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November 2004
Q I have just read Mind Power; it is unbelievable. When was it written and how long did it take?
And also, when you say repeat affirmations to yourself, do you mean out loud or in your mind?
New York
A Thanks for the feedback. The first edition of Mind Power was written in 1987. It took three and a half months to write. The reason I was able to write it so quickly is that I had been teaching mind power for ten years prior. I re-wrote it and updated it in 1997, adding four new chapters. It has had over thirty reprints and sold over a million copies worldwide in numerous languages. I'm thrilled that it has reached so many people and changed so many lives. I'm devoted to teaching mind power to people, and have now taught full time for twenty-three years. I'm always looking at new ways to reach people with this message, and this Web site is one method.
Regarding your second question, affirmations are usually said internally to yourself, but they can also very effectively be said aloud if you're by yourself.
Q I just read Mind Power Into the 21st Century and found it very helpful. I look forward to putting into practice the principles I've learned. I do want to point out, though, an inaccuracy as to your example on page 143 regarding Mark Spitz (repeated in your Topic of the Month, Jan 2004). You write: "It was 1972 in Munich. A relatively unknown swimmer was poised at the edge of the pool awaiting the firing of the starter gun. It was his first time in the Olympics and he had made it to the finals."
Actually, Spitz was a fairly well known, brash young swimmer who in the 1968 Mexico Olympics declared that he would win 6 gold medals. He ended up with 2 golds (on relays), a bronze, and a silver. A very strong showing, but still well below his and others' expectations. What makes this story great, however, and actually underscores your point, is that Mark Spitz came back 4 years later to do the very thing he said he would do - 4 personal golds and 3 relay golds, ending up with 7 world records! That is the power of the mind at work, backed by incredible discipline and focused action.
Wichita, KS
A Thanks for the information and you are right. While Spitz was a "relatively unknown swimmer" to the general public, he was known in sporting circles, and 1972 was his second time at the Olympics, not the first. I will make the necessary corrections in our next printing.