💬 Personal Reflection

This is the first book I ever bought.

I remember the excitement of stepping into my local bookstore–knowing I was fully committed to investing in myself.

As I walked through the aisles, looking for the perfect book. This one caught my eye.

As an eighteen-year-old, reading “Success” in the title, images of sports cars, luxury homes, and a perfect lifestyle entered my mind.

But it was reflecting on the subtitle that made me want to buy it.

At the time, I didn’t know where I wanted to be.

So, I associated success with the typical images. Later, I realized that what I really wanted was the feeling.

As I flipped through the pages, trying to figure out what this book was about, this sentence resonated.

"Other achievers have become dedicated to creating lives of abundance, joy, professional fulfillment, and personal accomplishment.”

Achievement and fulfillment. That’s exactly what I wanted.

But despite my initial enthusiasm, I only made it to the sixth principle.

Still, reading those few chapters at such a young age left a mark. It hinted at something more than good grades, a college degree and a nice job.

Eight years later, I’ve decided to revisit this book, read it cover to cover, and try to break it down for you. So here it is :)

📖 Book Summary

In this book, Janet Switzer and Jack Canfield put together a guidebook containing 67 principles to lead a successful life.

The book’s central theme revolves around the first principle of the book…

Taking 100% of your life.

“One of the most persuasive myths in the American culture today is that…[we think that] somehow, somewhere, someone (certainly not us) is responsible for filling our lives with…

• Continual happiness,

• exciting career options,

• nurturing family time,

• and blissful personal relationships.”

This book flips the narrative and sets the tone that perhaps the only person responsible for the quality of our lives should be ourselves.

The moment that we realize that we have co-created our current circumstances, then we can uncreate them and re-create them at will.

By understanding and applying certain principles, you can be better equipped to accomplish what is important to you.

The principles of the book are divided into six parts.

• Part I: The fundamentals of success. (24 principles)

• Part II: Transform yourself for success. (13 principles)

• Part III: Build your success team. (8 principles)

• Part IV: Create successful relationships. (7 principles)

• Part V: Success and Money. (6 principles)

• Part VI: Success in the digital age. (4 principles)

You can expect to learn concepts like…

• If you don’t like your outcomes, change your responses.

• Clarify the vision of your ideal life.

• Change your self-talk with affirmations.

• And the magic of visualizing.

Overall, this book might be for you if you have never encountered personal development ideas or if you want to learn Jack Canfield’s principles for success.

In my opinion, the book's examples and stories lack depth, but make up for it through the many exercises that might inspire you to take action.

With that said, here are my favourite principles from the book…

• #32: Transform your inner critic into an inner coach.

• #39: Stay focused on your core genius.

• #45: Hire a personal coach.

• #55: Be a class act.

• #56: Develop a positive money consciousness.

As with all self-help books, the general advice when reading them is…

“The principles always work. If you always work the principles.”

Hope this helps; until next time.

-Agustin

✍️ Favourite Quotes

💬 I want to hear from you!