You Can Literally Think Your Way To Success And A Good Life

I don’t like to make outlandish claims, but there is so much powerful truth in James Allen’s book, As a Man Thinketh, that it really can radically change your life.  Allen offers deep and practical advice that has stood the test of time.  As a Man Thinketh was originally published in 1902, but the principals are just as true today as they were then.  I love this little book and every time I read it I am amazed at the wisdom it contains.

There is always room for improvement in our lives and James Allen knew exactly how to live life to the fullest.  Whatever it is you want from life, you will find that Allen can teach you how to achieve it. 

Here are some of the things from the book that stand out to me.

"A man is literally what he thinks, his character being the complete sum of all his thoughts."

This is a humbling statement.  It forces us to take responsibility for our condition in life.  After all, we are responsible for what we think. 

Therefore, whatever we lack in character that holds us back from achieving the life we desire is our own fault.  It is our fault because we choose our thoughts that govern our actions.  Again, this is humbling because most of us haven’t achieved all that we want.  However, it is also encouraging because it reminds us we are in control.  There is hope!

Allen points out that there is a cause and effect relationship between what we think and the external condition of our life.  If we think the right thoughts, then we will eventually produce the results we desire.

"A man’s mind is 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."

I really like the mental picture this paints.  Creating the right thoughts is like taking care of a garden.  The soil will produce regardless of what we do.  Tended correctly, it will produce fruit.  Unmanaged, weeds will overrun the garden.  Our mind operates the same way.

So often, we expect to change our thoughts and habits immediately.  This is not the way it works.  You have to cultivate the right thoughts over a lifetime.  The sooner you begin, the bigger harvest you will reap. 

We don’t plant seeds and then expect to see fruit spring forth the next day.  In gardening, we know that it takes time and effort over a growing season before we are going to see any results.  We know that we will have to water, weed, and nurture the plants if we want them to survive. 

It is the same with our thoughts.  Right thinking doesn’t occur overnight.  It takes time to cultivate the right thoughts.  We shouldn’t give up or get frustrated with ourselves when we make mistakes.  Instead, we should learn from our mistakes, correct our thinking, and persistently continue pursuing the life we desire.

"Men do not attract that which they want, but that which they are."

Look around yourself right now.  The circumstances of your life are a good indication of who you really are deep inside. 

This might not be 100% true because you may be passing through an unfortunate season of life right now, but if you look over the course of your life, the predominant  circumstances are an accurate reflection of your inner well-being. 

If there is an external effect in your life that you do not like, then look inward for the cause in your heart.  Your circumstances spring forth from the thoughts you cling to.  Letting go of the vice or weakness in your thinking will allow you to change the result you are getting.  You have to change your thinking to change your behavior.

Let me paraphrase an example from the book.  Let’s say a rich person is suffering from a painful disease because they eat too much and are overweight.  They are willing to pay for the best doctors and medicines available to help them lose weight.  However, they won’t stop eating unhealthy foods.  Such a person is unlikely to resolve their situation because they are unwilling to change their thinking on the one point necessary to truly improve their health.

We often cling to the very thoughts that are producing the results we wish to overcome.

"There can be no progress, no achievement without sacrifice, and a man’s worldly success will be in the measure that he sacrifices his confused animal thoughts, and fixes his mind on the development of his plans, and the strengthening of this resolution and self-reliance."

The only thing holding us back from our full potential in life is the weaknesses in our own thinking.  The more we work to correct our thinking, the better our life will become.

Allen didn’t believe that just by thinking about something or wishing for it that you would achieve it.  No, he was much more practical than that.  He knew that it would take sacrifice and planning.

You need a specific purpose to fix your thoughts upon.  Whatever it is in your life that you desire to achieve, set your mind on it.  Seek to learn as much truth about the subject of your desire as possible.  Lay out definite plans toward your goal.  Realize that no one is going to hand you what you want on a silver platter. 

You are going to have to train your mind and body by eliminating fear and doubt and by building yourself up in commitment and confidence.  You have to exercise self-control and determination to get what you want.

"He who would accomplish little must sacrifice little; he he would achieve much must sacrifice much; he who would attain highly much sacrifice greatly."

This is the final thought that I’ll leave with you.  Living a full and successful life really does come down to how much you want it. 

Success isn’t about fate or luck or circumstances.  It is about sacrifice, will, persistence, and determination.  It is about getting your thoughts and actions right in your life.  Remember, the thought that "As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he", will change your life if you embrace it and live it!

Photo by ninjapoodles