With this, Week Six of The Master Key System, we are now one-quarter of the way through the book. It is beginning to get good now.

If you've been following us, the first four exercises trained us to get into the "state" of relaxation and receptivity. We now know how to keep ourselves still, how to relax, how to quell our thoughts, and how to "let go" of discordant feelings.

With Week Five, we began our studies into visualizing, a most important aspect of personal development. Hopefully, you've mastered Week Five's exercise -- and had some fun with it! If so, let's progress to Week Six…The Exercise in Week Six of The Master Key System24. In order to cultivate the power of attention, bring a photograph with you to the same seat in the same room in the same position as heretofore. Examine it closely at least ten minutes: Note the expression of the eyes, the form of the features, the clothing, the way the hair is arranged — in fact, note every detail shown on the photograph carefully. Now cover it and close your eyes and try to see it mentally. If you can see every detail perfectly and can form a good mental image of the photograph, you are to be congratulated; if not repeat the process until you can.

25. This step is simply for the purpose of preparing the soil; next week we shall be ready to sow the seed.

26. It is by such exercises as these that you will finally be able to control your mental moods, your attitude, your consciousness.The Exercise for Week Six ExplainedThis exercise will be building within you two important skills: attention to detail and the power to recall. In doing so, we will be building our ability to visualize.

With a photograph in hand, take your seat in your usual place. (On the call, I explain the importance of having a place that you do these exercises.) Once you are there, get into the "state" as you learned in the first four exercises. Next, study the photograph. COver it and then recall it from memory.

That's about it! Mr. Haanel's instructions are pretty easy and clear.The Benefits of the Exercise for Week SixAs Haanel wrote, you will be cultivating your "power of attention." This is huge! It's your ability to look at something and notice details that not many other people do. By mastering this exercise, you will be learning a technique that could turn you into the next Sherlock Holmes.

Along with that, you are training yourself to keep yourself in the "Now" rather than running on autopilot playing with the shibboleths in your mind. How many times have you met someone who just "wasn't there" with you? Thus, they didn't notice much -- if anything -- of what was occurring about them.

How many times was that person you?

Yes, we all get preoccupied at times. Sometimes we have a pressing concern on our mind. For too many people, though, this is a normal state of being. Even worse, they really have nothing on their mind! They're trapped with their shadows, never noticing anything around them.

By taking the time to make note of the things around us, we begin to pay attention to all the things around us.

Digging even deeper, as we develop this power of attention, as we study a problem or research something in which we're interested, we will see those details that others miss. Those details can then become the basis for our fortune! The examples of this happening are practically limitless.

This exercise -- and skill -- is very important. Master it!Tips for the Best Practice of Week Six’s ExerciseThe best tip for mastering this exercise is to follow Haanel's instructions exactly: Use a photograph of a person. Do your best to use your same seat and place as you usually do. Notice every detail. Take your time with it. Practice until you get it right.

That's it. Nothing fancy.

It's funny how sometimes the more important exercises are the simplest ones. This is one of those times. It's simple, but oh so powerful.

Until next week, please get for yourself the best of everything…