The Success Principles: How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be is a personal development book by Jack Canfield, co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, written with Janet Switzer. First published in 2005 and expanded for its 10th anniversary edition in 2015, it sets out practical principles for goals, habits, relationships and money, starting with taking full responsibility for your life.
Last updated: 5 November 2026
Reading time: about 10 minutes
How we wrote this article: this article was written by Saj Ali. It is based on the published sample chapters and contents of The Success Principles and on Jack Canfield’s own website.
The Success Principles in brief
- Author. Jack Canfield, with Janet Switzer.
- Published. 2005; 10th anniversary edition 2015 with 67 principles.
- Core idea. Take 100% responsibility for your life.
- Key formula. E + R = O: Event + Response = Outcome.
- Best-known habit. The Rule of 5: five actions a day towards your top goal.
Contents
- About the Book
- How the Book Is Organised
- Lesson 1: Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life
- Lesson 2: E + R = O
- Lesson 3: Be Clear Why You Are Here
- Lesson 4: Decide What You Want and Set Clear Goals
- Lesson 5: Practise the Rule of 5
- Lesson 6: Take Action, and Act Through Fear
- Lesson 7: Change Yourself from the Inside
- Lesson 8: Build a Success Team
- Lesson 9: Create Successful Relationships
- Lesson 10: Success and Money
- How to Apply The Success Principles
- Who Will Enjoy This Book?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Key Takeaways
- Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
- Sources
About the Book
The Success Principles is one of Jack Canfield’s best-known books. Written with Janet Switzer, it was first published in 2005, and the 10th anniversary edition followed in 2015 (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). Canfield credits his own mentor, the self-made businessman W. Clement Stone, who trained him in the fundamental success principles at his foundation (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). He is also the co-creator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series, and the book draws on decades of his work as a teacher, trainer and speaker. You can read more about his life and work on our Jack Canfield expert page.
The book is organised as a series of short, practical principles, each with stories, examples and exercises. The 10th anniversary edition contains 67 principles (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). You can read it front to back or dip into the principle you need most.
How the Book Is Organised
The 10th anniversary edition groups its principles into six parts (Canfield and Switzer, 2015):
| Part | Focus |
|---|---|
| The Fundamentals of Success | Responsibility, purpose, goals, belief and action |
| Transform Yourself for Success | Letting go of the past, limiting beliefs and the inner critic |
| Build Your Success Team | Focus, delegation, mentors, coaches and masterminds |
| Create Successful Relationships | Listening, honesty, appreciation and keeping agreements |
| Success and Money | Money mindset, saving, spending and giving |
| Success in the Digital Age | Technology, online presence and social media |
Lesson 1: Take 100% Responsibility for Your Life
The first and most important principle is to take 100% responsibility for your life (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). Canfield argues that if you want to be successful, you have to give up blaming, complaining and excuses, and accept that you create the quality of your life through your thoughts, choices and actions.
He opens the chapter with a line from motivational philosopher Jim Rohn, who is quoted several times in the book: “You must take personal responsibility. You cannot change the circumstances, the seasons, or the wind, but you can change yourself.” (Canfield and Switzer, 2015) You can read more about Rohn on our Jim Rohn page.
Lesson 2: E + R = O
Canfield credits psychotherapist Dr Robert Resnick with a simple formula that makes responsibility practical (Canfield and Switzer, 2015):
E + R = O (Event + Response = Outcome)
Every outcome you experience is the result of how you responded to earlier events. If you do not like your outcomes, you have two choices: blame the event, or change your response. You cannot always control events, but you can control your thoughts, the pictures you hold in your mind and your actions (Canfield and Switzer, 2015).
- Try it. Pick one result you are unhappy with. Write down the event, your usual response and one new response you could try this week.
Lesson 3: Be Clear Why You Are Here
The second principle asks you to get clear on your life purpose (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). Canfield suggests that people with a clear sense of purpose find it easier to set goals, make decisions and keep going when things are hard. A simple exercise in the book asks you to list your unique personal qualities, the ways you enjoy expressing them, and what your ideal world would look like, then combine them into a single purpose statement (Canfield and Switzer, 2015).
If you want to explore this theme further, our guide to life purpose and meaning offers more ideas.
Lesson 4: Decide What You Want and Set Clear Goals
Principles 3 to 8 cover deciding what you want, believing it is possible, believing in yourself, the law of attraction, goal-setting and breaking big goals into smaller pieces (“Chunk It Down”) (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). The common thread is clarity: vague wishes are replaced by specific, measurable goals with deadlines, written down and reviewed often.
Lesson 5: Practise the Rule of 5
The Rule of 5 is principle 23 and one of the most practical ideas in the book (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). Canfield describes it simply: every morning, identify five specific things you will do that day to move closer to your goal, then commit to doing them. Your day is not done until all five are crossed off (Canfield, Rule of 5).
The actions can be small: a phone call, an email, a page of writing. The point is steady, daily momentum. It pairs well with the ideas in our productivity and procrastination guides.
Lesson 6: Take Action, and Act Through Fear
Several principles focus on moving from ideas to action: “Take Action”, “Just Lean Into It”, “Experience Your Fear and Take Action Anyway” and “Be Willing to Pay the Price” (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). Canfield’s message is that action creates feedback and momentum, while waiting for the perfect moment rarely leads anywhere.
- Ask! Ask! Ask! Ask for the information, help and support you need.
- Reject Rejection. Treat “no” as information, not a verdict on your worth.
- Use Feedback to Your Advantage. Look for what is working and what is not, and adjust.
- Practise Persistence. Keep going when progress is slow.
Lesson 7: Change Yourself from the Inside
The second part of the book turns inwards. Principles include “Drop Out of the ‘Ain’t It Awful’ Club”, “Acknowledge Your Positive Past”, “Clean Up Your Messes and Your Incompletes”, “Transform Your Inner Critic into an Inner Coach” and “Transcend Your Limiting Beliefs” (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). Together they encourage you to spend time with positive people, finish what you start and speak to yourself with encouragement rather than criticism.
Another principle, “Develop Four New Success Habits a Year”, suggests building habits gradually, one at a time, rather than changing everything at once (Canfield and Switzer, 2015).
Lesson 8: Build a Success Team
Canfield emphasises that nobody succeeds alone. Principles in the third part include staying focused on your “core genius”, learning to say no, building a support team, creating a network of mentors, hiring a personal coach and joining a mastermind group (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). The mastermind idea echoes the work of Napoleon Hill.
Lesson 9: Create Successful Relationships
The fourth part focuses on people. Principles include “Be Hear Now” (full attention when listening), “Tell the Truth Faster”, “Speak with Impeccability”, “Practice Uncommon Appreciation” and “Keep Your Agreements” (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). These are simple, everyday habits that build trust at home and at work.
Lesson 10: Success and Money
The money principles include developing a positive money consciousness, paying yourself first, mastering spending, earning more and “Give More to Get More” and “Find a Way to Serve” (Canfield and Switzer, 2015). The emphasis is on steady habits and contribution rather than quick wins. Financial decisions depend on your own situation, so consider speaking with a qualified adviser where appropriate.
How to Apply The Success Principles
Try this simple four-week plan:
- Week 1: Responsibility. Use E + R = O on one situation each day.
- Week 2: Clarity. Write down three specific goals with deadlines.
- Week 3: Rule of 5. Each morning, list five actions for your top goal and complete them.
- Week 4: Support. Ask one person to be your accountability partner and review your progress together.
For more ideas on staying motivated, see our motivation guide.
Who Will Enjoy This Book?
- Anyone who wants a practical, step-by-step approach to goals and habits.
- Readers who like stories and real examples alongside exercises.
- Coaches, teachers and team leaders looking for simple frameworks.
- People who enjoyed the work of Jim Rohn, Napoleon Hill or Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Success Principles about?
It is a practical guide to getting from where you are to where you want to be, covering responsibility, goals, action, habits, relationships and money.
Who wrote The Success Principles?
Jack Canfield, co-creator of Chicken Soup for the Soul, with Janet Switzer.
How many principles are in The Success Principles?
The 10th anniversary edition, published in 2015, contains 67 principles in six parts.
What is the first success principle?
Take 100% responsibility for your life.
What does E + R = O mean?
Event + Response = Outcome. You cannot always control events, but you can change your response, and so influence your outcomes.
What is Jack Canfield’s Rule of 5?
Every day, do five specific things that move you closer to your most important goal.
Is The Success Principles worth reading?
Many readers value it for its clear structure, practical exercises and real-life stories. It suits anyone who likes actionable personal development books.
Key Takeaways
- The Success Principles is by Jack Canfield with Janet Switzer, first published in 2005.
- The 10th anniversary edition has 67 principles in six parts.
- Principle 1 is to take 100% responsibility for your life.
- E + R = O: Event + Response = Outcome.
- The Rule of 5 means five actions a day towards your top goal.
- Relationships, money habits and a support team are part of success too.
Explore More on Self Help Supermarket
Use these pages alongside this one:
- Jack Canfield – the author’s life and work
- Jim Rohn – quoted throughout the book
- Motivation – staying inspired
- Productivity – getting more done
- Procrastination – taking the first step
- SMART Goals – write goals that work, with a template
- The GROW Model – a simple coaching structure
- The Wheel of Life – check your balance across eight life areas
- Atomic Habits Summary – small habits that compound
- The Strangest Secret, Updated – Earl Nightingale’s classic, made modern
- Muhammad Ali on Self-Belief – affirmation and confidence lessons
- Visualisation Techniques of High Achievers – how top performers rehearse success
- Browse all self-help techniques – compare every method on Self Help Supermarket.
Sources
- Canfield, J., with Switzer, J. (2005, 2015). The Success Principles (10th anniversary edition). Sample chapters, jackcanfield.com. https://jackcanfield.com/images/stories/the-success-principles-2-chapters.pdf
- Canfield, J. A complete guide to SMART goal setting (the Rule of 5). jackcanfield.com. https://jackcanfield.com/blog/smart-goal-setting/
Self Help Supermarket guides are for general information and are not a substitute for professional medical or psychological advice.