“A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all thoughts,” says James Allen in his 1908 classic bestseller, As A Man Thinketh. As the title suggests, the book is about how your thoughts influence your results in life. Allen explains that we are where we are in life because of our thoughts, and if we are in an undesirable situation, we have the power to change our circumstances by changing our thoughts because we are the directors of our lives, and masters of our thoughts.

In Allen’s own words, “Every man is where he is by the law of his being. The thoughts which he has built into his character have brought him there… Let a man radically alter his thoughts, and he will be astonished at the rapid transformation it will effect in the material conditions of his life.”

Five Great Ideas

1. “A man’s mind may be likened to a garden, which may be intelligently cultivated or allowed to run wild; but whether cultivated or neglected, it must, and will, bring forth. If no useful seeds are put into it, then an abundance of useless weed seeds will fall therein, and will continue to produce their kind.
2. Man is where he is so that he may learn and grow.
3. Men are anxious to improve their circumstances, but are unwilling to improve themselves.
4. A strong man cannot help a weaker unless the weaker is willing to be helped, and even then the weak man must become strong of himself. He must, by his own efforts, develop the strength which he admires in another.
5. He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little. He who would achieve much must sacrifice much. He who would attain highly must sacrifice greatly.”

At 22 pages, the e-Book version of As A Man Thinketh can be read in no time at all. Despite the length of the book, it is chock full of nuggets of wisdom. I recommend this book. To download a complimentary copy of As A Man Thinketh click here.

After you have read As a Man Thinketh, what principles can you apply to your life? Do you agree with James Allen’s philosophy?

Excerpted from April 2008 Ambeck Edge

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The Invisible Mentor’s Desert Island Books

Interview With Best-Selling Author Leslie Householder

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1. The Invisible Mentor’s Desert Island Books

If ever stranded on a deserted island,  the five books Invisible Mentor Leslie Householder would love to have with her are:

1. The Science of Getting Rich, Wallace Wattles
2. The Bible
3. Book of Mormons
4. As a Man Thinketh, James Allen
5. A Journal

I have a journal which I write in nearly every day because I find the process therapeutic. Having a journal with you on a deserted island would allow you to document your feelings, experiences and any breakthrough ideas you may have as a result of being in a new environment. Of her four book choices, As a Man Thinketh is the one book that had a profound impact on her life. I have read all the books except the Book of Mormons, which I have secured.

Have you read any of the above four books? What would be your five desert island books?

If you conduct a quick search on the internet, you’ll be able to find complimentary ebook copies of both The Science of Getting Rich and As a Man Thinketh.

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1. How to Choose Invisible Mentors