I was listening to a motivational type call today and the speaker was telling his story and shared how a certain book had changed his life.
In fact the book was “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman – and the subtitle is “A Book That Changes Lives”. If you have not read it you may like to check it out. Personally I loved it.
So listening to this call today got me thinking as to just how many lives I have heard that have changed by reading a simple book.
I am referring to a variety of different books here not any one book but predominantly those that fall into the Personal Development category.
My Journey into Personal Development
I cannot remember when I read my first personal development book but I know it was in the seventies. It was in the late 70’s that I embarked into my journey of self discovery.
One of the first books I read was “The Game of Life and How to Play It” by Florence Scovel Shinn. I still have a paper back copy which is very much loved and falling apart. She wrote the book in 1925 so it had been around a long time by the time I discovered it some 50+ years later.
The Game of Life is very much about the Law of Attraction and the principles of life. She refers to the teachings in the Bible frequently in the book and explains various concepts like “giving and receiving”.
Over the years I have read many books by so many different authors and some of them have changed the way I think and contributed to who I am today.
I do not have one book that I can say – “wow that changed my life” but I do have many that have contributed to me changing my thinking over time.
Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki
I have known Robert Kiyosaki for more than twenty years. I first did some events with him and later worked with him. During my time as the CEO of the company in Australia that promoted Robert I really came to understand the power of a book and how life changing it can be.
Rich Dad Poor Dad is a simple to read book. When I first read it I had known Robert for some time and was familiar with his story and teachings. Therefore reading the book for me was like hearing Robert talk. I could hear his voice in it and was familiar with his message.
For many other people who do not have my history with Robert the book has been truly life changing.
The Stories Kept Coming
I read email after email, letter after letter and heard call after call of stories from people who’s lives had changed by simply reading Rich Dad Poor Dad.
People were seeing that there could be a different way. They were being taken “outside of the box” and realizing they could do their life on their terms.
Books are powerful and they do change lives!
The Messages I read Changed Over Time
I have some books I have had for many years and every now and again I will revisit one of them. When I do this I will always get a new message and sometimes read something that I am sure I missed before.
This is because I have changed…. or I am ready to hear a new message.
Can a book Change Lives?
Do you think a book can change lives? What is your experience with books and do you you have one that stands out as life changing for you? Please leave me your comments below.
Please share this message with your friends if you think it is of value.
Make it a great day.
Sue Price
Skype: sueprice
Donna Merrill says
How great it must have been working with Robert Kiyosaki Sue!
I’ve been a self-development reader since I was a teen. In Robert’s book he had two mentors in his life….i.e. Rich Dad Poor Dad. I didn’t but knew somewhere in my heart there was a “better way.”
When I read that book, it really got deep into my soul and I became an avid fan of his. Robert takes you from his childhood inspirations to present day success. It is one book that is a classic.
When his wife wrote “Rich Woman” I savored every page. It moved me so much that one day I went out on my back porch, put my hands in the air and said aloud “I Am A Rich Woman”
These two particular books motivated me and opened my mind to the reality that there is an opportunity that awaits. I can have ANYTHING I want no matter what messages I received in my childhood.
Thanks for sharing how you worked with Robert because that must have been a thrilling experience. No wonder why you know so much in this area lol!
Donna
Sue Price says
Hi Donna
It was an amazing experience to work with Robert. He has an amazing mind. I also love Kim his wife. She is the social one of the two 🙂 I am glad you got so much out of her book. She is a smart woman and certainly not the token wife on Robert’s arm.
My greatest pleasure working in that environment was seeing the lives that were changed. It made all the travel and hard work worth while.
It is amazing how someone can read a book and it become life changing. I have read so many over my life and am grateful to all those authors.
Thanks for sharing your experience with those books Donna and I know you truly can have whatever you want.
Sue
Adrienne says
Okay Sue, am I the only one who waited much later in life before I ever picked up any type of self development book? Yeah, my life was just kind of trucking along never even having heard of that term before.
Now self help books were a different story. I use to date a guy who loved the heck out of them so we would read them, talk about them yet he never was interested in actually doing anything they suggested even though it was his big idea. Men!!!
It wasn’t until right before I came online that I started to learn more about personal development. I wouldn’t say that any one book has changed my life but it’s changed the way I think about things. It’s changed my views on certain things as well so for me I would say that is definitely a very positive direction to take. I do love to learn new things and new ways of thinking too.
Interesting topic Sue, thanks for bringing that up. Now you’ve really got me to thinking again.
~Adrienne
Sue Price says
Hi Adrienne
It is interesting you did not find personal development until later but many people never find it. I am a big believer in the saying “when the student is ready the teacher will appear”. The teacher can be a coach, seminar leader or it can be via a book or audio etc. You found it when you were ready.
You have had some interesting men in your life Adrienne 🙂 You know it is amazing how many people learn things and then do not apply the learning. I have been guilty of it online with buying too many courses. I remember you saying to me to just buy what you will implement so I now do that.
Learning to think differently is key and you have done that. It is really interesting that you found personal development as you were coming online. But it is not surprising as you really changed your world radically. Wow from all those years of supporting high flyers to becoming one – that is a change.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts Adrienne. I am so sorry I missed out seeing you today 🙁
Sue
Barbara Charles says
Hi Sue,
So many books have changed my life. I, like Adrienne, didn’t really start to read ‘self-development’ books until about 6 years ago when I got into Network Marketing. Just having to learn about me first so that I could relate to others. Rich Dad, Poor Dad is one of my favorites.
Sue Price says
Hi Barbara
Network Marketing is responsible for many people finding out about themselves. It is one of the things I love about the industry you have to grow as a person to make it. I somehow thought you had been around it much longer. But like I said to Adrienne you find it when you are ready.
I do not have just one book that was totally mind changing for me but many over time. Glad you like Rich Dad Poor Dad too.
Thanks for your feedback here Barbara.
Sue
Sylviane Nuccio says
Hi Sue,
I’m exactly like you, I can’t say that one book changed my life, but I can say that the overall personal development books that I’ve read have changed my life and the whole concept I have about life in general.
I did read the book of Rich Dad Poor Dad and I really like it’s teach. No doubt.
Another book that I’ve read like 5 times is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. But my first personal development book I read was in France, but by American author Catherine Ponder in the late 1980’s.
I love personal development books and I agree that they can change lives.
Sue Price says
Hi Sylviane
I knew you would have read many books. I too have read Think and Grow Rich many times. I did a study group where we pulled the book apart some years back. We then did The Science of Getting Rich which was written before Think and Grow Rich.
Ah Catherine Ponder – I also read her way back and it was when I first started being interested in the whole topic. Can you remember what the book was called? I am sure she wrote several.
Thanks for contributing here Sylviane.
Sue
Daniel Robert says
A Book might not change life but Books definitely change lives. I love reading books and my favorite topic is personal development. I have seen much improvement in my life after reading many books. And the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” is almost every one’s favorite and It’s my favorite book also.
Thanks for discussing this topic.
Sue Price says
Hi Daniel
I love how you have made book plural. As you say one book may not change lives but certainly reading enough should see changes. Ah and you are also a personal development person and a fan of Robert Kiyosaki.
Thanks for finding my blog and for sharing here Daniel.
Have a great day.
Sue
Dan Black says
I’m a living example of how books have changed my life. I’ve been able to grow my influence and move toward my potential because I started and continue to read life changing books. Great post!
Sue Price says
Hi Dan
I do not think too many people would be where you are without being readers. I read a slogan yesterday “the readers of today are the leaders of tomorrow”. I do not know a leader who does not read. Well let me be more accurate as I know a few people who prefer to listen to audio books but I consider that the same as they are still getting the information.
Thanks for contributing to this conversation Dan.
Sue
Dan Black says
Great quote!!! You know I’m going to save that one:) I agree, both reading or audio is valuable. I sometimes listen to audio books when driving but primarily listen to audio teaching.
Sue Price says
I thought you would like the quote Dan 🙂 I also listen to audio teaching when driving.
Hope you are having a nice weekend.
Sue
Santanu says
Nice post sue, Well i must admit , books changes lives because it provide knowledge. My life changed because of this knowledge which i shared with other and in return the love I got. 🙂
Regards
Shan
Sue Price says
Hi Shan
Thanks for finding my blog and sharing your experience. I am glad you too have found books a great source of knowledge. Ah and sharing and receiveing love in return is pretty nice 🙂
Have a great day.
Sue
Gladys says
Hello Ms. Sue
Books, Books, Books. What I can say, is that as a young girl, where no activities were available for me, I turned to books. I remember clearly reading about the universse, the planets and anything that intrigued me. Now for about twenty years, I have studied personal Development and how to change our lives. Like Adrienne said, I cannot say a book changed my life, but they made me re think what I thought. From the books I read, I learned to believe in myself. One of my favorite book is Think and Grow Rich, by N.Hill It is still a classic.
Sue you made an important point…sometimes we read a book and get something out of it… then years down the line we pick up the same book and it speaks volumes to us…. It tell me we are growing….
Thank you Sue
Gladys recently posted…Emotional Health…Developed Through Self-Esteem
Sue Price says
Hi Gladys
Wow you were into finding information at a young age. You have also been on the personal development journey for a long time. It seems Think and Grow Rich is a favorite for many people. It is one of those books we can read many times and get new distinctions. I agree with you that when we read a book we have read before and it speaks new information to us it is an indicator we have grown. I love it!
Thanks for sharing your journey with books Gladys. I appreciate it.
Have a great day.
Sue
DeeAnn Rice says
Sue,
I definitely think books can change lives. I have also read a lot of personal development books. I love those books. I always have such a better outlook on life and what I am doing at that time when I read personal development books.
I find most of those books are books that I can not set down. I will walk around and read the book.
I have read several of the books you mentioned.
Dee Ann
Sue Price says
Hi Dee Ann
I agree with you as I also feel better when I am reading personal development books. I think they help keep us in a good mindset. Hearing you say that you cannot put them down reminds me I want to check out some audio books. I have been thinking then I can listen as I work out or walk.
Thanks for your feedback here Dee Ann and have a great weekend.
Sue
Mayura says
Hi Sue,
I’m very sorry about your loss and hope everything is going fine over there dear.
I’ve used to read a lot of stories and some inspirational biographies in my childhood. But since I started being with PC, I wasn’t reading books like before though. Mostly fond of movies now 🙂
Personal development books? Oh never did 🙂 But I believe if we can read everything happening around us very well to know what message lies in there, they indeed helpful to personal development.
There were moments that made changes in my life and made me think like a new person as never before. So if some moments can do it, I believe books can do it even more too Sue 🙂 I remember, as a child, I wanted to be the main role in some stories and I believe they contributed to make me the person I am today. Gladly all of ’em were good ones.
Infamous folks, stuff and stories did enough changes in me rather than famous ones. Including friends around me 🙂 I think it’s just we need to be desperate enough to learn through what we come across. Lessons will be always there, no? 🙂
You have a brilliant week ahead and take care Sue 🙂
Cheers…
Sue Price says
Hi Mayura
Thanks for your thoughts regarding my Dad. I am doing okay now. Of course losing someone you love is hard but it was not unexpected. Life goes on and I have many happy memories about him.
I agree with you Mayura that we can learn from many different sources. Movies are a good source. I also know you read a lot of blogs and these days I know I learn from bloggers.
Ah so you wanted the main role in a story so did I when I was very young. I always imagined I would be a famous actress and then later I wanted to be a dancer. Did you know Sylviane was an actress when she was younger?
You have a great week too Mayura and thanks for your contribution here.
Sue
Daniel Robert says
A Book might not change life but Books definitely change lives. I love reading books and my favorite topic is personal development. I have seen much improvement in my life after reading many books. And the book “Rich Dad, Poor Dad” is almost every one’s favorite and It’s my favorite book also.
Thanks for discussing this topic.
Sue Price says
Hi Daniel
I agree it may take more than one book. And you are another person interested in my favorite topic – personal development. Rich Dad Poor Dad is going to be around forever I think and will be a classic.
Thanks for your comment here. I appreciate it.
Sue
Heru Prasetyono says
Reading books was actually an activity I did when I was still a student. I merely read books related to lesson or school subjects not more. I did not read novels.
Reading books was really developing when I started working for earning money. I could buy books myself. I read books in my spare time.
Recently I read a best seller book written by a motivator and also an entrepreneur in my country. I was touched of how he could be a successful entrepreneur and I thought I could, too.
How he started from an ordinary person and grew up through many obstacles until he reached his success with all his hard effort and his patience really touch me. This really motivates inspires me that I can live better.
By reading biographies of public figure or great leaders I got a lot of values which can affect great changes in my life.
Sue Price says
Hi Heru
You have had an interesting journey with books. It is wonderful to read books by people who have become successful. The book you read by someone in your country must have bee wonderful to read. As you say this type of book gives us the thoughts that we too can succeed. That is what I love about books.
I am like you and love reading biographies of great leaders and public figures. I love to learn from these people.
Thanks Heru for sharing your experience with books.
Have a great week.
Sue
Ana says
I think you’re right, Sue, books can change lives. I was in a really bad place with my job, hating every minute, feeling under siege when I picked up a copy of “Loving What Is” by Byron Katie (subtitled Four Questions That Can Change Your Life). Reading that changed my mindset so much that I could get through that dreadful period and not feel so bad. Within a few months I negotiated myself out that job and started my own business, but I’ll never forget that book and I’ll definitely go back to it if I ever get in a bad place emotionally again.
Sue Price says
Hi Ana
Isn’t it amazing how the “right book” can come along just at the right time. I have read that book your refer to some years back and it was at a time when I was at crossroads in my life. It seems it was just what you needed at the time.
Thanks for finding my blog and for your comment Ana. I appreciate it.
Have a great day.
Sue
Brown Williams says
Hi Sue,
I am deeply impressed by this post. I have personally listened to Robert Kiyosaki and his motivational speeches. I can spend a lot of time listening to him. Yes, this guy can change your life.His book ‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ was just amazing and after reading it I completely changed my mindset to positive thinking.Thank you for also sharing “Way of the Peaceful Warrior” by Dan Millman. i will definitely look for this book and find out how powerful it is to change my life. This was a great post!
Regards
Sue Price says
Hi Brown
I am glad you also find Robert Kiyosaki’s messages and speeches inspiring and great that his book assisted in your changing your mindset.
I am sure you will enjoy “Way of the Peaceful Warrior”if you read it. It is written as a story so it is really easy to read and not put down. I love books like that.
Thanks for your comment here Brown.
Have a great week.
Sue
Vijesh says
Hi Sue,
Books does influence a person, the book you have mentioned rich dad poor dad by Robert is a great tool on how to change one mindset over looking things. If you know Joel Osteen, he too is a good speaker and also a writer. His books stand out to be one the best selling books of New York. He also is a motivator to change peoples thinking over their failures.
Thanks for the post Sue…
Sue Price says
Hi Vijesh
Thanks for the tip on Joel Osteen. I have heard him recommended before so I will check him out. It is always good to have more recommendations and sometimes people find it difficult to pick themselves up after a perceived failure.
Thanks for your comment here.
Sue
James Harris says
Well I agree with you that book change lives and that happened to me. I have read many books on personal development and today I see a lot of changes in me. Thanks for sharing this important topic.
Sue Price says
Hi James
Thanks for your feedback on my post. I appreciate it and glad you too have been able to grow through reading books.
Have a great day.
Sue
James Harris says
Thanks Sue….! Well such inspiring posts are the need of the day.
Cheers
Sue Price says
Thank you 🙂
Silviu says
Can a book change lives? Definitely yes.
Many of the books we read change us a little bit. Usually, there are no spectacular changes but small, step by step changes. In time you realize you have changed and when you look back, you see 5-6 books that you can say changed you.
Sometimes you find a really powerful book that has the ability to change your mindset in a spectacular way.
I cannot say there was such a book for me. I would rather pick some that created minor changes and those changes added up.
When I was about twenty, I was attracted by the oriental (Far East) thinking. I used to read books about yoga, magic, paranormal and a lot of stuff like that. Those were times when Ramayana, Yoga Sutras, Bhagavad Gita, Samkhya Karika, Tao Te King or Maytrey were powerful and appealing to my soul. Those times are gone forever.
When you grow you need other books to nurture your soul. Law of attraction or personal development with their magic and worldly thinking are not real wisdom and cannot really change you. I’m sure you won’t agree with this.
Real wisdom, the one that can really change lives is not derived from magic and witchcraft and do not promise to help you succeed or live your life to the fullest or other “ideals” like these.
Real wisdom is derived from suffering and can really transform one person’s life forever. Real wisdom is different, paradoxical and strange. It goes contrary to our normal, common beliefs and shocks our pleasures, desires, wants. You need to find books that incorporate such wisdom. I’m afraid it is very difficult to find such a thing these days.
The only book that is easily available and incorporates real wisdom and has the ability to change lives is the Bible. And it is enough for most people.
Sue Price says
Hi Silviu
I agree with you that most books only will make minor changes and I do think that it is cumulative over several books so I think we are in agreement there.
Ah I too love the oriental teachings and I have had times in my life when I have read books like you mention. I practice yoga and of course yoga is much more than just the exercise and breathing part, it is a way of life. I had a good friend pass away some years back and my daughter (who was about 14 at the time) bought me “The Tibetan Book of Living and Dying”. That was one book that did change my thinking quite profoundly.
You have said you do not think I will agree with your comment on Law of Attraction type books not having the ability to change us. I think the information in the book can change our point of view. To change us as a person at a deeper level takes changing out thought and habits. So I think a a book can be a catalyst for change. Am I making sense?
Now I do not agree that we have to suffer to have real wisdom. I believe life experiences teach us and that is where wisdom comes in. I know people who have suffered but I would not call them wise. Depends how you accept and grow from your experiences. I have learned more from my failures (or I prefer to call them “learning experiences”) than I have my successes but it is the combination that makes me who I am today.
The Bible is a great book and I am sure other religions that are not Christian have their equivalent.
Thanks for your very thoughtful contribution here Silviu, I appreciate your thoughts and words.
Sue
Avnish Gautam says
Motivational books are always important for boosting positive energy in our life and i also get positive energy y reading books so thanks for your post finally and i am totally agreed with you.
Sue Price says
Hi Avnish,
I am glad you too like motivational books. They do assist us in many ways. There are so many great books to read.
Thank you for your comment.
Sue