This book is about how to lead a successful and fulfilling life. Success doesn’t necessarily mean fabulous riches or fame. It means leading a purposeful, meaningful, contented and principled life with adequate financial means to do whatever you desire. The book is organised around the acronym OPTIMISTIC – the Ultimate Success Formula. This stands for Objectives; Plans; Tenacity; Integrity; Motivation; Interpersonal relationships; Self-esteem; Thinking positively; Improvement and Control. Memorise this formula to recall the skills you need to grow and develop, realise your dreams, and reach your potential.

About the author

Samuel A Malone is a self-employed training consultant, lecturer and author. He is the author of 21 books published in Ireland, the UK and abroad on learning, personal development, study skills and business management. He recently had a series of five books published by Bookboon.com on Smart Learning for Adults. Some of his books have gone into foreign translations including Russian, Spanish, Danish and Norwegian, and second editions. He has an M.Ed. with distinction (in training and development) from the University of Sheffield and is a qualified Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA), Chartered Global Management Accountant (CGMA) and a Chartered Secretary (ACIS). He is a fellow of the Irish Institute of Training and Development (FIITD).

1. Introduction
   
2. Objectives
   
   1. Importance of Goals
      
   2. Stretch Goals
      
   3. SMARTS 
      
   4. Why People Don’t Set Goals
      
   5. Types of Goals
      
   6. The Need for Multiple Goals
      
   7. Basic Questions for Goals
      
   8. Purpose, Goals and Greatness
      
3. Plans
   
   1. Importance of Planning
      
   2. What Does Planning Involve?
      
   3. The ASPIRE Model
      
   4. Barriers to Planning
      
   5. A Planned Approach to Work
      
4. Tenacity 
   
   1. Commitment
      
   2. Persistence
      
   3. Patience
      
   4. Most Quitters Fail
      
   5. Resolutions
      
   6. Resilience
      
   7. Stamina
      
5. Integrity
   
   1. Personal code of ethics
      
   2. Character
      
   3. A Sense of Values
      
   4. Lies and Deceit
      
   5. Trust
      
6. Motivation
   
   1. Source
      
   2. Unique Drivers
      
   3. Hope
      
   4. Expectation
      
   5. The Pygmalion Effect
      
   6. The Placebo Effect
      
   7. Passion
      
   8. How to Motivate Yourself
      
7. Interpersonal Relationships
   
   1. Popular People
      
   2. IQ + EQ = Success 
      
   3. Communication Skills
      
   4. Listening
      
   5. Making an Impression
      
   6. Assertiveness
      
   7. Shy People
      
   8. Overcoming Shyness
      
8. Self-esteem
   
   1. High Self-Esteem
      
   2. Exercise and Self-Esteem
      
   3. Self-Talk
      
   4. Personal Development and Self-esteem
      
   5. Self-Worth
      
   6. Self-Efficacy
      
   7. Limits of Self-Esteem
      
   8. Low Self-Esteem
      
   9. Self-Sabotage
      
   10. How to Raise Your Self-Esteem
       
9. Thinking Positively
   
   1. Positive Thinking
      
   2. Optimists
      
   3. Pessimists
      
   4. Poor Thinking Habits
      
   5. ABCDE Technique
      
10. Improvement 
    
    1. Change
       
    2. Lifelong Learning
       
    3. The Brain and Learning
       
    4. Making the Most of Your Memory
       
11. Control
    
    1. Self-Discipline
       
    2. Work-Life Balance
       
    3. Locus of Control
       
    4. The Comfort Zone
       
    5. Control your Time
       
    6. Control your Money 
       
12. Acknowledgements
    
13. About the author
    
14. References and Bibliography