Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence

5 star:		(42)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(8)

 

 

This is an easy to read paperback that's only about 200 pages long. An hour or two per day will help you get to the end of the book in about a week. It then takes 21 days to break your old habits and reinforce the new ones that you desire.

Dr. Anthony's premise is that most of our problems with self-confidence, self-esteem and success can be traced back to our belief systems, habit patterns and level of awareness. He says that unless you accept that your current level of awareness totally dictates what you get out of life, you cannot change anything. According to the book, one's awareness is a result of one's belief systems. So, our belief systems are what limit us from achieving our potential.

We are trapped by our belief systems because of strong habit patterns. These habit patterns are a survival mechanism so we don't have to spend too much time figuring out how to respond in different situations. But, they also keep us on the same path in life. So, in order to get on the success path (if you are not on it already), it is necessary to start changing our belief systems. It isn't enough to realize that we are wrong about some of our beliefs, but we actually have to change our old habits and form some new ones to replace these old habits. The author believes that it takes about 21 days to break an old habit and form a new one.

It is a very simple theory but it has worked for a lot of people who have faith in this theory. I have myself utilized it at various points in my life when I felt that I wasn't going anywhere in life. A lot of people that I recommendeded this book to have found it useful too. The title sounds a little corny, but I guess the publishers used it to get people's attention. But this book is really about changing your life and the tools that help you do it quickly and effectively.

There is a lot more meat to the book than I have described here but it is definitely a pleasurable journey that the author helps you take. This book is one of my top 10 favorite books ever. I have bought several copies of this inexpensive book and given them out as gifts to my friends and family. Ignore the title and enjoy this gem of a book. Have fun improving the quality of your life!

I have bought on amazon a lot of book and never wrote one review. I did this one because i think i own it to dr. robert anthony. This book change my life. It's not pep talk, it's an eye opener. With his help you become aware of the truth about yourself. I used to wish i was someone else, but now i don't LOOK UP TO ANYONE FOR ANY REASON. I prefer to be myself. I also bought the audio version of the book that i listen every day in my car.

It's the last book i bought on self improvement because i realize that low self esteem was the fondation of all the thing that was going wrong in my life.

Maybe I had false expectations of this book, but, what I was hoping for was some practical information on how to actually become more self confident in my day to day life. This book simply states some of the characteristics of a self confident person. It never really tells you how to obtain those characteristics. For example, Secret #3 (Chapter 3) of total self confidence is "The Art of Self Acceptance." Basically, what the author says is that you can never be better than your own self-esteem. You must have a positive self esteem. He then goes on for the remainder of the chapter to talk about all the causes and characteristics of a low self esteem. Well, that's great, but what I want to know is...how do I actually create a positive self esteem? The author tells you what to do...but he never actually tells you how. Keep a positive mental attitude, remember people's names, don't worry about the past...these are all great ideas on paper, but how do you actually do these things?

In addition, the author spends a significant portion of the book on the topic of meditation and on what he calls the "Superconscious Mind," a large pool of all knowledge that everyone can draw from. I think that's fine that he believes this but he makes such universal statements as, "Every great thinker, philosopher, theologian, mystic or scientist has disagreed with his colleagues on many things but the one thing on which they all agree is that there is only one Mind in the universe." I'm sorry but how can you say that they all agree on this? It's just not true.

Don't waste your money or your time on this book. I've read quite a few self-help books and this is not a good one. In my opinion, the best book about increasing your self-confidence that I have read is "Awaken the Giant Within" by Anthony Robbins.

For what it's worth, according to the New York Times of 4/29/05:

"Sandy Alomar was a roving instructor for the Chicago Cubs in 1992 when he first bought "The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence" at a K-Mart in Williamsport, Pa. The book, written by Dr. Robert Anthony and sprinkled with exclamation points and words in capital letters, was published in 1979 and is now published by Berkley Books.

"Over the years, the book has become a must read for scores of players Alomar has coached. This spring, when Floyd confided in Alomar that he often overthinks his at-bats, he was promptly presented with 204 pages of advice. He can find his favorite paragraphs quicker than he can recognize a cut fastball.

"Many people fail to act because they are afraid to make a mistake or think that what they conceive can never become reality. (Page 128)

"Alomar, the Mets' bench coach, highlighted a few sections that he thought pertained to Floyd. After Floyd had memorized them, he started flipping open the book during his free moments and discovered new nuggets. When Floyd left the book on a private plane during spring training, he tracked down a flight attendant to try to get it back. And when he left it in the clubhouse kitchen one afternoon this season, the 61-year-old Alomar seized it for safekeeping.

""Cliff was going crazy," Alomar said. "The players who really need this book are the ones who have trouble with their confidence or are affected in a negative way by what people say about them. The biggest mistake these guys can make is to try to please everybody. They have to be independent and please themselves."

"On Tuesday night, when Floyd popped up to end a game with the tying and winning runs on base, he read the book as he fell asleep in bed. And after he reported to Shea Stadium the next morning, he flipped through the pages and showed off some of his new notes. Then he took the field and hit his sixth home run of the season, tied for second in the National League."

I read this book just as I was getting a divorce and was scared to death to be on my own for the first time in my life (being married for 26 yrs). I particularly liked the part that told us that everything that is happening in our life we have attracted. It forces us to take responsibility for everything that happens to us and only we have the power to change it. After reading this book I felt like I could do anything I really wanted to do and be successful. And I have been for the last 4 years. Some of these readers have obviously missed the message about guilt. He is telling us it is nuerotic to feel guilty about something and just keep doing it. This book is all about change so if you're not willing to change don't bother to read it. This book is very spiritual and soul searching.

The book itself is trivial with regard to language and overall vision, but the author brings to light everyday values and concepts that we already know and often forget to practice. This book is a great reminder of these values and the power of awareness. At a time of depression in my life, I read this book from cover to cover in a matter of hours and found the inspiration to overcome my fears and faults. Of course it wasn't a quick fix, but it reminded me of my inner strength, something I had forgotten throughout the trials of my everyday life. Now, I read this book about once a year to remind myself that I'm not perfect-but then no one else is either. All in all, life is pretty wonderful when you allow yourself to focus on the positive.

This book is truly interesting to read and its ideas are exciting. It is much more than a book on self-confidence. It is a book that will teach you how to think positive and get what you want out of life. I found every chapter to be fun and easy to read, and the ideas within actually work. This is a book that you will refer to repeatedly for great ideas and inspiration.

Rules to live by. I keep this book beside my bedside and read certain parts fairly regularly. Some of it's gems include "anytime you compare yourself to another person, you are subjecting yourself to psychological slavery".

Reading this book was a turning point of my life. Everyday in every way I feel I'm getting better and better :) If there is one book that everyone SHOULD read, this is it.

It teaches you the basic principles for a life with confidence - confidence in yourself and confidence in life.

I NEVER THOUGHT LIFE COULD BE THIS JOYFUL AND FULFILLING.

READ IT!

Unlike some of the "NEGATIVE" reviews listed here, old groaners and moaners who obviously didn't read the book or missed the point completely and haven't ploughed through the hundreds of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude) books like this - this one gets to the point with out much if any "mumbo jumbo" or "pie in the sky" weird stuff - it's easy to read, you can read it in a day if you're a slow reader like I am!

In fact, the book shows you how to avoid NEGATIVITY & NEGATIVE PEOPLE - That's the point!! Just like similar books by Napoleon Hill & Emmet Fox et al it really is inspirational & motivational (I assume that's what you're looking for) it's not just a confidence booster, as the title would otherwise suggest.

Rather than buy a dozen PMA books by the so-called "Greats" - get this one, it's right bang up to-date, concise and best of all - IT WORKS!!

It's accurate too, but unlike some of the others, you won't fall asleep and wake up next morning having completely forgotten the last chapter you read.

If you need a PMA pep pill or "pick me up", get THIS one. When your friends ask where you get you're energy from, tell them about the book and then buy them a copy too, it's too precious to lend out!