We live in an especially symbolic world. Symbols bypass our thoughts and our logic and they affect our perceptions and behaviors.

Take gold, for example. As one of the world's most precious metals, gold is very symbolic of wealth and success. Countless stories are told of the search for gold. But if you stop and think about it, there are other precious metals that are harder to find and far more precious. Gold just holds a certain symbolism; it denotes success and wealth.

Symbols can also help us understand and feel a message without actually having to undergo the experience. For example, a skull and crossbones on poison says it all-we don't have to ingest the poison to understand the fatal experience it can cause. The simple symbol of a red stop sign triggers an automatic response. For many, the sight of a police car on the highway will also trigger the automatic braking response.

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Think of these symbols as you read the list. Pay attention to the feelings, memories, attitudes and experiences they trigger in your mind:

• Crucifix

• Star of David

• Statue of Liberty

• World Trade Center

• American flag

• Swastika

• Military uniform

• Olympics

• Wedding dress

• Christmas tree

Kurt Mortensen

Kurt W. Mortensen is one of America's leading authorities on persuasion, motivation and influence. Kurt spent 15 years researching personal development and motivational psychology and is currently a professor on the university level. He offers his speaking, training, and consulting programs nationwide, helping thousands achieve unprecedented success in business and personal endeavors. Kurt is author of Maximum Influence, an Amazon.com bestseller and is endorsed by Stephen R. Covey, Brian Tracy, Robert Allen, and Mark Victor Hansen.

“This is truly remarkable information,” said Dr. Stephen R. Covey, Author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. “It is based on solid scientific research and extensive field experience. It contains unbelievably comprehensive and fresh new angles and insights to persuasion, using immensely practical examples.”

"This is a great,” said Brian Tracy, Author of Advanced Selling Techniques. “Magnetic Persuasion shows you how to immediately influence and persuade other people in every area of your life."

Mortensen received a bachelor’s degree in Communications/Advertising from Brigham Young University in 1992 and an MBA in Marketing and Consumer Behavior from the University of Pittsburg in 1993. He presented on the speaking circuit with Brian Tracy, Dennis Waitley, and Les Brown.

He teaches that success in every aspect of life depends on the ability to persuade, motivate, and influence others. He combines scientific research with real-world studies to provide the most authoritative and effective arsenal of proven techniques for persuading, influencing, and motivating others.

“Kurt has provided the most complete work on persuasion and influence I have ever read,” said Robert G. Allen, Author of Nothing Down, Multiple Streams of Income, and The One Minute Millionaire. “Nowhere in persuasion literature have I ever seen the art and science broken down into such thorough and easy-to-understand concepts, covering every aspect of persuasion imaginable.”