Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success

by Rory Vaden

Overview

Do you ride the escalator-or take the stairs?

No matter how you define success, it always requires one thing: self-discipline. But as popular speaker and strategist Rory Vaden explains, we live in an "escalator world"-one that's filled with shortcuts, quick fixes, and distractions that make it all too easy to slide into procrastination, compromise, and mediocrity. What seems like an easier path is really much harder in the end-and, most important, it won't take you where you want to go.

How do successful people stay focused and achieve results? This lively and insightful guide presents a simple program for taking the stairs-that is, for overcoming the temptations of quick fixes and procrastination, conquering creative avoidance, and transcending personal setbacks in order to tackle the work that leads to real success.

Whatever your goals are, Rory Vaden's proven approach will get you there-one stair at a time.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781101575413
Publisher:	Penguin Publishing Group
Publication date:	02/07/2012
Sold by:	Penguin Group
Format:	eBook
Pages:	224
Sales rank:	276,641
File size:	488 KB
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Rory Vaden is a self-discipline strategist, cofounder of the international training company Southwestern Consulting, and a New York Times bestselling author. As an author and business motivational speaker, Rory’s unique insights have been shared on Oprah Radio, as well as in Businessweek, Publishers Weekly, and Success magazine. He is the author of Take the Stairs: 7 Steps to Achieving True Success.

Table of Contents

Introduction: Waking Up in a ProcrastiNation 1

1 Sacrifice: The Paradox Principle 31

2 Commitment: The Buy-In Principle 49

3 Focus: The Magnification Principle 75

4 Integrity: The Creation Principle 99

5 Schedule: The Harvest Principle 121

6 Faith: The Perspective Principle 151

7 Action: The Pendulum Principle 171

Final Note: Time to Climb 191

Readers Guide 195

Acknowledgments 205

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"You can't spend 30 seconds around Rory without getting inspired to change your life. You're about to spend a few hours with him. Get ready."
—Jon Acuff, bestselling author of Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day

Editorial Reviews

What really stands between us and success? Entrepreneur and motivational speaker Vaden claims it’s our lack of self-discipline. As a culture, we search for shortcuts—taking the escalator, as it were. This mindset is crushing our confidence and paralyzing the very actions it takes to truly become successful. Vaden wants to guide readers to do the hardest tasks as soon as possible so that they can efficiently achieve whatever they want in life. He sets up seven strategies for self-discipline: sacrifice, commitment, focus, integrity, schedule, faith, and action. Through case studies and action items, Vaden encourages readers to push through inaction and fear to embrace success. Despite an uncomfortably Landmark Forumesque tone—“You were born with an incredible power. You were born for a specific purpose. Inside you there is greatness that is indelibly yours”—Vaden offers a practical, encouraging, and inspiring message. (Feb.)

Publishers Weekly

"I always say that personal finance is only 20% head knowledge and 80% behavior. Behavior change is hard, because it requires something a lot of people are missing these days: self-discipline. If you want to make a change in your money, business, or relationships, do not miss Take the Stairs. It gives you the tools you need to take control of the only person holding you back: yourself."

—Dave Ramsey, host of The Dave Ramsey Show and bestselling author of The Total Money Makeover

"This book won't let you off easy-and that's why it's great. Rory Vaden gives readers what they need to get focused and tackle problems head on- and win."
—Keith Ferrazzi, bestselling author of Never Eat Alone

"This book shows how to develop the courage, character, and determination to succeed in anything you attempt. It can change your life!"
—Brian Tracy, New York Times bestselling author of Eat That  Frog

"Take the Stairs is a compelling and challenging call for all of us to accomplish greatness. It not only shows you how to make self- discipline more sustainable, it will reignite your passion to achieve."
—Andy Andrews, New York Times bestselling author of The Traveler's Gift

"A gem of a book that will inspire you to do the little extra things that make a huge difference. Buy it!"
—Chester Elton, bestselling co-author of The Orange Revolution

"If there is one book to read this year, this might be it. It's at the core of everything. Brilliant. Significant. Necessary."
—Roxanne Emmerich, bestselling author of Thank God It's  Monday!

"Motivating yourself is a key to success in all of life. Read this book and your fighting spirit will come alive!"
—Mac Anderson, Founder of Simple Truths and former owner of Successories

"Don't be fooled. There is no escalator to the top. This book will tell you the truth about what it really takes to become a massive success in every area of your life-if you choose to Take the Stairs."
—Darren Hardy, publisher of Success magazine and bestselling  author of The Compound Effect

"The easy way is never the excellent way. For get rich quick or wish upon a star, go elsewhere. For an agenda for excellence, read this book. Rory gets it."
—Mark Sanborn, bestselling author of The Fred Factor and You Don't Need a Title to Be a Leader

"This isn't a book of cheerleading and motivational platitudes. This is the book that can change your life. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to take quality of work and life to a higher level."
—Joe Calloway, bestselling author of Becoming a Category of One

"Do you have a career worth loving? Rory Vaden will give you the ideas, insight, and inspiration to create a career worthy of your greatest potential."
—Sally Hogshead, author of Fascinate and founder of  HowToFascinate.com

"Rory's Take the Stairs book is an encouraging message of hope and truth that can really help you improve your life. Read it as soon as possible!"
—Tom Ziglar, CEO of Ziglar Inc. and proud son of Zig Ziglar

"Pure and simple, this should be the only book on the shelf in this category-because it's the only proven way to achieve authentic, sustainable success. Buy this book and heed this message!"
—David Avrin, author of It's Not Who You Know - It's Who Knows  YOU!

"Take the Stairs identifies the specific strategies that will help you get past procrastination and fear to accomplish anything you desire."

"You can't spend 30 seconds around Rory without getting inspired to change your life. You're about to spend a few hours with him. Get ready."
—Jon Acuff, bestselling author of Quitter: Closing the Gap Between Your Day

From the Publisher

According to motivational speaker Vaden, successful individuals have developed the ability to routinely get things done even when they don't feel like doing them. In other words, they take the stairs rather than waste time looking for the escalator. In this very readable book, Vaden outlines seven principles for overcoming procrastination, including understanding that short-term difficulties lead to long-term ease, that success is not owned but rented, and that the rent is due every day. Essentially, the book is about developing self-discipline, necessary for any measure of success. VERDICT Vaden writes with clarity and practicality, and his message will resonate with readers who need a shove to progress positively with their lives.

Library Journal