Have you ever wondered why someone hasn’t been able to discover the “secret” to success and present it in a clear, easy to duplicate formula? The reason is quite simple: there is no secret. A wise man once said, “The secret to success without hard work is still a secret.” In his 2002 book, Create Your Own Future, Brian Tracy presents a complete blueprint for success, but never hints that the journey will be easy. The world renowned author, speaker and consultant provides twelve factors that will enable the reader, if successfully implemented, to achieve better results in all aspects of business and life. Each factor is backed up with Tracy’s own experience, as well as universal laws and principles. Throughout the book, there is one underlying message, and that is that your future is in your own hands, and your success (or lack of it) is completely predictable. Everything you have gotten, and will get, from life is the result of your own choices and decisions, coupled with your actions day by day and year by year. The author points out that while many successful people are seen as being lucky, and unsuccessful people often blame “bad luck,” the truth is that we each make our own luck. By applying the principles in this book, the author suggests that one day others will look and you and say how “lucky” you are. Each chapter covers one of twelve factors, such as Clarity, Knowledge, Attitude, or Relationships, and explains how each factor figures into an individual’s success. Perhaps the most useful aspect to this book, however, is that each chapter ends with “Action Exercises” that help the reader actually work at and improve on each factor. Unlike most authors who simply write about what they did to become successful, Tracy actually provides steps to help the reader turn his ideas into action. This alone makes this book worth reading. In these uncertain times, it’s important to remember that our success is still within reach, but we can’t wait for someone else to hand it to us. One of the many quotes Tracy shares with us comes from Peter Drucker, who said, “The very best way to predict the future is to create it.” If you’re interested in creating your own future, start by picking up this book and then apply its principles on a daily basis.