The Quote of the Day Show | Daily Motivational Talks

Og Mandino: “Life is a Game.”

Mar 6, 2026
Og Mandino, best-selling self-help author known for The Greatest Salesman in the World, shares his near-breakdown and how he rebuilt his life. He frames life as a game with learnable rules. He describes rock-bottom moments, the power of reading, finding mentors through books, and why learning goal-setting and personal skills matters.
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ANECDOTE

Near Suicide In Cleveland Pawnshop

  • Og Mandino recounts standing in cold Cleveland rain ready to buy a $29 handgun with his last $30 to end his life.
  • He describes losing wife, daughter, home, job, faith, and hope before that moment, making the scene visceral and personal.
ANECDOTE

Turning Point That Saved His Life

  • Og Mandino explains he did not buy the gun and thus avoided suicide on that cold morning in Cleveland.
  • He frames that choice as the turning point that eventually led him from the gutter to presidency of Success Unlimited magazine.
INSIGHT

Widespread Despair Signals Missing Skills

  • Mandino highlights an epidemic of despair through rising addiction, suicide attempts, and mental illness as evidence many lack life skills.
  • He uses specific statistics: over 300,000 suicide attempts last year and 5 million Valium prescriptions monthly to underscore urgency.
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