Action Power: The Miracle Way to a Successful New Life
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Discover now how to get what you want in life, by using the miraculous forces of ACTION POWER. Take your first step to a new way of life that will lead to the highest goals of success you most desire.
Once the miraculous force of your ACTION POWER is in full operation you will launch out from your current setup and rise like a rocket to new peaks of personal achievement and financial success. You will think success. You will feel success. You will talk success. You will start acting towards success.
“Vernon Howard’s Action Power accentuates the positive. The author gives specific directions for improving one’s thinking and actions. It is pleasant and stimulating reading.”—CLYDE F. GILLETT, M.D.
“Regardless of whether you want to sell your products to customers or sell yourself a happier life, you now have the amazing key in your hands. A thrilling guide.”—GENE ADAMS, Editor, Specialty Salesman
“If you want to get into self-enriching action, start with this great book. Vernon Howard shows you what to do and how to do it—the easy way.”—MARTHA WALKINSHAW, Cook Realty
Vernon Linwood Howard
Vernon Linwood Howard (March 16, 1918 - August 23, 1992) was an American spiritual teacher, author, and philosopher. He was born near Haverhill, Massachusetts and began his writing career in the 1940s as an author of humor and children’s books. He began speaking on the principles of personal development in the late 1950s while living in southern California. In the 1960s, he began writing books that focused on spiritual and psychological growth. These writings emphasized the importance of and practice of self-awareness. By the early 1970s, he had moved to Boulder City, Nevada and had begun teaching spiritual development classes after being contacted by numerous individuals interested in his writings. Howard drew from what he perceived as being a “common thread” among several different philosophical and spiritual traditions for his insights and teachings, including Christian and Eastern mysticism, Gurdjieffian Fourth Way teachings, the Gospels of the New Testament, Jungian psychology, J. Krishnamurti and American Transcendentalism. In 1979, Howard founded the non-profit learning center New Life Foundation, where he continued to teach until his death in 1992. The foundation, now located in Pine, Arizona, continues Howard’s legacy via personal classes held by some of the students who studied with Howard, as well as the marketing of his writings and recorded talks.
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Action Power - Vernon Linwood Howard
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Text originally published in 1963 under the same title.
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Publisher’s Note
Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.
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ACTION POWER:
THE MIRACLE WAY TO A SUCCESSFUL NEW LIFE
BY
VERNON HOWARD
This world belongs to the energetic.
—RALPH WALDO EMERSON
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
AN IMPORTANT PERSONAL INVITATION TO YOU, THE READER 4
YOUR FIRST MAGICAL STEP 6
1—LET’S PLUNGE INTO ACTION RIGHT NOW 7
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN CLEOPATRA ACTED 7
YOUR HAPPINESS AND ACTION 8
WE ALL NEED EXCITING ACTION 8
YOUR SECRET SERVANT NAMED SERENDIPITY 10
HOW TO BE HAPPILY SURPRISED 10
SIX MAGIC WORDS THAT WORK WONDERS 11
HOW THE SIX MAGIC WORDS SUCCEEDED 11
YOUR THREE KEYS TO GENUINE ACTION 12
1. MAKE IT DEFINITE 13
2. MAKE IT INTERESTING 14
3. MAKE IT REWARDING 14
WHY EASY ACTION IS BEST FOR YOU 14
HOW A SIMPLE QUESTION STARTED A BANK 15
REVIEW YOUR EXCITING ACTIONS 16
2—HOW TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE EASILY 17
HOW TO GET STARTED 17
YOUR THOUGHTS PRODUCE YOUR ACTIONS 18
A SUCCESS STORY 19
PLANNED ACTION WINS THE DAY 20
PLAN 1: IT SPEEDS YOU FORWARD 21
PLAN 2: FOR FAVORABLE CHANGES 21
PLAN 3: TO KNOW WHAT YOU WANT 22
AN EASY WAY TO BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE 22
HOW TO GO INTO ACTION! 23
HOW TO PREVENT DISCOURAGEMENT 24
AN ACTION WORTH $250,000 25
CONFIDENCE-BUILDERS FROM THIS CHAPTER 26
3—ACTIONS THAT MAKE YOU HAPPY INSTANTLY 26
WHAT YOUR HAPPINESS DEPENDS UPON 28
HOW OTHER PEOPLE CAN MAKE YOU HAPPY 29
HOW TO CREATE HAPPY CIRCUMSTANCES 30
GIVE YOUR ACTIONS THIS HAPPINESS TEST 32
1. IS IT ACTIVELY HOPEFUL? 32
2. IS IT KINDLY TOWARD MYSELF? 33
3. DOES IT CHALLENGE MY ABILITIES? 34
4. IS IT FREE OF COMPLICATIONS? 34
BE ACTION-MINDED 35
THOUGHTS FOR INSTANT HAPPINESS 37
4—WOMEN: HOW TO WIN OVER THE OPPOSITE SEX 37
THE SOUTHERN ROSE 38
THE POWER OF YOUR PERSONALITY 39
SOLVED: THE MYSTERY OF ATTRACTION 40
WHAT EVERY GIRL SHOULD KNOW 41
HOW TO MAKE A MAN LIKE YOU 42
HE LIKES A BIT OF INITIATIVE FROM YOU 43
HE APPRECIATES YOUR REASONABLE ATTITUDES 44
HE NEEDS YOUR RESPONSIVENESS 45
YOUR MAN-WINNING ACTS IN REVIEW 46
5—MEN: WOMEN WILL LIKE YOU FOR THESE ACTS 46
YOUR APPLICATION 47
THE SINGLE MOST IMPORTANT THING! 48
HOW TO THRILL HER 49
HOW TO BE ATTRACTIVE WITHOUT TRYING 50
HOW TO MAKE A WOMAN LIKE YOU 51
SHE WANTS TO BE YOUR ONLY GIRL 52
SHE WANTS CREDIT FOR INTELLIGENCE 52
SHE WANTS TO HEAR NICE THINGS FROM YOU 53
SHE WANTS YOU TO BE A MATURE PERSONALITY 54
SECRETS FOR WINNING HER OVER 55
6—THE GREATEST ACT YOU CAN EVER PERFORM 56
DARING ACTION IS A BASIC HUMAN NEED 57
FIND THE BETTER WAY 58
DO THINGS THE EASY WAY 59
HOW DOES THE DARING MAN ACT? 61
HOW TO DOUBLE YOUR DARING 64
1. MAKE THE DARING DECISION 64
2. DON’T WAIT FOR RESULTS 65
3. DEPEND UPON YOUR NATURAL POWERS 65
SUMMARY OF YOUR DARING ACTIONS 66
7—ACTIONS THAT RELEASE YOUR HIDDEN TALENTS 66
HOW TO RELEASE YOUR RICHER SELF 68
GOLDEN ACTIONS 69
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT CREATIVITY 70
A PAIR OF PRODUCERS 71
HOW TO DAZZLE YOURSELF WITH SUCCESS 71
A MAJOR SECRET 72
YOUR DESIRE IS DYNAMITE! 74
YOUR HIDDEN TALENTS IN REVIEW 75
8—HOW TO INFLUENCE OTHER PEOPLE QUICKLY 76
GIVE PERSUASIVENESS YOUR FULL ATTENTION 77
MAKE USE OF HUMAN NATURE 78
YOUR SECRET WEAPON FOR WINNING OVER OTHERS 78
HOW TO GAIN ENDLESS REWARDS 79
A MAJOR PRINCIPLE 80
LIPTON’S TEA 81
CHECK UP ON YOUR POWERS OF PERSUASION 82
1. APPEAL TO SELF-INTEREST 83
2. BE A PERMISSIVE PERSONALITY 83
3. GIVE HIM GOOD REASONS FOR CO-OPERATING 84
4. BUILD THE OTHER PERSON’S SELF-ESTEEM 84
IMPORTANT IDEAS TO REMEMBER 85
9—ACTIONS THAT GIVE YOU MORE FUN IN LIFE 85
DARE YOURSELF! 87
WHY FEEL GUILTY? 87
YOUR CAPACITY FOR PLEASURE AFFECTS EVERYTHING 88
THE FUN OF CONQUEST 89
THE POWER OF M.I.A. 90
WHY YOU WILL SUCCEED 91
YOUR REACTIONS DETERMINE YOUR PLEASURES 92
HAVE FUN WITH THESE ACTIONS 94
10—POPULAR ACTS THAT ATTRACT FRIENDS 94
THE SECRET OF ATTRACTIVENESS 96
THE POWER OF A STRONG PERSONALITY 97
WHAT PEOPLE ADMIRE 98
THE OUTREACHING PERSONALITY 99
WHY BE AFRAID? 101
THE POWER OF SELF-AWARENESS 102
PROMINENT POINTS FROM THIS CHAPTER 103
11—MONEY-MAKING ACTS THAT MAKE YOU RICH 103
HOW YOUR MIND MAKES $$$ 104
THE POWER OF PURPOSEFUL ACTION 105
THOSE SIX MAGIC WORDS AGAIN 107
THE TURNING POINT 107
YOU CAN LEARN THE SCIENCE OF $$$ 108
WEALTH AND PERSONALITY ARE CLOSELY CONNECTED 109
WEALTH COMES FROM CLEAR THINKING 110
A B C’S OF MONEY-MAKING ACTION 110
ENRICH YOURSELF WITH THIS REVIEW 112
12—RELAX YOUR NERVES AND HAVE MORE ENERGY 113
1. RELAXATION SPEEDS YOUR SUCCESS 113
2. RELAXATION BRIGHTENS YOUR PERSONALITY 114
3. RELAXATION SUPPLIES THIS SURPRISING REWARD 114
4. RELAXATION CONQUERS FEAR 115
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT TENSION 116
LIFE ITSELF CONTAINS NO CONFLICT 117
YOUR PAIR OF ENERGIES 117
THE GOLDEN CITY 119
1. LIVE YOUR OWN LIFE 120
2. DO WHAT YOU REALLY WANT TO DO 121
SOME ENERGETIC IDEAS FOR REVIEW 122
13—SECRET ACTIONS THAT PERFORM MIRACLES 122
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR SUCCESS 123
WHAT DETERMINATION MEANS 124
THE VALUE OF INFORMED ACTION 125
A SUCCESSFUL TECHNIQUE 126
ACT WITH FULL POWER! 126
HOW TO STOP WASTING YOUR ENERGY 128
HOW TO REMOVE OBSTACLES QUICKLY 129
WHAT ACTION CAN DO FOR YOU! 131
MIRACLE-MAKING POINTS 132
14—ACTS THAT SOLVE YOUR PERSONAL PROBLEMS 132
BELIEVE THAT THE ANSWER EXISTS! 134
HOW TO TURN LOSS INTO PROFIT 135
HOW NORMAN FELL ASLEEP 135
WHY YOU SHOULD BE A REBEL 136
THE POWER OF NEGATIVE ACTION 137
HOW TO ABANDON USELESS ACTIONS 138
WHY YOU SHOULDN’T DISLIKE YOURSELF 139
HOW TO CONQUER MOUNTAINS! 140
GO OVER THESE PROBLEM-SOLVERS 141
15—HOW TO MAGICALLY GET WHAT YOU WANT 141
WIN WITH POINTED ACTION 142
PICTURED ACTION 142
INVESTIGATE! 143
THE POWER OF INDIVIDUAL ACTION 143
TAKE AUTHORITY 144
SELF-ACTION 144
ACT FREELY 145
OBSERVANT ACTION 145
WHY YOU SHOULD FUMBLE 146
SELF-UNDERSTANDING ACTION 146
YOUR DESIRE IN ACTION 147
IT’S SO OBVIOUS 147
THOROUGH ACTION 148
PERSONAL ACTION 148
INTERESTING ACTION IS DYNAMIC! 148
HOW TO REPEAT SUCCESS 149
MAGICAL METHODS FROM THIS CHAPTER 150
16—YOUR GUIDE TO EXCITING ACTION 150
WHAT I WANT 151
MY MAGIC ACTIONS FOR WINNING IT 151
INSPIRING IDEAS 151
APPENDIX 153
ACTION CARDS: HOW THEY CAN WORK FOR YOU 153
100 AIDS TO SUCCESSFUL ACTION 160
REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 164
AN IMPORTANT PERSONAL INVITATION TO YOU, THE READER
IN A FEW MOMENTS YOU WILL BE SAILING UPON WHAT COULD well be the most exciting voyage you have ever taken.
We are about to explore together the fascinating world of Action. We will solve quite a few mysteries about this dynamic force, and also make some rich discoveries.
Quite often a lack of success in life can be traced back to a lack of right Action. Many people produce powerful thoughts, but neglect to channel their mental energies into active programs. The purpose of this book is to show you how to make the act as powerful as the thought. This is what Shakespeare had in mind when he urged, Be great in act, as you have been in thought.
The exciting truth is, Right Action is the greatest single power in the world. And it is your personal power, as you will delightfully discover as we adventure ahead.
Right Action can do anything. For every problem, there is a corrective Action. For any obstacle, there is an overcoming Action. For all heartache, there is a happy Action. For each desire, there is a fulfilling Action.
You will shortly make friends with dozens of people who used their personal Action Power for achieving great things. Let’s meet a few of them right now:
Alfred the Great acted so wisely and so energetically that he became one of the most honored kings to wear the English crown.
A daring lady spy named Rose Greenhow acted so charmingly that she was visited constantly and eagerly by the President of the United States.
Harry Houdini, the famous escape artist, used his magic Action Power to become one of the greatest entertainers ever to appear on the stage.
The wife of Nobel Prize winner Rudyard Kipling acted with such prompt wisdom that she rescued one of the most beloved poems ever penned.
The clever American showman, P. T. Barnum, once used his vital Action Power to earn $336,000 in ten days.
Dr. Gideon Mantell’s persistent actions resulted in one of the most astonishing discoveries in the history of mankind.
In his own way, each of these people used his inner Action Power to win personal success.
You, too, in your own way, can use your Action Power to achieve the special prizes you want. How come? Because the scientific principles of Action belong to the man who simply takes them. Employing a principle of Action might be likened to owning your own pleasure boat—you need only climb aboard and let it carry you enjoyably to your destinations.
What can Action do for you?
It can make success your daily habit.
Who can use it?
Anyone who wishes to change his life.
Where can you start?
Right where you are at this very moment.
So...let’s now adventure together toward your miraculous Action Power, and gain an exciting new life!
VERNON HOWARD
YOUR FIRST MAGICAL STEP
Perform your first act of magic right now!
Before starting this book, please turn to Chapter 16 on page 195. Read the information about your twelve guides to action.
By doing this you will already be on your way toward an exciting future. You will start changing your life through Action Power.
1—LET’S PLUNGE INTO ACTION RIGHT NOW
WHAT IS INACTION?
That’s when you watch someone else kiss the girl.
What is action?
That’s when you step up and kiss the girl yourself!
There you have just about the simplest explanation possible of the difference between an empty life and one of exciting action. The really thrilling life is one where you personally take part in everything pleasurable. One of the saddest realizations a person can have is that he is not actively participating in his own life.
Later in this chapter I want to give you six magic words. They will place you in the very center of richly rewarding action.
The happy truth is, no one needs to be left out of life’s riches. One woman who discovered this truth told me, "For a long time I’ve been enviously observing life from a distance. But I’m all through with that. From now on I’m going to live."
WHAT HAPPENED WHEN CLEOPATRA ACTED
As we go along in this book you will learn of dozens of effective actions that get you what you want. I’d like to tell you a classic story that introduces you to several of them.
You probably remember a few things about that fabulous beauty, Cleopatra, Queen of the Nile. At one time she was in lively competition with her brother for the throne of Egypt. To add to her problems, the Roman armies of Julius Caesar had just landed at Alexandria. Conquest and loot were their first objectives.
But Cleopatra was as clever as she was beautiful. She reasoned that if she could reach Caesar ahead of her brother she could win the Roman ruler over to her side of the fence. So off she set with only one servant to sell her case to the Emperor of Rome.
Cleopatra had no idea of what she could say to Julius, but she did know what she was going to do. And what she did was something Caesar never forgot! She wrapped herself in an Oriental rug and had herself carried to Caesar’s headquarters. The shapely princess was unrolled at Caesar’s feet—and what a dramatic meeting that was! The Roman ruler was delightfully impressed with the lovely lady who was clad about as scantily as modesty permits.
As you might guess, that spectacular entrance sold Caesar on the spot. He not only placed Cleopatra on the throne of Egypt but practically turned his home town of Rome over to her.
The Queen of the Nile knew a thing or two about successful action. For one thing, she knew what she wanted. And that, as we will discover in going through these pages, is half the game.
Another thing. She knew the secret of persuading other people to her way of thinking. That is certainly a necessary and profitable type of action that you will discover in Chapter 8.
Finally, this energetic Egyptian enchantress used a type of action that wins when all else fails—daring. The pleasures and profits of daring action will also be taken up in later pages.
YOUR HAPPINESS AND ACTION
Another type of action needed by everyone is the kind supplying inner peace. It’s no good making a million dollars if your heart aches. There is no point in being president of your company if you are enslaved by agonizing emotions. It’s useless getting applause during the day if you toss restlessly on your bed at night.
Happiness is in action, and every power is intended for action; human happiness, therefore, can only be complete as all the powers have their full and legitimate play.
(Thomas)
A book by Dr. Albert Ellis and Dr. Robert A. Harper carries this message:
In many important respects, then, it would appear that action, particularly when it takes the form of creative, intensely absorbing activity, is one of the mainstays of happy human living...{1}
Genuine action gives you the double value of exterior prosperity and inner quietness.
There is a reason why a man doesn’t have both, but there is no reason why a man can’t have both.
When you plunge into genuine action, you get right results.
When you act wrongly, you get wrong outcomes.
It is really as simple as that.
Genuine action is the final secret of successful living.
WE ALL NEED EXCITING ACTION
Who, do you suppose, needs more action?
You. I. Everyone. All of us need the magic power of exciting action if we are to live happily and productively.
We must have it. Every day. In variety. Life is action. Man is born for action; he ought to do something.
(Aloysius)
A panel of experts in human relations, including a psychiatrist, clergyman, and a municipal judge, once interviewed several hundred people in an effort to help them enrich their lives. What did they find? Underlying the many problems and yearnings was this major complaint:
Not enough satisfying action.
Our own need for richer action causes us to respect those men and women who act. Notice how we admire people who get things done. We look up to the business executive who plows through difficulties to establish a financial kingdom. We admire the artist or musician who creates a lasting work of art. We recognize and appreciate the acts of parents who guide their children, or the teacher who patiently trains young minds.
In a lighter note, we even admire this type of action:
He floats through the air
With the greatest of ease,
The daring young man
On the flying trapeze.
His actions are graceful,
All girls he can please,
And my love he has stolen away.
Here we have a man who could please all the girls, especially one.
How come?
Well, now, because he was a man of action. A rascal maybe, but at least he wasn’t dull!
A psychologist from one of our colleges uses a large cardboard picture to illustrate our need for swinging forward. The picture shows two bells, each in its own tower. One bell is swinging merrily; the other is motionless and silent. Below the motionless bell the crowds walk by, ignoring it. But below the swinging bell everyone looks up with interest and appreciation.
Let that remind you,
the point is made, that it’s the swinging personality who attracts success.
Act up! There are delightful surprises awaiting the man who will simply plunge into persistent action, more action, energetic action, any action.
I want to tell you about one of these surprises. Let’s call it:
YOUR SECRET SERVANT NAMED SERENDIPITY
Have you ever succeeded at anything by employing your secret servant called serendipity?
No doubt you have. Dozens of times. Probably, however, you didn’t call it by that curiously rhythmic word. (Say serendipity
aloud a few times and it will probably run through your head for awhile!)
What is it?
Well, it boarded Columbus’ ship, the Santa Maria, and steered her toward the New World.
Serendipity assisted John D. Rockefeller to establish his financial empire.
It secretly served Charles Goodyear when that inventor accidentally discovered the vulcanization of rubber.
Serendipity means that you discover something of value when on the track of something else. It means that while you are working for a certain result a better one turns up. It’s an unexpected and delightful prize. The businessman who makes a profitable contact while having fun at a party is helped by serendipity. So is the woman who goes shopping for shoes and runs across just the right earrings.
This curiously beneficial power was given the catchy name of serendipity by British novelist Horace Walpole. In one of his books, The Three Princes of Serendip, he tells about people who find wondrous treasures while searching for other things. You’ll find the word defined in larger dictionaries.
Serendipity is always at your