Success doesn’t come easy. In fact, many of history’s greatest success stories involve struggle, failure, and loss. Augustine Mandino II got off to a rocky start in life, taking a far different path than the one he envisioned through labor, military service, and (what really bruised him) insurance sales. But Og fought through his dark days in part by studying and harnessing the power of positive thinking. In time, the student became the master as Og Mandino went on to become a bestselling writer and speaker on the subject of success:
“Today will never happen again. Don’t waste it with a false start or no start at all.”
“Your only limitations are those you set up in your mind, or permit others to set up for you.”
“It is those who concentrates on but one thing at a time who advance in this world.”
“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.”
“Every defeat, every heartbreak, every loss, contains its own seed, its own lesson on how to improve your performance the next time.”
“I will act now. I will act now. I will act now. Henceforth, I will repeat these words each hour, each day, everyday, until the words become as much a habit as my breathing, and the action which follows becomes as instinctive as the blinking of my eyelids.”
While Og did not attain the dizzying heights of some historical or business icons, he honed a remarkable, inspirational eloquence on his chosen subject. From his most famous book, The Greatest Salesman in the World, to his many other works, the president of Success Unlimited never stopped promoting the power of action, resilience, and, of course, positive thinking.
Mike Bergin