The Ultimate Secrets of Total Self-Confidence: Revised Edition

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."

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 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.

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.