1st Edition
GPS for Success Skills, Strategies, and Secrets of Superachievers
Next to food and clothing, achieving personal and professional success is rated at the very top of the hierarchical order of human needs. Everybody wants to be somebody! In this ultimate success book that includes timeless information for generations to come, the author has meticulously chronicled proven skills, strategies and secrets that, if regularly followed, will empower the reader to live the life that they imagine. Just like your car’s or phone’s GPS, these life navigation skills can get you from where you are to where you want to go in your career. In addition, critically important knowledge and abilities, including job interviewing, must-know people skills, writing, and public speaking, are covered. In this book, the author has scoured the world’s literature on these topics and interviewed highly successful people to provide one-stop shopping regarding the most proven and practical recommendations for future career success. He has also peppered the text with personal experiences and motivational/inspirational success stories, as well as testimonials/sage advice/quotes from the world’s most successful people --past and present.
The key objectives of this book are to:
- Highlight the foundational factors underlying future career success: love what you do; realize that your behaviors largely determine your luck in life; emphasize that highly successful people take 100% responsibility for their actions and destiny; and that the secret to success involves the selfless serving of others. The rewards return—through a boomerang effect.
- Provide specific examples and inspirational stories highlighting 10 critical behavioral skills for success. These include: look for the good in people and situations; how to activate the law of attraction; establish goals in writing ("if it’s not on paper, it’s vapor"); take action (#1 success characteristic); know that persistence pays; ask for things you want; enhance your speaking, writing, and interviewing skills; why it’s important to work with and learn from people you want to emulate; the essence of superb people skills (e.g., integrity, making others feel important); and to regularly apply the law of sow and reap.
- Detail complementary approaches, tactics, and perspectives that can help you achieve your breakthrough (major) life goals. These include: time management skills and the 80/20 rule; looking for greener pastures; showcasing your talents (visibility → opportunities); committing to never-ending improvements in performance, service (or products); embracing discipline/focus/sacrifice; routinely exceeding people’s expectations; striving for greater rewards; and seeing an ocean of opportunities before you. In aggregate, these yield BIG rewards in life.
- Provide a potpourri of related topics, including unlooked-for opportunities; leadership and bringing out the best in those around you; avoiding overcautiousness; volunteering (raising your hand); reframing future commitments; the power (and magic) of an unexpected thank you note; and the disproportionate dividends and good karma that result from giving back and mentoring others.
SECTION I: A ROADMAP FOR SUCCESS
Chapter 1: My Journey ⸺ Inquisitive, Driven and Goal-Oriented
Chapter 2: Your Journey ⸺ Love, Luck, Responsibility and Serving Others
SECTION II: STEPS FOR SUCCESS
Chapter 3: Be an Optimist ⸺ Look for the "Good" in People and Situations
Chapter 4: Be Passionate ⸺ Believe, Act, Achieve
Chapter 5: Be a Goal Setter ⸺ Program Your GPS
Chapter 6: Be Proactive ⸺ Just Do It!
Chapter 7: Be Persistent ⸺ Overcoming Setbacks That Line the Road to
Success
Chapter 8: Be Someone Who Asks for What You Want ⸺ Reject Rejection
Chapter 9: Be a Communicator ⸺ Speaking, Writing, and Interviewing
Chapter 10: Be a Connector ⸺ The Power of Positive Associations, Collaborations,
and Relationships
Chapter 11: Be a People Person ⸺ A Crash Course and Self-Help Guide
Chapter 12: Be Willing to Pay the Price ⸺ The Law of Sow and Reap
SECTION III. ADDITIONAL STRATEGIES AND TACTICS FOR SUCCESS
Chapter 13: Be Driven ⸺ Don’t Leave Any Stone Unturned
Chapter 14: Be a Finisher ⸺ Final Thoughts on Aligning Yourself with
Destiny and Good Fortune
SECTION IV: APPENDICES
- Appendix A: Memorable Success Quotes
- Appendix B: Additional Success Resources
About the Author
Biography
Barry A. Franklin, PhD, is Director of Preventive Cardiology and Cardiac Rehabilitation at Beaumont Health, Royal Oak, Michigan and Professor of Internal Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine. His clinical research interests include the primary and secondary prevention of heart disease; cardiovascular risk reduction; obesity and metabolism; exercise testing/ prescription and lifestyle medicine.
In his early 30s, Franklin intuitively embraced business management/productivity guru Peter Drucker’s recommendation that “everyone should find at least one interest outside his/her primary area, and make that secondary pursuit into more than just a hobby.” For him, that secondary pursuit, the study of highly successful people in all walks of life became a passion. Years later, he took what he had learned and developed a college course titled “GPS for Success” which he taught at Central Michigan University (2012−2017). It became one of the most popular courses on campus. Since the mid 1990s, he’s participated in countless media (e.g., YouTube TV) and invited presentations on this topic as well as giving themed commencement addresses at major universities.
Dr. Franklin’s professional accomplishments have been recognized through a number of honors and awards. He has served as President of the American Association of Cardiovascular Pulmonary Rehabilitation and President of the American College of Sports Medicine as well as Chair, American Heart Association (AHA) Council on Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Metabolism. In 2010 he was appointed to the national AHA Board of Directors as well as a member of the Administrative Cabinet. Franklin is a past Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation and currently holds editorial positions with 15 other scientific and clinical journals.
Dr. Franklin has written or edited more than 700 publications, including 547 papers, 101 book chapters and 26 books. He has also narrated 42 educational videos. In 2015, he was named by Thomson Reuter’s among the World’s Most Influential Scientific Minds (Clinical Medicine). He has given over 1,000 invited presentations to state, national and international, medical and lay audiences.
Please visit www.drbarryfranklin.com for more on Dr. Franklin.
Dr. Barry Franklin’s book GPS for Success is an exceptional guide for anyone who aspires to career advancement. Dr. Franklin has unraveled the secrets of the most successful people from every field. This book provides step-by-step instructions that each of us can follow. He proves that goal-setting, persistence, hard work and kindness will enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results. Dr. Franklin’s own career is a perfect example that his formula for success works — it is quite an inspiration!
-- Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D., President, Oakland University
This down-to-earth treasure chest, disguised as a book, provides invaluable insights ⸺ whether you are just launching your career or are well on the way. Inspired by his colleague’s dog Gus, Dr. Franklin identifies the values of giving beyond self, and of humility, preparation, resilience and compassion. These values, coupled with a relentless and optimistic work ethic, will fuel a consequential life.
-- Timothy P. White, Ph.D., Chancellor Emeritus and Professor, The California State University
GPS for Success is bursting with pearls of wisdom perfect for new grads just starting down the career path and for anyone in need of an energizing nudge toward taking the ‘yellow brick road’ to achievement. Barry has woven together experiences and essentials from the world’s most successful people and valued resources to inspire success, happiness and personal fulfillment.
-- Marjory Abrams, Former Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Bottom Line Inc.
Dr. Barry Franklin has written a marvelous book that offers what we all can use: a blueprint for successful living. His research is first rate, his recommendations are practical, doable and make great sense. Best of all, they work! GPS for Success delivers on its promise to provide skills, strategies and secrets for building a successful life. It is a must-read for anyone wanting to live the life they imagine
-- Joseph C. Piscatella, author Don’t Eat Your Heart Out
This high-energy power packed guide has the altimeter reading at the limit for Dr. Barry Franklin, PhD who is in the captain’s seat. Having known Dr. Franklin for nearly three decades, his positivity and gusto for life embodies an ever-accelerating rocket ship destined for a happier and more satisfied world. In this book, the positivity, enthusiasm, humility, respectfulness, circumspection, and assiduousness of a quintessential professional is fully developed. The messages and quick points are tacking for globals, millennials, Generation X, Generation Y, and young boomers. The reader will be buoyed by sage advice that is written and lived by one of America’s leading motivational authors. Sit back, strap in, and countdown to success!
-- Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH, Chief Medical Advisor, Truth for Health Foundation
GPS for Success is a powerful, stimulating and inspirational read! This book reveals what many people at the height of their profession have taken a lifetime to learn. It should be at the top of the list of required reading for anyone aspiring to a successful career!
-- Debra K. Brede, Founder D.K. Brede Investment Management Co.
Dr. Franklin had adeptly described proactive, impactful and transformational behaviors found in highly successful people. You will recognize characteristics that you have admired, including happiness, loving what you do, and serving others, and be challenged to develop outstanding people and communications skills that will positively influence your approach to life and ultimately your career path. GPS for Success is a must read.
-- Kathy Berra, MSN, NP-BC, Co-Director, The LifeCare Company, Clinical Trial Coordinator, Stanford Prevention Research Center (Ret)
GPS for Success was written for the entry professional, but can also serve as a guiding light for those later in their careers looking to switch tracks, get out of a rut, or trying to make the leap to the next level. The ideas of goal setting and visualization particularly resonate, as those consistently show up at the top of lists of those who are most successful. Dr. Franklin’s ability to pull together tips, quotes, ideas, concepts, and challenges is unsurpassed. Ultimately, GPS for Success should be on the bookshelf of anyone who wants to be successful in life!
-- Gary Liguori, PhD,Dean, College of Health Sciences, Professor, Department of Kinesiology, University of Rhode Island, Kingston, RI
GPS for Success is a book I have always wanted to read. And now, at last, it's been written. GPS is a unique and invaluable guide to life, success, and fulfillment. It should become part of everyone's road map to an extraordinary future.
-- James R. Whitehead, CEO, International Society for Sports Psychiatry
This unique book details how ordinary people became leaders and winners in life. The traits, qualities, characteristics, and behaviors that empower individuals to perform at the highest levels of their professions are brought to light in an easy reading style that makes the book difficult to put down. Dr. Franklin has identified the key behavioral skills and methods of highly successful people in all walks of life and presented the material in a format that resonates with the reader. A must read for those wanting to climb the career ladder of success.
-- Jeffrey A. Potteiger, Ph.D., Dean, Graduate School, Research Integrity Officer, Grand Valley State University
Having witnessed, firsthand, Dr. Franklin's presentation of this material to our students at Central Michigan University, I'm delighted that he has chronicled his life's experiences and career advice into an invaluable resource. Dr. Franklin’s book is a must read for all students as it will help them succeed, not only in the classroom, but more importantly, in life.
-- Thomas J. Masterson, Jr., PhD, Dean and Professor, The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow College of Health Professions, Central Michigan University
Barry Franklin leaves no stone unturned when evaluating the relevant literature, pertinent quotations, and behavioral skills and strategies for maximizing professional success. The lessons conveyed are creatively woven together with inspirational, true stories into a helpful and easy-to-read book.
-- Lori Ploutz-Snyder, PhD, Dean of the School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan
