Author Jack Canfield has spent his life learning about success, and now he shares his knowledge with all of us in a book titled: “The Success Principles.” Jack writes, “You only have control over three things in your life – the thoughts you think, the images you visualize, and the actions you take (your behavior). How you use these three things determines everything you experience.” At 473 pages, the book is filled with 64 principles to help you achieve the life you envision. Some of my favorites include:
- “Take 100% Responsibility For Your Life” – We each have total accountability for our own lives, and it’s time to give up blaming and complaining. When things don’t go the way you expect, ask yourself: “What do I need to do differently next time to get the result I want?”
- “Unleash The Power Of Goal-Setting” – Everyday, it’s important to re-read your goals. Write affirmations as if the goal has already been accomplished and visualize it. Do this first thing in the morning, at lunch and immediately before going to bed, so it will permeate your subconscious mind.
- “Release The Brakes” – Successful people let go of their limiting beliefs and change their self-image.
- “Ask! Ask! Ask!” – It’s important to believe you can achieve what you want, and ask someone who can give it to you. Be clear and specific, and ask repeatedly if you need to. In a study of salespeople, the following results were identified:
- 44% of salespeople quit after the first call
- 24% of salespeople quit after the second call
- 14% of salespeople quit after the third call
- 12% of salespeople quit after the fourth call
However, more than half or 60 percent of all sales made happen after the fourth attempt.
- “Reject Rejection” – It does not hurt to ask. Even if someone does not accept your offer, what is the worst thing that can happen? Things just stay the same.
- “Acknowledge Your Positive Past” – One of the exercises is to list 100 of your previous accomplishments – no matter what age – even learning to ride a bike and passing each grade in school. This is critical because it helps to develop self-esteem. You become more confident about accepting new challenges. The more often you risk, the more chances to win.
- “Keep Your Eye On The Prize” – The last 45 minutes of the day is the most important for programming your brain because it replays during the night the last input. Instead of falling asleep watching the news or a horror movie, read a motivational biography or message of inspiration.
- “Inquire Within” – “…Most of the super successful people I have met over the years are people who have developed their intuition and learned to trust their gut feelings and follow their inner guidance. Many practice some form of daily meditation to access this voice within.”
- “Start Now! . . . Just Do It!” – Don’t wait until you feel that you can do something perfectly before you try. “If you don’t do anything for fear of doing it wrong, poorly, or badly, you never get any feedback, and therefore you never get to improve.”
As one of the authors of the “Chicken Soup For The Soul” series, Jack Canfield has already created a tremendous legacy. He continues it with “The Success Principles.” He remains an avid reader – reading a book every two days. And he encourages others to read at least one hour a day.
In “The Success Principles,” he begins every chapter with a quote. The one I appreciated the most came from entertainer Dolly Parton:
“If your actions create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more, do more, and become more, then you are an excellent leader.”
Jack Canfield’s leadership and legacy will stand the test of time. He has a site for this book at:
http://www.thesuccessprinciples.com
– Reviewed by:
Susan Vollmer
Author of Legends, Leaders, Legacies
