For the generation who grew up in the 1970s and 1980s, the Chicken Soup for the Soul series is synonymous with their teenage years. The originator of the series, Jack Canfield, was in Bengaluru recently for the launch of Karan Hasija’s Cattle or Catalyst?
Canfield emotionally reminisces the time when he was looking for a publisher for the series. “I had the content, but didn’t have a title. I meditated and asked the higher power for help. That day I saw a huge hand holding a cup on a green board with Chicken Soup written across. I wondered what kind of a title is that? Chicken soup is for sick people! When I told my friend about it, he said it is chicken soup for the spirit. I got goosebumps when I thought about it and the title came to me: chicken soup for the soul! I called my wife and told her about it, she got goosebumps. I called my co-author and he got goosebumps. I called my agent and he got goosebumps. But the publishers didn’t get goosebumps. I was turned down by 144 publishers. Today, the series has sold about 500 million copies.”
Canfield is America’s number one success coach and his book Success Principles is among the top selling books. He, however, comes from humble beginnings. “ I started my career as a teacher of an all-black school in Chicago, Illinois. The students didn’t want to study, but I motivated them, and over time that led to training other teachers. The principal of the school told me that her husband’s colleague needs someone like you.
“In 1993, there was a recession in America. All the money in education dried up, and that is when I shifted my focus. I met a man who was worth 600 million dollars and ran a foundation. He wanted the following ideas to get into schools: responsibility, goal setting, taking action, persevering in the face of difficulties and failure. After knowing him, I read 3,000 books on psychology and success.”
With decades of interacting with entrepreneurs and celebrities, Canfield says successful people possess certain traits. “They have a belief system, they believe they will succeed. They have discovered their purpose in life. They are goal setters, and they set specific goals. They take 100% responsibility for their lives. They do not blame other people or the government for anything. They understand the role of engaging other people. They are action-oriented and don’t wait for the perfect time. They just get started! They are open to feedback. A majority of them wake up early in the morning, at 5.30 am, and they exercise. Most of them are physically fit, and they meditate.”
However, over time, self help books are not as popular as they were during the 1990s. The youth are far more self assured, and willing to take risks. Canfield, however, says that success has got a lot to do with self improvement and that is a universal fact that must be learnt and honed, especially as schools and colleges do not invest in teaching students how to be successful or motivated.
“There are many youngsters who want to start their own business, especially apps. But they are not interested in self-improvement seminars. It is a 16-hour work day for those who run a business, for which you need life skills,” he signs off.
