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 do many of those born into privileged environments , with every resource for success at their fingertips , end up fat , frustrated , and often chemically addicted ? What makes some people's lives an example and others ' a warning ? What is the secret that creates passionate , happy , and grateful lives in many , while . for others the refrain might be , " Is that all there is ? " 

My own magnificent obsession began with some simple questions : " How can I take immediate control of my life ? What can I do today that can make a difference - that could help me and others to shape our destinies ? How can I expand , learn , grow , and share that knowledge with others in a meaningful and enjoyable way ? "

 At a very early age , I developed a belief that we're all here to contribute something unique , that deep within each of us lies a special gift . You see , I truly believe we all have a sleeping giant within us . Each of us has a talent , a gift , our own bit of genius just waiting to be tapped . It might be a talent for art or music . It might be a special way of relating to the ones you love . It might be a genius for selling or innovating or reaching out in your business or your career . I choose to believe that our Creator doesn't play favorites , that we've all been created unique , but with equal opportunities for experiencing life to the fullest . I decided many years ago that the most important way I could spend my life would be to invest it in something that would outlast it . I decided that somehow I must contribute in some way that would live on long after I was gone . 

Today , I have the incredible privilege of sharing my ideas and feelings with literally millions of people through my books , tapes , and television shows . I've personally worked with over a quarter of a million people in the last few years alone . I've assisted members of Congress , CEOs , presidents of companies and countries , managers and mothers , salespeople , accountants , lawyers , doctors , psychiatrists , counselors , and professional athletes . I've worked with phobics , the clinically depressed , people with multiple personalities , and those who thought they had no personality . Now I have the unique good fortune of sharing the best of what I've learned with you , and for that opportunity I am truly grateful and excited . 

Through it all , I've continued to recognize the power individuals have to change virtually anything and everything in their lives in an instant . I've learned that the resources we need to turn our dreams into reality are within us , merely waiting for the day when we decide to wake up and claim our birthright . I wrote this book for one reason : to be a wake - up call that will challenge those who are committed to living and being more to tap their God - given power . There are ideas and strategies in this book to help you produce specific , measurable , long - lasting changes in yourself and others . 

You see , I believe I know who you really are . I believe you and I must be kindred souls . Your desire to expand has brought you to this book . It is the invisible hand that guided you . I know that no matter where you are in your life , you want more ! No matter how well you're already doing or how challenged you now may be , deep inside of you there lies a belief that your experience of life can and will be much greater than it already is . You are destined for your own unique form of greatness , whether it is as an outstanding professional , teacher , businessperson , mother , or father . Most importantly , you not only believe this , but you've taken action . You not only bought this book , but you're also doing something right now that unfortunately is unique - you're reading it !

 Statistics show that less than 10 percent of people who buy a book read past the first chapter . What an unbelievable waste ! This is a giant book that you can use to produce giant results in your life . Clearly , you're the kind of person who won't cheat yourself by dabbling . By consistently taking advantage of each of the chapters in this book , you'll ensure your ability to maximize your potential . 

I challenge you not only to do whatever it takes to read this book in its entirety ( unlike the masses who quit ) but also to use what you learn in simple ways each day . This is the all - important step that's necessary for you to produce the results you're committed to .

 HOW TO CREATE LASTING CHANGE 

For changes to be of any true value , they've got to be lasting and consistent . We've all experienced change for a moment , only to feel let down and disappointed in the end . In fact , many people attempt change with a sense of fear and dread because unconsciously they believe the changes will only be temporary . A prime example of this is someone who needs to begin dieting , but finds himself putting it off , primarily because he unconsciously knows that whatever pain he endures in order to create the change will bring him only a short - term reward . For most of my life I've pursued what I consider to be the organizing principles of lasting change , and you'll learn many of these and how to utilize them in the pages that follow . But for now , I'd like to share with you three elementary principles of change that you and I can use immediately to change our lives . While these principles are simple , they are also extremely powerful when they are skillfully applied . These are the exact same changes that an individual must make in order to create personal change , that a company must make in order to maximize its potential , and that a country must make in order to carve out its place in the world . In fact , as a world community these are the changes that we all must make to preserve the quality of life around the globe .

难道许多出生在特权环境、触手可及的一切成功资源的人，最终会变得肥胖、沮丧，并且经常上瘾吗？ 是什么让一些人的生活成为榜样，而另一些人的生活成为警告？ 在许多人的生活中，创造热情、快乐和感恩的秘诀是什么？ 对 其他 人 可能 的 副歌 是 " 这 就是 一切 了吗 我 和 其他 人 来 塑造 我们 的 命运 ? 我 怎样 才能 扩展 , 学习 , 成长 , 并 以 一种 有意义 和 愉快 的 方式 与 他人 分享 这些 知识 呢 ? " 独一无二，我们每个人内心深处都有一份特殊的礼物。 你看，我真的相信我们心中都有一个沉睡的巨人。 我们每个人都有自己的天赋，天赋，我们自己的一点点天才正等着被挖掘。 这可能是艺术或音乐方面的天赋。 这可能是一种与你所爱的人联系的特殊方式。 它可能是销售或创新或在您的业务或职业中伸出援手的天才。 我 选择 相信 我们 的 造物主 不 偏爱 , 我们 都 被 创造 独特 , 但 有 平等 的 机会 来 充分 体验 生活 . 多年前，我决定，我可以度过一生的最重要的方式是将其投资于一些比它更持久的东西。 我决定，我必须以某种方式做出贡献，这种方式在我离开后仍能长久存在。 今天，我有幸通过我的书籍、录音带和电视节目与数以百万计的人分享我的想法和感受。 仅在过去几年中，我个人就与超过 25 万人共事过。 我曾帮助过国会议员、首席执行官、公司和国家的总裁、经理和母亲、销售人员、会计师、律师、医生、精神病医生、顾问和职业运动员。 我曾与恐惧症患者、临床抑郁症患者、具有多重人格的人以及认为自己没有个性的人一起工作。 现在 我 有 独特 的 幸运 能 与 你 分享 我 所 学到 的 最好 的 东西 , 对于 这个 机会 我 真的 很 感激 也 很 兴奋 . 通过这一切，我继续认识到个人必须在瞬间改变他们生活中几乎任何事物的力量。 我 了解到 将 梦想 变为 现实 所需 的 资源 就 在 我们 体内 , 只是 等待 我们 决定 醒来 并 宣称 我们 与生俱来 的 权利 的 那一天 . 我 写 这 本书 的 一个 原因 : 成为 一个 警钟 , 将 挑战 那些 致力于 生活 和 更多 的 人 , 以 挖掘 他们 上帝 赋予 的 力量 . 本书中有一些想法和策略可以帮助你在自己和他人身上产生具体的、可衡量的、持久的变化。 你看，我相信我知道你的真实身份。 我相信你我一定是志同道合的人。 你扩展的愿望把你带到了这本书。 引导你的是那只看不见的手。 我知道，无论你在生活中的哪个阶段，你都想要更多！ 不管你已经做得多么好，或者你现在面临多大的挑战，在你的内心深处都有一个信念，那就是你的生活经验可以而且将会比现在更伟大。 无论是作为杰出的专业人士、教师、商人、母亲还是父亲，你都注定要成为自己独特的伟大形式。 最重要的是，你不仅相信这一点，而且你已经采取了行动。 你不仅买了这本书，而且你现在也在做一件很不幸的事情——你正在阅读它！ 统计数据显示，不到 10% 的购买书的人会读完第一章。 多么令人难以置信 浪费 ！ 这是一本巨大的书，你可以用它在你的生活中产生巨大的成果。 显然，你是那种不会通过涉猎来欺骗自己的人。 通过始终如一地利用本书中的每一章，你将确保你能够最大限度地发挥你的潜力。 我 挑战 你 不仅 要 尽 一切 努力 完整 地 阅读 这本书 ( 不像 那些 放弃 的 大众 ) , 而且 还要 每天 以 简单 的 方式 使用 你 所 学到 的 东西 . 这是您产生所承诺的结果所必需的最重要的步骤。 如何创造持久的变化 为了使变化具有真正的价值，它们必须是持久的和一致的。 我们都经历了片刻的变化，最后却感到失望和失望。 事实上，很多人都怀着恐惧和恐惧来尝试改变，因为他们不自觉地认为改变只是暂时的。 一个典型的例子是有人需要开始节食，但发现自己推迟了，这主要是因为他无意识地知道，为了改变而忍受的任何痛苦只会给他带来短期的回报。 在我一生的大部分时间里，我一直在追求我认为是持久变革的组织原则，您将在后面的页面中学习其中的许多内容以及如何利用它们。 但现在，我想与您分享三个基本的改变原则，您和我可以立即使用它们来改变我们的生活。 虽然这些原理很简单，但如果巧妙地应用它们，它们也是极其强大的。 个人为了创造个人改变而必须做出的改变，公司为了最大限度地发挥其潜力而必须做出的改变，以及一个国家为了在世界上占据一席之地而必须做出的改变，都是完全相同的。 事实上，作为一个国际社会，这些是我们所有人都必须做出的改变，以保持全球的生活质量。