📖 Overview
The Success Principles for Teens adapts Jack Canfield's original success framework for a younger audience, with co-author Kent Healy providing additional youth perspective. The book presents 23 key principles through relatable examples, exercises, and stories from teenage life.
Each chapter focuses on one principle, from taking responsibility and setting goals to overcoming fear and building relationships. The text incorporates quotes from successful teens and includes practical action steps readers can implement immediately.
Students, athletes, artists and young entrepreneurs share their experiences applying these principles to achieve their goals. The chapters build upon each other while remaining self-contained enough for readers to focus on their most relevant areas first.
The book emphasizes personal responsibility and proactive behavior as foundations for success, suggesting that achievement comes from consistent application of proven principles rather than talent or luck alone. Its straightforward approach demonstrates how universal success strategies can be adapted for teenage life and challenges.
👀 Reviews
Readers describe this book as a practical guide that breaks down success concepts into manageable steps for teenagers. Parents report their teens found it relatable and actionable.
What readers liked:
- Real examples from other teenagers
- Clear action items at the end of chapters
- Focuses on responsibility and goal-setting
- Updated references that connect with modern teens
- Workbook-style format encourages engagement
What readers disliked:
- Some found the tone preachy
- Several concepts repeat throughout chapters
- A few parents noted it works better with adult guidance
- Some teens said examples felt forced or unrealistic
Ratings:
Goodreads: 4.1/5 (391 ratings)
Amazon: 4.6/5 (286 ratings)
Notable review: "My 14-year-old was resistant at first but ended up filling the workbook sections and referring back to it. The goal-setting framework helped him plan for high school." - Amazon reviewer
A common theme in reviews is that the book works best when teens choose to read it themselves rather than being required to do so.
📚 Similar books
7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Sean Covey
This guide translates principles of self-development and leadership into practical steps for teenage life.
You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way by Laya Saul This handbook provides strategies for teens to navigate challenges in relationships, school, family, and personal growth.
Do Hard Things by Brett Harris The book challenges teenagers to exceed expectations and take action toward meaningful goals during their youth.
What Do You Stand For? For Teens by Barbara A. Lewis This resource guides teenagers through character development and personal values formation with real-world applications.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck The book explains how developing a growth mindset impacts achievement and success in teenage years and beyond.
You Don't Have to Learn Everything the Hard Way by Laya Saul This handbook provides strategies for teens to navigate challenges in relationships, school, family, and personal growth.
Do Hard Things by Brett Harris The book challenges teenagers to exceed expectations and take action toward meaningful goals during their youth.
What Do You Stand For? For Teens by Barbara A. Lewis This resource guides teenagers through character development and personal values formation with real-world applications.
Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck The book explains how developing a growth mindset impacts achievement and success in teenage years and beyond.
🤔 Interesting facts
🌟 Co-author Jack Canfield is best known for creating the "Chicken Soup for the Soul" series, which has sold over 500 million copies worldwide
💫 The book adapts Canfield's adult version "The Success Principles" specifically for teenage readers, with relatable examples and age-appropriate challenges
📚 Kent Healy wrote his first book about success when he was just 17 years old, making him uniquely qualified to co-author a teen success guide
🎯 The principles in the book were developed after interviewing hundreds of successful teenagers and young adults about their habits and mindsets
💭 The book includes a specific technique called "visualization," which is used by many Olympic athletes and has been scientifically proven to improve performance and goal achievement