3 Elsie Lincoln Benedict Books You Should Read!

Elsie Lincoln Benedict — a name you might not hear every day, but one that certainly deserves your attention.

She was a pioneer in psychology and human behavior in the early 1900s, and she was particularly well known for her theories on the psychology of success.

If you haven’t read her books, then you’re missing out on the source material for a lot of wisdom that’s shared in modern books. She was one of the first to say things like…

"Think of it! You have over five million of these mental workers, ready and in active use; brain cells they are called."

So without further adieu, here are 3 of her books you should read right now!

Sounds obvious today… but that’s because she helped pioneer the psychology of what it takes to be successful.

FAVORITE CONCEPTS & QUOTES:

Predominant Moods as Life’s Architects: Benedict explains that our predominant moods act like a compass, directing our life's journey.

"The moods that PREDOMINATE deep inside our hearts are living vital forces and they create actualities in our lives which exactly correspond to their own nature"​​.

Subconscious Mind as a Powerful Cannon: The subconscious mind is portrayed as a cannon that returns the energy we put out into the world.

"Every shot fired from this queer piece of artillery comes back to you... LADEN WITH RESULTS, REALITIES, ACTUAL OCCURRENCES"​​.

Creation of Our Own World: Benedict emphasizes that we are the architects of our own lives.

"We make our own and we make it by our predominant moods"​​.

Responsibility for Our Destiny: The book urges readers to recognize and accept responsibility for their lives.

"You are the master of your own life, the maker of your own destiny"​​.

Transformation Through Mood Improvement: Benedict assures that by improving our moods, we can bring about significant positive changes in our lives.

"Start today to improve your own moods. Within a week you will note that several joys of real importance have come to you."

The narrative weaves through the lives of these types, demonstrating how each responds to life's challenges and opportunities. Feelers are driven by emotions, Thinkers by contemplation and planning, and Doers by action.

Benedict delves into how these temperaments influence personal and professional lives, highlighting the importance of understanding and controlling these intrinsic tendencies to achieve success and fulfillment. This is another of my favorites that I’ve made available for my Secrets of Success Members!

FAVORITE CONCEPTS & QUOTES:

The Three Temperaments: Benedict introduces three main types: Feelers, who react emotionally; Thinkers, who approach life methodically; and Doers, who are action-oriented.

Each temperament has its strengths and weaknesses, and understanding these can lead to personal growth and better decision-making​​.

The Role of Emotional Control: For Feelers, Benedict emphasizes the need for emotional stability.

"Feelers react to the happenings of life with FEELING... life to Feelers is largely a series of emotional experiences"​​.

The Importance of Action in Thinkers: For Thinkers, the challenge lies in turning thought into action.

"Thinkers...are always full of plans and schemes... but often fail to act on them"​​.

The Need for Thoughtful Action in Doers: For Doers, Benedict advises the need to balance action with forethought:

"Doers...are interested in THINGS... [but] their ill-considered actions often fail of their highest rewards"​​.

Harnessing One’s Natural Tendencies: Benedict argues that success lies not in changing who we are, but in understanding and controlling our natural tendencies.

"The essential thing always is Understanding and Control not a lessening of the power itself"​​.

Self-Improvement Through Self-Awareness: A key theme is self-awareness and improvement. Benedict encourages readers to identify their dominant temperament and to harness its power while mitigating its weaknesses.

"Determine which is your LEAD HORSE—Feeling, Thinking, or Doing... Then put the bit of Self-Control into his mouth"​​.

Balance Over Perfection: Benedict emphasizes that perfect balance is neither necessary nor desirable. It's more about finding a working combination of the three elements that suit one's individuality.

"Watch the most successful men and women... Every one of them manifested these three elements in a WORKING COMBINATION ONLY"​​.

FAVORITE CONCEPTS & QUOTES:

Physical Reflections of Personality: Benedict suggests that understanding oneself is crucial and can be aided by analyzing one's physical characteristics.

"The most essential thing in the world to any individual is to understand himself... From this book you are going to learn which type of car you are and the main reasons why you have not been getting the maximum of service out of yourself"​​.

Simplified Approach to Human Analysis: Benedict emphasizes the engaging and simpler process of learning to read people compared to books.

"Learning to read men and women is a more delightful process than learning to read books, for every person you see is a true story, more romantic and absorbing than any ever bound in covers"​​.

Mind-Body Connection: Benedict discusses how thoughts and emotions physically manifest, affecting our physiology.

"Every thought, however transitory, causes muscular action, which leaves its trace in that part of the physical organism which is most closely allied to it."​​

Innate Tendencies: Benedict highlights the impact of inherent preferences and inclinations that manifest from childhood.

"Every human being is born with preferences and predilections which manifest themselves from earliest childhood to death."​​

Science of Human Analysis: Benedict describes how to identify different personality types through physical characteristics.

"This science... shows you how to recognize the slow man, the quick man, the stubborn man, the yielding man, the leader, the learner, and all other basic kinds of men on sight from the shape, size and structure of their bodies."​​

Influence of Superficial Judgments: Benedict notes how superficial aspects often lead to misjudgment of people.

"The world classifies human beings according to their superficialities"​​.

Importance of Compatible Life Choices: Benedict emphasizes the need for aligning one's environment and relationships with their nature.

"Unless he gets into an environment, a vocation and a marriage which permits of his doing what he wants to do he will be miserable, inefficient, unsuccessful and sometimes criminal"​​.

Journey Towards Self-Understanding: Benedict underscores the importance of self-discovery for personal happiness.

"The first problem of your happiness is to find out what type you are yourself"​​.

Effective Analysis for Better Relationships: Benedict advises learning to analyze others to foster harmonious and beneficial relationships.

"Learn how to analyze others to the end that your relationships with them may be harmonious and mutually advantageous"​​.

Elsie Lincoln Benedict was nothing if not prolific. Unfortunately, many of her books are no longer in print and very difficult to get your hands on. In case you’re curious, here’s a list of everything she published during her lifetime…

If you’ve followed me, then you know I’m a sucker for old books with timeless wisdom — in fact,
I once paid $1.5 million for one — and Elsie Lincoln Benedict is my FAVORITE female author.

I’ve read and re-read her books several times, and I’m always surprised to learn something new. They’re so densely packed with wisdom!

But enough from me, check them out for yourself!

And if you’re a Secrets of Success member, then you have access to my two absolute favorites — How To Get Anything You Want and Brainology (just use one of your monthly credits to access them!).