Comments on: That’s The Secret?! http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/ Book and blog reviews for savvy entrepreneurs Thu, 12 Nov 2009 03:28:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: bee http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-675 bee Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:45:28 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-675 Thanks. I've been wondering about that book myself, thinking about getting it just because it seems so popular. Because what works works. But it sounds as much, if not more than, a scam as all of the other "self-help"books out there. Amazing that it became so polular. Although if you are now talking on you iphone to a hot UPS guy who brought it to you out of the blue, please do update! ;) Thanks. I’ve been wondering about that book myself, thinking about getting it just because it seems so popular. Because what works works. But it sounds as much, if not more than, a scam as all of the other “self-help”books out there. Amazing that it became so polular.

Although if you are now talking on you iphone to a hot UPS guy who brought it to you out of the blue, please do update! ;)

]]> By: John Stevens http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-180 John Stevens Thu, 20 Sep 2007 20:18:24 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-180 The Secret in so many ways struck me as a children's book. And, then, I realized that American adults have become more-and-more child-like even as they pursue more-and-more material goods, engendering more-and-more bad will as they clog roads with more-and-more gas-guzzling uglies. We've become a lot of selfish little piggies and the only way to get yours is to know the Secret. Oh goodness, New Zealand isn't far enough away from this culture at this point :) The Secret in so many ways struck me as a children’s book. And, then, I realized that American adults have become more-and-more child-like even as they pursue more-and-more material goods, engendering more-and-more bad will as they clog roads with more-and-more gas-guzzling uglies. We’ve become a lot of selfish little piggies and the only way to get yours is to know the Secret. Oh goodness, New Zealand isn’t far enough away from this culture at this point :)

]]> By: Thom Rutledge http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-147 Thom Rutledge Sun, 09 Sep 2007 05:33:29 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-147 Deb asks about Wallace Wattles's book, The Science of Getting Rich. First, it is just fun to say this author's name. Try saying it 3 times fast: Wallace Wattles, Wallace Wattles, Wallace Wattles. Can't do it, can you? And tell me that trying it doesn't make you break out into laughter. Well, then, that's something to be said for that book. I do remember coming across this book many years ago, as I was working to expand my business as a public speaker. I really liked the book, but I don't remember it claiming to be the ultimate truth like The Secret does. (I could be mis-remembering that.) I do remember one thing that Mr. Wattles (Mr. Wattles, Mr. Wattles, Mr. Wattles) repeated throughout his book. It really spoke to the power of process and intention and attitude. It was this: "Successful people are not people who do certain things, they are people who do things in a certain way." I still love that. Now, here is THE BOOK to read on the subject of The Secret. It is by Karen Kelly and is called The Secret of the Secret. Very smart, well researched, well written. You can link to it on amazon via my www.thesecretantidote.com web site. TR Deb asks about Wallace Wattles’s book, The Science of Getting Rich. First, it is just fun to say this author’s name. Try saying it 3 times fast: Wallace Wattles, Wallace Wattles, Wallace Wattles. Can’t do it, can you? And tell me that trying it doesn’t make you break out into laughter. Well, then, that’s something to be said for that book.

I do remember coming across this book many years ago, as I was working to expand my business as a public speaker. I really liked the book, but I don’t remember it claiming to be the ultimate truth like The Secret does. (I could be mis-remembering that.) I do remember one thing that Mr. Wattles (Mr. Wattles, Mr. Wattles, Mr. Wattles) repeated throughout his book. It really spoke to the power of process and intention and attitude. It was this: “Successful people are not people who do certain things, they are people who do things in a certain way.” I still love that.

Now, here is THE BOOK to read on the subject of The Secret. It is by Karen Kelly and is called The Secret of the Secret. Very smart, well researched, well written. You can link to it on amazon via my http://www.thesecretantidote.com web site.

TR

]]> By: Diane http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-50 Diane Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:53:41 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-50 Fireflower -- I totally thought about the Santa Claus thing when I was writing my "mock" letter to the Universe in my review. Great job of pointing that out. But, I'm a fan of believing in Santa Claus -- for the fun of it -- not for the material goods. I don't see the fun in "the secret." Diane Fireflower — I totally thought about the Santa Claus thing when I was writing my “mock” letter to the Universe in my review. Great job of pointing that out. But, I’m a fan of believing in Santa Claus — for the fun of it — not for the material goods. I don’t see the fun in “the secret.”

Diane

]]> By: Fireflower http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-49 Fireflower Fri, 17 Aug 2007 17:36:07 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-49 I have watched the video version of the Secret and listened to the audio version of the book (which I found to be remarkably rife with negativity for being an advocate of unwavering positivity)and have encountered a number of neon red flags. First, I'm all for the idea of taking responsibility for your own experience of life and that maintaining a positive outlook will improve your individual experience of life. However, the Secret seems to be advocating nothing more than wishful thinking while providing a convenient "out" for the author and the "teachers", specifically this: If the desires that you've envisioned don't manifest, it isn't because you've taken their poor advice to spend all your time in La La Land. Your problem is that you don't believe completely enough, you haven't imagined it clearly enough to make the magic happen. It's your own damn fault, so close your eyes and dream harder. Secondly, nowhere in the Secret is a call to action. In fact, it says quite specificaly that there is no need to act, just dream and wait for all good things to come to you. I can get behind the ideas of deciding what you want, imagining it and focusing on it, but the real secret is completely missing from their formula-you've got to act. You can imagine a fine feast all you want, but for it to manifest, somebody's got to cook. Finally, has anyone else noticed the similarity between The Secret and Santa Clause? The presents don't arrive in places where one's fondest wish is to have enough food to eat and clean water to drink. The so-called Universal law appears only to apply where bellies are always full and the leisure exists to lust after relatively useless things like expensive sports cars. I have watched the video version of the Secret and listened to the audio version of the book (which I found to be remarkably rife with negativity for being an advocate of unwavering positivity)and have encountered a number of neon red flags.

First, I’m all for the idea of taking responsibility for your own experience of life and that maintaining a positive outlook will improve your individual experience of life. However, the Secret seems to be advocating nothing more than wishful thinking while providing a convenient “out” for the author and the “teachers”, specifically this:

If the desires that you’ve envisioned don’t manifest, it isn’t because you’ve taken their poor advice to spend all your time in La La Land. Your problem is that you don’t believe completely enough, you haven’t imagined it clearly enough to make the magic happen. It’s your own damn fault, so close your eyes and dream harder.

Secondly, nowhere in the Secret is a call to action. In fact, it says quite specificaly that there is no need to act, just dream and wait for all good things to come to you. I can get behind the ideas of deciding what you want, imagining it and focusing on it, but the real secret is completely missing from their formula-you’ve got to act. You can imagine a fine feast all you want, but for it to manifest, somebody’s got to cook.

Finally, has anyone else noticed the similarity between The Secret and Santa Clause? The presents don’t arrive in places where one’s fondest wish is to have enough food to eat and clean water to drink. The so-called Universal law appears only to apply where bellies are always full and the leisure exists to lust after relatively useless things like expensive sports cars.

]]> By: Leah Oviedo http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-44 Leah Oviedo Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:22:14 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-44 You make a good point. I never actually read the book. I always thought it was more of a self help type of book. It just seems like someone pointing out tobvious, if you think good things will happen, they will. It sounds like a book on how to be an optimist more than a get rich quick or career advice book. I Love your blog, I found it on the DWC website. You make a good point. I never actually read the book. I always thought it was more of a self help type of book.
It just seems like someone pointing out tobvious, if you think good things will happen, they will. It sounds like a book on how to be an optimist more than a get rich quick or career advice book.
I Love your blog, I found it on the DWC website.

]]> By: Leonard Klaatu http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-39 Leonard Klaatu Tue, 14 Aug 2007 17:00:28 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-39 The secret - which isn't so much a secret for some - is how naive people can be. This morning I watched an online video of a third tier (not a commonly known) "guru" as he made a speech to a large group. In 90 minutes he said nothing, but people were applauding as though he had delivered a pearl of great wisdom. He sells products on his website for hundreds of dollars (like so many other do) and he had absolutely NOTHING to say that was worth hearing! I guess the real secret is that people have money to spend on trying to find a secret to making more money. And there are plenty of people like Wattles, Byrne and others who will readily take it. They may be the only ones who have found a secret - but I suspect the streets are full of con artists who have secrets as well. The secret – which isn’t so much a secret for some – is how naive people can be. This morning I watched an online video of a third tier (not a commonly known) “guru” as he made a speech to a large group. In 90 minutes he said nothing, but people were applauding as though he had delivered a pearl of great wisdom. He sells products on his website for hundreds of dollars (like so many other do) and he had absolutely NOTHING to say that was worth hearing! I guess the real secret is that people have money to spend on trying to find a secret to making more money. And there are plenty of people like Wattles, Byrne and others who will readily take it. They may be the only ones who have found a secret – but I suspect the streets are full of con artists who have secrets as well.

]]> By: Deb http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-37 Deb Tue, 14 Aug 2007 16:32:25 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-37 I am just wondering what your thoughts are on ?? The book behind the secret ?? Wallace D Wattles The science Of Getting Rich I have learned a lot and not put in a penny Just curious Thanks I am just wondering what your thoughts are on ??
The book behind the secret ??
Wallace D Wattles The science Of Getting Rich
I have learned a lot and not put in a penny
Just curious
Thanks

]]> By: Diane http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-35 Diane Mon, 13 Aug 2007 21:39:04 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-35 Good to hear I'm not alone in thinking this whole "Secret" thing was a bit "out there." But, look at it this way, it did work for the authors. They got people to give them lots and lots of money, and I hope that as a result they've all found true love, lost weight and are supremely happy with themselves. But, I don't mean that resentfully because I almost think they deserve it. After all, they brilliantly exploited an American society that lives in debt in order to buy material goods, pops pills as a cure-all, and worships people like "the hotel heiress who shall remain nameless as I've promised never to write about her again." Now, that's one heck of a business plan! Good to hear I’m not alone in thinking this whole “Secret” thing was a bit “out there.” But, look at it this way, it did work for the authors. They got people to give them lots and lots of money, and I hope that as a result they’ve all found true love, lost weight and are supremely happy with themselves.

But, I don’t mean that resentfully because I almost think they deserve it. After all, they brilliantly exploited an American society that lives in debt in order to buy material goods, pops pills as a cure-all, and worships people like “the hotel heiress who shall remain nameless as I’ve promised never to write about her again.”

Now, that’s one heck of a business plan!

]]> By: Thom Rutledge http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/comment-page-1/#comment-34 Thom Rutledge Mon, 13 Aug 2007 20:32:53 +0000 http://topshelf.entrepreneur.com/2007/08/10/thats-the-secret/#comment-34 Thank you for being one more voice to point to the shameless hype called "The Secret." Beyond this material just being ridiculous, as a psychotherapist, I see the real dangers of this kind of product ---- reinforcing negative, self-condemning belief systems of some very vulnerable people. I believe speaking out --- loudly --- about the ridiculous "secret" is in the best interest of everyone. I believe this enough to have created a new web site just for this purpose. Please help me spread "The Antidote" around. (You have to pay for The Secret, but The Antidote is free.) www.thesecretantidote.com Thom Rutledge Thank you for being one more voice to point to the shameless hype called “The Secret.” Beyond this material just being ridiculous, as a psychotherapist, I see the real dangers of this kind of product —- reinforcing negative, self-condemning belief systems of some very vulnerable people. I believe speaking out — loudly — about the ridiculous “secret” is in the best interest of everyone. I believe this enough to have created a new web site just for this purpose. Please help me spread “The Antidote” around. (You have to pay for The Secret, but The Antidote is free.)

http://www.thesecretantidote.com

Thom Rutledge

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