Warning – Reading These 7 Books May Change Your Life

February 11, 2007

1. “The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino.
2. “How to Make Positive Imaging Work For You,” by Norman Vincent Peale.
3. “Freed by Faith,” by Marilyn Ludolf.
4. “Man’s Search for Meaning,” by Victor Frankl.
5. “The Magic of Thinking Big,” by David Schwartz.
6. “Today Matters,” by John Maxwell.
7. “For One More Day,” by Mitch Albom.

As a self-proclaimed non-reader, I had successfully avoided reading anything I could avoid. However, after I read PARADE Magazine’s cover story on March 7, 1999 with Matthew McConaughey, everything changed. One of Matthew’s statements captured my thoughts. He said he knew finding the book was not an accident. Stating he “was not a big reader” resulted in reading a book in one sitting. He could not put the book down. Matthew’s story continued as he shared how his life had changed after reading it.

At the time I admit I did not know who he was other than a handsome actor on the cover of PARADE Magazine. My thoughts returned to the phrase, “not a big reader.” I began searching for the name of the book. Up until then I had never read anything that captured my attention enough to read a book in one sitting. Thus, my search began for “The Greatest Salesman in the World,” by Og Mandino.

Curious enough to begin reading, I developed an interest for reading more of Mandino’s books. After all, if Mandino’s book made such a difference in McConaughey’s life, I wondered, “What kind of impact would it make in my life?”

One book led to another, ultimately developing into an extensive personal library, firing an enthusiasm in my heart I had not previously known. It is amazing how a single clue, almost hidden in an article, captured my attention. I was not a big reader either. Now I know the reason for finding McConaughey’s story, the beginning of a new journey for me. Little did I know the affect one book would make in my life.

I learned to listen more than I talked. I began recording my thoughts in journals. I began sharing my discoveries with family, friends and co-workers. As I recounted the McConaughey story, the first question people asked me was, “What’s the name of the book?” Shocked that they were listening to my story, I realized other people probably shared a similar reluctance to read. They, too, were curious.

“You only get one chance to make a good first impression.” One chance to change another’s life is mind boggling. Everything counts.

I hope these books will also fire an enthusiasm for others to read.

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