What do you think?
Rate this book
The Psychology of Achievement
Success can be yours with Brian Tracy's
The Psychology of Achievement
Develop the top achiever's mindset
The world's foremost producer of personal development and motivational audio programs offers an inside look at the thinking that leads to great achievement. Drawing on the work of leading psychologists and behavioral researchers, Brian Tracy -- America's "success mentor" -- demonstrates the attitude, deep self-knowledge and pin-pointed goals that are important factors in achieving great success. He'll help you identify your own "area of excellence" and master the tools that make each achiever tick, including:
How to sharpen your natural intuition
How to increase your brain power
How to change thoughts from negative to positive
How to break bad habits quickly and painlessly
Packed with practical advice that lead to extraordinary results, The Psychology of Achievement will help you use every ounce of your potential
The Psychology of Achievement
Develop the top achiever's mindset
The world's foremost producer of personal development and motivational audio programs offers an inside look at the thinking that leads to great achievement. Drawing on the work of leading psychologists and behavioral researchers, Brian Tracy -- America's "success mentor" -- demonstrates the attitude, deep self-knowledge and pin-pointed goals that are important factors in achieving great success. He'll help you identify your own "area of excellence" and master the tools that make each achiever tick, including:
How to sharpen your natural intuition
How to increase your brain power
How to change thoughts from negative to positive
How to break bad habits quickly and painlessly
Packed with practical advice that lead to extraordinary results, The Psychology of Achievement will help you use every ounce of your potential
Audio CD
First published January 1, 1984
38 people are currently reading
2596 people want to read
About the author
Brian Tracy
1,406 books5,197 followersBrian Tracy is Chairman and CEO of Brian Tracy International, a company specializing in the training and development of individuals and organizations.
He has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 55 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.
Brian has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.
He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.
He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.
Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting. He has conducted high level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.
He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents, and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in community and national affairs, and is the President of three companies headquartered in San Diego, California.
His most popular training programs are centered around teaching authors how to write a book and helping public speakers create successful careers.
He has consulted for more than 1,000 companies and addressed more than 5,000,000 people in 5,000 talks and seminars throughout the US, Canada and 55 other countries worldwide. As a Keynote speaker and seminar leader, he addresses more than 250,000 people each year.
Brian has studied, researched, written and spoken for 30 years in the fields of economics, history, business, philosophy and psychology. He is the top selling author of over 45 books that have been translated into dozens of languages.
He has written and produced more than 300 audio and video learning programs, including the worldwide, best-selling Psychology of Achievement, which has been translated into more than 20 languages.
He speaks to corporate and public audiences on the subjects of Personal and Professional Development, including the executives and staff of many of America's largest corporations. His exciting talks and seminars on Leadership, Selling, Self-Esteem, Goals, Strategy, Creativity and Success Psychology bring about immediate changes and long-term results.
Prior to founding his company, Brian Tracy International, Brian was the Chief Operating Officer of a $265 million dollar development company. He has had successful careers in sales and marketing, investments, real estate development and syndication, importation, distribution and management consulting. He has conducted high level consulting assignments with several billion-dollar plus corporations in strategic planning and organizational development.
He has traveled and worked in over 80 countries on six continents, and speaks four languages. Brian is happily married and has four children. He is active in community and national affairs, and is the President of three companies headquartered in San Diego, California.
His most popular training programs are centered around teaching authors how to write a book and helping public speakers create successful careers.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews
October 22, 2016
A short, in-depth look into the pillars laid out in his "Maximum Achievement" book. Tracy explains the mechanics of how tactics like goal-writing affect the mind. A good tool if this is your first foray into a results-oriented lifestyle.
Notes :
--------
“Our attitudes come from our expectations about outcomes. If we expect things to turn out well, we have positive attitudes. If we expect things to turn out poorly, we have negative attitudes.”
“What winners make the habit of doing is manufacturing their own positive expectations in advance of the event… expecting the very best to come out of their efforts, even though they have no information upon which to base it… causes them to affect people in a positive way, and get positive reactions.”
“Our expectations are manufactured to the degree that we believe the source.”
“The most powerful thought that we can use over asserting full control over our conscious minds is : ‘I like myself.’ As long as we are saying ‘I like myself’, it is impossible for any negative, discouraging, doubtful, or skeptical thoughts to creep in.”
“Every human being is in a continual state of 'becoming'… We are always changing in the direction of our ideal selves… just like a rocket moves toward a distant star, becomes attracted by the gravity of that star, and moves faster and faster toward it.”
“It only takes 10-21 days to develop brand new habit patterns of thought.”
“Whatever you can hold in your mind on a continuous basis, you can be, have or do.”
“The subconscious mind is a mechanical agent that acts and obeys our instructions, and our instructions are always the content of our conscious mind.”
“The subconscious does not take in an instruction that is in the negative.”
“Spend the first 20-30 minutes of the day feeding yourself rich mental protein... Program your mind, and read into your subconscious computer information consistent with the way you want the rest of the day to go… From then on, make your life one continuous affirmation.”
“The most successful salespeople and businesspeople I know do not even know if their car radios work, because they have never played the radio… They have motivational (materials) playing. They are continually feeding their mind with rich nutritious mental material.”
“As long as you keep your mind focused on the person you want to be, you must become that person.”
“Any thought that you can hold in your mind will begin to come into your reality.”
“The only question is : do you have the tenacity, self-discipline, intensity of purpose to keep your mind focused … or drift on to your fears or doubts?”
“The most powerful influence on our life is the power of love. Everything we do in life is to either get love or to compensate for a lack of love.”
“If we do not consciously, deliberately select and associate with a positive reference group of achievement-oriented individuals, that alone is enough to cut off all possibility.”
“Remember that everything you think about is having an effect on the person you are becoming.”
“The human being is built as a goal-seeking mechanism. Unless we have goals, we go around in circles in our lives. When we set goals, we go straight and true. We develop channeled energy. We accomplish more in a short time with goals than we could in years without them.”
“The best plan on earth will never work unless you do.”
“Self-discipline is persistence in action. Your persistence is your measure of your faith in yourself.”
“You can tell how much you believe in yourself by how ready and willing you are to pick yourself up after every disappointment, and to carry on. Because if you will pick yourself up every time, there is literally nothing that can stop you.”
“We live in the lap of an immense intelligence.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
.
Notes :
--------
“Our attitudes come from our expectations about outcomes. If we expect things to turn out well, we have positive attitudes. If we expect things to turn out poorly, we have negative attitudes.”
“What winners make the habit of doing is manufacturing their own positive expectations in advance of the event… expecting the very best to come out of their efforts, even though they have no information upon which to base it… causes them to affect people in a positive way, and get positive reactions.”
“Our expectations are manufactured to the degree that we believe the source.”
“The most powerful thought that we can use over asserting full control over our conscious minds is : ‘I like myself.’ As long as we are saying ‘I like myself’, it is impossible for any negative, discouraging, doubtful, or skeptical thoughts to creep in.”
“Every human being is in a continual state of 'becoming'… We are always changing in the direction of our ideal selves… just like a rocket moves toward a distant star, becomes attracted by the gravity of that star, and moves faster and faster toward it.”
“It only takes 10-21 days to develop brand new habit patterns of thought.”
“Whatever you can hold in your mind on a continuous basis, you can be, have or do.”
“The subconscious mind is a mechanical agent that acts and obeys our instructions, and our instructions are always the content of our conscious mind.”
“The subconscious does not take in an instruction that is in the negative.”
“Spend the first 20-30 minutes of the day feeding yourself rich mental protein... Program your mind, and read into your subconscious computer information consistent with the way you want the rest of the day to go… From then on, make your life one continuous affirmation.”
“The most successful salespeople and businesspeople I know do not even know if their car radios work, because they have never played the radio… They have motivational (materials) playing. They are continually feeding their mind with rich nutritious mental material.”
“As long as you keep your mind focused on the person you want to be, you must become that person.”
“Any thought that you can hold in your mind will begin to come into your reality.”
“The only question is : do you have the tenacity, self-discipline, intensity of purpose to keep your mind focused … or drift on to your fears or doubts?”
“The most powerful influence on our life is the power of love. Everything we do in life is to either get love or to compensate for a lack of love.”
“If we do not consciously, deliberately select and associate with a positive reference group of achievement-oriented individuals, that alone is enough to cut off all possibility.”
“Remember that everything you think about is having an effect on the person you are becoming.”
“The human being is built as a goal-seeking mechanism. Unless we have goals, we go around in circles in our lives. When we set goals, we go straight and true. We develop channeled energy. We accomplish more in a short time with goals than we could in years without them.”
“The best plan on earth will never work unless you do.”
“Self-discipline is persistence in action. Your persistence is your measure of your faith in yourself.”
“You can tell how much you believe in yourself by how ready and willing you are to pick yourself up after every disappointment, and to carry on. Because if you will pick yourself up every time, there is literally nothing that can stop you.”
“We live in the lap of an immense intelligence.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson
.
November 5, 2013
A fast and easy to listen audio book with a few very good advices.I liked the part about children upbringing most. Made me thinking quite a bit about some of my behavior toward my kids but also about my parents and my own childhood. I am glad i have read it and learned something new that i can apply on my self and my family to make our life better.
November 3, 2016
Some solid advice, and some totally unusable and unhealthy (If you just believe something, it will happen - his example was "if you believe you will find a parking space in NY City, you will always find it" - parking in NY doesn't work like that).
Read
August 4, 2011This is my all time favorite personal development program! There's no fluff. Brian packs it full of valuable, tested, and useful information that can be put into practice right away.
April 23, 2021
WHAT A BOOK!!
Amazing!
Some already known facts were discussed but the way Brian Tracy discussed them is life-changing!
This book gives a clear direction to ACT!
Sink the book in and don't stop moving forward.
Start with hope! The Magic will happen soon!
Amazing!
Some already known facts were discussed but the way Brian Tracy discussed them is life-changing!
This book gives a clear direction to ACT!
Sink the book in and don't stop moving forward.
Start with hope! The Magic will happen soon!
September 3, 2025
A lot of great tips on how to get your life together.
October 4, 2016
This is a powerful book of important psychological understanding to aid in personal development and achievement.
The content is presented in a straightforward, matter of fact manner. He usually covers 5 to 6 subjects related to one aspect of achievement. I found this approach to be helpful and believe it will especially useful as I go back to listen to certain subjects again.
The book is presented in a very positive, uplifting way--something many in the world need to consider and move back to. I believe those that follow the recommendations of Mr. Tracy will find an increase in happiness, success, and sense of purpose in life.
My only critiques of the book are a lack of a viewpoint on the effect of religion in understanding our self concept, and I especially felt the information on marriage was overly simplified and incomplete. If marriage is our greatest relationship in life, I think there should have been more focus on how to use the principles he describes to make that relationship more powerful and meaningful.
This one deserves a listen, and probably a multi listening session.
The content is presented in a straightforward, matter of fact manner. He usually covers 5 to 6 subjects related to one aspect of achievement. I found this approach to be helpful and believe it will especially useful as I go back to listen to certain subjects again.
The book is presented in a very positive, uplifting way--something many in the world need to consider and move back to. I believe those that follow the recommendations of Mr. Tracy will find an increase in happiness, success, and sense of purpose in life.
My only critiques of the book are a lack of a viewpoint on the effect of religion in understanding our self concept, and I especially felt the information on marriage was overly simplified and incomplete. If marriage is our greatest relationship in life, I think there should have been more focus on how to use the principles he describes to make that relationship more powerful and meaningful.
This one deserves a listen, and probably a multi listening session.
December 26, 2023
Like with much of Brians work...this again is a great one and recommended for fellow fans
👆🏼 P.S -
If you found this review helpful - I’d like to invite you to discover more on our blog. Where the community share some of our most important insights to level up each others knowledge 💡- from experience in studying books like this, training programs, podcasts and much more - visit the blog link above to find out more.
P.P.S 😅 - You probably noticed from my profile that I’ve reviewed a LOT of books over the years now - if you love seeking knowledge like me I’d love to connect with you further as a like minded person (send me a friend invite! 😀) - Also if you are curious - here is my preferred and recommended resource for seeking timeless wisdom - Check it out via the website invite link below 👇🏼 (You’ll be able to claim some awesome books for free 📚)
https://Waseem.tv/GoodReadsBookInvite
👆🏼 P.S -
If you found this review helpful - I’d like to invite you to discover more on our blog. Where the community share some of our most important insights to level up each others knowledge 💡- from experience in studying books like this, training programs, podcasts and much more - visit the blog link above to find out more.
P.P.S 😅 - You probably noticed from my profile that I’ve reviewed a LOT of books over the years now - if you love seeking knowledge like me I’d love to connect with you further as a like minded person (send me a friend invite! 😀) - Also if you are curious - here is my preferred and recommended resource for seeking timeless wisdom - Check it out via the website invite link below 👇🏼 (You’ll be able to claim some awesome books for free 📚)
https://Waseem.tv/GoodReadsBookInvite
April 26, 2014
Mr Tracy in this early work opens by noticing that new businesses tend to fail, but new franchises tend to success, because they flow from proven principles. Likewise, he says, this program is a franchise of the basics of achievement. And so it is!
CD1 discusses basic principles of human nature and needs, and establishes the scientific basis for his ideas. CD2 discusses goals and excellence. CD3 discusses responsibility. CD4 discusses managing time and relationships.
In each topic, Mr Tracy brings a fresh perspective. Mr Tracy's gift as a teacher is to both simplify a topic and to present it in a fresh new way that strikes the mind as something that can be put into immediate action.
This talk is better than most of Mr Tracy's talks because it present the ideas in a clear, organized, structured way, that assists learning. The clarity and simplicity of the presentation is striking because it is almost unnoticeable, so skillful is the materially introduced.
CD1 discusses basic principles of human nature and needs, and establishes the scientific basis for his ideas. CD2 discusses goals and excellence. CD3 discusses responsibility. CD4 discusses managing time and relationships.
In each topic, Mr Tracy brings a fresh perspective. Mr Tracy's gift as a teacher is to both simplify a topic and to present it in a fresh new way that strikes the mind as something that can be put into immediate action.
This talk is better than most of Mr Tracy's talks because it present the ideas in a clear, organized, structured way, that assists learning. The clarity and simplicity of the presentation is striking because it is almost unnoticeable, so skillful is the materially introduced.
January 2, 2017
Never heard was a discouraging word.
Most of what we do is habit choose to move forward your habits will determine your destiny.
Willingness to persist to endure the dark night of the souls when all is lost but nature is often a trickster its darkest before light.
More often your fail & learn from your failures the more rapidly you move ahead.
You must resolve in advance that no matter what happens you'll never give up take every setback as a spur for greater effort as a challenge to bring out the best in you.
Most of what we do is habit choose to move forward your habits will determine your destiny.
Willingness to persist to endure the dark night of the souls when all is lost but nature is often a trickster its darkest before light.
More often your fail & learn from your failures the more rapidly you move ahead.
You must resolve in advance that no matter what happens you'll never give up take every setback as a spur for greater effort as a challenge to bring out the best in you.
May 18, 2013
I found this short motivational book very useful, apparently more than some of the others who rated it. It's an earlier work in Tracy's long series of quality works. I like that he separates the psychological aspect of his research into this summary, while leaving it out of others. I appreciate how concise this audio program is and found the ending section about finding meaning in life especially valuable.
December 5, 2009
I first listened to these tapes about 15 years ago. They are clear, specific, and packed with information every single person can benefit from. I've listened to them a couple of times on long road trips and would highly recommend them to anyone looking for steps to take on the path to personal improvement.
March 9, 2009
While achieving success isn't necessarily simple, Brian Tracy has a way of breaking down success into a step-by-step process. There seems to be a law for everything when it comes to getting what you want in life.
April 3, 2012
One of the best cdbooks I have ever listened to. Brian Tracy does an excellent job motivating people while providing concrete examples on how to be excellent. If you can't buy this cdbook I would recommend getting it from your local library - I have listened to it 21 times!
April 8, 2013
I'm a big Brian Tracy fan, and this is one of his best audio programs. The info is distilled down to the essentials, so the only negative is that there could be more real-world examples of the principles and procedures he details.
May 10, 2013
یک کتاب کم حجم و بسیار فشرده! در شش فصل که هرکدام ممکنه دو قسمت باشه
درپایان هر فصل آزمانی با عنوان کمک به خود اومده که سوالات پرسیده شده دررابطه با مطالب آن فصل هست و کمکی به درک بهتر مطالب میکنه
بنظرم مطالب بیش از حد فشرده و خلاصه هست که باعث میشه برای درک بهتر مجبور به چندبار مطالعه صفحات بشیم
درپایان هر فصل آزمانی با عنوان کمک به خود اومده که سوالات پرسیده شده دررابطه با مطالب آن فصل هست و کمکی به درک بهتر مطالب میکنه
بنظرم مطالب بیش از حد فشرده و خلاصه هست که باعث میشه برای درک بهتر مجبور به چندبار مطالعه صفحات بشیم
December 19, 2015
I've had the pleasure of meeting and hearing Brian Tracy speak. He is the same person that he appears to be in his books. He is direct and no-nonsense, which I prefer. Yes, some of it is just aspirational, but that's a major component to achievement oriented people's drive.
December 31, 2016
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome!
This book just contains so many nuggets of gold. Listen to it, and be propelled forth!
It almost seems at times like there's too much information, but Brian Tracy knows what he's doing. Follow his advice and be amazed by being amazing.
This book just contains so many nuggets of gold. Listen to it, and be propelled forth!
It almost seems at times like there's too much information, but Brian Tracy knows what he's doing. Follow his advice and be amazed by being amazing.
February 25, 2017
I am a follower of Brian Tracy. I do have more than 50 Audio Books from him. I started listen to his audio programs in 2007. By far, he is the best in his field. This program is my best one. Thank you Brian for helping me becoming a better person.
January 26, 2008
brian tracy is the man...this thing is filled with all sorts of good insight...it was recommended to me by a guy i met on the airplane & i'm glad i took him up on it...
October 8, 2014
This is an Absolute MUST ! This is one of the first audio book I have ever listened to. I have gone back and listened to it multiple times because it's THAT GOOD!
Stephen
www.TheOneForSuccess.com
Stephen
www.TheOneForSuccess.com
October 7, 2012
Fantastic read and I would highly recommend this to anyone who is interested in The Law of Attraction or other motivational issues.
May 16, 2014
It worth listing to I enjoyed .
November 8, 2014
Brian Tracy - in a nutshell. He gets to the point, covering the laws of self-improvement. It can be no clearer. This is one to pay attention to.
June 29, 2016
Worth reading no mater the career choice.
January 27, 2025
I listened to the audiobook, narrated by Brian Tracy himself. He read it with such clarity and compassion that it was a pleasure to follow. When he repeated, "I like myself, I like myself, I like myself," I couldn’t help but chuckle. While many of the ideas in the book reflect conventional wisdom, they felt both compelling and refreshing when delivered in Brian's voice.
What struck me most was his emphasis on the profound impact of parenting on children, especially through the seemingly small and trivial behaviors of parents. The message that unconditional love and unwavering faith in a child are foundational resonated deeply with me—these qualities are prerequisites for all other good things to follow.
What struck me most was his emphasis on the profound impact of parenting on children, especially through the seemingly small and trivial behaviors of parents. The message that unconditional love and unwavering faith in a child are foundational resonated deeply with me—these qualities are prerequisites for all other good things to follow.
October 17, 2019
Great audiobook from Brian Tracy. Brain details out his strategies for approaching a high achieving life. There's plenty covered in this book from wealth creation, mindset, and problem-solving. Nothing was necessarily groundbreaking if you're a frequent reader of self-development and financial health etc. But there's some interesting takes on a few of these topics and plenty of good reminders. Definitely worth a listen.
May 14, 2017
In true Tracy form, this book is both insightful, well presented and organised; giving one some tangible tools, time management concepts and life hacks to easily consider and apply. Some content, of course, was derivative, from the likes of such greats as Hill, Carnegie and Rohn, and other content just plain common sense. That being said, a worthy read.
September 4, 2025
Some books take concepts you believe deep down and bring them up to the surface, give you the accurate vocabulary to describe them and help you remind of why you do what you do. This was one such book wherein I wasn’t the targeted beginner audience but I still benefited greatly from partaking in the thinking exercises in the supplementary workbook. Thank you.
December 13, 2018
Good ideas about visualizing ones priorities and direction in life, but with a slimy veneer of unpolitical correct conservatism (racism, assuming everyone is one an equal playing field, labeling people as "inferior/mediocre/losers"
Take what's practical but ignore the toxic rhetoric.
Take what's practical but ignore the toxic rhetoric.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 61 reviews