Leveraging the Universe and Engaging the Magic

by Mike Dooley

Leveraging the Universe, a  New York Times  bestseller, chronicles Mike Dooley's journey from fear to fortune and shares exactly how - in spite of DOUBT, UNCERTAINTY and NO LIGHT at the end of the tunnel - he prevailed (and it lays out how anyone else can do the same). It walks you through stories, explanations, and anecdotes that clearly explain the simplicity and profound power of the Universe, how to get it working for you, and all that you can have. It also includes in-depth visualization guidelines, easy belief-alignment techniques, and the 7 steps anyone can follow to get unstuck. 

Genres: Self Help, Nonfiction, Personal Development, Spirituality, Business, Psychology, Metaphysics

4 pages, Audio CD

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

Mike Dooley is a former PriceWaterhouseCoopers international tax consultant, turned entrepreneur, who's founded a philosophical Adventurers Club on the Internet that's now home to over 350,000 members from over 189 countries. His inspirational books have been published in 23 languages and he was one of the featured teachers in the international phenomenon, The Secret. Today Mike is perhaps best known for his Notes from the Universe emailings and his New York Times bestseller Infinite Possibilities: The Art of Living Your Dreams. Mike lives what he teaches, traveling internationally speaking on life, dreams, happiness.

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was overjoyed when I won a copy of Mike Dooley's book, Leveraging the Universe.

Irregardless of how I came by it, the review is the same.

Stellar.

Humor, common sense, plain speaking are all hallmarks of Mike Dooley, this book is all three and more.

A long time follower of Totally Unique Thoughts, it was a joy to see one of my not so guilty pleasures in a longer format.

Would I recommend it to others? Yes.

Did I buy copies to share for the holiday? Yes.

Would I read/recommend him again? Without a doubt.

[LemontreeLime · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had to bully myself into finishing this, and i can't say i liked it. It was okay, more of the recent new age hubbub about positive thinking being the cure for what ails ya. Didn't really speak to me but i gave it an old college try.

[Carlos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really good source to understand what is it that we have to phisically do for our dreams to come to a reality, and what is it that we have to delegate to the Universe. After getting to explore this concepts, it its unevitable to identify our power as human beings. I also got a sense of relaxation and relief by knowing that I dont have to attach to any specific way our outcome that would lead to my dreams comming true, I can just do my part (the easy part) and leave the rest to the Universe!

[L.A. Lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was very eye-opening and inspiring. A great reminder of how easy it should be to get the things we want.

[EMP · Rating 3 out of 5]

Listened to this one. Dooley doesn't "read" it but it sounds like him giving a live workshop. I like him much better when he's speaking rather than when I read his work. He's conversational and funny. If you've read/listened to his other books/interviews, there's not much new here, but it's a good reminder. I do like how he stresses that it's not your job to tell the Universe HOW to get things done. Just focus on the end result and let the Universe work it out. I've seen this in my own life - weird things come together and people who I didn't even KNOW when I was asking for something helped get me on the right path.

[Anthony Sanchez · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this look, although I consider myself a bit too rational to embrace all his opinions. But what I did like is his optimism and belief that happiness is already in our hands, that we must learn to be happy now, depending on ourselves and not on externals.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great book! I love Mike Dooley and I love the power of positive thinking!

[Yasmin · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books ever.

[Deepa · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Have goals, do whatever you can with whatever you have from wherever you are to achieve these goals, don't fret about things you can't control... nevertheless if you fail, it's on you."
is pretty much the essence of this book.

Furthermore, here are an assorted number of ways you went wrong -
1. You chased down wrong things/people (cursed who's as per the book)
2. You over-engineered your way to success (cursed how's)
3. You settled for something less before "the Universe" had the chance to give you better
4. You were either too specific or too vague with your requests to "the Universe"
5. You overshared your problems longer than you should have - so now "the Universe" thinks that is what you want and granted your wishes
6. You let your thoughts stray into negativity / you were dwelling in bad thoughts in the past - so once again "the Universe" is giving you what you asked for and you have to wait for an indeterminate time for the tide to turn
7. You didn't use the right words, frame the right sentences - now "the Universe" is confused what you want
8. You weren't thankful enough
9. You didn't start behaving like you already had what you wanted
10. You reacted to a bad event in your life, thereby perpetuated it, instead of believing it as an illusion created by you

Though I agree with the idea of "positive thinking leads to positive results" espoused in the book, I don't necessarily assent to the exposition of it. Very often, it feels like that "the Universe," supposedly my inner greater-self guiding me reach my goals, is oscillating between being incredulously obtuse and pedantic to incredibly all-knowing and all-powerful being.

Additionally, the author seem to be contradicting himself often. For instance, while talking about acting as if your dream has already manifested, he writes, "If you have a lot of debt,... don't ever pay the minimum... pay more..." In the very next page, he says, "If you are presently in debt, clearly the 'spending money to make money' concept needs a rest..." And oft, as if to play it safe, he chimes "play both ends to the middle."

My takeaway from the book - think positive, do something, anything that takes you further towards your goal, internalize the fact that things might not always work, but I never want to walk on eggshells around my thoughts, measuring my words and fretting about how I conveyed them, how it would be construed by "the Universe."

[Waris Ahmad Faizi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Empowering!

Mike Dooley’s Leveraging the Universe: 7 Steps to Engaging Life’s Magic (Abridged) is an uplifting, conversational guide that blends inspiration with practical advice, showing readers how to align their thoughts, beliefs, and small daily actions to invite bigger opportunities into their lives. Dooley’s approachable tone and clear seven-step structure make the ideas easy to follow, emphasizing “baby steps” and trusting the Universe to handle the details.

Thoughts become Things.

Recommended!

[Brigitte Van Zaal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as an audiobook and I was very surprised when I found out this was a recording from one of Mike’s workshops. Nevertheless it was nice to listen to his message and quirky humour.

I love his practical steps and down to earth approaches and most of all his own story and being an inspiration.

It shows that anything can be manifested!

🙏🏻

[Dodie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an audible by Simon & Schuster Canada. The author was reading the book and doing a presentation in a church over a couple of days. I did enjoy the book though I didn’t learn anything new and like the Secret you can poke holes through it. I took it with a grain of salt and took what worked for me.

[Katharine]

Not going to rate this one because it was all about me diving into a book I wouldn't agree with. And boy, did I disagree with it. However, it was a fascinating experiment for me to try and understand a new spiritual perspective that was previously unknown to me. I feel like I have a much deeper understanding of this worldview, even if I don't ascribe to it.

[Joy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

There was lots of information that I already read about in other motivational books. The setting out of the information was what kept me reading, and the special 'notes from the universe' are worth revisiting and recording. The author gave some very good advice and he covered, not only achieving 'success', but also the basic beliefs and truths that underlie his discussions. It was worth the read.

[William Brust · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Dooley’s book contains many theological, philosophical, and ethical errors. However, he is not wrong. Does manifestation work? Yes and no. At the end of the day, it’s about being open to opportunity and taking small steps toward a glorious future.

It does help if your parents have money though.

[Monique · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mike Dooley is one nutty character but I had fun with this. I actually got his seminar on audible to follow with this and really loved hearing his voice and funny delivery. Lots of this made great sense to me. Worth it if you need a dose of inspiration to move out of stuckness!

[Crystal Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eh, it was a decent read but not as good as I’d hoped for. I was not a fan of all the “notes from the Universe.” I found them incredibly cheesy and just kind of boring and dumb.

I don’t regret reading it, but it’s not one I’ll read again.

[Kimberly · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve followed Dooley for years. A lot of the info in this recording not only repeated itself (3X including the bonus recording) but I’ve heard it from him already through the years. Still a good refresher or a good listen for the first time.

[Tiarah lue · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved it! Very motivating ✨

[Sarah Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely and utterly phenomenal. I will have this book keeping me company and accountable and inspired on my nightstand for many years. :)

[Latasha · Rating 5 out of 5]

As far as "woo woo" spiritual books, this one is my favorite so far.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

He has his beliefs. I have mine. That's quite alright. But he is a genuine dude.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really dislike the "Notes from the Universe" but I thought he had some nice ideas, thoughts on Christianity, and exercises.

[Stephanie La Bue Robles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very uplifting. Loved it!

[Paul Gover · Rating 5 out of 5]

should be a must-read in schools a great way to look at the world and as honest a mindset as I've ever read. I'll pass this one along to friends and family.

[Paula Drouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Your thoughts become things and Mike Dooley will help you understand.

[Jaqui · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thoughts are things. Words to live by

[styx · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely stunning.

[Claudia Serrano · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book changed my whole life perspective.

[Vlad · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is just a couple of his in person lectures. Meh audio, and okay content at best. I wouldn't recommend this.