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The Success System That Never Fails

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Why does one man succeed and another fail? There is an answer. And it will be found in this book. For there are formulas, prescriptions, recipes-rules, principles, systems-even treasure maps, if you please-which, when followed in proper sequence, bring the good things in life to those who seek them. Often the rules for success are so simple and so obvious they aren't even seen. But when you search for them, you, too, can find them. And during the search something wonderful happens: you acquire knowledge...you gain experience...you become inspired. And then you begin to realize the necessary ingredients for success.

206 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1962

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W. Clement Stone

43 books88 followers

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5 stars
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229 (29%)
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142 (18%)
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63 (8%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews
Profile Image for Matthew.
12 reviews
August 25, 2012
It takes a lot of concentration and thought to ring this book dry of all its value, but there's a really important point that the book makes that everyone who's trying to accomplish a goal should learn... and its this... there are a few things that you can do in any business that are extremely important for success. You can accumulate those things into a system through thought and trial and error. Once you have the system down, the really hard work is done. I use the info in this book everyday.
Profile Image for Vaishali.
1,162 reviews311 followers
July 14, 2018
Just amazing, and so so helpful. Unsure where he referenced this, but I'll start my quote-notes with what he calls "an old Hindu legend" :

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"When the gods were making the world, they asked 'Where can we hide the most valuable treasures so that they cannot be lost? How can we hide them so that the lust and greed of men will not steal or destroy them?' So they selected a hiding place so obvious it wouldn't be seen. Where is this place? Within you."

"I feel healthy! I feel happy! I feel terrific!"

"Faith is mere day-dreaming unless applied."

"Actions - not mere words - determine the validity of a man's living philosophy."

"Suggestions to overcome barriers... little hinges that swing big doors :
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1. Engage in think /plan/study time with regularity
2. Ask: What principal did I learn from the last recording? What action did I take?
3. Know-how becomes habit through actual repetitive experience... practice, practice, practice.
4. Do it now."

"Because I knew what I wanted, I recognized that which would help me."

"Aim high! Know everyone has problems, and you are no exception."

"The principles to solve your difficulties, disappointments, and problems are exactly the same as those necessary to reach your long-term objectives, as well as those that are intermediate or short-term."

"When you try to do good for others without accepting compensation or recognition, it comes back to you 10,000-fold."

"Man's greatest power lies in the power of prayer. Do it now!"

"You don't always get what you expect - unless you inspect."

Benjamin Franklin's Book of 13 Virtues:
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1. Temperance
2. Silence
3. Order
4. Resolution
5. Frugality
6. Industry
7. Sincerity
8. Justice
9. Moderation
10. Cleanliness
11. Tranquility
12. Chastity
13. Humility

(Each virtue took 1 full page in the book. He concentrated on learning a page per week, completed all in 13 weeks, then repeated this 4 times a year. At the top of each page was a self-motivator quote that made sense to him. Example : "Be enthusiastic... and enthusiastic!")



"Don't read self-help books like a detective book."
Detective books: writer writes the conclusion
Self-help books: reader writes the conclusion

"Keep the desire to change your personality from negative characteristics to positive."

"I remember when Napoleon Hill had a problem and was unable to come up with an answer. So he read his own book Think and Grow Rich and found the answer."



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94 reviews
July 19, 2018
http://imeducatingmyself.com/the-succ...

This is the Self-Help book that is written by a Insurance salesmen William C. Stone, and it talking about habits that you need to acquire in order to become successful. But the book is not written in way that it presents exact steps that you need acquire – the content in this book contain stories from which you can learn what is the right habit(s) that you need to acquire. I will try to write some of the habits that I learned from this book, but it’s not anything new for me, I already know these habits from other books.

Some of the habits presented in this book in no particular order are:

Education – This is one the most habits in my opinion, and if you don’t have skills that you can use to earn more money – than you need to learn new ones. But with the internet these, majority of new skills can be learned through books and courses which are less expensive than going to college. But I won’t agree that college isn’t important these days, that’s another topic.
Practice – Everything that we learn will not be useful if we don’t put that knowledge into good use. Because the best way to learn something is to just practice it until you master it.
Know-how – This habit is combination of two above, we need to try narrowing down our interest and not try to learn too many things. When your focus it’s not on too many things, then we can learn as much as possible abou that specific industry, and through practice mastering that skill. It’s useless to learn about stock market, clothing manufacturing, reparing and restoring cars, being a chef all at once – you’ll learn a bit of everything, but nothing that can be called specialized knowledge.
Action – We need to take action if we want to succeed in life. Nothing will came to us by itself, if we don’t get up and go and grab things that we want.
What is riches for you? – We need to seek in ourselves what is true riches for us. In my case, I think is having a house (that I don’t need to mortgage for the next 20 years), good wife with happy marriage, kids, and having enough money that I don’t need to worry am I going to be able to pay next bills, education for kids, vacation; also to be able to help my parents. This is something that vary from person to person – and everybody need to find it in them selves.
Believer – There is a part of this book that is telling that we need to be religious, pray for success in order to that success come to us. I have to be honest on this one and say that I’m not much into religion; but I have moral ethic that I follow.
Respectful (Respect yourself, and respect others as well) – This one doesn’t need much explanation except “Don’t do unto others, what you don’t want others to do unto you.”
Think Win/Win – This is one is very well known, if you doing business with other make sure that you negotiate deals that is beneficial for both sides, not just for you and damaging for other. This won’t last long, and sooner or later we can end up without business partners and associates.
There are more things that can be learned from this book, but I don’t want to make this review too long.

I have to say that if you are looking something easier to understand, that you might want to read The Law of Success, Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

This books are much more easier to read and to understand, and they are written for beginners in mind that are looking for good Self-Help, Self-Improvement, Self-Development books. And if already read those books, than you won’t find anything new in this book. If you want something to boost your confidence to take more action, than by no means go ahead and read it. But I would suggest that is better to read again books from Napoleon and Stephen.
Profile Image for Rosslyn.
12 reviews2 followers
August 11, 2009
If you are in the sales field you may find this book very beneficial. I, however, could not get into it. The format is very dry and almost exclusively deals with sales techniques. I suppose if you can stick it out to the end then there may be something for the ordinary reader to use but I never made it that far. I must repeat, however, if you are in sales then you should definately read this book.
8 reviews
June 15, 2021
Terrific book; W. Clement Stone gives the reader the essence of how to achieve your goals through self-suggestion and other invaluable principles that I will now employ for the rest of my life.
Profile Image for Benjamin Arp.
39 reviews1 follower
June 9, 2020
Most modern readers would have a hard time with the lack of cultural context for this book.

I found it interesting that terms thrown around in the business community and self help community today were being used when this book was written.

Decent read if you’re looking for something to motivate you in the success literature space. A pass for anyone else.
Profile Image for Leon.
100 reviews13 followers
September 7, 2020
This book started out strong with some good tips and advice on selling, some background story and some of the typical motivational stuff on success, mindset, habits, etc. However, you soon realise that's ALL that it is.

The key ingredients in the 'success system' as described in the book is:- (in order of importance)
1. Inspiration to action; that which motivates you to act because you want to.
2. Know-how; particular techniques and skills that consistently get results, it is the proper application of knowledge and it's developed through experience.
3. Activity knowledge; knowing how to do something.

Essentially they are ' Being inspired, acquiring the necessary knowledge required and learning how to do something then through experience, refine and improve what you know, which means having a detailed approach and understanding all nuances until you can do it successfully again and again.

Additionally, you will need the 'right mental attitude', have good morals (avoid sex,alcohol,deception, cheating), read 'think and grow rich' and the 'richest man in babylon', count your blessings, pray, give back, keep a detailed dairy, knowing your 'why', think before you act, learn to say no and choosing your environment.

Overall the book was painfully verbose even for a self-help book. The author goes on and on about what HE did and how HE helped his employees/salesmen, etc. The author struck me as one of those typical privileged American who made it big and thought it was all because of some success system while making some pretty ignorant statements about other people from other countries.

In conclusion, the first half of the book is worth reading but not so much the second half on his own personal views.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Mike Tomasello.
150 reviews4 followers
May 26, 2018
Worth the read

It was a little dated since it was written so long ago so it's a bit more harder to relate to. I think way too much time is spent on quotes and reviews from people that I've never heard of and that I can't relate to.

With that being said, it's still one of the best personal and professional development books of all time. If a poor man from a poor family can become a multi Millionaire selling insurance, what can you do? What this book does that few do is he gives examples of people that were struggling in various ways and what they did to turn it around.

The author lived to 100 when many used to die in their 50s and 60s. He gave inspiration to famous people like Norman Vincent Peale, Jack Canfield,
1 review
March 16, 2019
An Awesome Guide To Life

I was first introduced to W. Clement Stone by Mark Januszewski, "The Worlds Laziest Networker". Just one of the numerous gold nuggets I picked up From Mark. This book is a lifechanger. I know why I never had the kind of success I. Have been working for. This is not a one time read it needs to be absorbed to be useful and effective. But it read it many times, learn it's principles, theories, and follow it's directions; and you will achieve success in anything you wish.
Profile Image for Fabrizio Poli.
Author 12 books29 followers
March 14, 2022
This is one of those classics that needs to be read multiple times. Written by W. Clement Stone, who at the time was one of the richest men in the world. The author lays out the philosophy that was key into building his insurance empire. The book is very practical and the principles taught are timeless. W. Clement Stone also wrote some book with Napoleon Hill, the author of "Think & Grow Rich."
Great read, highly recommended.
Profile Image for Upen.
163 reviews11 followers
June 15, 2020
This book provides a very basic system to follow and does state many facts that are true to follow and think. Their are many new books that have a lot of the same formula written in here but made more of an interesting read. But as a refresher definitely worth a read once especially if your a fan of Think and Grow rich series
Profile Image for Carlos Manalo.
79 reviews
March 13, 2022
This book is a great reminder regarding the importance of a system in success, why you shouldn't break the combination like trio and that one power that can break the course of your destiny or redirect your life!!! You can connect regarding the success principles and stories mentioned whether you are not working in life insurance industry.
8 reviews
April 8, 2024
This book is for sales people.

A different spin on common principles. A few nuggets and thought provokers. Reading this was easy because I can relate to the Midwest references. Unfortunately women and highly melenated people may disconnect with the author. Times were different when this book was written.
5 reviews
August 18, 2018
Exceptionally helpful. Basic principles carefully organised to aid anyone ready to utter his bad habits

The principles throughout are elementary yet always ignored. Yet, using social recorder one can be reminded which areas needed improvement
1 review
March 26, 2018
Inspiring and empowered

Excellent and inspiring book from the master of sales. I will read it every week to remember the system that never fails.
3 reviews
October 20, 2018
Excellent and Well Written

A simple and straight forward easy to understand book . Examples of real life successful men who have achieved extraordinary insurance sales results.
Profile Image for George.
34 reviews2 followers
April 11, 2019
A valuable book that clarifies steps need to design and pretty much guarantee success in life and career. It came at the most opportune time in my reading list.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Botty Dimanov.
47 reviews2 followers
June 6, 2019
A true account of how one can apply the principles of Think and Grow rich to gain the riches of life!
2 reviews
Read
November 25, 2019
Sistema Que Nunca Falla Para Alcanazar El exito
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Helfren.
904 reviews10 followers
February 26, 2020
Love this book. Very detailed on how to keep on being a success after time passes by. A good indicator and help to be successful in whatever venture you want in life
9 reviews
April 3, 2020
Classic

The book was written long time ago, but the principles are timeless. I consider it required reading if you are serious about success.
Profile Image for Reza Taheri.
18 reviews12 followers
December 19, 2020
I learn one thing from this book and that is "you're the product of your environment and experiences which is obvious.
Profile Image for Alex Zaboli.
22 reviews1 follower
December 21, 2021
Success is systematic, achieved through focused effort and repetition, and is kept only by those with character.
Profile Image for Michael.
Author 5 books6 followers
March 11, 2024
Audio book version. Read by the author. Pretty incredible. Great for sales people and anyone in insurance sales. Very old classic book. Timeless wisdom.
7 reviews
March 18, 2017
Quyển sách này đến với tôi một cách tình cờ.. lần đầu tiên đọc thì chưa thể hiểu đc hết giá trị của nó.. Bởi quyển sách nói về kỹ năng xây dựng hệ thống bán hàng.. thời điểm đó tôi nghĩ kỹ năng đó k phải là thứ tôi tìm kiếm..
Nhưng rồi tôi lại gặp Stone trong "Chìa khoá tư duy tích cực" của Napoleon Hill.. rồi lại gặp nó ở TIENS.. kết quả là tìm đọc lại nó 2 lần.. ^^
Profile Image for therainbowsnake.
5 reviews6 followers
April 26, 2020
Key points:
- You are an object of your environment. Therefore select an environment which best develops you towards your objectives.
- A driving force within you that removes all obstacles.
- Do it now!
- If you speak loudly, rapidly and with a smile in your voice, hesitation will disappear.
- "I believe this will interest you also."
- Don't waste too much time on one person. If it's not working, draining you, move on to the next person.
- If you want somebody to say yes, give them a chance to say yes. Use an affirmative question, it's natural to answer yes: "this is quite reasonable, don't you think so", "I would like to read this to you, may I?", "isn't that true?"
- Put your heart into what you're doing. Allow nothing to disturb you. Learn all there is to know.
- People with achievements and position will try to help others who are on their way up. Be willing to learn from those who are willing to teach.
- Ask advice directly from the person who can help you.
- Keep learning.
- You become what you think.
- To succeed you must first know what you want. Definiteness of purpose!
- Study with regularity.
- Positive attitude & action.
- Read Napoleon Hill.
- Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.
- You are the most important living person.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 55 reviews

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