By Maxwell Maltz

Psycho-CyberneticsMake any list of the classics, and by definition the list will include older books. Yet ask most people what they plan to read and they talk about the new releases, the stuff others are talking about currently.

This book is a classic, and it belongs on your reading list – whether you have read it or not.

Pyschocybernetics was written in 1960. As I write these words the edition which you see a picture of here (and it isn’t the only one), is ranked in Amazon’s top 1000 for current (not lifetime) sales. (This is ahead of more than one of the Harry Potter books).

Literature fans would all have a list of must read books.

If you care about your development, the development of your team and of your children, this book must be on your must read list.

Maltz was a prominent plastic surgeon and from his work in that field he began to understand the power and pervasiveness of the self-image. It is from that perspective that the book is written, packed with stories, yes, but also with research from the field of psychology and others that support and advance his points.

This book isn’t a textbook though – it is a how to guide for creating better results in your life. Here are just some of the chapter titles to give you a sense of what is here:

  • The Self Image: Your Key to a Better Life
  • Discovering the Success Mechanism Within You
  • Imagination- The First Key to Your Success Mechanism
  • Dehypnotize Yourself From False Beliefs
  • You Can Acquire the Habit of Happiness
  • How to Unlock your Real Personality

This is a classic book of what some might call “success literature” so I thought I’d close with some of Maltz’s words from the preface. I pick them because they are relevant, and I highlighted them the first time I read this book – over 30 years ago.

As I use them “success” has nothing to do with prestige symbols, but creative accomplishment . . . Striving to be successful brings not only material success, but satisfaction, fulfillment and happiness. . . . Thus true success and true happiness not only go together but each enhances the other.

If you are a leader and achiever, which I believe you are if you read my writing, you need to read this book. If you have read it before, join me and read it again.

The classics deserve to be read and reread, and that is what this book is.

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Kevin Eikenberry is a recognized world expert on leadership development and learning and is the Chief Potential Officer of The Kevin Eikenberry Group. He has spent over 30 years helping organizations across North America, and leaders from around the world, on leadership, learning, teams and teamwork, communication and more.

Twice he has been named by Inc.com as one of the Top 100 Leadership and Management Experts in the World and 100 Great Leadership Speakers for Your Next Conference. The American Management Association named him a “Leaders to Watch” and he has been twice named as one of the World's Top 30 Leadership Professionals by Global Gurus. Top Sales World has named him a Top Sales & Marketing Influencer several times, and his blog has been named on many “best of” lists. LeadersHum has named him one of the 200 Biggest Voices in Leadership in 2023.

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