The Aladdin Factor: How to Ask for What You Want--And Get It

Somebody stop me! I am in the midst of further changing my life for the better and found a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow in the book The Aladdin Factor by the New York Times bestselling authors of Chicken Soup for the Soul - Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen. Life is great people and we each have a specific task to fulfill during our lifetime! If you need a jump-start in awaking, finding or rededicating yourself to your purpose in life then this is the book and a great tool to utilize! Be forewarned, you will need to read this book several times in order to absorb all the wonderful, practical, and life altering information presented within it's pages! Who knows, maybe you'll follow suit and find a partner to work with you through the book the second time you read it. A friend of mine and I have each read the book and plan on starting our New Year off right by doing the exercises and sharing our self-discoveries with each other - chapter by chapter week by week. If you are serious about applying the information in this book, YOU will not be sorry! However, this book is so rich and so informative that if you read it at least once, you will see changes in your life if you apply the material AND you will learn how to ask for and receive the things that life holds for you!Now on to the content of the book, throughout the first two sections of the book the authors creatively include their wisdom and the lessons they wish to bestow upon the reader hidden in the story of Aladdin and the magic lamp with the genie. This approach is both entertaining and enlightening, and keeps the reader's attention focused on the overall theme of the story, but also leaves the reader subconsciously taking mental notes of the information presented for personal use once the book has been completed. The most unique and fundamental information is presented prior to the start of the story. Chapter One is entitled "The Five Barriers To Asking: The Main Reasons We Don't Ask for What We Want". How about that? They are going to dispel any preconceived notions that you and I have AND they are going to lay it on the line by telling us why we don't ask and therefore don't receive. By this point in the book the reader can sense serious life changing information is being presented, which is a great sign since it is only the beginning of the book! According to the authors, the five reasons why we don't ask for what we want are: (1) Ignorance - we don't know what to ask for, we don't know what is available and possible, we don't know what we really need/want, and we don't know how to ask. (2) Limiting and Inaccurate Beliefs - we are programmed by our parents, schools, major media, religious training, etc. One of the greatest examples used that has stuck in my mind ever since I read the book was the following - Many people who are in relationships fall into this trap - "If you really loved me, I wouldn't have to ask". If you think about it, that statement is

If you have trouble asking for what you want, feel unworthy, feel as though your needs don't count, believe your dreams are impossible, are afraid of rejection, if you settle for less because you don't want to impose...then I would definitely suggest this book. It may embolden you to step out and speak your mind. It will teach you to make your needs known in a nonthreatening way while believing that you have the right to ask for what you want (though that right to ask doesn't necessarily equate with the right to receive). But even that will be okay. You may even begin to ask with the confidence that your request will be granted. The book is filled with anecdotes and quotes that will inspire you and give you courage. It did me.

I have been reading self-help books for 17 years now. In fact, I read this one about 5 years ago, but felt SO strong about it that I had to come here and express my feelings so others could feel comfortable with buying this book. IT'S A GREAT BOOK! You should get two copies of this book. One to read and hold on to for the rest of your life and another to lend out to people.The book talks about asking questions in your life. If you're not happy with the way things are ask questions to get to where you want to be. It shows that people aren't used to you asking questions and that's a lot of the reason things happen in our lives.I saw my life take a new and completely different direction after reading this book. It wasn't that hard to implament either. Well, at first it was. But then, I remembered the book and what it was saying. IT's okay to ask questions... so I would push forward in a business situation and it amazed me how many doors open when I pushed a little harder!I guess also since it was told in story form it helped making it a faster and more enjoyable read. That's why I've always enjoyed the Once Minute Manager stories and Ken's newest ones about Raving Fans, et al.This book along with Feel the Fear and do it Anyway, The Richest Man in Babylon and the Wealthy Barber are the books that I would recommend to anyone asking me: How should I start my OWN personal library.

I have read a HUGE number of self-help books. Some are VERY good others just okay. This one is one of the best! It's an easy read and in third person narative form. It has helped in my young career.This is the type of book that I plan to hand out to people that I feel can appreciate it. Along with: The Wealthy Barber; Feel the fear and do it anyway; the Richest Man in Babylon and How to get Filthy Stinking Rich and Still Have Time for Great Sex!A great way for a young starter to get a GREAT library started for themselvs... or a person whose gotten things going but is stuck in the mud and can't move forward. This book will help.

Ever heard of "Ask and you shall receive?" Canfield and Hansen illustrate beautifully that this principle really works in all areas of our life - if we are willing to ask. So many times, we don't even try, we think it's impossible, we give up too soon. The principles of how to do the art of asking are interspersed with inspiring examples from real life people.From the contents:- The Five Barriers to Asking: Why we don't ask for what we want - Knowing how to ask, who to ask, what to ask for - Ask at home, at work, at school, the world, yourself, a higher powerAfter reading this book, I boldly asked where I would have been silent before. It is amazing how much you can create for yourself if you're willing to ask for it. I liked this a lot!