Maxwell Maltz

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Maxwell Maltz (10 March 1899^[1] – April 7, 1975^[2]) was an American cosmetic surgeon and author who developed Psycho-Cybernetics, a system of ideas through which, he claimed, one could improve his self-image and, in turn, lead a more successful and fulfilling life. He wrote several books, among which Psycho-Cybernetics (1960) was a long-time bestseller that influenced many subsequent self-help teachers.^[3]

Maltz graduated with a doctorate in medicine from the Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1923.^[2]

Psycho-Cybernetics: A New Way to Get More Living out of Life was first published in 1960 by Prentice-Hall and first appeared in a pocket book edition in 1969. The book introduced Maltz's view that a person must have an accurate and positive view of one's self before setting goals, otherwise he or she will get stuck in a continuing pattern of limiting beliefs. His ideas focus on visualizing one's goals. He believed that self-image is the cornerstone of all the changes that take place in a person. If one's self-image is unhealthy, or faulty, all of his or her efforts will end in failure.^[4]

Maltz also wrote fiction, including a play called Unseen Scar (1946)^[5] and a novel, The Time is Now (1975)^[6]. His autobiography, Doctor Pygmalion: The Autobiography of a Plastic Surgeon (1953)^[7], was re-titled Doctor Psycho-Cybernetics after his self-help work was published.

Although the book Psycho-Cybernetics was first published in 1960, as of 2008 the book is ranked #34 in the book “50 Self-Help Classics".^[8]

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[edit] External links

• Dr. Maxwell Maltz