
d t h i s b o o k b y t a l k i n g a b o u t h o w w e li v e i n a t r u l y
e x c i t i n g t i m e i n o u r p l a n e t ' s history . T h e s e day s t h e r e i s
m o r e informa • tio n t o absorb , m o r e t o learn , a n d m o r
e opportunitie s tha n eve r before .
A s th e pa c e o f ch a n g e get s q uick e r a n d quicker , th

e creativ e technolog y w e hav e no w i s abl e t o
c o n s t a n t l y u p g r a d e a n d i m p r o v e itself . A h u n d r e d a n d
fift y y e a r s a g o t h e t e l e g r a p h firs t m a d e i t p o s s i b l e t o
sen d message s quickl y ove r grea t distances . Withi n
thirt y ye ar s , th e
239
PAU L McKENN A
Your Daily Succes s Workout
1. Begi n by takin g thre e d e e p breaths . Each tim

e yo u breath e in, feel an y area s of tensio n an d stres
s in you r body . Each tim e yo u breath e out, feel
yoursel f letting go an d relaxing into a lovely,
peacefu l state .
2. Imagine th e qualities of your authentic self. Se

e yourself goin g through your da y as your authentic
self. Do this several times until it b e co me s eas y to
imagine.
3. Now, review your to p five values. Take a momen

t to really feel eac h one, and onc e again guid e your
mind through the day ahead . Each time you do this,
you are programmin g yourself to hav e a wonderful
day!
4 . Us e th e inner smile t o activat e you r

endorphi n response . Smile into ever y are a o f
yoursel f an d kee p feeling bette r and bette r an d
better.
5 . Revie w you r big drea m . As k you r mind t o

guid e yo u i n though t , word , an d actio n t o d o
an d sa y exactl y th e right thing s t o mak e you r
drea m s co m e true for th e highes t g o o d o f all
concerned .
6. Wha t ar e yo u mos t grateful for in you r

life? Spen d a t least on e minut e f ocus e d o n all th e
g o o d thing s yo u alread y hav e an d everythin g
that' s right with you r world .
7. Finish by taking thre e mor e d e e p breaths .

This time, allow eac h breath in to fill you with energy,
and eac h breath ou t t o energiz e yo u eve n more.
238
yo u . A s y o u b e c o m e m o r e familia r wit h th e techn iq u e s i

n t h e b o o k , y o u c a n b e g i n t o substitut e o t h e r e x er c is e s
fo r th e one s writte n h ere . B y m a k i n g tim e i n y o u r da y t o
p r o • g r a m y o u r m i n d wit h positiv e suggestions , you r
energ y an d motivatio n wil l increas e an d yo u wil l
becom e h a p • pier , st ron ge r , a n d m o r e cre ativ e a s y o u r
li f e c o n t i n u e s t o g e t e v e n b e t t e r .
W i t h p r a c t i c e , y o u wi l l f i n d y o u c a n c o m p l e t e t h i s r o u
• tin e i n a s l itt l e a s fiv e minutes . However , I
r e c o m m e n d tha t w h e n e v e r po ssible , y o u tak e a t leas t
f i f t e e n m i n u t e s t o r e a l l y s e t y o u r s e l f u p f o r t h e da y . A s
Mahatm a Gandh i onc e sai d i n th e mids t o f hi s
c a m p a i g n t o c reat e a fre e a n d self-governin g India :
"I hav e so muc h to do t o d a y I wi l l nee d to
medi ta t e twic e a s l on g ! "
HO W G O O D CA N I T GET ?
Fi n al l y , a s w e r e a c h t h e e n d o f t h e b o o k , I ' d l i k e t o
tal k a b o u t t h e f u t u r e . Y o u m a y r e m e m b e r t h a t I s ta r te d
t h i s b o o k b y t a l k i n g a b o u t h o w w e li v e i n a t r u l y e x c i t i n g
t i m e i n o u r p l a n e t ' s history . T h e s e day s t h e r e i s m o r e
informa • tio n to absorb , mor e to learn , an d mor e
opportunitie s tha n eve r before .
A s th e p ac e o f c h a n g e get s qui ck e r a n d quicker , th

e creativ e technolog y w e hav e no w i s abl e t o
c o n s t a n t l y u p g r a d e a n d i m p r o v e itself . A h u n d r e d a n d
f i f t y y e a r s a g o t h e t e l e g r a p h firs t m a d e i t p o s s i b l e t o
sen d message s quickl y ove r grea t distances . Withi n
thirt y yea r s , th e
239
PA U L McKENN A
t e l e p h o n e h a d arrived , quickl y f o llo w e d

1 h e illiterate o f the jj y v o i c e recording , radio , television ,
twenty-first century f a X ; a n d e -mail .
will not b e those who y^ e c a n n o w c o m m u n i c a t e acros s th e

cannot read and plane t i n an instant . Somethin g h a
p write, but those who pe n s o n o n e sid e o f th e wor l d a n d w
e cannot learn, c a n w a tch it on our televisions , rea d

unlearn, and abou t i t o n th e We b , an d c o m m u ni c a t
e relearn. a b o u t i t b y e-mail , al l s har i n g t h e e x p e
-
—Atvin Toffler rienc e simultaneously . The eye s an d
ear s of our telecommunication s net •
w o r k ar e b e c o m i n g th e eye s a n d ear s o f humanity .
M o r e t h a n ever , t h e m i n d i s n o w t h e d o m i n a n t c re
• ativ e f o r c e o n thi s p l a n e t . O u r t h o u g h t s a r e m o r e
powe r • fu l tha n the y hav e eve r been , a n d wit h th e
e x p o n e n t i a l e n h a n c e m e n t s i n t e c h n o l o g y w e a r e like l y
t o se e s o m e a m a z i n g cha n ge s i n th e ne a r future .
S o m e scient ist s b e l i e v e t h a t w i t h i n t h e n e x t f e w y e a r s w
e wil l h a v e a c u r e fo r can ce r , drug s t o perm a n en d y
incr eas e intelligence , c ryoge n i c preservation , a n d g en eti
c c o n t r o l o f a g i n g . V i r t u a l reality , g e n e t i c r e p r o g r a m m i n g
, an d de • velopment s i n n a n o t e c h n o l o g y wil l offe r
b e n e f i t s w e c a n • n o t e v e n i m a g i n e , a s t o da y ' s s c i e n c e
f i c t i o n b e c o m e s t h e t e m p l a t e f o r t o m o r r o w ' s s c i e n c e fa c t .
W e stan d , m a n y o f u s u n k no w in g l y , o n th e e d g e o f a n
a m a z i n g l e a p i n h u m a n • ity' s e v o l u t i o n .
T o m a k e thi s l e a p , w e n e e d a r ad i c a l shif t i n o u r
val • ue s . R a t h e r t h a n c o n t i n u a l l y l o o k i n g f o r f ul f i l l m e n
t i n th e outsi d e wo r ld , w h i c h ha s m a d e u s overl y
competitiv e
240
a n d selfish , w e n e e d t o b e g i n t o f i n d m o r e c o n t e n t m e n
t within . I believ e tha t a n e w a g e o f p s y c h o t e c h n o l o g y
i s u p o n us , a n d th e kin d o f tech ni que s we'v e b e e n usi n g
i n t h i s b o o k wi l l b e c o m e w h a t m o r e a n d m o r e p e o p l e
tur n t o i n o r d e r t o h e l p b rin g a b o u t positiv e c ha n g e s a t
e v e r y l e v e l o f so c ie t y .
T h e s e days , a co unt ry ' s we al t h i s n o l o n g e r g a u g e d b y
its p h y s i c a l r e s o u r c e s . Instea d , i t i s idea s a n d thei r
i m p l e m e n • tatio n tha t crea t e wealth . T h e rea l s o ur c e o f
we al t h i s i n o u r m i n d s , a n d thos e o f u s wit h th e riches t
i d e a s wil l c r e a t e t h e g r e a t e s t w e a l t h i n t h e w o r l d . J u s t t h i n
k f o r a m o m e n t — y o u posses s o n e o f t h e m o s t v a luab l e
an d powerfu l piece s o f e q u i pm e n t i n th e worl d righ t
b e t w e e n y o u r ears !
Y o u h av e l e a r n e d s o m e p o w e r f u l way s t o r u n y o u
r o w n b r a i n . T h e positi v e sof twar e t h a t y o u h a v e p u t
i n t o y o u r m i n d wil l b e g i n t o m a n i f e s t m o r e a n d m o r e
b e n e f i • c i a l r e s u l t s e a c h day . T h e f a c t t h a t y o u ' v e c h o s e n
t o i n v e s t i n y o u r o w n e v o l u t i o n set s y o u a p a r t f r o m t h e
m a s s e s . I t' s a d e c i s i o n t h a t w i l l e n r i c h th e qualit y o f
y o u r li f e m a n y t i m e s o v e r , b e c a u s e l i f e i s o n l y a s a m a z i n
g a s t h e w a y y o u c h o o s e t o li v e it .
A s y o u p r a c t i c e t h e t e c h n i q u e s i n thi s b o o k , t a k i n
g responsibilit y f o r p r o g r a m m i n g y o u r o w n m i n d , y o u
ar e putt in g yoursel f a t th e foref ro n t o f o u r culture . Y o u
ar e b e c o m i n g a leader , a n d th e choice s y o u m a k e a b o u t
wher e an d ho w yo u lea d wi l l becom e increasingl y
significant .
As yo u continu e on you r journe y to th e lif e
o f y o u r d r e a m s , I w o u l d li k e t o lea v e y o u w i t h thi s
B ud dhi s t blessing :
241
About the Author
PAUL MCKENNA, P H . D . , i s t h e wor ld ' s l e a d i n g h y p ° o t i s t
' His T V shows hav e b e e n w a t c h e d i n forty-tw o c o u ° t n e
s
b y mor e than 500 milli o n p e o p l e a r o u n d t h e world-
He has appeare d on Good Morning America, The ^* > eW
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), a n d
CN N amon g many others .
His award-winning c o m e d y h y p n o t i c s h o w p l a y * e( o n
Broadway an d i n L o n d o n ' s Wes t E n d , receivin g r a v e
reviews.
H e i s a bestselling autho r , a n d hi s privat e clien t
s include rock stars, movi e stars, s u p e r m o d e l s , a n d r oy a l t
Recently, the London Times n a m e d h i m a s o n e

o f th e t o p
ten m od e m gurus, alongsi d e D e e p a k C h o p r a , N e k ° n
Mandela, and the Dalai L a m a .

PAU L McKENN A
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.
Unti l ne x t w e meet ,
Paul McKenna
242
About the Author
PAUL M C K E N N A , P H . D . , i s t h e w o r l d ' s l e a d i n g h y p n o t i s t
. Hi s T V show s hav e b e e n watch e d i n for ty-t w o countrie
s b y m o r e t h a n 50 0 m i l l i o n p e o p l e a r o u n d t h e w o r l d .
He ha s appeare 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, and
C N N a m o n g m a n y others .
Hi s award-winni n g c o m e d y hypnoti c sho w playe d o n

Broadwa y and in London' s Wes t End , receivin g rav e
reviews .
He is a bestsellin g author , and hi s privat e client s

i n c l u d e r o c k st a r s , m o v i e s t a r s , s u p e r m o d e l s , a n d r oy a lt y .
R e c e n d y , t h e London Times n a m e d h i m a s o n e o f t h e t o p
te n moder n gurus , alongsid e Deepa k Chopra , Nelso n
Mande la , a n d th e Dala i Lama .

Paul McKenna - Portugues

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ALSO BY PAUL McKENNA

The Hypnotic World of Paul McKenna

How to Mend Your Broken Heart

PAU L McKENNA , Ph.D .

Edited by Michael Neil l

All rights reserved.

Published in the United States by Harmony Books, an imprint of the

HARMONY BOOKS is a registered trademark and the Harmony Books

Originally published in Great Britain by Bantam Press, a division of

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Printed in the United States of America

First American Edition

who gave me more than I realized

DAY 1 Who Are You, Really ?

DAY 2 A User's Manual for Your Brain

DAY 3 The Power of a Positive Perspective

DAY 4 Dream Setting

DAY 5 Healthy Foundations

DAY 6 Creating Money

DAY 7 Happily Ever After

Conclusion: Changing Your Life, One Week at a Time

DAY 5 Healthy Foundations

DAY 6 Creating Money

DAY 7 Happily Ever After

Conclusion: Changing Your Life, One Week at a Time

T h e r e is a special hypnoti c •recording to a c co mpa n y

Succes s a n d happine s s ar e n o t accident s tha t jus t hap •

The changes that matter most are more often

I n fact , th e myt h tha t i t take s a l o n g ti m e to

Som et im e s eve n a smal l c h a n g e c a n m a k e a h u g e

T h e t e c h n i q u e s c o n t a i n e d i n Change Your Life i n Seven

war e b u t als o a w h o l e n e w o p e r a t i n g syste m f o r y o u

I becam e intereste d in al l thing s self-improvemen

tak e year s ar e n o w d o n e i n m inute s . T h e ques ti o n i s

W e stan d o n th e threshol d o f a n e n o r m o u s lea p i n o u

Unfortunately , mos t p e o p l e s p e n d m o r e ti m e learn

What would it be like if you woke up one morn•

As you use the ideas and practice the tech•

Simpl y relax , rea d , a n d allo w th e idea s a n d exerc ise

If you don't take control of your life, someone

Now , I kno w responsibility i s n ' t a v e r y p o p u l a r w o r

Taking responsibility is taking control of those

W h e n I shar e thes e idea s i n m y seminars , occasionall

I f y o u lik e wh a t y o u ar e imagi n i n g , m a k e th e deci si o

Unti l o n e i s committed , t h e r e i s h es i t anc y , th

A r e y o u commi tte d ? A r e y o u read y t o tak e b a c k yo u

entirely by giants. At first you would no doubt be terrified, and the

deafening roar of loud noises and the uncomfortable sinking feel•

that one giant in particular was taking a special interest in your

safety and well-being.

you had learned to trust completely yelled at you, threatened you,

could learn to help you survive.

married. Have children to support you in your old age. Do as you

tured no doubt by the special food produced in the land of the

giants), and eventually you come to realize that there are no

ture staring up at you. She has awakened in a land of giants.

learned about how to survive in this land of giants.

And so the cycle continues. . . .

Durin g th e K o r e a n civ i l w a r o f t h e lat e 1950s , th e

B ef o r e l on g , hi s desi r e t o ac t consistentl y wit h hi s n e

un wo r th in e s s tha t psychologist s hav e c re at e d a n a m e fo

You are constantly letting other people know

I n t h e b o o k The Mastery o f Love, D o n

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 .