BOOK REVIEW: CREATE YOUR OWN FUTURE - BY BRIAN TRACY
Create Your Own Future by Brian Tracy is a guidebook filled with enduring wisdom on how to take control of your destiny and achieve desired success. Tracy’s teachings are particularly powerful for young people eager to unlock their full potential. His lessons show that anyone can create the life they want by taking responsibility, setting goals, and developing the right habits.
In this article, we’ll explore the key lessons from 'Create Your Own Future' and break down simple action points to help you apply each one. Whether you're a student or just starting your career, these lessons will be a relevant guide for you.
1. Take Responsibility for Your Life
Tracy’s first big lesson is that success starts when you take full responsibility for your life. Blaming happenings, circumstances, luck, or other people won’t get you where you want to be. Owning your thoughts, actions and decisions is the first step toward achieving your goals.
Action Steps:
- Stop blaming others: The next time something goes wrong, take a moment to think about what you could have done differently. This habit will help you grow be responsible for everything that comes your way.
- Identify areas you can control: Focus on what you can influence or change—your behaviour, attitude, and effort.
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Keep a personal journal: Write down your daily choices and actions, and
reflect on how they contribute to your long-term success.
2. Set Clear Goals
One of Tracy’s main principles is that success begins with goal setting. He explains that having clear, written goals gives you a sense of purpose and direction. Without goals, you're just wandering with no direction. Setting goals is like putting in place a map for your future.
Action Steps:
- Write down your top 3 goals: Pick three things you want to achieve, like getting better grades, learning a new skill, or saving a certain amount of money.
- Break them into smaller steps: Take each goal and break it down into actionable steps; ones that are easy for you to work at and track effectively. For example, if you want to save money, start by setting a weekly savings target.
- Review your goals regularly: Revisit your goals at least once a month to see how you’re progressing.
3. Develop Self-Discipline
Self-discipline is the ability to do what needs to be done without hesitation, even when you don’t feel like it. Tracy stresses that self-discipline is one of the most critical traits for achieving success. Without discipline, it’s easy to procrastinate or get distracted.
Action Steps:
- Create a daily routine: Set up a routine that includes time for study, work, or personal development, and stick to it.
- Use the '5-minute rule': When you feel like procrastinating, tell yourself you’ll just work on the task for 5 minutes. Often, this small start leads to a longer work session.
- Eliminate distractions: Identify the things that distract you the most (like your phone) and remove them from your work environment.
4. Learn Continuously
In today’s quickly evolving world, lifelong learning is key to staying ahead. Tracy emphasizes that the more you learn, the more you earn. Developing a habit of continuous learning ensures that you are always growing and adapting.
Action Steps:
- Read daily: Make a habit of reading for at least 15-30
minutes every day. You can start with topics that interest you, like personal
development, science, or history and progress to other areas you seek to have knowledge in.
- Take online courses: Use free platforms like Coursera, edX, YouTube and other ones available in your geographical area to learn new skills that will help you advance in your studies or career.
- Join a community of learners: Surround yourself with people who are also focused on personal development, learning and growth, such as study groups or online forums.
5. Take Action Every Day
Many people dream of success, but few actually take action toward their goals. Tracy highlights that consistent, daily action is what leads to real progress. Even small steps every day can lead to big results over time.
Action Steps:
- Create a 'to-do' list: Write down a daily to-do list with 3-5 tasks that will move you closer to your goals. Prioritize them so that the most important task is tackled first.
- Focus on 'one thing': Each day, focus on completing just one important task. This helps avoid overwhelm and ensures you make progress.
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Track your progress: At the end of each day, reflect on
what you accomplished and adjust your plans for the next day. It is important to identify what has been accomplished and what is left to be accomplished.
6. Stay Positive and Focused
A positive mindset can help you overcome challenges and stay motivated. Tracy explains that when you focus on solutions instead of problems, you are more likely to achieve success. Staying optimistic helps you persevere even when things get tough.
Action Steps:
- Practice gratitude: Each morning, write down three things
you’re grateful for. This helps shift your focus from problems to positive
aspects of your life. Do not overlook the little things that got you fulfilled in the journey of life.
- Re-frame negative thoughts: When you catch yourself thinking negatively, challenge those thoughts. Instead of saying, "I can't do this," try saying, "I will find a way."
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Focus on solutions: If you encounter a problem, spend more
time thinking about possible solutions rather than dwelling on the issue. Thinking about the problems could erode your motivation and energy.
7. Surround Yourself with Positive People
Tracy advises that your environment plays a huge role in your success. The people you surround yourself with can either take you up or hold you back. It’s essential to spend time with people who inspire, encourage, and support you.
Action Steps:
- Evaluate your friendships: Ask yourself if the people you spend the most time with are helping you grow. If not, seek out relationships that are more supportive.
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Find a mentor: Look for someone who has the experience and
knowledge you want to gain, and ask for their advice or guidance. Do this consistently!
- Join positive communities: Whether it’s a school club, a sports team, or an online group, find communities where members encourage each other to grow.
Conclusion: You Can Create Your Own Future
Brian Tracy’s ‘Create Your Own Future’ teaches young people that they have the power to design their own success. By taking responsibility, setting goals, practicing self-discipline, and staying positive, you can take control of your destiny.
These lessons offer a practical roadmap for anyone who wants to build a brighter future.
Remember, success doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about the small, consistent actions you take every day. With the right mindset and habits, you can truly create your own future.








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