Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #61597 in Books
• Published on: 1994-03-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Mass Market Paperback
• 288 pages

Customer Reviews

Surpassed my expectations...
I bought this book out of curiosity. My initial impression was "What IS Psycho cybernetics??" I have read so many great reviews about it on amazon.com as well as amazon.co.uk about its "life-changing" potential. Since I am always constantly seeking new ways to improve myself, I decided to buy this book on a heartbeat. When it arrived, I started feeling a bit guilty for spending money once again on some book based on some feedback I read somewhere... so I put off reading it for a month. But when I finally picked it up, I was really amazed. No doubt, the language used in the book can often come across as being very stereotypical of some dubious late-night American TV-Sales commercials for motivational CDs and videos that could "change your life", but I saw through it all and faithfully tried all the exercises that the book suggested. In the end, it really did something for me. Some people may already have known how to utilise some of the tricks and techniques in the book. My husband, who used to play rugby in high school, already knew how to use a similar "mental picture" technique to improve his sport performance back then, so this book's advice came as no surprise to him. The relaxation exercise in the book too, was no news to me because I have done yoga and read several yoga books in the past. But apart from that, there are many other techniques and advice in the book that really deserve praise. Maxwell Maltz's analysis of how the human mind "works" may initially come across as somewhat different from what we are normally accustomed to believe... but try it. Give yourself maybe one week to give his advice the benefit of the doubt and try his exercises. It might end up doing something positive for you and who knows? You might be the next person to become a fan of this book.

Excellent
I read this book many years ago and was so impressed that I got all my friends, colleagues and family to buy a copy. They all loved it too. Since reading this I have recognised psycho-cybernetics at work in so many areas of life, mine and others. Simply the most sensible book I have ever read. No gobble-de-gook and, considering it is an American publication, surprisingly succinct. A wonderfully straight-forward approach to self-image psychology. An enjoyable, enlightening and inspirational book.

A scientific case for the power of positive thinking
This book fascinated me. As a plastic surgeon, Maltz noticed that seemingly minor alterations sometimes had dramatic effects on the patient's self-image. Conversely, major surgery that improved severe disfigurements sometimes had no effect on the patient's self-image. From this, Maltz developed psycho-cybernetics, his theory of how we form - and can alter - our self-image.

It's the scientific credibility that, for me, made this so compelling. Research findings, such as a basketball team who improved their shooting skills by visualising themselves practising by almost the same margin as another group who actually practised, present convincing evidence for messages so often trotted out by others with nothing to back it up.

I have used some of Maltz's ideas, such as goal setting, myself to great effect. I have also drawn on his concepts (such as the power of the subconscious) as I have coached others on visualising new possibilities for themselves.

If you are a coach, in any capacity, I highly recommend this book for providing practical tools that can bring about significant improvements in someone's attitude.