The Aladdin Factor by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen
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Book Reviews of The Aladdin Factor
Book Review: Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen's ~ The Aladdin Factor
Summary: 5 Stars
Many years ago I read a book that changed my life. The beauty about books is they are truly timeless. Recently I revisited this book because the continued buzz about "The Secret" made me think of it.
The Aladdin Factor is a simple fast-track to getting what you want. Originally released in 1995 (around the time Chicken Soup for The Soul series was really taking off), this book changed the way I approached business and personal interactions.
I believe that one of the greatest lessons you will ever learn is included in this book. The art of asking for what you really want.
Canfield and Hansen explore five barriers to asking for what we want:
(1) The first is ignorance. Often, we simply don't know what to ask for. This occurs for many reasons including lack of exposure, not knowing the resources available and not fully understanding our personal desires and yearnings.
2) Second, limiting and inaccurate beliefs keep us stuck in what we know to be true from past experiences. This includes programming from parents, teachers, churches, peers and the media.
3) Fear is the third barrier (and one I believe we can all relate to). It is fear, usually based on past disappointments and experiences, that hold many of us back from asking for what we truly desire. The fear of rejection is particularly debilitating. Fear of looking silly, being humiliated, feeling powerless, punishment, obligation and abandonment are all key players in keeping us stuck.
4) Fourth is low self-esteem. Often we can feel unworthy of love, happiness and our true desires. This is because of inferiority complexes and false beliefs that our needs and wants are worthy of pursuit.
5) Pride is the final barrier and, according to the authors, is especially difficult for men. Although I see this trait in many of my women friends. We tend to remain guarded and not admit that we need help and support. Asking for this sometimes makes us feel inadequate.
The key to getting what you want is simple. Recognize and correct the barriers that apply to you. Become comfortable with who you are and what you really want and need (this may take some time).
Finally, ask for what you want in a way that is mutually beneficial for all involved. The key point I took away from this book (and continue to hold near and dear) is having the courage to simply ask.
Look at it this way. If you really, truly want something, the only way to get it is to take actionable steps, including asking. If you ask for something you want the worse thing that can happen is someone saying "no". Although this may seem devastating, in reality, you are left with nothing less than before you asked. And, if the answer happens to be yes, you have moved so much closer to your end goal.
So, go ahead, ask for what you want. The results may surprise you.
Book Review: So good, I had to buy one for my sister before I was done with mine
Summary: 5 Stars
I came upon this book by accident. I was walking by a store and found it in a box of bargains. I decided to buy it to help my step children heal and grow. Since I planned on having kids read it, I decided that I should read it first. Within the first 20 pages I finally learned that I deserved time to myself. I was raised in a very structured (dysfunctional) family. Everything was about doing for others and not wanting for yourself. I was not to ever have any time to relax and feel peace. If my mother found me doing something for me, then she would let me know that I should feel guilty for doing anything that was not for someone else's benefit. Anyways, I started this book, and for the first time in my entire life (I am 39 mind you.) I gave myself the permission to just do what I wanted to do and not have to do anything. I found that I can have a relaxing day and still mindfully care for my kids. Just because you have kids and I have five (ages 3 to 15), there is no reason that you have to feel burdened by the day and everything that you have to get done. You can give yourself the permission to burn a candle and enjoy the light. To read a book, while your children play outside.
I sent this book to my sister who is married to a man who is quite hard to live with. She has finally decided that she has the right to not be controlled by someone else which unfortunately means that she has to go through a divorce, but joyfully this opens her up for the chance to know real happiness. Since we were raised in the same dysfunational environment, I thought that she needs this book as soon as possible so I bought it for her before I was done. She read over half the book in a couple of days, and then it took her a little longer to read the section on fear. She has shared many parts of this book with her 11 yr. old daughter. I openly recommend this book for anyone who is willing to move beyond the pain, the sadness, the fear and learn to truly believe your own self worth.
Book Review: Timeless knowledge
Summary: 5 Stars
This book is a few years old, but its message is as fresh today as it was when it was written. The message was applicable thousands of years ago and will be thousands of years from now. This book goes DEEP into the "mechanics" of asking. I was hit between the eyes on the second page of writing when I read the quote from Barbara DeAngelis which reads, "When you're used to getting just a piece of bread for a meal, you don't realize that you can ask for a plate of pasta. You have never seen a plate of pasta. You don't even know it exists. So, to ask for it is totally out of your reality." The book then identifies the five barriers to asking which are easy to understand and recognize in our own lives.
Part II covers knowing what to ask for, which is vintage Canfield stuff. To me, the most powerful part of the book is the end of Part II which discusses Conquering the Labyrinth of Fear. This is very insightful and is similar in approach to concepts from Eckhart Tolle and Wayne Dyer. The message is clear: if we can conquer our fears, we can have anything we desire.
Part III is a practical application of the lessons in Parts I and II. Canfield offers advice on asking at home, school, work, etc.
I thoroughly enjoyed the book and will always remember that I won't get what I desire unless I know what to ask for and then have the courage to ask for it. Thank you Jack and Mark.
Book Review: A GREAT book to start your personal library!
Summary: 5 Stars
I have been reading self-help books for 17 years now. In fact, I read this one about 5 years ago, but felt SO strong about it that I had to come here and express my feelings so others could feel comfortable with buying this book. IT'S A GREAT BOOK! You should get two copies of this book. One to read and hold on to for the rest of your life and another to lend out to people.The book talks about asking questions in your life. If you're not happy with the way things are ask questions to get to where you want to be. It shows that people aren't used to you asking questions and that's a lot of the reason things happen in our lives.
I saw my life take a new and completely different direction after reading this book. It wasn't that hard to implament either. Well, at first it was. But then, I remembered the book and what it was saying. IT's okay to ask questions... so I would push forward in a business situation and it amazed me how many doors open when I pushed a little harder!
I guess also since it was told in story form it helped making it a faster and more enjoyable read. That's why I've always enjoyed the Once Minute Manager stories and Ken's newest ones about Raving Fans, et al.
This book along with Feel the Fear and do it Anyway, The Richest Man in Babylon and the Wealthy Barber are the books that I would recommend to anyone asking me: How should I start my OWN personal library.
Book Review: Ask and Ye Shall Receive...
Summary: 5 Stars
The writing and the approach in the book are not earth shattering. In fact, I wish there was a little more meat or pizzaz in the content. So, why the recommendation? Simple - the content at its core is incredibly powerful - and we all need the reminder. Our gentieel approach to communications and emotional interaction has left us forgetting to ASK for things. We expect the world to be mind readers, and get upset, frustrated or depressed when we don't get what we want. Of course, since we never actually ASKED for what we wanted, we rely on guesswork and luck to achieve our dreams and goals.
The genie in the lamp could grant wishes, but those wishes needed to be spoken by Aladdin. Similarly, we are all in a position to achieve our goals and dreams, but they must be spoken. Even within ourselves, we cannot harness our own power of desire and subconscious until we solidify the desire by asking for it.
An absolute must read - even if the writing style is a bit flat - the content is NOT.