According to Bart Baggett, one of the nation's premier handwriting experts, the only online training institute for handwriting analysis, the way you cross your T's and dot your I's can determine your chance for success. In his new book The Success Secrets of the Rich and Happy, Baggett explains the "success traits" found in handwriting of people like Michael J. Fox, Martin Luther King, John Glenn, Michael Jordon, and Oprah Winfrey. Readers will see a handwriting analysis by Mr. Baggett of recent pop star Britney Spears in the February 2002 issue of Jane Magazine.
Special attention is drawn to Baggett's works each year during National Handwriting Week January 21-28, which marks John Hancock's Birthday (Jan 23rd). National Handwriting Week focuses attention on the benefits of handwriting analysis and its use as an important tool in business, education, social relationships, and even self-help. Hancock's handwriting and that of other American heroes may offer lessons of character and untapped achievement.
Baggett said in a recent Biography Magazine interview, "It is inspiring to look up to men and women who have accomplished great things. America loves heros. However, most of us don't really believe we can accomplish what they accomplish. My approach is to inspire people to be more like their hero's character. It is the personality, beliefs, and values that moved the person to achieve great things. We can teach our kids how to build great character. From that, people will do great things."
"I have researched the handwriting of thousands of successful people around the world and the success traits are extremely consistent," said Baggett. "The traits are easy to spot once you learn them, and what's even more exciting is you can actually program your own handwriting to include the success traits and see positive differences in your life."
Seven Success Traits
Baggett has identified seven personality traits and the corresponding handwriting strokes commonly found in the handwriting of successful people:
High Goals and Ambition (t-bars crossed on the top of the stem)
Strong self-esteem (Large signature and high crossed t-bars)
Determination (heavy downstrokes below the baseline)
Persistence (not picking up your pen when you cross the letter t)
Strong Physical Drives (large and heavy y and g loops)
Long Lasting Enduring Emotions (pressing very hard on the paper)
Enthusiasm (extra long strokes to make the crossing of your t)
Handwriting Analysis has seen a rise in popularity in the last few years thanks in part to Mr. Baggett's frequent media appearances and his internet website, www.myhandwriting.com, which offers online training, discussion boards, free reports, books, tapes, and video courses that make what used to be complicated, simple.
One title, called "How You Can Analyze Handwriting in Ten Minutes or Less" is designed to walk a total novice through the basic steps to get an accurate, although not in-depth, analysis from a sample of writing using a deck of Handwriting Flash Cards called The Grapho-Deck. Baggett's programs have become so popular, he now has programs available to install on the the Pocket PC and Palm Pilot for instant access to the Grapho-Deck Handwriting Trait Cards and their definitions.
"The trick to helping the average person get value from handwriting analysis is the ability to make this 'psychological profiling method' easy to understand and entertaining to learn," said Baggett. The science is what the stroke indicates based on research. The art is being able to communicate that personality trait to the person and describe the corresponding behavoir accurately.
Handwriting isn't just an American trend. This topic of personality profiling and self-improvement even has an audience halfway around the world in India, where Baggett delivered his new seminar "Handwriting Success Secrets" live to thousands of enthusiastic Indians in Bombay, New Delhi, and Bangalore in 1998. Currently, his home study course and Grapho-Deck have been translated into Chinese and are being distributed in Taiwan.
"When I explain the many benefits of the new science of handwriting analysis, people line up to learn it. Anyone interested in self-improvement, psychology, or improving their relationships will naturally find the concept intriguing," Baggett said. Baggett went on to say, "Of all the ways to understand yourself, this one is the most personal. You can't help to wonder what your handwriting reveals"
Boosting Children's Confidence and Grades
Baggett believes handwriting analysis can be especially beneficial to children through the use of a technique called "grapho-therapy". According to Baggett, changing a child's handwriting can improve their grades, their behavior, and their self-esteem. "I changed my handwriting at the age of 14, and it changed my life," said Baggett, who published his first book on the subject when he was only 23 years old. Change Your Handwriting, Change Your Life in 30 Days Workbook.
Biography Magazine and Family Life Magazine recently ran articles featuring Baggett and explaining how kids are changing their own handwriting to improve not only their legibility but actually influence their personality. "Sure, Ryan's handwriting is a bit easier to read, but what really impressed us was his increased level of confidence and grades," said Craig Waton, Plantation Florida, father of 12-year-old Ryan Waton, who completed Bart Baggett's Handwriting Analysis Workbook for Kids. A number of teachers have reported noticeable improvement in attitude, concentration and confidence in students instructed using Baggett's methods.
In celebration of National Handwriting Week, Baggett is encouraging everyone to put down their pens and take a second look at the trail of ink they leave behind on paper. He suggests taking a few minutes to learn a few of the key handwriting traits to understand what your handwriting is unconsciously telling and even consider incorporating some of the success traits into your own handwriting.