The only real secret to success

I’ve read a fair number of self-help, self-improvement and motivational books during my early 30’s. I think that’s the magic age when most people get tired of their routine lives and start to realize there’s a whole world outside with adventure and fortune. I’m sure of it. I know way too many people that dropped everything at 30 to travel and find themselves.

No one told them that they are always here and can’t be anywhere else. It took moving far to realize that you are always stuck with yourself and that’s what needs adjusting. No travel needed folks.

I didn’t travel. I studied and I read vigorously what the greats did. Dale Carnegie, Andrew Carnegie, Napoleon Hill and many others spouted wisdom that won’t be found anywhere except in sitting still for 10 minutes and just FOCUSING on one clear task a time. In this case, reading through their words meticulously looking for the secret.

Then you enter the modern age of self-improvement. And it’s different. It’s vague and too positive overall. It let’s you off the hook much of the time. And it has you journal and take notes all day long. Top 10 goals for the day. Non-negotiable list. Have to’s vs want to’s.

It’s confusing and requires an enormous amount of energy to keep up with the many contradictions. But it feels like you’re getting somewhere at least. You’re…