The Masters of Success

By: jwilder, 12/13/2023

The Success Authors' Hall of Fame

Who are the masters of success? Who are the ones that have relentlessly pushed forward, no matter what, and made a huge impact on the world?

Some see them as scammers and snake oil salesmen.

For me, these people are gods in human flesh. Because they change peoples lives with the written word.

The Masters of Success are the ones that seek the lost, accept the rejected, give confidence to the unconfident, bring hope to the hopeless, encourage the timid to become bold, and give direction to the wanderers. They say fly higher, you can do it, keep going, it's worth it if you have a dream that you can devote your entire heart to.

These Masters of Success fuel the people who dare to start their own business, make their own way, choose their own destiny, dare to believe in themselves, serve their fellow man, and change the world.

These Masters of Success create disciples, educate, and spread the message of success to every level of life. Do they make money? They better! Do they give back to society? They do, and teach others that it is crucial to serve and a blessing to give.

Do these human gods make mistakes? Yes they do. Sometimes very visibly. We will make mistakes too. It's not about the mistakes you make, but about the courage and strength to keep going. And for the Master of Success, there is no choice, and no hesitation, but to move forward.

Tony Robbins

To me, Tony Robbins is the greatest. He discovered success principles at the age of 17 and was hooked. He devoted his entire life to this one single endeavour. He practices what he teaches.

When you start young, commit to one thing, serve others, continue to grow, and live a long life, you will have massive impact.

Sadly, even though I heard of Tony Robbins, it took me 50 years to take one of his courses. Man, I wish he would have sought me out when I was 17. His course helped me more than anything. It was exactly what I needed, and I am grateful to Tony Robbins.

Tony Robbins says one of his greatest mentors was Jim Rohn. Tony Robbins was 17 years old when first heard Jim Rohn speak. That experience changed his thinking. Change your thinking, change your life. That's where it starts.

What Tony Robbins learned from Jim Rohn:

• If you want anything to change, you must change.
• If you want things to get better, you've got to get better.
• The secret of life is working harder on yourself than on the job, or a specific skill, or anything else.
• Commit yourself to excellence, and you will have something to give others.

That's four bullet points of gold!

His most famous book was "Awaken the Giant Within" published in 1991.

Awaken the Giant Within
How to Take Immediate Control of Your Mental, Emotional, Physical and Financial Destiny!
By Tony Robbins
Published 1991 First Edition
Published by Simon & Schuster

Ref
The Mentors Who Coached Me
www.tonyrobbins.com/mind-meaning/the-mentors-who-coa...

Stephen R. Covey

Stephen R. Covey (October 24, 1932 – July 16, 2012).

Stephen Covey is rock solid, a deep thinker, and laser focused on what makes people highly effective.

His book, "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People," is outstanding. It is not a casual read. It's not a motivational book. Be prepared to take careful notes because this book is very dense with concepts and "Covey Terminology." Covey suggests using this book as a long term reference. I wholeheartedly agree.

The one thing in this book that blew my mind is he introduced the concept of an Abundance Mentality and Scarcity Mentality. This one topic could have been exploited into another best selling book, but that isn't his style.

While Steven Covey is credited with coining the phrase "scarcity mentality" in the 7 Habits book, the concept of scarcity and abundance was explained clearly by Wallace Wattles in his 1914 booklet titled "How to Promote Yourself." This booklet was published after his death in 1911.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change
By Stephen R. Covey
Published by Free Press 1990 First Edition

The 8th Habit: From Effectiveness to Greatness
By Stephen R. Covey
Published by Free Press 2004

The 8th Habit is the sequel to The 7 Habits. Covey argues that effectiveness does not suffice in what he calls "The Knowledge Worker Age". He says that "the challenges and complexity we face today are of a different order of magnitude." The 8th habit essentially urges: "Find your voice and inspire others to find theirs."

Jim Rohn

Emanuel James Rohn (September 17, 1930 – December 5, 2009).

Jim Rohn started his success journey like most people - struggling to make ends meet, frustrated with lack of progress, and open to a better way of life. Rohn discovered the teachings of Earl Schoff after attending one of his seminars and believed he found the keys to success.

Rohn went to work for Mr. Schoff (like Tony Robbins worked for Jim) and he took full advantage of Schoff's mentorship. Jim Rohn became a millionaire by the age of 31. He has authored 17 books.

Jim Rohn's "The Keys to Success" is a great book where he shares his candid views of what success is.

Paul J. Meyer

Paul J. Meyer was a renowned motivational success speaker and self-help author who made a significant impact on the personal development industry. Born on September May 21, 1928, in San Mateo, California, he dedicated his life to inspiring and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential.

In 1960, at age 32, Meyer founded Success Motivation Institute, Inc. in Waco, Texas. With Paul's sales and marketing skills, he grew the business to become a global personal development and training company, and rebranded as SMI. Through SMI, he introduced innovative programs, workshops, and resources designed to help individuals set and achieve their goals, enhance their communication skills, and develop a positive mindset. His teachings emphasized the importance of goal setting, time management, and continuous self-improvement.

Read more about Paul J. Meyer

Norman Vincent Peale

Today we know positive thinking is crucial for perseverance. But it is only the start. If you think positive but don't know how to take action, focus, prioritize, etc, then you will give up.

"Norman Vincent Peale (May 31, 1898 – December 24, 1993) was an American minister and author who is best known for his work in popularizing the concept of positive thinking, especially through his best-selling book The Power of Positive Thinking. He served as the pastor of Marble Collegiate Church, New York, from 1932 until 1984, leading a Reformed Church in America congregation. Peale's ideas and techniques were controversial, and he received frequent criticism both from church figures and from the psychiatric profession." -Wikipedia

Dr. Norman Vincent Peale was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Ronald Reagan on March 26, 1984. This award is the highest civilian honor in the United States.

The Power of Positive Thinking
A Practical Guide to Mastering the Problems of Everyday Living
Publication date: 1952

Napoleon Hill

Napoleon Hill went all in and laid out a plan that anyone could follow. Think and Grow Rich, by Napoleon Hill, was one of the first success oriented books I read. It is still widely read and recommended as a foundational work.

Classic. Positive mental attitude focus. Visualization, positive thinking, perseverance.

Many of today's best known (and lesser known) self help books take there core concepts from this book.

Think and Grow Rich
By Napoleon Hill
First Published 1937
Publisher: Ralston Society

Wallace D. Wattles

Wallace D. Wattles (1860 – 1911).

Wallace D. Wattles was born in the United States in 1860. Later in life, he began to study the religious beliefs and philosophies of the world. Wattles studied philosophers such as Descartes, Hegel, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. His most popular book, The Science of Getting Rich, was published in 1910. He died one year later.

The Science of Getting Rich, Published 1910
www.gutenberg.org/files/59844/59844-h/59844-h.htm

James Allen

James Allen (1864 – 1912)

James Allen was a British philosophical writer known for his inspirational books and poetry and as a pioneer of the self-help movement. His best known work, As a Man Thinketh, has been mass-produced since its publication in 1902. It has been a source of inspiration to motivational and self-help authors.

As a Man Thinketh, 1902

Orison Swett Marden

Orison Swett Marden (1848–1924).

"Deep within man dwell those slumbering powers; powers that would astonish him, that he never dreamed of possessing; forces that would revolutionize his life if aroused and put into action." -Orison Swett Marden

Orison Swett Marden founded SUCCESS magazine in 1897. He was 49 years old at the time.

SUCCESS magazine is still publishing after more than 120 years. And why should it not enjoy such longevity when it draws from its very foundation - success!

Marden published his first book, "Pushing to the Front," in 1894. Marden later published fifty or more books and booklets.

Marden had a difficult childhood as his parents both died when he was young. At even years old he moved from guarduian to guardian and earned his keep.

In his teens, Marden discovered a book titled "Self-Help," written by Scottish author Samuel Smiles, and published in 1859. The book inspired him to improve himself in many ways.

"In addition to Samuel Smiles, Marden cited as influences on his thinking the works of Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. and Ralph Waldo Emerson, both of whom were influential forerunners of what, by the 1890s, was called the New Thought Movement."

Russell H. Conwell

Russell H. Conwell (1843 – 1925)

Russell H. Conwell was an American Baptist preacher. He used to travel and give lectures. His most famous lecture (and growing in fame even today) was "Acres of Diamonds." This 1915 lecture is a powerful truth. The message was opportunity and wealth are right under your nose.

"But you go through the world saying, 'No opportunity to get rich,' and there is the fault right at your own door." -Russell H. Conwell

Acres of Diamonds
Author: Russell H. Conwell
Published 1915
Public Domain Source
www.gutenberg.org/files/34258/34258-h/34258-h.htm

Finally

See this link for the best books on success.

James Wilder

I write about success principles and practices that help dreamers take action and achieve their goals! I believe that success is for anyone that truly desires it.

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