How many self-help books are written by authors whose biggest success is selling self-help books? "Three Simple Steps" is different. Despite stock market crashes, dot-com busts, and the specter of recession, the author started a virtual company from home, using a few thousand dollars of his savings. A few years later, without ever hiring an employee or leaving his home office, he sold it for more than $100 million. As the economy slipped into another free fall, he did this again with a company in a different field. He accomplished this through no particular genius. Rather, he studied the habits of the many successful men and women who preceded him, and developed three simple rules that, if followed diligently, virtually ensure success. Using them first to escape poverty, then to achieve a life of adventures, he finally turned them toward financial independence. Written in a straightforward and no-nonsense style, "Three Simple Steps" shows you how to take back control of your destiny and reshape your mind for increased creativity, serenity and achievement. While building on the wisdom of great thinkers and accomplished individuals from East and West, "Three Simple Steps" isn't a new age text or guide to esoteric fulfillment. Rather, it's a practical guide to real-life achievement by a pragmatic businessman who attributes his incredible successes to these very simple ideas. "Three Simple Steps" is a must-read guide for everyone who wants to achieve more, live better and be happier.
I found Trevor Blake through an article on Inc.com on why complainers are bad for your brain. Something about his voice compelled me to look up his new book, and a few minutes later, I had it downloaded to my Kindle. The mixture of riveting personal history and unconventional self-help advice got me finishing the book in two sittings.
Even without the self-help component, the book makes for a fascinating read: Trevor's impoverished childhood in England, with the bullying he endured; his quest to enter England's top military school against all odds; anecdotes from his time as a soldier; his romance with an equally determined young woman; his unlikely early business success; the dream of moving to America; and his subsequent entrepreneurial ventures. Most poignant are the accounts of his mother Audrey, which are alone inspiring enough to be worth the book's purchase price.
However, it is as a work of self-help that I'm recommending this book. First of all, I like its simplicity. The three steps are, in fact, simple. Basically:
1. Think in terms of what you want, not what you don't. Corollary: avoid negative people and media. 2. Take at least 20 min a day of quiet time. This is a daily meditative practice to clear your mind and focus on the void, because the void is the wellspring of all creation. 3. Formulate what you want in life in terms of intentions, not goals: "An intention is a goal but with all doubt about its attainment removed." In other words, assume the feeling of your goal already attained.
This stuff is simple but far from simplistic. In fact, each of the three practices has precedents in ancient wisdom, from Taoism to Buddhism to American Transcendentalism. Although Trevor doesn't reference those traditions, this is stuff that's been around for thousands of years. He does reference contemporary science to back up many of his recommendations, especially on avoiding negativity, which I appreciate.
Second, Trevor has demonstrated real, reproducible business success with his techniques. He makes a salient point that most self-help authors dispensing advice on success weren't successful businessmen themselves (Napoleon Hill being a glaring case in point). There's a certain amount of credibility that comes with being a serial entrepreneur with consistently respectable results, and Trevor has that.
Third, the book just has the ring of truth to it -- a certain mystical, alchemical quality which is hard to define. It just seems to resonate with the structure of experience: 'Y'know, come to think of it, the times when I've been successful, that was what I did.' Thus far, you had been doing it unconsciously and accidentally. I'm grateful to Trevor for making that structure explicit so we can follow it deliberately. I just finished re-reading the book, and I'm looking forward to reporting back on the fruits the implementation of its ideas will bear.
Absolutely one of the best books I have ever read if not the best. I was headed on a 17 hour flight to Asia and thought I should finally give this book a chance. After getting through the first chapter I was hooked. I'm so happy that I decided to read this book on my first trip out of state. It truly gave me a new perspective on myself and the world around me. I've committed myself in using the three steps everyday and it has made the world of difference. Although its been a little over a month since I've committed to the steps I've already seen changes around me. I'm not ever angry, opportunities literally are knocking on my door, my relationships with my loved ones has become more profound. These are just a few examples of the changes I've noticed.
A practical no nonsense guide for anyone looking to remap their limiting beliefs into limitless beliefs. This isn't a new age waste of time. Trevor Blake uses a boat load of real world research and first hand experience to make this unlike any business book I've ever read. His research on Napoleon Hill is worth the price of admission alone.
The three simple steps he proposes are sound, and dovetail nicely into the mindfulness principles I have been implementing in my life. It essentially boils down to a positive emphasis (emphasizing what you are for, not what you are against), mindfulness, and creating a self-fulfilling prophecy in your life by creating what he calls intentions (goals) and growing into them as life progresses.
Again the principles are sound, the one thing that annoyed me was his examples including mediums channeling the dead and faith-healers as examples to show his system works... Especially considering his work in the medical field.
I don't remember where I heard about this. It's really just The Secret for business. I thought his tone was a bit condescending at times - maybe I just don't buy into the message.
Definitely had the cheesy feel of a self help book, but I liked that the ideas are simple, common sense and backed up by his own experience. I actually really like his anecdotes, especially about his mother.
Here are the main ideas and things I highlighted:
1. Be positive. Thoughts are energy, which translate to matter. Seems easy but is very hard to put into practice. Use an invisible shield to block out people’s doubts and negative thoughts.
2. Take quiet time every day. Use your imagination. He is an entrepreneur and uses lots of examples from famous innovators, but this applies to everyone. I like this advice.
2a. Get into nature. I really like his intentionality on this and it has worked well for him since he was young. This premise ties with my own experience and several other things I am reading. Need to just keep it simple, it’s hard to do a real “back to nature” experience with the busyness of life - he just sat looking out the window from his three room flat earlier in life and it was positive, so I need to get on this.
3. Imagine the thing you want as having happened already (this one feels weird to me). He is fixated on travel and fancy cars, so spends time imagining he already has them (even going to dealerships) so it is just fulfilling an expectation when it happens. Whatever.
Highlights:
- We must change our thoughts from being against things we don’t want to being for things we do want
- Mapping your mind onto your tongue is a great way to visualize mentality control.
- Take a pause, and a deep breath, and think about your reaction. Map it out on your tongue with the same care as if you were drawing directions for someone. Say to yourself something like “I am debt-free, and celebrated my last credit card payment with a glass of my favorite wine, purchased with cash.”
- Even though that is not your current experience, by thinking and speaking about what you really want, what you are for, rather than what you are against, you create the possibility of a better outcome. Better thoughts go out into the universe. The words you used have triggered even better images of a happy family sharing in your success, and the emotional feeling of a weight lifting off your shoulders. All those new thoughts and images have no choice but to become your reality.
- In his book on neuroplasticity, The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science, Norman Doidge, M.D., states plainly that the brain has the capacity to rewire itself and/ or form new neural pathways—if we do the work. Just like exercise, the work requires repetition and activity to reinforce new learning. So complaining repetitively can become a wired thing in your brain, deep and harmful. We can all think of someone who seems incapable of speaking without complaining.
- was to imagine that a huge glass cloak descended from the sky and completely covered me as I walked. By the time I rejoined my siblings, I was fully protected inside this shield. I imagined all slurs and taunts bouncing off the glass or exploding on impact. The effect of this simple trick was astounding. I felt powerful and impervious to any insults.
- The insanity I prescribe is that taking quiet time needs to become a daily habit, and it requires you not to switch on the computer, radio, television, or cell phone first. It is contrary to how we have learned to behave in this time and place. Taking quiet time becomes the number one business growth tool in your arsenal, and the aim is to make it one of the first things you do every day.
- Another character trait that jumped out at me from the pages of the biographies of self-made men and women was their affiliations with nature. All of them turned to nature in times of stress or when big decisions needed to be made.
- Discipline and self-confidence were found to be more important than intelligence for achieving things. By far the most important factor, however, was a tendency to set goals.
- negotiation: He who mentions a number first loses. Always.
A light, simple, and wonderful read full of the author's personal anecdotes to substantiate the methodology he impresses on the reader. This is very different from typical "self-help" books which more directly aim to sell self-help practices in order to turn a profit. Also doesn't hurt that the profits for this book go towards cancer research and that Trevor Blake donated numerous copies to libraries.
I found the actual three simple steps to be beneficial and applicable to my own life. As Blake will tell you, some are easier than others and it is at times extraordinarily difficult to keep them a habit. I would caution people from picking up this book in a determined mindset of finding hard proofs for how to better their lives. Rather, this book aims to give you the tools necessary to restructure the framework surrounding your life and in turn setting you up for improvement.
If I had to choose one word that stands out beyond all the others in this book it is *mentality.* As someone who experiences anxiety and worries for the future, control of mentality and the ability to let go of the things that cannot be controlled are paramount to a successful future. Three Simple Steps helps the reader pursue this type of thinking and offers various techniques for making it a reality.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking to make minor changes for a big difference. It requires drive and commitment, but Blake doesn't give anything that it unweildly or daunting.
"Three Simple steps" by Trevor Black is one great self help book. It has many advantages in comparaison with other books but it's perfect either. First off, Trevor Blake had succes way before writign his book and he says it some times. Many self help books aren't really reliable because the authors got succes (rich) by selling their book and not really by applying what's actually in their book. Then the book is simle, easy to follow even if there's a lot of personal story in it which sometimes isn't really relevant. Althourght the book is great, it has some flaws. The first one and most annoying is that, especially at the end, it decrease in quality. At the begginin, he explains that the techniques are working because of neuronal pathways, which as a med student, I agree and find it quite scientific. But at the end, there's a lot of spiritual theories that are thrown in it (he even metion medium communication). He even says a bit about the law of attraction. This isn't scientific and spoiled a bit the book for me. Finally, my last concern is that he doesn't ephasize enough the hard work that you have to put in to get succes, which, is way more relevant than some pseudo scientific theories that he mentions.
In conclusion. It's a good book to begin with but some ideas should be checked with some critical thinking.
The book started quite interestingly. You see from the start that Trevor is a good storyteller.
Throughout the book, you'll read more stories from his life which make this book more fun and interesting to read. It took me some time to read it because basic concepts for manifesting/attracting great life lay in "three simple steps". That's, of course, a marketing approach since Trevor has become great at selling over the years.
Nevertheless, his lessons are on point, and it can be that simple to manifest what you want.
Honestly, there are some steps missing that could move a majority of people towards their dreams, but still, these steps should be practiced daily, and your chance will increase tremendously to live a magnificent life.
I've almost given 4 stars to this book, but while reading it, I have come to like Trevor, mainly because of the things he went through in his life.
Worth reading. At least you'll get a grasp of "three simple steps" and practice them daily.
Great book — age-old wisdoms in a form of easily digestible personal stories.
This book is mostly about mastering your mind and learning thought-patterns that are recommended by many other schools of thought as well.
Intention-setting, taking quiet time every day (meditation), being careful of what content/media you let inside your life, to name a few.
I found it refreshing read, and found many patterns I’ve been striving to include in my own life already for some years. It always feels good to get affirmation from somebody who had achieved amazing things in his life with similar techniques
A lot of people swear by this book. I have met a couple of successful people who claim this book changed their lives. I didn’t do much research on the book before getting it. After reading a couple of chapters, I realized it wasn’t for me. His advice wasn’t scientific. He sounds like a very spiritual person. His overall message was that ignore negative thoughts and instead create more positive thoughts.
You can create all positive thoughts you want but if you aren’t acting, nothing will happen. I thought his advice would be based on practical, realistic examples rather than feel good about yourself and everything will workout.
It was a good read. I enjoyed his life story and respect how far he's come despite the hardships earlier in his life.
The message itself is different from what I usually read in more practical business books. Some of the concepts are yet to be proven for me. I've seen some things happen that have improved my mentality and have shown modest results. Time will tell if the ripple effects help demonstrate a more profound effect.
I do like the idea of intentions vs. goals and how "life fills in the details". It more aligns with the approach that's always worked well for me and doesn't promote the hustle and grind culture.
Lucid in its simplicity. Practical and actionable and not preachy or dripping of snake oil like what you find in most gurus’ books who use lofty words but don’t practice what they preach in real life. The author has literally been in the trenches and lived to tell the tale in a way that anyone can benefit. Not really an erudite weaver of words, but life changing and encouraging. Thank you, Trevor Blake.
I listened to the audiobook twice to get a fuller picture. The autobiographical narrative is very visual and compelling and makes for enjoyable reading/ listening. Trevor opts for an upbeat, at times hyperbole, tone which he justified within the book clearly, the effect on your own mentality is noticeable. References are well researched and explained. The three steps are easy to memorise and refer back to.
Surely do recommend this book. I loved the real-life stories of his mother, his own and his wife. Motivational, inspirational! And what he is preaching/teaching is time-tested gold, but added twists with his personal life examples - and plenty of those. And in the end “Oh by the way, this is how I created a company I sold for 100 million while making the world a better place” :D This book will fly by quickly!
Probably the most underrated business/personal transformation book I've ever read, and at the same time one of the best I've ever read. 'Three Simple Steps' is something everyone should read in my opinion, regardless of whether you're into business or not. I think it's the perfect starting point for those who have a desire to move in the entrepreneurial direction and have no idea what to do.
I liked this one, but I burn out on self-help books quickly. Truth be told, I didn't finish the whole thing. In a nut shell, the three simple steps are: positive thinking, taking quiet time to let ideas flow, and exerting energy to make your dreams happen. I enjoyed the stories and anecdotes throughout the book, and it is nicely written.
There are several stories and personal anecdotes tucked in here that are unique. Otherwise it is a lot that any self-help or power of positive thinking book might convey. Still, this is very readable. The meat seem to be at the end of the book with some remarkably easy take-aways, summed up, digestible and implementable.
Some good nuggets of insight wrapped in a whole lot mambo-jambo. The final paragraph talks about the actual business venture of the author, the paragraphs before that are about his mindset, habits and new-age thinking. Whilst the author points out the unoriginal JRT in other self-help books, he oftentimes steps into the same trap himself.
It was such a refresher and a great reminder that have fallen of track from some of the principle like stopping the news, and seeing the glass half full instead of half empty.
I have gotten back on the path of the 3 simple steps. And this feel so much better!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Inspirational while also entertaining for the auto biographical episodes used to illustrate the application of tools and techniques and the results got by the author. The three steps are really simple and coincide with what I read in other personal development books but in other books the number of steps is bigger and more prescriptive to apply.
The simplicity of this book is its strength. Relatively concise, it has enough stories to illustrate the SIMPLE teachings, but not keep me skimming to get to the actual meat.