Book Review: The Secret Code of Success

Hey, do you have a bunch of success books on your shelf? I just counted mine and there are 32 of them. And that’s not even counting the 20 or so that I’ve borrowed and forgotten about. So you might be wondering, why would I bother getting another one?

Well, here’s the thing. Either you’re someone who reads all the success books or you’re not. It’s kind of like going on one diet after another, losing weight and then gaining it back, only to start another diet. We just can’t resist that amazing feeling we get when we read the title of a success book and all the incredible things it promises. We love the way it inspires us, the way it makes us think outside the box, and the hope that it brings for a better life.

Reading a success book is like having a bowl of delicious ice cream. It’s something I really enjoy.

You know what I really don’t like? When I try out all these systems that people teach me for success, and none of them seem to work. It’s such a disappointment. That’s why I keep getting addicted to success books. I keep thinking that maybe the next one will finally do the trick. But then I just end up going through the same cycle again.

But then I met Noah St. John, the author of the latest success book I’ve been reading, called The Secret Code of Success. I actually met him at an event in Akron, Ohio. He was talking to Anita when I went up to them and introduced myself. I asked Noah what he does, and he told me that he helps people get rid of their negative thoughts. I was immediately interested and said, Count me in! By the end of the event, I managed to get myself a genuine, autographed copy of The Secret Code of Success. It’s pretty great being a book reviewer. #128578;

I was going away that weekend, so I knew I’d be munching on a few chapters that night. But let’s not waste any time. This book started off like a lot of those success books with flashy titles that promise you the world. They had the audacity to use words like Secret and Code to amp up the sales pitch. And of course, there was the catchy subtitle: 7 Hidden Steps to More Wealth and Happiness. I was no stranger to this game. Yawn. When was I finally going to get to the good stuff?

Well, the good stuff finally arrived on page 41. It hit me like an explosion – an epiphany!

Let me tell you why this book, The Secret Code of Success, is unlike any other book you have on your shelf. Unlike those books written by success gurus, this one is written by an ordinary person, just like you and me. These success gurus, they are part of the elite 3% who seem to have everything figured out. They can tell you what they do to achieve success, but they struggle when it comes to explaining it in a way that regular folks like us can understand and apply in our own lives.

But you already know this concept. Take Tiger Woods, for example. He’s a natural at golfing, but even he has a coach who teaches him. The coach has a natural talent for teaching, while Tiger Woods has a natural talent for golfing. This realization got me really interested. I wanted to know the 7 Hidden Steps right away!

1. Flip the Script. Nope, it’s not a typo for positive affirmations. This is all about a cool idea called afformations. See, when you tell your brain you’re happy and healthy and people like me, it’s not easily fooled. But guess what? Your brain loves a good question. So instead of telling yourself, ask yourself: Why am I happy? Your brain goes on a search for evidence and starts making happiness happen.

2. Your Cheerleaders and Safe Spots. Okay, picture this: you can’t see the color of your own eyes unless you look in a mirror, right? Well, the same goes for your incredible talents and abilities. You need some loving mirrors in your life, people who reflect back how amazing you are. Surround yourself with folks who give you unconditional support, and bask in the glow of your own awesomeness.

3. Build a Support System. Surround yourself with mirrors who love you and people who can guide you on your journey. These mentors will push you to reach levels you never thought possible.

4. Take a Break from Goals. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Create spaces and activities where you can forget about goals for a while. No emails or TV allowed. Instead, focus on tech-free activities like taking a nap, going for a walk, or spending time in nature with your family.

5. Who Matters Most? This is the deep psychological stuff. If you want to achieve your dreams, you need to let go of any self-protective, people-pleasing, or punishing behaviors. Figure out who you’re trying to protect, please, or punish, and set sail towards your goals.

Step 6: Discover Your Inner Power

Let’s talk about ditching the people-pleasing game because it just doesn’t work. Trust me, I’ve been there. It’s time to learn the incredible power of saying no to yourself. It might sound strange, but hear me out. By saying no to the things that hold you back – like bad habits or addictions – you’ll unlock a world of freedom. Imagine having more time, money, and energy to devote to what really matters to you.

But it doesn’t stop there. Saying no extends beyond yourself. It’s about setting boundaries with other people who constantly ask for your time, money, and energy. You don’t have to be a superhero for everyone. It’s okay to prioritize your own needs. And finally, it means saying no to any activities or distractions that steer you away from your deepest desires and goals.

Step 7: Embrace Your True Purpose

In psychology, they call it Self-Actualization. But today, I want to introduce you to a concept that I like to call Your Because. Once you’ve cleared away all the doubt and negativity in your mind, you’ll discover a crystal-clear sense of purpose. This is your chance to be the best version of yourself that you can be.

Alright, folks, I’ve read this book, but here’s the scoop – there are exercises involved. And guess what? I totally forgot to mention that little detail. At the end of every chapter, there are some questions that you’ll definitely want to tackle. I mean, if you’re serious about this stuff like I am, I highly recommend grabbing yourself a notebook or a journal and working your way through them.

Now, let me tell you what I’ve been up to personally. I’ve been dabbling in this thing called Afformations. Picture this: it’s early morning, I’ve got my cup of Joe, and I’m chilling on my deck. And then I ask myself, Why am I so darn happy? Well, let me tell you, that simple question floods me with all these warm and fuzzy feelings. Suddenly, I’m rattling off all the amazing things in my life. Or sometimes, I throw in a question like, Why is my business so darn profitable? And bam! My brain starts listing off all the cool clients I have and the awesome technology I’ve implemented. It’s pretty nifty, this Afformations thing. But trust me, it takes a little time to get the hang of it.

Let me tell you about a cool idea I’ve been playing around with lately. It’s all about building a network of people who lift you up and who are achieving great things in their lives. And guess what? Despite what you might hear on the news, these people are not being negatively impacted by the economy. It’s pretty amazing, actually.

Imagine if I only surrounded myself with my supportive network and didn’t pay attention to all the doom and gloom in the media. I would genuinely believe that this year has been one of the best for businesses. And you know what happens when I have this positive mindset? Opportunities start popping up left and right, new clients come my way, and it’s like a never-ending cycle of success.

So, let me ask you, does this idea resonate with you? Is this book something that you might be interested in? Let’s find out!

If you enjoy reading success books, then this one is definitely a must-read for you. I know I can’t resist them! But even if you’re not someone who usually dives into self-improvement books, I recommend giving this one a serious thought. It offers some incredible insights into how our minds and brains function.

The challenges that Noah discusses in this book go beyond just achieving wealth and success. They are immensely valuable in times like these, when we find ourselves navigating through managing people and dealing with fear. That’s why I believe business owners and managers would greatly benefit from this book. It can provide them with ideas on how to create a better work environment, especially when fear and uncertainty are so prevalent.

So, the secret to success is not really much of a secret at all. You already have everything you need to succeed. You have all the talent and skills necessary. The only thing missing is a fresh perspective on how to behave in order to achieve success. And for that, I recommend getting a copy of the book.

About the Author: Let me introduce myself! I’m Ivana Taylor, the CEO of Third Force. My company specializes in helping small businesses find and retain their ideal customers. I have also co-authored a book called Excel for Marketing Managers and I run a website called DIYMarketers, which is a valuable resource for in-house marketers. Be sure to check out my blog, Strategy Stew.