Reading books and listening to inspiring messages is how I bridged the gaps in my life. Now I’m on a quest for ways to help others become the hero of their own story. My desire is to equip others with tools, skills and resources to help them achieve success.  Which resources that helped me on my journey are worth recommending?

Socrates said “I cannot teach anyone anything; I can only make them think”. Conversely, as a coach, I’m also reminded that if the student hasn’t learned the teacher hasn’t taught.

Solomon, the smartest man that ever lived, put it this way.

As a man thinketh in his heart, so is he.

Proverbs 23:7

Armed with this truth, James Allen created As A Man Thinketh. In only 53 pages, written in 1902 it’s equally applicable today. It helps us learn to think about what we are becoming.

Millions have responded to this message of positive thinking and used it to reach their maximum potential. It is a collection of thoughts based on this one Biblical truth. Use it to overcome obstacles, reach goals, improve your health, and find meaning and purpose.

Allen created the foundation of the entire personal development industry. Leaders in personal development credit this book as the foundation of their ideas.

Earl Nightingale Author of The Strangest Secret put it this way “We become what we think about”.

John Maxwell’s favorite quote from his favorite book is “men are anxious to improve their circumstances but are unwilling to improve themselves.”

Many have used it as the basis for their entire career in personal development. “You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” -Zig Ziglar

Jim Rohns favorite quote is “All that a man achieves and all that he fails to achieve is the direct result of his own thoughts”.

Why not read it? Or better yet the original source from which it is based, the Bible. Even if you don’t believe the Bible, a great place for personal development is the book of Proverbs.

In Proverbs, King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived shares principles for every aspect of life. There are 31 short chapters in the book of Proverbs. So one for each day of the month!

Recognize the reality of influence that what we read, watch, and listen to transforms us from the inside out! This book helps us realize we need to prune out things that will not benefit us long term. Instead we need to fill our minds with things that can help us grow.

What are you thinking? Who are you listening to? How is this affecting the decisions you are making and the person you are becoming? Spend an hour reading this short classic and jump start your motivation for the journey of personal development.

Attitude:  What is your attitude towards personal development?

Action: Download this free audiobook , PDF or Kindle edition and let it inspire you.

Question:   Can you share an idea about personal development?

Resource:  As A Man Thinketh by James Allen