The Psychology of Winning

98 Pages·1986·75.23 MB·English

by  Denis Waitley

Bestselling author of THE WINNER'S EDGE
Ten Qualities of a Total Winner
"Read this book, follow the steps, and you
too can attain the 'Winner's Touch.'''
-Spencer Johnson, M.D.,
coauthor of
THE ONE MINUTE MANAGER
I:
"Denis Waitley cares about you and wants you to win
II
at life."
BERKLEY -Kenneth Blanchard, Ph;D.
Coauthor of The One Minute Manager
"Success, both inner and outer, is our birthright, and
Dr. Waitley shows us how."
-Harold H. Bloomfield, M.D.
Psychiatrist and Author
"From the day I met Dr. Waitley, he has been my
source ofinspiration, and Ifeel honored tobe included
in his book. In my sad or low moments, I think of
Dr. Denis Waitley, and I smile."
-Wilma Rudolph, President
Wilma Rudolph Foundation,
Olympic Gold Medal Winner
"Dr. Denis Waitley knows the ingredients of true suc-
cess and how to communicate this knowledge. Ithink
of him as one of the really top motivational psychol-
ogists that we have today anywhere in the world."
-Dr. Charles Allen, Pastor
First United Methodist
Church, Houston, Texas
EAN
"In these days, we need the sound counsel of author
Denis Waitley."
-Ted. W. Engstrom, President
World Vision
"Dr. Waitley is saying something that is new-
perceptive-terribly significant-and particularly
explosive in power for human development."
-Dr. Robert H. Schuller
Founder and Pastor
Crystal Cathedral, Garden
Grove, California
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Berkley Books by Dr. Denis Waitley
THE DOUBLE WIN
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF WINNING
THE WINNER'S EDGE
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Dr.Denis Waitley
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SPECIAL ACKNOWLEDGMENT
This Berkley book contains thecomplete text ofthe
hardcover edition. Ithas been completely reset inatypeface I would like to thank Dr. Jonas Salk, who has been an
designed for easy reading and was printed from new film. inspiration in my professional and personal life. His wis-
dom, dedication, compassion, and optimism are unmatched
in any other individual I have had the privilege to consider
ABerkley Book /published by arrangement with a friend.
Nightingale-Conant Corporation When I think of Jonas Salk, I think of life and health -
rather than disease and cure. He has taught me the real
PRINTING HISTORY
Nightingale-Conant edition published 1979 meaning of the Win-Win possibilities to Order in the Uni-
Berkley edition /May 1984 verse. Because of him I will always thirst for truth and
wisdom.
All rights reserved.
Copyright © 1979 by Denis E.Waitiey.
This book may not bereproduced inwhole orinpart,
by mimeograph orany other means, without permission. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
For information address: Nightingale-Conant Corporation,
Dr. Jonas Salk Anne Morrow Lindbergh
3730 West Devon Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60659.
Dr. Hans Selye Dr. Carl Rodgers
The Penguin Putnam Inc. World Wide Web site address is
http://www.penguinputnam.com Dr. Abraham Maslow Lloyd Conant
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ISBN: 0-425-09999-7
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PRINTED INTIlE UNITED STATES OFAMERICA
38 37 36 35 34 33 32 31
DEDICATION
To my parents ...
who have made me feel special
To my children ...
who make living ajoyous happening
To Susan ...
who makes every day a homecoming
And in memory of my beloved grandmother,
Mabel Reynolds Ostrander,
who taught me all there is about beauty,
love and human grace.
FOREWORD
Jonestown, the weird occult, sexual aberration, violence,
crime, mysticism, drugs, escapism, purposelessness, in-
dulgence, apathy, human indignity, greed, terrorism, ob-
scenity ... previews of the 1980's?
Books, movies, television, magazines, newspapers, pro-
tests, parties, lifestyles ... all bombard us with stark bru-
tality alluding to the new "realism" in our society.
What is "realism" but an illusion of reality? Investigative
reporting has brought anew system of checks and balances,
and social conscience to the leadership of the nation. How-
ever, beyond the factual revelation of the ills of society-
in order that it might be improved-there is an alarming
focus in every medium of human expression today on de-
viant behavior and the acts of amentally deranged minority
in the world. . .
So powerful and frequent are the slick, dramatic por-
trayals of the most revolting human biographies that society
is methodically being transformed by example into a work-
ing model for Losers.
If one should dare revolt against the "revolting," he or
she is immediately branded as naive, Pollyanna, areligious
zealot, or out of touch with the times. If there's not enough
violence, perversion or porno ... it won't move the masses,
sell tickets or gain ratings any more.
For me, since life is a brief journey, I will not waste it
joining the thundering herd who worship the golden calf,
x Dr. Denis Waitley
the four-letter word, group "swing" or some Utopian cult
approaching the twenty-first century, bored with all but the
sensational, the morbid and the sickening ... as ifthe decay TABLE OF CONTENTS
and destruction of ancient civilizations from social cancer
served no purpose in history but to preview the ever-
OVERVIEW
predictable "Losing Cycle" of coming human attractions.
TheGame of Life:TheWinners'Circle, 1
We need not always lose and fall-s-Egyptians, Mayans,
Greeks, Romans, and Americans. Life is a fantasy of our
own imagination. It can be a living nightmare or a living
TENQUALITIES
miracle ... a Hell or Heaven on Earth!
OF A rOTAl WINNER, 15
For me, Iprefer flowers over weeds-and natural beauty
over invented placebo. I'll pass the substitute euphoria of
pot and coke, uppers and downers ... for a walk near the
/"Z,/4'!??
Chapter 1 PositiveSelf-awareness, 19
tidal pools, a romp with kids and dogs, a sunset, a hang
glider, and a two-mile jog at dawn. I will always love and Chapter 2 PositiveSelf-esteem, 35
cherish life.
Chapter 3 PositiveSelf-control,49
For me, there is only time enough to Win ...
but no time at all to Lose! Chapter 4 PositiveSelf-motivation, 63
THIS BOOK IS DIReCTED AND OFFERED TO THE
IN Chapter 5 PositiveSelf-expectancy, 77
READER WHO IS MORE INTERESTED MENTAL
HEALTH THAN IN MENTAL ILLNESS ... IN GROWTH Chapter 6 PositiveSelf-image, 91
THAN IN APATHY ... IN WINNING THAN· IN LOS-
Chapter 7 PositiveSe"lf-direction,107 1/2/'If
ING.
Chapter 8 PositiveSelf-discipline, 121
Chapter 9 PositiveSelf-dimension,137
Chapter10 PositiveSelf-projection, 153
WRAPUP
YourPsychology of Winning,167
BIBLIOGRAPHY, 174

OVERVIEW
The Game of life: The Winners' Circle
P. O. W.
PRISONER OF WAR?
PRINCE OF WALES?
POWER OF WOMEN?
PRISONER OF WISHES?
PSYCHOLOGY OF WINNING!