Author: Marlene Chism
www.successisagiven.com

Reviewed By: Melinda Cianos

Communication and relationship expert Marlene Chism shares her recommendations for realizing success in her thoughtful creation, Success is a Given. Honestly, I was prepared to find, in possibly a new maybe trendy way, a lot of the same messages that authors of self-help or motivational books have touted in the past. I was skeptical to say the least. I do not enjoy being led through a myriad of suggestions on how to best achieve in my life—frequently ensconced in elaborate pep-talks— only to find that practical application is nowhere to be found. In other words, it all looks good on paper.

Not so with Chism’s approach, it is practical through and through, although delivered with moderate finesse. And if you find yourself saying, “Well, yes, I understand that point, but what if…?”—she provides the answer on the very next page, or the chapter that follows, so not to worry. She is comprehensive and real with her advice, largely due to the fact that she has practiced all that she recommends and knows first-hand what it is like to succeed and find happiness.

Chism echoes the advice of some pretty impressive men and women, men like Dale Carnegie, who said, “Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” Is it a simple task? No. Is it worth the shifting around of values, the widening of a narrow mind, the redirecting of plan and purpose? It most certainly is. My bet is that you will find a beneficial scrap or two buried in the pages of Success is a Given to help get you where you want to go.