Psycho-cybernetics
by Maxwell Maltz · first published 1960
72% recommend28% neutral
Why HN recommends it
Self-image-focused self-help by a plastic surgeon, covering visualization and goal-setting techniques. Readers say it changed how they see themselves and their goals. Suits anyone with a negative self-image.
Summarised by Claude from recommending comments
Cybernetics (loosely translated from the Greek): “a helmsman who steers his ship to port.” Psycho-Cybernetics is a term coined by Dr. Maxwell Maltz, which means, “steering your mind to a productive, useful goal so you can reach the greatest port in the world, peace of mind.” Since its first publication in 1960, Maltz’s landmark bestseller has inspired and enhanced the lives of more than 30 million readers. In this updated edition, with a new introduction and editorial commentary by Matt Furey, president of the Psycho-Cybernetics Foundation, the original text has been annotated and amplified
Affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
Mentions per year
What Hacker News says
Related books
2014–2024Beelzebub's tales to his grandson
Georges Ivanovitch Gurdjieff, A. Orage, Jeanne de Salzmann, Henri Tracol
Recommended by 4 · mentioned by 84 recommend · 8 mention4 recommend · 84 recommend
2009–2025Dynamics of software development
McCarthy, Jim
Recommended by 10 · mentioned by 1610 recommend · 16 mention10 recommend · 1610 recommend
2011–2023Your brain at work
David Rock
Recommended by 11 · mentioned by 1611 recommend · 16 mention11 recommend · 1611 recommend
2009–2024Wherever You Go, There You Are
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Recommended by 17 · mentioned by 1917 recommend · 19 mention17 recommend · 1917 recommend
2010–2026The Once and Future King
T. H. White
Recommended by 13 · mentioned by 2613 recommend · 26 mention13 recommend · 2613 recommend
2015–2026Hogfather
Terry Pratchett
Recommended by 13 · mentioned by 2913 recommend · 29 mention13 recommend · 2913 recommend
2007–2026Think and Grow Rich
Napoleon Hill
Recommended by 81 · mentioned by 14581 recommend · 145 mention81 recommend · 14581 recommend
2010–2026The Human Use of Human Beings
Norbert Wiener
Recommended by 12 · mentioned by 3212 recommend · 32 mention12 recommend · 3212 recommend
The original classic book "Psycho-Cybernetics" -Dr. Maxwell Maltz is based on the theory that our brains can't tell the difference between reality and a vivid imagining of an event. So true. I urge you to buy and read the original--not the Dan Kennedy…
on “Most of the Mind Can’t Tell Fact from Fiction” ↗"Basic Economics: A Citizen's Guide to the Economy" by Thomas Sowell. I read this as a teenager with only limited exposure to economics and it cleared up many misconceptions I held. "Psycho-cybernetics" by Maxwell Maltz. A plastic surgeon shares his techniques for achieving your goals in life. 95% if not more of self-help books today borrow (consciously or not) ideas discussed in this book, and often…
on “Ask HN: Mind bending books to read and never be the same as before?” ↗…level is generally tied into one's self-image, and the only barrier to being smarter is your natural reluctance to become a different person. For self-image engineering the best books I've found are "Psycho Cybernetics" by Maltz and "With Winning in Mind" by Bassham. https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/447454.Monsters_and_Magi... https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/956297.Trance_Formations https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/155981.Psycho_Cybernetic...…
on “Hacking the Brain” ↗Not exactly unknown but rarely mentioned these days: Psycho-Cybernetics, A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life (1960) by Dr Maxwell Maltz, MD. A foundational work in the field of self-image and more generally self-growth. Sort of the missing link between Hill-Carnegie…
on “Ask HN: What are the best unknown books you have read?” ↗Cool. A somewhat related self help book about that from 1960: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psycho-Cybernetics “Maltz became interested in why setting goals works. He learned that the power of self-affirmation and mental visualization techniques used the connection between the mind and the body. He specified…
on “How I Programmed Myself” ↗Posted on a previous thread Flow mihaly csikszentmihalyi Psycho cybernetics by Dr. Maltz. Helped me grapple with my midlife crisis and gave me true purpose- to achieve my goals on my own terms. No something set by the society’s concept of achievement. Highly recommend reading…
on “Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021?” ↗Went through this process exactly the same "mid-life crisis" couple of years ago. The books; The Flow-> Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Psycho-Cybernetics -> Maxwell Maltz both helped me pull through it. In my own specific case, it was a combination of lackluster jobs and our own autistic son's growth issues. I fixed my lackluster jobs by challenging myself…
on “Ask HN: Activity and reading to move through mid-life crisis?” ↗Psycho-Cybernetics http://www.amazon.com/Psycho-Cybernetics-New-More-Living-Lif... probably the best self-help book I've ever read.. Teaches a lot about how to think.
on “What are you reading?” ↗…Time Think and Grow Rich Superior Man David Deida The Fountain Head Eckhart Tolle New Earth 50th Law Good to Great Jed Mckenna Earl Nightengale Long Walk to Freedom Outliers Good to Great Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz (Self-image) Seven Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey(Being awesome) Wealth of Nations Wayne Dyer The Tao System of the World Origin of Species Brave new world Thank…
on “Ask HN: What are some Good Books you have read in past one year or so..” ↗Read this book or grab the audible. http://www.amazon.com/Psycho-Cybernetics-New-More-Living-Lif...
on “Ask HN: What can I do to turn things around and make my 30's “good”?” ↗Think and grow rich by napolean hill (read his golden rules as well), psycho cybernetics by maxwell maltz, Tao Teching by Lao Tsu (written centuries ago, it will give you deep insights on leadership), power of now by eckhart tolle, jonathan livingston seagull by richard bach, and of course…
on “Ask HN: What are your non-technical non-fiction recommended reads?” ↗http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/155981.Psycho_Cybernetics... It has completely changed my thought process and helped me with self-realization. Not CS relevant, however an interesting read.
on “Ask HN: What are the best books that changed your life in 2015?” ↗…Effective Executive - Peter Drucker (terrific book chalked full of wisdom. recommended) The Magic of Thinking Big - David Schwartz (recommended) Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us - Seth Godin (recommended) Psycho-Cybernetics: A New Way to Get More Living Out of Life - Maxwell Maltz (first published in 1960, this incredible book has been, hands down, the most impactful book I read all year. This book helped me finally weed…
on “Ask HN: Books you read in 2016?” ↗Another good resource is Psycho-cybernetics by Dr. Maxwell Maltz https://www.amazon.com/Psycho-Cybernetics-Updated-Expanded-M...
on “Ask HN: Reliable Strategy for Behavior Change?” ↗Psycho-Cybernetics by Maxwell Maltz was one of the most profound books I've ever read. It combines cognitive behavior techniques with cybernetics (developed by Norbert Wiener and John von Neumann) to help manage ones minds…
on “Ask HN: What books changed the way you think about almost everything?” ↗