Great Throughts Treasury

"So great is enthusiasm as a positive motivational force that it surmounts adversity and difficulty and, moreover, if cultivated, does not run down."

"Repetition of the same thought or physical action develops into a habit which, repeated frequently enough, becomes an automatic reflex."

"Remember, there is no situation so completely hopeless that something constructive cannot be done about it."

"Sometimes we see people persevering in the face of what seem to be insuperable odds. When that happens, I can't help but think that through their Plus Factor information has been conveyed to them that even they are unaware of."

"So what are you afraid of? What is holding you back? What is it that stands in your way? Do it!"

"Success in any business, or for that matter in any kind of undertaking, is determined by six simple words: find a need and fill it."

"Start each day by affirming peaceful, contented and happy attitudes and your days will tend to be pleasant and successful."

"Take charge of your mind and begin to fill it with healthy, positive, and courageous thoughts."

"Tell yourself every morning as you go to work that you love your job. Think of it as interesting, even fascinating. By so doing you will ultimately get enthusiastic about your work ? and you will undoubtedly do a better job."

"The dynamic and positive attitude is a strong magnetic force which, by its very nature, attracts good results. This, of course, does not mean you will get everything you want. When you live on a faith basis your desire will be only for that which you can ask in God's name. But whatever you should have, whatever is good for you will be granted."

"The "how" thinker gets problems solved effectively because he wastes no time with futile "ifs" but goes right to work on the creative "how.""

"The "as if" principle works. Act "as if" you were not afraid and you will become courageous, "as if" you could and you'll find you can. Act "as if" you like a person and you'll find a friendship."

"The mind, ever the willing servant, will respond to boldness, for boldness, in effect, is a command to deliver mental resources."

"The life of inner peace, being harmonious and without stress, is the easiest type of existence."

"The power of the Plus Factor is potential but it is not self-activating. It is latent in human beings and will remain latent until it is activated."

"There is a real magic in enthusiasm. It spells the difference between mediocrity and accomplishment."

"Then, think success, believe in success, visualize success and you will set in motion the powerful force of the realizable wish. When the mental picture or attitude is strongly enough held it actually seems to control conditions and circumstances."

"The Plus Factor makes its appearance in a person's life in proportion as that person is in harmony with God and His universal laws."

"The more jealousy one has in his nature the more critical he is of those who have accomplished things. If you are critical and mouthing negativisms it could be that your own failures are caused by a mixed-up, hate-filled mind. A sign of mental health is to be glad when others achieve, and to rejoice with them. Never compare yourself or your achievements with others, but make your comparisons only with yourself. Maintain a constant competition with yourself. This will force you to attain higher standards and achievements. Do not defeat yourself by holding spiteful or jealous thoughts. Think straight, with love, hope and optimism and you will attain victory in life."

"Today any successful and competent businessman will employ the latest and best-tested methods in production, distribution, and administration, and many are discovering that one of the greatest of all efficiency methods is prayer power."

"Think enthusiastically about everything; but especially about your job. If you do, you'll put a touch of glory in your life. If you love your job with enthusiasm, you'll shake it to pieces. You'll love it into greatness."

"There was about this gigantic rainbow a deep benediction of peace and hope. But as ineffable as nature is in the effect of natural beauty on the mind, it cannot match the peace of God in its healing effect on the human mind."

"Understanding can overcome any situation, however mysterious or insurmountable it may appear to be."

"We are all capable of greater things than we realize."

"What's the secret to feeling alive all your life? A positive attitude."

"What is hope? Hope is wishing for a thing to come true; faith is believing that it will come true."

"When obstacles or difficulties arise, the positive thinker takes them as creative opportunities. He welcomes the challenge of a tough problem and looks for ways to turn it to advantage."

"When Ty Cobb got on first base he had an apparently nervous habit of kicking the bag. ... By kicking the bag hard enough Cobb could move it a full two inches closer to second base. He figured that this improved his chances for a steal, or for reaching second base safely on a hit."

"When every physical and mental resources is focused, one's power to solve a problem multiplies tremendously."

"When a problem comes along, study it until you are completely knowledgeable. Then find that weak spot, break the problem apart, and the rest will be easy."

"Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal power comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive one to cancel it out."

"Whenever God wants to give us a gift, he wraps it up in a problem."

"Who is God? Some theological being? He is so much greater than theology. God is vitality. God is life. God is energy. As you breathe God in, as you visualize His energy, you will be reenergized!"

"When you pray for anyone you tend to modify your personal attitude toward him. You lift the relationship thereby to a higher level. The best in the other person begins to flow out toward you as your best flows toward him. In the meeting of the best in each a higher unity of understanding is established."

"You will find that you are stronger and maybe even better off for having had some tough experiences."

"You would think that economy would be one of the easiest habits in the world to break but it isn't."

"You will soon break the bow if you keep it always stretched."

"Your enthusiasm will be infectious, stimulating and attractive to others. They will love you for it. They will go for you and with you."