The Power of Positive Thinking (Norman Vincent Peale) - Book Summary

Keep your heart free of hatred and your mind free of worry.Live simply, expect less, give more. Give light, forget yourself and think of others. Try these for a week and you will see the difference. "

The content of the book revolves around lessons about the power of thought in influencing reality, how to build trust to make life goals clearer, and how to deal with problems. of modern life. Even if you don't find the author's arguments in the book convincing, you may find that confidence, optimism, and gratitude for those around you are the keys to a happy life. across these pages

Who should read this book?

  • People who are pessimistic
  • Those who have not yet found the way to success and happiness
  • Those who have the desire to achieve their cherished dreams will find

About the author: Norman Vincent Peale (1898–1993) was a renowned pastor in the Evangelical Methodist Church, as well as a renowned psychotherapist in the United States, who published many top-rated books. best-selling books, including the book "The Power of Positive Thinking," published in 1952, translated into 41 languages, sold more than 20 million copies, and was also recorded on tape for release.

Let's face the difficulty. As long as you confront it, don't give up, and eventually the difficulty will disappear. You will be the one to beat it. If one side is bound to lose, it's the problems, not you. "

Realistic

In his book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Steven Covey criticized positive thinking by saying that before we can have an optimistic attitude in our minds, we must first accept that things are real, unstable, and then take responsibility for them. Otherwise, we are just avoiding reality.

However, when we open Peale's book, we read:

"The book is written with a deep concern for the pain, difficulties, and concerns of humanity. It teaches us to think positively, not as a tool to gain fame, wealth, or power, but as a practical application of beliefs to overcome failure and achieve creative values. worth in life. "

These are not the assertions of a delusional person about life. As a New York City Secretary, Peale saw countless people in pain in their daily lives, but he was not content with just preaching weekly; he wanted a big change in the lives of the people he met. Over the years, he created a "simple and scientific system with practical and effective methods for a successful life" that was tested and curated by thousands of people inside and outside the department. And like Carnegie in "Getting People's Minds," Peale turned his ideas into an adult course before putting them in the book.

The source of positive thinking

For Peale, there is no better personal source of energy or guidance than the Bible. Perhaps because it is based on ancient wisdom, biblical quotations are central to the book (along with works by Emerson, William James, and Marcus Aurelius). Peale's book seems to have amazing power.

Peale insists that we do not need to depend on ourselves; there are endless sources of energy open to our eyes if we really believe in their existence. Life is always difficult, but an appreciation of the universe's ability to bring good will lead to a smooth and rich life. Life seems difficult because we only believe in ourselves. He revealed that a great secret of personal growth is that in order to have energy and peace, we must be willing to go beyond our personal limits and reach for bigger things.

The book offers specific cases and stories, some of which are truly moving. It is also filled with human struggles meant to show that failure is not forever.

Break the habit of negative thinking.

People are naturally anxious and insecure. While it is understandable, it can lead to a lot of health-related problems and even changes in your personality. Fortunately, anxiety is a habit, and habits can be changed. And this change is not difficult when there are many methods you can apply. An important technique you can practice is "mind drain." Get rid of all negative thoughts and anger. This is extremely important before you go to bed, because that is the time when we sink into the subconscious. Drain those negative thoughts before they have a chance to creep into your mind. Then, fill your mind with positive thoughts like courage, faith, and hope. Practice until you achieve a positive change.

"Your world is your thoughts about the experiences you have."

How to have a constant source of energy

Peale points out that the secret energy source of the successful people he knows is this: harmony with God. When we know that what one is doing is supported by external factors and is moving towards a divine goal, we have a constant source of renewable energy. If we only do it alone and for ourselves, failure is understandable. Because humans tend to think that no one can do everything as well as us, we feel like all the burden is on our shoulders, but in the end, we can't handle anything.

Please allow me to rest.

Modern life can make you stressed, tired, and sleepless. Most people feel depressed and upset, but few can find a way out of it. The reality is that a lot of people destroy themselves physically and mentally just to keep up with the modern pace of life. The author of the book is no exception. He used to live in a very vibrant city-New York, and he found that spending time walking in the woods is really helpful to relieve stress. There will be things in life that upset us, like poverty or job loss. However, these problems are not as important as our attitude towards them. That attitude can make suffering more ingrained in our lives or allow us to find happiness despite the difficulties we face.

Try to pray.

Prayer may not be what you think it is. It's a space to say whatever's on your mind, in whatever language you want. Prayer can also help you get rid of negative energies and stimulate creative ideas. Instead of asking for something, give thanks in advance for the things you desire, and let God decide for himself and envision a positive outcome. Peale's formula is "pray, imagine, and actualize." You will surely be surprised at its effectiveness.

Expect the best.

Humans are fearful creatures and tend to expect the worst. But expecting the best keeps all the powers aligned and going in the direction you want them to. You will be less likely to turn things upside down. Our subconscious mind controls our actions and only reflects our beliefs. Change your beliefs about an outcome and your actions will be shaped to achieve it. Indeed, some physicians have begun using inspirational and religious books in combination with traditional remedies to help patients heal themselves with optimism and faith. Peale concludes, "Doubt closes the door of energy, but faith opens it." However, remember, however, that belief can only lead you to success if what you seek is right. If the success you seek is incorrect, the outcome will not be as desired.

"Doubt closes the door of energy, but faith opens it."

New thoughts can refresh you.

Within 24 hours, you should only use the language of optimism, hope, and positive thinking. Then come back to realistic thinking the next day. Repeat this for a week and you will find that what you considered reality a week ago seems to be turning negative. Your perception of reality will rise to new heights and become perpetual optimism.

Main message

No matter how complex your problem is, nothing is insurmountable if you have a positive mindset. By staying calm, cultivating faith, and focusing on positive outcomes, you will be able to live a happy and healthy life.

Comment

To really feel "the power of positive thinking," you must understand the story behind it. Peale is from the Midwest and believes that what he writes is "for the common people of this world." Much of Peale's simple advice sounds odd, even funny to us today because of his use of folk language. But the book conveys a fundamental truth: It is clear that you create your world with your own thoughts. Most personal achievements begin with the unwavering belief that one can and will do it.

The book is really worth reading for all ages and all walks of life because of its practicality and deep meaning. Turning the pages of a book, one can easily come across simple techniques that anyone can apply and practice to achieve a more fulfilling and respectful life. "The power of positive thinking" reminds us of a simple lesson: the mind controls our destiny, guiding us to become whoever we want to be.