The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People: What Scientists Have Learned and How You Can Use It

This book is packed with "simple secrets" to "teach" people how to manifest success in life. The advice is succinct with purpose driven examples of how the "secrets" were heeded or rejected by various business persons. It also exemplifies the outcomes. I would classify this book as being able to provide revelation. If achieving success were innate and simple people wouldn't require perspiration or inspiration, it would be a given. It's not that this book guarantees a happy outcome. One need not only understand the principles but put them into action. Here's a taste: Nobody Wins Without a Loser "One the path to success, you will sometimes confront situations in which you must directly compete with someone and your victory will create bitterness. Even more frequently, your success will casue others to compare themselves to you and to react with jealousy at your ability. Take comfort in the knowledge that it is not a personal attack on you but instead a sincere but unpleasant form of flattery." p.111

When asked the question, "How do you define success and what are you doing to achieve it?" most people respond with with a blank stare or a shrug and an "I don't know." Well, here is the book for those who are struggling to define their ideal of success and anxious to chart a course to achieve that success. David Niven's book is a collection of research, anecdotes, and life changing stories of real people who will inspire, but more importantly, give you concrete tools to help you lay the foundation for achieving your own personal success. 100 Simple Secrets reads like an instructional manual, in which you can turn directly to the chapters most relevant for you and read a short, inspiring piece pertaining to your area of concern. I recommend reading an excerpt of this book every morning to charge your brain and get you ready for the day ahead. It's the perfect companion to breakfast or your first cup of coffee. The top three lessons I gleaned from this book are found in the chapters, "It's Not How Hard You Try," "Be an Expert," and "Only You Can Say if This Is a World You Can Succeed In." I particularly enjoyed these chapters because I was trying to relate these three lessons to someone who was seeking my advice. Now I have a book and specific chapters to which I can steer them. The chapters are brief and can be read quickly, making this a very efficient investment of time. A chapter a day will keep you moving toward your goals in both your personal and business life. I highly recommend this for your self help section of your personal library.

I had originally checked this book out at the library, but upon reading it I've decided to "collect" the book. The book doesn't necessarily tell you new things that you don't already know, however, it does provide scientific support for the mental states that are often brought about by work related problems and how to resolve such problems. It's not a book for everyone. It's for those who are cognitively quick enough to grasp the concepts, what those concepts implies and emotionally apply them to their lives. If you don't have experience in those areas, you might not be able to fully appreciate what the author is saying. The advice are meant to be general. HOW you implement those ideas is another matter. That's where you need the cognitive and emotional leap. For example, the author says, six in 10 managers lost friends who weren't promoted as quickly is "a sincere but unpleasant form of flattery." Emotionally, how do you react to that statement? Does it calm you? Make you resolute in your effort to suceed? Or do you simply continue to feel bad that you've lost your "friends"? Your emotionally reaction is very indicative of how helpful this book will be to you. The key word here is "emotional" and "cognitive" intelligence. If you're one of those person who ask questions like, "Is this a good time to buy real estate?" You shouldn't buy this book, because the answer is, "It depends on the real estate market in your local area." If you can't determine if the real estate market in your local area is a seller or buyer's market...you really SHOULDN'T buy this book!!

In "The 100 Simple Secrets of Successful People," author David Niven consults scientific research to uncover the traits of success. But this is no dry academic paper. It's a fun read filled with great ideas. Here are five highlights that grabbed my attention: - It's not how hard you try. Effort is the single most overrated trait in producing success. Your goal should be to make progress, not just expend energy. - Enjoy small victories. Pursue your passions like you would put together a jigsaw puzzle -- work piece by piece. While you ultimately want a final outcome, take pleasure in the journey to get there. People who enjoy a steady stream of minor accomplishments are happiest. - Don't force yourself to like broccoli. Personalities and talents are like shoe sizes. They can't be redirected without uncomfortable consequences. Realize who you are and what your true personality is -- and plan a future that fits it. - Be an expert at something. Choose a particular subject that is crucial to what you do and learn everything you can about it. Sixty-eight percent of people who consider themselves successful say there is at least one area in which they are an expert. - Hope springs internal. Your best source of confidence is not the latest economic report or other external factor. Assertiveness comes from your belief that you can accomplish what you want, regardless of what else is happening around you. Think about these five tips (and the 95 others in the book) -- and see if you can apply them to your life. -Bob Baker, author of "Unleash the Artist Within"

Above all, this book highlights studies of success and the science of success, all written so that you can understand it and put it to use today. It is presented to not only be clear but also engaging. Each study on success is accompanied by an example of a person who demonstrates the idea in real life. The examples are wonderful, and range from famous leaders to average people. Some, such as the tale of the fall of the Schwinn Bicycle company, are incredibly valuable examples. I got a lot from this book, and I think everyone I work with would benefit from reading it.