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rbcp82 's review for:
The Greatest Salesman in the World
by Og Mandino
Like many self-righteous, condescending book reviewers, I happened to look down upon 'how-to' books for a number of years. Especially on 'how to succeed' or 'how to live' books. It seems pure hubris which drove those authors to write such kind of books. For everyone, the circumstances and conditions are different; how can there be a certain way to live or succeed?
Nonetheless, these so-called self-help books time again and again top the bestselling charts and it's understandable. People want to live a good life, lead a better life. I remember buying in the used book store such books like '7 habits of successful people', 'how to influence people around you', and those Dr. Phil kind of books. But the end-result was: They never spoke to me. It seemed silly, and although I found myself nodding my head on several passages while reading the book, within a week, I forgot everything and was back to my old, true self.
With such mindset, I was in no state to impel myself to read another book like those. The sheer conciseness of the book and the simplicity of the cover art drew me in, and I read the whole book in a mere two hours. (The book is really short.)
The main difference from this book to other self-help book is this: this author knows that the habit is the most important factor determining the success of one's life, and sets out very first to promise us to read the part of this book continuously for ten months. This is a how-to book within a touching, fictional story. A boy named Hafid, who tends to a rich salesman's camels, one day learns the secrets to become the greatest salesman in the world. Several decades later, he really becomes one, and throughout the book shares his secret.
There are 10 scrolls (hence 10 secrets) and these are the nutshells of what's written in them.
1) Reading the scrolls everyday for ten months straight.
2) Start the day with plenty of love in your heart.
3) Push ahead until you become successful.
4) Realize that you are the most unique creation the nature has produced.
5) Live as if today is the last day of your life.
6) Be the master of your emotions.
7) Smile and laugh whenever possible.
8) Multiply exponentially the worth of your being.
9) I will 'do it' from now on.
10) I will pray for guidance from now on. (Emphasis on guidance.)
Although this list seems cliched, each scroll is followed by the explanation why such dispositions are important. To be honest, I was deeply touched by the sayings. They have power to connect to each individual, designed to echo in everyone's mind universally.
The author who wrote this book is a devout Christian, and he threw in the tidbits of Christianity here and there throughout the book. Although I'm easily bothered when the author leans on religions to give morals, it wasn't the case with this book at all, which I was all the more glad.
I decided to read this book continuously for next ten months. If only one pushes oneself to do so, I have no doubt that there definitely will be a positive change in one's life.
Nonetheless, these so-called self-help books time again and again top the bestselling charts and it's understandable. People want to live a good life, lead a better life. I remember buying in the used book store such books like '7 habits of successful people', 'how to influence people around you', and those Dr. Phil kind of books. But the end-result was: They never spoke to me. It seemed silly, and although I found myself nodding my head on several passages while reading the book, within a week, I forgot everything and was back to my old, true self.
With such mindset, I was in no state to impel myself to read another book like those. The sheer conciseness of the book and the simplicity of the cover art drew me in, and I read the whole book in a mere two hours. (The book is really short.)
The main difference from this book to other self-help book is this: this author knows that the habit is the most important factor determining the success of one's life, and sets out very first to promise us to read the part of this book continuously for ten months. This is a how-to book within a touching, fictional story. A boy named Hafid, who tends to a rich salesman's camels, one day learns the secrets to become the greatest salesman in the world. Several decades later, he really becomes one, and throughout the book shares his secret.
There are 10 scrolls (hence 10 secrets) and these are the nutshells of what's written in them.
1) Reading the scrolls everyday for ten months straight.
2) Start the day with plenty of love in your heart.
3) Push ahead until you become successful.
4) Realize that you are the most unique creation the nature has produced.
5) Live as if today is the last day of your life.
6) Be the master of your emotions.
7) Smile and laugh whenever possible.
8) Multiply exponentially the worth of your being.
9) I will 'do it' from now on.
10) I will pray for guidance from now on. (Emphasis on guidance.)
Although this list seems cliched, each scroll is followed by the explanation why such dispositions are important. To be honest, I was deeply touched by the sayings. They have power to connect to each individual, designed to echo in everyone's mind universally.
The author who wrote this book is a devout Christian, and he threw in the tidbits of Christianity here and there throughout the book. Although I'm easily bothered when the author leans on religions to give morals, it wasn't the case with this book at all, which I was all the more glad.
I decided to read this book continuously for next ten months. If only one pushes oneself to do so, I have no doubt that there definitely will be a positive change in one's life.