A 31-Day Success Principles for Kids and Teens

By Michael Rayel

Intended to motivate, you will learn 31 time-tested success principles and inspiring life stories of 31 heroes and achievers — Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Wayne Gretzky, and Nelson Mandela, among others.

Although each success principle is planned for each day of the month, you can go through the entire book in a few hours and learn the struggles and achievements of well-known people.

"Success is not just for adults. I believe that exposing young people to success principles gives them the insight and opportunity to pursue success."

Michael G. Rayel

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael Rayel
• Release date: Jul 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781476029207

Michael Rayel

Fondly called "Mike" or "Doc" by friends and colleagues, Dr. Michael G. Rayel loves to laugh and to explore the world as he pursues his diverse interests — from promoting mental health to being active in sports, from hiking and traveling to writing articles and books.Born and raised in the Philippines, Dr. Mike learned the value of hard work, respect, discipline, and faith early on. At a young age, he had seen how his mother would toil as a teacher during the day and as a businesswoman at night, and still had time to pray and attend church regularly. Similarly his father, who was a farmer all his life, showed him the joy of simple living, the wonders of facing life's challenges with humor and strong resolve.Surrounded by loving family, he further developed confidence, positive attitude, and sense of humor amid the uncertainty in his community. The lack of money in the household was well compensated by loads of fun and laughter. Also, his Lola (grandmother) ensured that he would get ample advice before exploring the world on his own.As a child, his parents inculcated the value of education as the surest passport to success. His father used to say, “Success is when you’re able to add two or more letters before or after your name. Once you have those extra letters, you will never worry as jobs will chase after you.”After medical school, he moved to North America determined to chase his dreams, inspired to live the life he yearned for. Very soon, he found himself training in USA, mentored by some of the finest minds in psychiatry. He finished general psychiatry at New York Medical College, geriatric psychiatry at New York University Medical Center, and forensic and correctional psychiatry at Harvard Medical School.With a strong sense of travel and adventure, Dr. Mike and his family moved to Canada where they have settled and thrived for the past several years. In this amazing place, he has met some of the friendliest and kindest people and has experienced some of the most scenic, heavenly places on earth.Inspired by his family and surroundings, he has honed his talents, creating award-winning games (e.g. Oikos Game, Fikloo, Wordigy, and Actus Tale)and educational materials designed to help others flourish. As a board-certified psychiatrist, he has helped many individuals and families with their mental health and personal issues. Despite his busy clinical practice, he has dedicated his time in writing books, in publishing webinars in mental health and psychiatry, and in creating educational products. You may visit his blog www.shrinkyourtroubles.com/blog to learn more about his latest activities.As a hands-on Dad, Dr. Mike has been involved in most of his children’s activities and has coached his sons’ sports teams. With a supportive wife beside him, things are looking up.

Book preview

Dedication

For my four loving, humorous, and gifted children: Danielle, Joshua, Hannah, and Isaiah, and for all the youths who want to follow a successful path.

Preface

Success is not just for adults. I believe that exposing young people to success principles gives them the insight and opportunity to pursue success.

I wrote this observation a few years ago. While browsing stacks of books at a major chain, I found that only a few books teach success strategies to the youth.

Why? I pondered.

Instead of finding the right answer to the why, such question triggered me to write a book on success principles intended for the young generation. I strongly felt that kids and teens deserve to be just as successful as adults. And they should learn the correct strategies as early as possible.

After a few months of research, hard work, and some sleepless nights, I finished the 31-Day book of success. The initial copy became the center of our family’s long and fruitful Sunday discussions. My kids, who were still very young then, enjoyed reading the principles out loud.

Afterwards, talking about success principles on Sundays has become a family tradition. Now they are all teenagers and we still expect and enjoy the family gatherings centered on these principles.

Through this book, I hope that families will start traditions, providing a venue for open discussion about how to be a success.

Michael G. Rayel, MD

Acknowledgments

Huge hugs to Danielle, Joshua, Hannah, and Isaiah for inspiring me to write this book. Without you, there’s no 31-day series.

Big kisses to my wife Gayzelle for showering me with joy as I struggled to find the right words and correct grammar, research the suitable heroes and role models, and type every detail at 2 AM!

Profound love and respect to Lola, Concepcion Z. Gregorio, for instilling in me words of wisdom and solid advice at an early age.

Sincere thanks and love to Mama Teeya, Estrella G. Sadueste, for imparting discipline and focus. I still vividly remember your lovely house in Virginia, a product of your hard work and entrepreneurial spirit.

And endless love and affection to Papa, Lorenzo S. Rayel, and Mama, Lourdes G. Rayel, for selflessly providing the first and lasting seeds of success within our family. I miss you!

Day 1

Take Responsibility

When you take responsibility, you take charge of your life. No one else can make you become a success. People can help you. Your parents and teachers will guide and teach you. But what you do is up to you. This means you cannot blame other people when you fail. You cannot make excuses for not doing something. You accept what happens and do your best to succeed.

Oprah Winfrey

My philosophy is that not only are you responsible for your life, but doing the best at this moment puts you in the best place for the next moment - Oprah Winfrey

When Oprah Winfrey was born, her parents were very young. They were not married and could not take care of her. She then went to live with her grandmother. Her grandmother was poor and Oprah did not even have an indoor toilet. But she did have talent and her grandmother gave her confidence. She would have Oprah read aloud from the Bible and perform in church. She read other things as well. When she was older, Oprah went to live with her mother. There, some male relatives hurt her very badly. She got into trouble and ran away. When they found her, she went to live with her father.

Her father was very strict. He got angry with her if she did wrong. But he also made sure she worked hard in