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The ABCs of Success: The Essential Principles from America's Greatest Prosperity Teacher
An accessible guide to the principles of success by one of the most respected and sought-after motivational speakers of our time. In the tradition of Og Mandino and Zig Ziglar, this inspirational guide uses a wide variety of subjects, from “Achievement” to “Worry,” to bring clarity, information, and motivation to readers. For millions of readers, Bob Proctor’s name is synonymous with success. A former protégé of personal development pioneer Earl Nightingale, Proctor first built a wildly successful business career, and then an internationally successful speaking career, elaborating on the principles of Napoleon Hill’s Think and Grow Rich and other classic success and prosperity texts. Proctor’s position in the business motivation community equals that of Stephen Covey or Og Mandino. But as is not the case with those masters, his books have never been available to the general public—until now! In The ABCs of Success—the first trade book ever published by this master of motivation and prosperity—Proctor goes beyond the simple laws of success and attraction, weighing in on sixty-seven different topics essential to all those who wish to make their dreams a reality, including persistence, winning, effectiveness, and vision. Organized in A-to-Z fashion and composed of brief essays that can be read over and over, The ABCs of Success is an essential resource for anyone who wants the combined wisdom of a century of success thinking in a single, accessible volume.
226 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2001
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
January 24, 2017
Listened to the audiobook (x2 speed). Proctor shares a lot of wisdom collected from many, many sources. It can sound condescending at times, but taken with an open heart, it may just be exactly what you needed to hear. I liked the organization of the concepts: lots of chunks for my commute. Worth a read.
Favourite quotes:
"Your results are a physical or outward expression of the inner conditioning in your subconscious mind. Your behaviour is causing your results, and your conditioning is causing your behaviour."
"You should never be satisfied - happy but not satisfied. Dissatisfaction is a creative state."
"As is our confidence, so is our capacity."
"The chatter of the masses: if you are not mentally on guard, you will be swept into this useless waste of time and energy. If you don't consciously and deliberately create order in your mind, your environment or the people surrounding you will dictate your mental state of being."
"The minister said that the saddest thing when he is officiating at a funeral is not the death of the body but the death of all the dreams... Think of the millions that go to their graves with the music still in them."
"Amateurs compete with other people, but professionals compete with themselves."
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." ~ George S. Patton
"Time is what we want most but what we use worst."
"Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential."
Favourite quotes:
"Your results are a physical or outward expression of the inner conditioning in your subconscious mind. Your behaviour is causing your results, and your conditioning is causing your behaviour."
"You should never be satisfied - happy but not satisfied. Dissatisfaction is a creative state."
"As is our confidence, so is our capacity."
"The chatter of the masses: if you are not mentally on guard, you will be swept into this useless waste of time and energy. If you don't consciously and deliberately create order in your mind, your environment or the people surrounding you will dictate your mental state of being."
"The minister said that the saddest thing when he is officiating at a funeral is not the death of the body but the death of all the dreams... Think of the millions that go to their graves with the music still in them."
"Amateurs compete with other people, but professionals compete with themselves."
"If everyone is thinking alike, then somebody isn't thinking." ~ George S. Patton
"Time is what we want most but what we use worst."
"Continuous effort, not strength or intelligence, is the key to unlocking our potential."
February 12, 2019
Mainstream but good reminders!!
August 5, 2019
ReedIII Quick Review: Basic rehashed traditional motivational advice that continue to stand the test of time. Motivation reading like bathing works best when repeated daily.
January 22, 2022
Mainstream for sure but lots of little knowledge pieces. Goes by quick
July 2, 2023
I really enjoy Bob Proctor. This book is like a lot of his recordings. If you enjoy Bob Proctor, you will enjoy this book, simple.
April 3, 2022
Bob Proctor’s greatest hits
This book is the best compilation of Bob Proctor’s thinking, with 67 different topics neatly categorized into bite size chapters in A-to-Z style that cover everything from business to personal matters.
The chapters themselves consist of nearly 4 decades of wisdom acquired from Proctor’s experience as a speaker, consultant, coach, mentor, lecturer and author of more than a dozen books, wrapped within only 204 pages. Hence, the concise, easy to digest, nature of the book.
Although by today’s standard the majority of what he wrote about have become a common knowledge or practice, the book is an excellent reminder of the good old fashioned values and the perspectives that may have been forgotten along the way. It is akin to a last good conversation with a very wise grandfather. A soothing read, R. I. P. Bob Proctor.
This book is the best compilation of Bob Proctor’s thinking, with 67 different topics neatly categorized into bite size chapters in A-to-Z style that cover everything from business to personal matters.
The chapters themselves consist of nearly 4 decades of wisdom acquired from Proctor’s experience as a speaker, consultant, coach, mentor, lecturer and author of more than a dozen books, wrapped within only 204 pages. Hence, the concise, easy to digest, nature of the book.
Although by today’s standard the majority of what he wrote about have become a common knowledge or practice, the book is an excellent reminder of the good old fashioned values and the perspectives that may have been forgotten along the way. It is akin to a last good conversation with a very wise grandfather. A soothing read, R. I. P. Bob Proctor.
February 5, 2019
Everything I dislike in the self development genre. Hug-boxing about how amazing you are and how the only thing between you and success is your own inaction, recycling advice from the same most-quoted people that every other self development book uses (Roosevelt, Ford, Keller) and not enough actual concrete advice. The only ones I can remember off the top of my head is to write a goal on an index card and carry it with you and watch how the goal happens by magic. Oh, and watch less television. Not worth it.
June 11, 2016
باب پراکتر این بار با کتابی دیگر با عنوان الفبای موفقیت به میدان آمده . این کتاب به اشخاص کمک میکند تا به رویاهای خود برسند .
July 31, 2017
I loved this book, I read it through the online library, but now I want to purchase it to reread again and again! Great insight!
February 14, 2025
DNF, Bob is one of my idols but his books just don't do it for me, the writing is so bland when compared with his electrifying stage presence and inspiring, passionate way of speaking, books can't live up to that! I think an audiobook read by him would be better. This is transcripts from different talks, which I thought would be more lively but it just feels very basic and obvious for the most part, I read several sections that resonated with me currently but skipped the rest. I think I'll be sticking with his DVDs.
July 4, 2023
Although it’s sort of repeating a few of Bob’s previous writings (teachings), I found this book very well arranged, and even am thinking of conducting a book club (or daily chapter on each subject) on YouTube. Short and sweet advice that can be reviewed, reflected on continuously.
February 12, 2018
Very inspirational book, and it's something that I'll come back to in the future.
August 21, 2018
Great personal development book.
April 9, 2019
An excellent recap of his teaching.
October 25, 2019
Good book
December 4, 2019
Listening to Bob you end up hearing same things in different ways but feeling how all that works in a one way that needed repeating
March 3, 2020
Short and to the point refresher, thank you.
March 16, 2020
insightful,down to Earth knowledge.worth the read.
April 25, 2020
Good book
October 23, 2021
bite sized
perfect for reading one section a day to put yourself in a positive, productive state of mind
perfect for reading one section a day to put yourself in a positive, productive state of mind
May 31, 2022
Such a classic!
Currently Reading
October 14, 2022fantastic books i have ever read.
February 4, 2023
Amazing positivity book
Read
May 16, 2025I dont think this was terrible. Better than the rest of the scam VC tech mindset books.
September 20, 2025
Grandma was WRONG!
June 27, 2019
I can see why this guy was such a popular speaker. I really liked all the quotes from prominent people to accentuate his topics.
December 28, 2020
Many points brought up in this book challenge your perception of yourself and your business mindset. However, I feel like the principles are still quite basic and I did not vibe with this book by the time I hit the last say 30 pages or so. I ended up skimming the end of the book.
February 10, 2017
It's sometimes sad when you finish a book, you start and you look how long it will take. It's one long
book... as always such thoughts come in your moment, yesterday still reading and the privous day and now one moment you just finish it. I won't lie, I hate to repeat something which I have recently check out even I have check it out and again to do it... it's like listening to the same music again and again... you don't do it?
You listen to Dubstep, Chillstep and to rap and some other types but you don't repeat them again and again. Probably once, twice okay third for luck it's okay. But from where have you taken the "Luck"? As Sherlock Holmes says in "Elementary", luck is for idiots. So you get it!
As far in this book were repeated and materials which I have already check out from the Bob Proctor channel and some other channels so it was kind a interesting to revise something which I have forgotten and to have access to all stuff in one place. Like a collection!
So well made, a lot of stuff shared about interesting topics from which that far I have searched and books for deeper looking some topics like success like authors like Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill and many others. I'm glad that in the same time I found stuff which build me some kind of confidence, I get some kind a knowledge and even I had a chance to meet and with some other interesting authors, people and films which I have watched and are used as an example. - That far well made!
Without knowing Bob Proctor just from the book I learn a lot of stuff about him + from the youtube videos a lot of I just learn for a Canadian person who I have never met and even talk. He just made me to look deeper in his stuff, he is one interesting guy like using as an example "The Matrix" - wow that's one of my favourite movies. And many other kind of stuff, if somebody is knew and don't know Bob Proctor here you can meet him in all his colours there are some revises made in the audiobook so you can had the chance to listen to him in about 2 days or one day all day. To his voice and to think freely.
book... as always such thoughts come in your moment, yesterday still reading and the privous day and now one moment you just finish it. I won't lie, I hate to repeat something which I have recently check out even I have check it out and again to do it... it's like listening to the same music again and again... you don't do it?
You listen to Dubstep, Chillstep and to rap and some other types but you don't repeat them again and again. Probably once, twice okay third for luck it's okay. But from where have you taken the "Luck"? As Sherlock Holmes says in "Elementary", luck is for idiots. So you get it!
As far in this book were repeated and materials which I have already check out from the Bob Proctor channel and some other channels so it was kind a interesting to revise something which I have forgotten and to have access to all stuff in one place. Like a collection!
So well made, a lot of stuff shared about interesting topics from which that far I have searched and books for deeper looking some topics like success like authors like Earl Nightingale, Napoleon Hill and many others. I'm glad that in the same time I found stuff which build me some kind of confidence, I get some kind a knowledge and even I had a chance to meet and with some other interesting authors, people and films which I have watched and are used as an example. - That far well made!
Without knowing Bob Proctor just from the book I learn a lot of stuff about him + from the youtube videos a lot of I just learn for a Canadian person who I have never met and even talk. He just made me to look deeper in his stuff, he is one interesting guy like using as an example "The Matrix" - wow that's one of my favourite movies. And many other kind of stuff, if somebody is knew and don't know Bob Proctor here you can meet him in all his colours there are some revises made in the audiobook so you can had the chance to listen to him in about 2 days or one day all day. To his voice and to think freely.
May 5, 2022
Το κύριο βήμα για να πετύχεις ειναι να αναγνωρίσεις τα λαθη σου ,να τα αποδέχεσαι και τελος να τα αλλάζεις με αυτο τον τρόπο ξεκινάει ο συγγραφέας και με έβαλε απ ευθείας σε σκέψη οτι η ζωη ειναι στα χέρια μας και εμεις έχουμε την ευθύνη να περάσουμε μια επιτυχημένη και ευτυχισμένη ζωη . Το σημαντικό που πρέπει να θυμάσαι ειναι πως οτι και να κάνεις ειναι επιλογή σου . Βέβαια τίποτα δεν γίνεται αν δεν έχεις αυτοπεποίθηση οπου ειναι απαραίτητη για μια γεμάτη ζωή . Ενα ακόμα μάθημα που μου προσφέρει αυτο το βιβλίο ειναι να ειμαι διαφορετική , να ξεχωρίζω και αυτό μπορεί να γινει μέσω της δημιουργικότητας όλοι μας είμαστε δημιουργικοι. Ολα οπως έχουμε πει ειναι θέμα απόφασης γιατί εχεις τη δύναμη να καταφέρεις ότι θες γιατί τα δύο σημαντικότερα συστατικά για μια επιτυχημένη ζωη ειναι ο στόχος και η επιμονή , ετσι θα δουλέψουμε πιο αποτελεσματικά βέβαια μην ξεχνάμε οτι θελει αρκετή προσπάθεια για να φτάσουμε εκεί που θέλουμε .Επιπλέον θα αποκτήσουμε εμπειρίες ζωής που θα μας βοηθήσουν σε οτι χρειαστούμε αρκεί να έχουμε πίστη στον εαυτό μας ετσι θα εστιάσουμε σε εμάς. Φυσικά πάνω απ'όλα να έχουμε ευγνωμοσύνη για τα πάντα ότι και να γίνει. Πρέπει κάθε μερα να βελτιωνόμαστε οσο ψηλά και να είμαστε με το να είμαστε ο εαυτός μας γιατι είναι δικιά μας η ζωή. Φυσικά ολα ειναι θεμα οπτικής αν έχεις θετική στάση η ζωη κυλάει όμορφα και εχεις περισσότερη όρεξη να δουλέψεις για τα όνειρα σου. Τέλος θα αναφέρω μια φράση απο την ταινία κινουμένων σχεδίων Ρατατούης "Μονο οι γενναίοι γίνονται σπουδαίοι" . Αυτό το βιβλίο μου έδωσε τη δύναμη που χρειαζομουν και πιστεύω οτι όλοι πρέπει να το διαβάσουν.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2016
I don't remember how this book fell on my radar screen but I'm glad it did. I've worked with Bob Proctor before in the movie, the Secret. He is absolutely phenomenal.
This is a book that you don't want to read from front to back. This is a book that you want to eat the elephant with one bite at the time.
I'm returning the book to the library; however, I'm also ordering a copy from Amazon today. I want to bite off one item at a time and then incorporated in my life. Sometimes it may take me a while, maybe even 21 days. I think having it as a resource on my desk will give me this opportunity.
I highly recommend this book the secret
This is a book that you don't want to read from front to back. This is a book that you want to eat the elephant with one bite at the time.
I'm returning the book to the library; however, I'm also ordering a copy from Amazon today. I want to bite off one item at a time and then incorporated in my life. Sometimes it may take me a while, maybe even 21 days. I think having it as a resource on my desk will give me this opportunity.
I highly recommend this book the secret
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews