By Brian Tracy
Take Charge of Your Life is a great book, once one understands that he or she is not “in charge,” but rather a steward of the time, gifts, and leadership positions God allows.
A brief biblical view of life and leadership
Let’s consider what God says before we unveil some of the great skills and principles Tracy has to offer:
Our lives are but a breath
James 4:14 - We have today and tomorrow by the grace of God: '“Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.”
Psalm 39:5, 11 - “You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Everyone is but a breath, even those who seem secure. . . . surely everyone is but a breath.”Our very breath is in God’s hands
Psalm 104:29 - “When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust.”
Job 12:10 - “In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind.”Gifts and leadership positions come from God:
Daniel 4:17, 25, 32, 35 - “The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’ POTUS would do well to remember this.
Romans 12:6 - “We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us.”Leaders are not “owners,” but stewards of the roles God provides
1 Corinthians 4:1,7 - “This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. . . .What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?”
About brian tracy
God is clear about chasing wisdom and learning (see Proverbs 3:13-15 and Proverbs 4:7 and Proverbs 23:23, “Buy truth and do not sell it”), and Brian Tracy has much to offer in terms of practical insight.
I would suggest reading Tracy’s introduction. The man started dirt poor, drifted here and there, failed often, until he came to the conclusion:
“I realized that if I wanted my life to change, I would have to change. If I wanted my life to get better, I would personally have to get better.”
And get better he did. Today, Brian Tracy (born 1944) has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 70 other countries worldwide. As a keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.
He has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 70 books that have been translated into dozens of languages. (from BrianTracy.com)
About take charge of your life
Tracy’s advice in Take Charge Of Your Life comes courtesy of twenty-five years of his reading and life experiences. Here are his twelve “master skills for success.”
Maximize your potential.
Understand the mental laws of the universe.
Employ strategic thinking.
Set meaningful and powerful goals.
Use the Twelve-Step process to revolutionize your life.
Tap into the power of superconscious mind.
Master time management.
Streamline your life.
Increase your earning ability.
Find the career that you really want.
Use the power of leverage.
Achieve financial independence.
a few of my takeaways
From “Maximize Your Own Potential”
Take the credit . . . and the blame.
High performers take both the credit and the blame for everything that happens to them. Successful men and women have a strong sense of internal accountability, which extends to their work and all of their relationships. Failures try to make others accountable. 32“I am responsible.”
“The conscious mind can hold only hold one thought at a time, positive or negative, and you can deliberately choose that thought. Whenever you feel negative or angry for any reason, you can immediately cancel the thought that is causing the negative emotion by firmly saying, 1I am responsible.’” What Tracy suggests here is brought out very clearly by the apostle Paul in Philippians 4:8, where he writes: Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (ESV)True friends remind their friends that they are responsible.
Perhaps one of the kindest things you can do for a true friend is to put him back in touch with his own good sense by reminding him that he is responsible. When a person complains, simply say, “You are responsible. What are you going to do about it?” 42
From “Strategic Thinking”
Success is goals: A group of successful men and women noted the reasons for success and failure. Their conclusion: “Success is goals, and all else is commentary: the ability to set goals and to make plans for their accomplishment was more important than any other single skill.” 82
A person without goals is like a ship without a rudder, drifting aimlessly and always in danger of ending up on the rocks.... the British historian Thomas Carlyle wrote that a man with a half volition goes back and forth and makes no progress on even the smoothest road, whereas the person with a full volition moves ahead steadily, no matter how difficult the path. 98
From “Set Meaningful and Powerful goals”
A helpful goal-setting question: Tracy’s second goal-setting question is this EXERCISE: “What are your three most important goals in your life right now?” He notes: “Write the answer to this question within thirty seconds; This is called the quick list method. When you only have thirty seconds to write your three most important goals or problems, your subconscious mind sorts them out quickly, and they just pop into your conscious mind. In thirty seconds, your answers will be as accurate as if you had thirty minutes.” 115
The Twelve-Step Process: In chapter 5, Tracy outlines 12 steps you can take to setting and achieving one’s goals. He provides this EXERCISE: Take your major definite purpose (your major definite purpose is your number one goal: the goal that is more important to you than any other) and go step by step through the goal-setting methodology: (1) Desire: What do you want? (2) Belief: Do you believe it is achievable? (3) Write it down. (4) List the benefits. (5) Analyze your position: Where are you now relative to achieving this goal? Be realistic. (6) Set a deadline. (7) List the obstacles. (8) Identify the information you need. (9) List the people you’ll need. (10) Make a plan. Visualization: Create a clear mental picture of your goal as already achieved. (12) Never give up.
From “Time Management” ** A GREAT CHAPTER **
The TRAF System 166ff
T = Toss: One of the best time management tools is the wastebasket.
R = Refer or Delegate
A = Action (the emails, letters, proposals you must do something about)
F = File (remember 80% of what gets filed, never sees the light of day again. Only keep the necessary).The Daily to-do list is probably the single most important planning tool.
The ABCDE System 170-171
A = Must do - Serious negative consequences if not completed.
B = Should do - Important, but only minor negative consequences if not completed within a set point of time.
C = Nice to do, but not necessary. No negative consequences.
D = Delegate
E = Eliminate - Might be enjoyable or meet someone else’s desire, but adds very little value to your work.
From “Streamline Your Life”
Time and Money: Time, like money, can be either spent or invested. If you spend it, it’s gone forever. If you invest it wisely, it will bear you a return. 188
Dinner and Dessert: When you come home at night, dinner activities are things like talking to your spouse and playing with your children. Dessert activities are watching television, cracking a beer, and reading the newspaper. When you get home, you always have a choice between a dinner activity and a dessert activity. Which are you going to do first? 197
From “Increase Your Earning Ability”
Leaders are readers: Reading one hour per day will translate into roughly one book per week. One book per week will translate into approximately 50 books per year, 50 books per year will translate into approximately 500 books over the next 10 years. Experts are “born” from this sort of reading … and careful note taking. 215
Invest in your mind each morning: You can tell with considerable accuracy where you're going to be and what you're going to be doing in three to five years by the amount of time you invest in your mind. My friend Charlie Jones said that in five years, you will be where you are today except for the books you read and the people you meet. 220
Rise early. Read well. Reap the benefits for years. Rise early each morning and read educational, motivational, or inspirational material for 30 to 60 minutes. Invest that time and your day will be better. You will feel happier and more positive. You'll be more productive. The practice will yield a 1000% increase over the next 10 years, if not before. 222
From “The Power of Leverage”
Never say disparaging things: Never for a moment should you think that anything that you say to another person will remain a secret for long. Your operating principle for politics and communications within your organization must be that everybody knows everything.
Your most important customer is your boss. “You’ve been hired to please your boss. This is neither good nor bad; it’s merely a fact.” 258
Quips and quotes
H.L. Hunt on success: The famous oil billionaire was once asked his formula for success. “He said that in America, you only need two things to be successful. First, he said, decide exactly what it is you want. Most people never do that. Second, determine the price you're going to have to pay to get it, and then resolve to pay that price.” 100
Peter Drucker getting things done: Drucker, author of The Effective Executive, says that whenever you find something getting done anywhere, you'll find a monomaniac with a mission. “Whenever you find great achievement, you'll find an individual who's absolutely clear about what he or she wants to do and who is willing to do whatever it takes for however long it takes.” 147
Do it now! Do it now! Do it now! W. Clement Stone, who built an insurance fortune of more than $500 million, wrote that the repetition of the words, “do it now,” was a key factor in his rise from being a penniless boy selling newspapers on the streets of Chicago to becoming one of the richest men in America. 180
Wisdom is the accurate consideration of the secondary consequences of a particular act or decision. Henry Hazlitt said that all wisdom is the accurate consideration of the secondary consequences of a particular act or decision. He said that the primary consequences are almost always invariably positive: that's why a person engages in the activity in the first place. But the person has to live with the secondary consequences of the act which are often far worse than if nothing had been done at all. 198
Benjamin Franklin: “Empty the coins of your purse into your mind and your mind will fill your purse with coins.” 214
On audio books: Turn your car into a university on wheels, and turn driving time into learning time. 216
My push backs:
Hopefully, this review has demonstrated that Tracy has insights galore, wisdom to share, and principles that — if applied — result in personal and business growth. I’m better for having read his book and applied many of the principles he shares. Now I want to push back on some of his underlying assumptions:
Tracy never defines “Success”
The word “success” is used at least eighteen times in this book. It is never defined, though the idea presented is one of monetary gain, satisfaction in life, and career advancement.
Tracy’s theology of “Self” to which he devotes significant pages:
“There is a direct relationship between your level of effectiveness and your self-concept. You can never perform in any area at a higher level or better level than your concept of your ability to perform.” 15
You can raise your self-esteem at will by simply repeating, with enthusiasm and conviction, “I like myself, I like myself, I like myself.” 19
“Your own level of self-liking and self-esteem is the control valve on the quality of your human relationships. It’s either the problem or the solution to every situation.” 20
There have been studies ad nauseum as to the importance of self concept. Yes, it is important. I agree with Tracy when he writes, “The clearer you are about the person you want to become, the more likely it is that day by day, you will evolve into that person.” (18). Self-concept is important, but not all important. Take a look at Judges 6 and watch what God does with Gideon. Gideon was hiding out from the Midianites when the angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, “The Lord is with you, mighty warrior.” Look closely, it is as if Gideon looks around and says, “You talking to me? My family is the least in Israel and I’m the least in my family.” Judges 6.
Needless to say, Gideon’s “self-concept” was not very high. However, God ultimately transforms Gideon and with him the nation; not because of Gideon, but because of who Gideon becomes personally and “professionally” when he see himself through God’s eyes and with God’s help. Paul writes, “When Christ who is your life . . .” (Colossians 3:4) and “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Tracy’s emphasis on preaching “Self” in the face of Fear
Tracy writes: “The greatest problem of human life is fear.” Not a big argument on that. “Do not fear” is the most often repeated admonition in the Bible. However, how we overcome that fear is the critical point.
Tracy writes, “You can raise yourself esteem, overriding and weakening your fears, by repeating with emotion and conviction the powerful words, ‘I like myself, I like myself, I like myself,’ over and over. Start off by repeating, ‘I like myself’ 50 or 100 times per day until it locks into your subconscious. You'll soon be able to see and feel the difference in your self-confidence and your relationships with other people.” 28
Where Brian Tracy gets it right is “as a person thinks in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7 ASV). God leaves no doubt that fear is a crippler, which is why he tells us over and again, “Do not fear.” The issue is the Source for overcoming that fear. The Psalmist asks himself, “Why are you so downcast my soul, why so disquieted within me?” (Psalm 42:5). His solution is not “I like myself, I like myself, I like myself,” but “Put your hope in God!” In another place, King David sings, “The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1 NIV).
Tracy gets it halfway right, “We need to preach to ourselves.” But God reminds us that the message we preach makes all the difference. The message I need to preach is not the gospel of self, but the Gospel of God. Preach the true gospel to yourself.
Tracy’s “under the sun” approach to life
In the margin of my book I wrote, “He recognizes the complexity of the brain and yet see no Instruction manual or Designer to this life.”
Here are the author’s words:
The average person functions far below his or her potential because we come into this world with no instruction manual. We're born with an amazing brain, whose complexities and possibilities are so vast that we cannot yet understand or explain them. This marvelous three-pound organ contains around 171 billion cells and processes 100 million bits of information per hour... 47
The writer of Ecclesiastes (probably Solomon) gives us the conclusion of a life lived with no metaphysical (above the physical) perspective: I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind. Ecclesiastes 1:14
Tracy’s doctrine of the superconscious mind:
Tracy writes, “it's as though we are surrounded by a universal mind that contains all the intelligence, ideas, and knowledge that has ever existed or ever will exist. Often different people in different parts of the world will come up with the same ideas at the same time.” (143) I'm asking myself how Brian Tracy can recognize his super conscious mind but not God. How can you have a super conscious mind in a universe that rises out of chaos? Things don't just happen... especially a “super conscious mind.” At this point, Tracy takes Matthew 6:34 out of its biblical context. (see page 147)
Later he writes, “But we live in a universe that's governed by law. Nothing happens by chance. Everything happens as the result of definite laws and principles, even if we cannot clearly identify them at the time period” 151.
Reading that, I'm asking myself, “How can you have a world governed by laws in a universe or world that is a cosmic accident?” I turn to Billy Preston who reminds me that “nothing from nothing brings nothing.”
Tracy’s advice to “ALWAYS trust your intuition.”
He writes, “The first and most frequent source is from intuition. The still, small voice within. Sometimes that inner voice will shout at you so loud that you will know that this is exactly the right thing for you to do. The best advice that I could ever give you is to always trust your intuition. Never go against your intuition: it is your direct pipeline to the super conscious mind and infinite intelligence. Men and women become great to the degree to which they listen to and trust their intuition.” 155
Perhaps too harsh for some, but next to that line, I wrote “Garbage” in the margin of my book. There’s a reason God tells us to “test everything” (1 Thessalonians 5:21) and why Paul says, “I don’t even judge myself.” We need to test our thinking against God’s word and with the advice of counselors. Our intuition can OFTEN lead us astray.
Recommendation:
I highly recommend Brian Tracy’s book, Take Charge Of Your Life: 12 Master Skills For Success. As I note from time to time, Francis Bacon said, “Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested.” Tracy’s work is one to be chewed and digested. Yes, some places gave me intellectual and theological indigestion, but on the whole this is a very helpful work from a very “successful” man.
Brian Tracy has distilled twenty-five years of learning into about 250 pages and 12 master skills. God says, “Buy the truth and do not sell it” (Proverbs 23:23). He says, “The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight” (Proverbs 4:7). This book provides much truth, wisdom, and insight. Dive in!
