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Summary of The Power of Positive Thinking 

Short summary

Do you believe that anything need not defeat you, that you can have peace of mind, improved health, and a limitless flow of energy? Do you believe you can live a life full of joy and satisfaction? In “The Power of Positive Thinking” Dr. Norman Vincent Peale seeks to help you understand and believe that these things are possible. Thanks to this phenomenal international bestseller, millions of people all over the world have been able to achieve fulfillment in their lives through Dr. Norman Vincent Peale’s powerful message of faith and motivation. In this summary, you will learn how to achieve a happy, satisfying, and worthwhile life through the ever potent power of faith. You will discover how you can energize your life — and give yourself the initiative needed to achieve your dreams and hopes. You’ll learn how to take control of your circumstances, believe in yourself, and achieve a peaceful, relaxed life. "I certainly do not ignore or minimize the hardships and tragedies of the world, but neither do I allow them to dominate." ~ Vincent Norman Peale

Key points

1

Having strong confidence in your own abilities is the key to living a successful life

If you want to live a happy, successful life, you must believe in yourself — you need to trust your own abilities. Without sound self-confidence, it is impossible to achieve success.
Self-confidence leads to self-realization and triumphant accomplishment, while a sense of inadequacy and inferiority interferes with the attainment of one’s hopes.
There are many people out there who suffer from a deep sense of inadequacy and doubt their own ability to grasp opportunities or to meet responsibilities. Deep down, they are scared and shrink from life. Wherever they are, they are always plagued by the ominous fear that something bad is going to happen. These people end up settling for less in life just because they don’t believe that they have it in them to be what they want to be.

In a study, some 600 college students were asked to state their most difficult personal problem. 75% listed lack of confidence as their biggest problem. It is safe to assume that the same large proportion is true of the general population.

Millions of people in the world go crawling through life on all fours, defeated and afraid. And in most situations, such frustration of power is absolutely unnecessary. It can be overcome when proper steps are taken. You can develop creative, justified faith in yourself.

According to Norman Vincent Peale, the key to eliminating inferiority-complex — profound self-doubt — is to develop tremendous faith in God. By doing this, you will invariably develop a humble yet soundly realistic faith in yourself. So, how do you acquire this dynamic faith? By prayer, by reading a meditation on the scripture, and by practicing its faith techniques.

Here are some simple, workable rules that can help you practice faith and consequently overcome attitudes of inadequacy.

First, create a vivid mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold the picture with utmost tenacity and never allow it to fade. Ultimately, your mind will seek to develop this picture.

Second, whenever a thought of negativity regarding your personal powers starts to come to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to eliminate it.

Next, say this affirmation out loud: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13). Repeat it at least 10 times every day.

Finally, remind yourself that God is with you, and you cannot be defeated by anyone or anything. Have an unwavering faith that you now receive power from Him.
2

Stay energized by getting in sync with the Divine rhythm

Our state of mind has a tremendous influence on our physical well-being. If you hold in your mind, with no doubt, that you are tired, every nerve and muscle in your body accepts that fact and acts accordingly. In a similar vein, you can keep on at an activity indefinitely if your mind is intensely interested in it.
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3

Whether you are happy or you’re not is totally up to you

4

Your expectations determine what you get out of life and what you make of yourself

5

Adopting a mindset that doesn’t believe in defeat is essential to living a triumphant life

6

You can turn your situation around by changing your thoughts

7

Conclusion

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