m I reacting to, and above all, as authors and communicators what can we avoid that he has done, perhaps inadvertently, to turn me, and perhaps legions of others, off?

Five things, as it turns out:

(1) The Secret’s author claims no special knowledge. She suddenly had an insight about the notion that in life we get the results that we think about, and then felt it was her mission to share thi

That familiar, slightly annoyed feeling came over me again.

I had started reading a certain New York Times bestselling book at least twice before, but still I felt I hadn’t really cracked it.

Some of my scribbles and underlines peppered the margins and the text, proving I had trekked that way before, but somehow this tome was an utter stranger to me.

Having dabbled in some recent business transactions with success, I decided to see what lessons this book could teach me because the author had amassed a fortune.

Here and there, I liked what I read. There were tips such as, “Don’t listen to frightened people,” and “Know the difference between assets and expenses.”

I caught myself thinking, “This is good stuff, but why am I put off by this book?”

Contrast this feeling with those reported by readers of The Secret, a current bestseller.

The other day, I took the time to read 250 of some 1,200 reviews of that book at Amazon, figuring it was going to lead me to some insights about what today’s readers are really buying, and above all, what they are recommending to their friends and work mates.

I could sense readers like the author and whenever there is a criticism of the book it isn’t about her, just about the content. This is an amazing feat when you think about it.

How can you become rich and famous and not arouse the sort of inevitable disdain and disapproval that accomplishments bring?

The author that wrote the book I’ve been reading has somehow alienated me. Having done a jealousy test, I think I have passed with flying colors.

So, what am I reacting to, and above all, as authors and communicators what can we avoid that he has done, perhaps inadvertently, to turn me, and perhaps legions of others, off?

Five things, as it turns out:

(1) The Secret’s author claims no special knowledge. She suddenly had an insight about the notion that in life we get the results that we think about, and then felt it was her mission to share this

ess transactions with success, I decided to see what lessons this book could teach me because the author had amassed a fortune.

Here and there, I liked what I read. There were tips such as, “Don’t listen to frightened people,” and “Know the difference between assets and expenses.”

I caught myself thinking, “This is good stuff, but why am I put off by this book?”

Contrast this feeling with those reported by readers of The Secret, a current bestseller.

The other day, I took the time to read 250 of some 1,200 reviews of that book at Amazon, figuring it was going to lead me to some insights about what today’s readers are really buying, and above all, what they are recommending to their friends and work mates.

I could sense readers like the author and whenever there is a criticism of the book it isn’t about her, just about the content. This is an amazing feat when you think about it.

How can you become rich and famous and not arouse the sort of inevitable disdain and disapproval that accomplishments bring?

The author that wrote the book I’ve been reading has somehow alienated me. Having done a jealousy test, I think I have passed with flying colors.

So, what am I reacting to, and above all, as authors and communicators what can we avoid that he has done, perhaps inadvertently, to turn me, and perhaps legions of others, off?

Five things, as it turns out:

(1) The Secret’s author claims no special knowledge. She suddenly had an insight about the notion that in life we get the results that we think about, and then felt it was her mission to share thi

th those reported by readers of The Secret, a current bestseller.

The other day, I took the time to read 250 of some 1,200 reviews of that book at Amazon, figuring it was going to lead me to some insights about what today’s readers are really buying, and above all, what they are recommending to their friends and work mates.

I could sense readers like the author and whenever there is a criticism of the book it isn’t about her, just about the content. This is an amazing feat when you think about it.

How can you become rich and famous and not arouse the sort of inevitable disdain and disapproval that accomplishments bring?

The author that wrote the book I’ve been reading has somehow alienated me. Having done a jealousy test, I think I have passed with flying colors.

So, what am I reacting to, and above all, as authors and communicators what can we avoid that he has done, perhaps inadvertently, to turn me, and perhaps legions of others, off?

Five things, as it turns out:

(1) The Secret’s author claims no special knowledge. She suddenly had an insight about the notion that in life we get the results that we think about, and then felt it was her mission to share thi

sm of the book it isn’t about her, just about the content. This is an amazing feat when you think about it.

How can you become rich and famous and not arouse the sort of inevitable disdain and disapproval that accomplishments bring?

The author that wrote the book I’ve been reading has somehow alienated me. Having done a jealousy test, I think I have passed with flying colors.

So, what am I reacting to, and above all, as authors and communicators what can we avoid that he has done, perhaps inadvertently, to turn me, and perhaps legions of others, off?

Five things, as it turns out:

(1) The Secret’s author claims no special knowledge. She suddenly had an insight about the notion that in life we get the results that we think about, and then felt it was her mission to share thi

m I reacting to, and above all, as authors and communicators what can we avoid that he has done, perhaps inadvertently, to turn me, and perhaps legions of others, off?

Five things, as it turns out:

(1) The Secret’s author claims no special knowledge. She suddenly had an insight about the notion that in life we get the results that we think about, and then felt it was her mission to share this thought with others. Readers like people who are just like them, but, maybe a little luckier, hoping the same fortune will shine on them.

(2) “My” author claims he learned his financial lessons from someone else, whom he names. Then he says he personally validated the idea and claims it is universal. The Secret’s author cites over 60 thinkers over the course of time who validate her idea. Maybe there is credibility-in-numbers operating here.

(3) Although my author seems grateful for his success, he also seems smug about it, and self-righteous. The Secret’s author seems genuinely humble, judging from her readers’ reactions. Though a few highly religious Bible believers are offended, as many or more feel their faith is completely unthreatened by her views. That, also, is a major achievement.

(4) Most of us would like being rich, but we’re ambivalent about it, unsure that this sort of success will help us to be happier. My author seems to say a person simply cannot be happy working as an employee for others. He or she has to be self-employed, on her own, striking it rich to be fulfilled. The Secret’s author says her principle will get you whatever you want in life, including, but not limited to dollars.

(5) Readers of The Secret almost all say, “I knew that!” and the author did them a service by “reminding them” of what they knew. My author says, “You didn’t know this before, and if I didn’t point it out, you’d still be ignorant.” A wise person once remarked that people like being told what to do, but even more we like to fight, especially those very people who tell us what to