Maxwell Maltz (1899–1975)

I picked up a free copy of this book while a teenager, and read it dutifully, if uncritically. As I remember, a lot of emphasis was placed on developing a positive self image, visualizing one's goals, and working towards them. I guess some people need that sort of advice. Maybe I did as well.

This book has the dubious distinction of being a favorite of James Earle Ray (the assassin of Martin Luther King). Ray carried a dog-eared paperback copy with him everywhere he went, including during his show more two months on the run from the FBI. Too bad that Maxwell Maltz hadn't thought to advise the reader that one's goals should be moral and legal. In fact, this case calls into question one of the more dubious assumptions of the self- help genre -- that everyone should have a positive self image. What if the person is a poorly - educated criminal with racist views and murderous intentions, like James Ray? Should such a person be encouraged to feel good about himself, and to work fulfill his goals? show less

Certainly your outlook on life does affect its quality, BUT saying something doesn't make it so!
Maltz's techniques WILL help a person with issues of self-esteem and with correcting the false images detractors may have foisted on one. Calling a child stupid continually, for example, may produce a conviction that he/she shouldn't even try--they can't because they think they can't. The problem with Cybernetics is, a student will not become more knowledgable because he/she "believes" they are show more good at the subject--UNLESS study is done! Telling yourself you are lovable (without working on your critical, sarcastic responses to others) is self-deception, not self-improvement. show less

This was a very meaningful book when I read it as a youth. About 3 years ago I went through our library and found that we had three copies of this book. (Since it was a childhood favorite, I had collected some extra copies.) I handed a couple of copies to my wife and children and asked them if it was any good. Now three years later, I still don't have a report back, So: It's time for me to reread it to see how well it stands the test of time.

The result: It passes. I was surprised how many show more time he mentioned something as a recent scientific discovery that is still being touted as a new discovery. Here it is a book over 50 years old, and we are still having announcements of discoveries that over 50 years ago this book announced as recent discoveries. Why do we have to continually rediscover things? show less

This book is helpful for parents because it reminds me of the importance of helping children change their self image to be the best version of themselves and through our beliefs, actions and words we can help a child or even adults to adjust their own self-image to see themselves in a new and better light. I also learned the importance and benefits of engaging in practice alone, in a calm environment, which is also called by others as deliberate practice. Next, I learned the benefits of show more having a written goal that is visualized as already completed and done. I remember the idea about being able to ignore stuff, like the example was of letting the phone ring, and so I have learned that if people try to provoke me with their words or actions, I can choose to just let it ring like the phone and not have the urgent need to quickly respond and react, and let things calm down and work themselves out. I also learned that there is a connection between the images we hold in our minds and the feelings that result, thus if I can find a way to imagine and create positive good images in my mind, I can feel better and also by recalling past successes one can feel better and more confident. Lastly, I remember the idea of gradualness to be gradual in the pursuit of our aims. show less