#833: Jack Canfield — Selling 600+ Million Books, Success Principles, and How He Made The 4-Hour Workweek Happen

Overview

This episode features Jack Canfield, co-author of the Chicken Soup for the Soul series and The Success Principles. Jack shares his journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a global best-selling author, selling over 600 million books. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his career, the lessons he learned from his mentor W. Clement Stone, and the strategies that fueled his success. The conversation also delves into personal growth, the power of mindset, and the importance of taking 100% responsibility for your life.

Notable Quotes

- Do you take 100% responsibility for your life? It’s a yes or no answer, son. Think. — Jack Canfield, on the life-changing question posed by his mentor W. Clement Stone.

- When things are going badly, there’s going to be some good that will come from it. Didn’t get the job you wanted? Good, go out, gain more experience, build a better resume. — Jocko Willink, as referenced by Tim Ferriss, on reframing setbacks.

- "People’s spirits are sick. They’re in resignation, hopelessness, and fear. That’s why it’s called *Chicken Soup for the Soul."* — Jack Canfield, on the inspiration behind the book’s title.

📚 The Origins of *Chicken Soup for the Soul*

- Jack Canfield began collecting stories while teaching workshops, noticing their power to inspire and engage audiences.

- The idea for the book came after repeated requests from attendees who wanted the stories in written form.

- The title Chicken Soup for the Soul came to Jack during meditation, symbolizing comfort and healing for the spirit.

- The book faced 144 rejections before finding a publisher, who initially predicted sales of only 20,000 copies. It went on to sell millions.

💡 Lessons from W. Clement Stone

- Jack’s mentor, W. Clement Stone, taught him the importance of taking 100% responsibility for his life, eliminating blame, and focusing on solutions.

- Stone’s training methods emphasized visualization, affirmations, and goal-setting, which Jack used to achieve his first $100,000 and later, a million-dollar goal.

- Stone’s innovative sales techniques and mindset strategies left a lasting impact on Jack’s approach to success.

🎯 The Rule of Five and Relentless Action

- Jack and his co-author Mark Victor Hansen followed the Rule of Five, committing to five daily actions to promote their book.

- They conducted five interviews a day for a year, spoke at churches, called bookstores, and pursued every opportunity to spread the word.

- This relentless effort, combined with word-of-mouth, propelled Chicken Soup for the Soul to become a cultural phenomenon.

🧠 The Power of Mindset and Limiting Beliefs

- Jack emphasizes the importance of identifying and overcoming unconscious limiting beliefs, which often stem from childhood experiences.

- He highlights the role of visualization, affirmations, and community in achieving personal and professional success.

- Plant medicine, including ayahuasca, has been a transformative tool for Jack in clearing emotional blocks and gaining clarity.

🛠️ Productivity and Decluttering

- Jack advocates for cleaning up your messes to free up mental energy and focus. This includes organizing physical spaces, resolving unfinished tasks, and addressing emotional incompletions.

- He uses systems like a come-up file to manage tasks and reduce clutter.

- Decluttering not only improves productivity but also creates mental clarity and peace.