Templeton Plan: 21 Steps to Personal Success and Real Happiness

by John Marks Templeton

Sir John Templeton (1912–2008), the Wall Street legend who has been described as “arguably the greatest global stock picker of the twentieth century,” clearly knew what it took to be successful. The most important thing, he observed, was to have strong convictions that guided your life—this was the common denominator he saw in all successful people and enterprises. Fortunately for us, he was eager to share his own blueprint for personal success and happiness with the rest of the world. In The Templeton Plan, he laid out the twenty-one guiding principles by which he governed both his professional and personal life. These principles were grounded in virtues that he considered important enough to be considered the “laws of life”—they include honesty, perseverance, thrift, enthusiasm, humility, and altruism. From this moral foundation, Templeton formulated a step-by-step plan to help improve anyone’s personal and professional life. Among the steps he enumerates, readers will find:·       Four exercises that will help anyone find the positive in every negative·       How to be the one person in ten that will productively use more time than they waste·       The secret trait that separates great workers from good workers·       How to control your thoughts for effective action·       The practical applications of a sense of humility·       How successful people approach risks differently from most peopleTaken as a whole, the lessons contained within his twenty-one steps will help readers make lasting friendships, reap significant financial rewards, and find personal satisfaction. Ever a believer in the future’s vast potential, Templeton hoped that sharing his principles would inspire others to seek their own laws of life, formulate their own plans, and find success and happiness on a scale exponentially greater than his own. He freely admitted that he didn’t know everything and that there was yet much to be discovered about prosperity and joy. The Templeton Plan not only offers his recipe for success, but also shows us the way to formulate our own plans.

Genres: Self Help, Business, Nonfiction, Personal Development

208 pages, Paperback

First published December 31, 1899

Reviews

[Prajwal · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 21 steps themselves are indeed necessary (if not sufficient) for personal success and real happiness, so this is a recommended read. However, the second half of the book is presented in a very religious form (lots of relevant passages from Christianity), sometimes directly suggesting the reader to be religious (as a prerequisite to success). This makes it harder to read for a non-religious person (or someone who doesn't follow Christianity), which is a shame since the core content of the book is relevant even without religion in the mix.

[Christopher Lewis Kozoriz · Rating 4 out of 5]

The solution to great wealth is to give. The solution to ignorance is to learn. And the solution to misunderstanding and negativism is to practice the art of loving. ~ John Mark Templeton ("The Templeton Plan", page 172-173)

John Marks Templeton shares 21 steps to personal success and real happiness. He acknowledges in his book that there are probably hundreds of steps to personal success; however, the 21 he expounds upon are ones that he has tried to put into practice in his own life.

This book is worth reading more than 2 times.

[Booky · Rating 2 out of 5]

An allright little book that has many nuggets of wisdom in it.

[Becks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rules to live by for entrepreneurs. Fulfillment and prosperity is true success.

[Freeread · Rating 4 out of 5]

เรียนรู้จากคนอื่น คว้าโอกาสที่คนอื่นมองไม่เห็น สวดมนต์ ช่วยเหลือสังคมเมื่อมีมากพอ

[Ermal · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first heard about Sir Templeton in Tony Robbins’ book Money. Immediately, I was stunned by Sir Templeton’s humbleness and wisdom, which is why I decided to buy this book.
The rules mentioned in it are amazing — I would even say they are crucial for living a successful life. Sir Templeton teaches us about the value of love and positivity combined with an unbreakable will to persevere.
However, I have two minor points of criticism.
Firstly, the fact that the book doesn’t use the first-person pronoun “I” made it feel a bit distant. I never really had the feeling that I was reading Sir Templeton’s personal words.
Secondly, Sir Templeton focuses heavily on his bond with Christianity and Christianity in general, which certainly played a huge role in his life, and I fully respect that. However, it might not be as helpful for non-religious people or non-Christians.

Nevertheless, I highly recommend it!

God bless you all!

[Tum Kanapon · Rating 2 out of 5]

ได้ยินชื่อ John Templeton ครั้งแรก จาก Quote

"buy when there's blood in the streets"

หนังสือเล่าเรื่องหลักการใช้ชีวิต 21 ข้อ ประกอบเรื่องเล่าด้วยประสบการณ์ของคุณจอห์น
โดยทั่วไปแล้ว หลัก 21 ข้อเป็นเรื่องทั่วๆไป ซึ่งปัจจุบันก็อยู่ในหนังสือ Self-help มากมาย

แต่ส่วนที่ผมประทับใจคุณ John Templeton เป็นพิเศษคือเรื่องราวของศรัทธาความเชื่อในพระเจ้า
การนำชีวิตจิตวิญญานและการทำงานมารวมกัน

การอธิษฐานในทุกๆกิจกรรม แม้แต่ก่อนการประชุมของบริษัทด้วย
การมองว่าเงินไม่ใช่เงินของเรา แต่คือสิ่งที่พระเจ้าประทานให้เราดูแล
และ ถ้าไปอ่านเกล็ดเพิ่มเติมก็พบว่า คุณจอห์นได้บริจาคเงินกว่า 1 Billion USD ตลอดชีวิตของเขา

ผมว่าหนังสือจัดวางและเรียบเรียงไม่ได้น่าสนใจมากนัก
แต่ผมคิดว่าชีวิตของคุณจอห์น น่าสนใจ

[Roberto G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this book!! Very well though out and written. Not your everyday self improvement book. One of my all time favorites because it gives your strategies to be successful and happy in so many important areas of your life not only finances. I would highly recommend the book and would say in my opinion it's a classic. I only wish I would have read it 10 years ago.

[Robert Nykopp · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book because of the wonderful work the Templeton Foundation is doing.

Here is a legendary investor and philanthropist whose mind was open and whose heart and soul was set on the highest good.

It's a short read and worth returning to every now and then. I found it highly interesting and inspiring to read Sir John's story and to understand the principles he used to succeed financially and as a human being. He posits that there are certain laws of life that tend to lead to success and personal happiness, such as "helping yourself by helping others", "putting first things first", "creating your own luck", "giving the extra ounce", "controlling your thoughts for effective action", "loving as the essential ingredient", and so on.

[Victor Chiu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book can be described as a memoir, a spiritual scripture, or even a text taught in an investment school. To me, this book is all of the above which also includes a blueprint on how to master one's life and as the title says - achieve personal happiness. A must read for everyone who wants to live a fulfilled life. Thank you for sharing this wonderful knowledge, experience, and wisdom with us Mr. Templeton!

[A J Godden · Rating 5 out of 5]

Refreshing and life affirming

I attended Templeton college and Said business school. All worthwhile. However, the book outshines the school. (And the school is a life changer) . The values of honesty, organic growth through learning, don't put things off, humanity,be humble, go the extra mile, play to your strengths and your word is your bond should never go out of date. ( The book is also a bit cheaper than the school).

[Ian McClintic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read this book multiple times over the years. Each reading re-inspires me. John Templeton reveals the principles that produced a life of success that is worth emulating. To quote my dad, who gave me this book years ago, ‘if you read one step per day, in 21days you will have received some of the wisest advice you will every receive’.

[Max Ong Zong Bao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Never like to read about stock investors due to personal preference but after reading about how John Templeton lived his life and how he use his money and setting up the John Templeton Foundation. It made me change my perception of stock investors and wish there's more people like him.

[Keith Felix II · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent insight into life lessons and faith in God.

Templeton puts forth the most important characteristics that led to his success in life in a straight forward manner that can be emulated by anyone willing to put forth the effort to become their best version if themself.

[Jonathan]

None

[Harsh Thaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laws of life !

[Diana · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great ideas