Contemporary surveys have consistently shown that modern-day college graduates don’t feel well-prepared for future career success. According to the American Council on Education, institutions of higher learning and their faculties have a critical role in developing high-quality relevant curricula that equip students with broad life and career skills that empower them to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the workplace. These underappreciated “soft skills” include the power of positive associations and collaboration; people skills; interviewing; problem-solving; goal setting; motivation, focus, and commitment; the boomerang effect of serving others; dealing with setbacks; the virtues of patience and persistence; the potency of preparedness; writing and speaking expertise; understanding the laws of attraction and sow and reap; the invaluable dividends of organizational/association membership; and, the #1 success strategy ⸺ taking action.

To address these topics and more, based on my longstanding interest in studying highly successful people in all walks of life, I developed a course at Central Michigan University entitled “GPS for Success” that I taught from 2012−2017 ⸺ a course that received rave reviews and was consistently ranked #1 by the students who enrolled in it (see Student Praise for GPS for Success).* After reading their overwhelmingly positive feedback and complimentary comments on the course, I realized that we were filling a critical void in their educational programming and that I was on to something BIG. When I stopped teaching the course 3 years ago, I started writing the textbook for it ⸺ for future generations and titled my book, GPS for Success: Skills, Strategies, and Secrets of Superachievers.

“Dr. Barry Franklin’s book, GPS for Success: Skills, Strategies, and Secrets of Superachievers is an exceptional guide for anyone who aspires to career advancement. Dr. Franklin has unraveled the secrets of the most successful people from every field.

This book provides step-by-step instructions that each of us can follow. He proves that goal-setting, persistence, hard work, and kindness will enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results.

Dr. Franklin’s own career is a perfect example that his formula for success works — it is quite an inspiration!”

-Ora Hirsch Pescovitz, M.D.
President, Oakland University

“This down-to-earth treasure chest, disguised as a book, provides invaluable insights – whether you are just launching your career or are well on the way. Inspired by his colleague’s dog Gus, Dr. Franklin identifies the values of giving beyond self, and of humility, preparation, resilience, and compassion. These values, coupled with a relentless and optimistic work ethic, will fuel a consequential life.”

-Timothy P. White, Ph.D.
Chancellor Emeritus and Professor, The California State University

“GPS for Success is bursting with pearls of wisdom perfect for new grads just starting down the career path and for anyone in need of an energizing nudge toward taking the ‘yellow brick road’ to achievement. Barry has woven together experiences and essentials from the world’s most successful people and valued resources to inspire success, happiness, and personal fulfillment.”

- Marjory Abrams
Former Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer, Bottom Line Inc.

“Dr. Barry Franklin has written a marvelous book that offers what we all can use: a blueprint for successful living.  His research is first-rate, his recommendations are practical, doable, and make great sense.  Best of all, they work!  GPS for Success delivers on its promise to provide skills, strategies, and secrets for building a successful life.  It is a must-read for anyone wanting to live the life they imagine.”

-Joseph C. Piscatella
Author Don’t Eat Your Heart Out

“This high-energy power-packed guide has the altimeter reading at the limit for Dr. Barry Franklin, PhD who is in the captain’s seat. Having known Dr. Franklin for nearly three decades, his positivity and gusto for life embodies an ever-accelerating rocket ship destined for a happier and more satisfied world. In this book, the positivity, enthusiasm, humility, respectfulness, circumspection, and assiduousness of a quintessential professional is fully developed. The messages and quick points are tacking for globals, millennials, Generation X, Generation Y, and young boomers. The reader will be buoyed by sage advice that is written and lived by one of America’s leading motivational authors. Sit back, strap in, and countdown to success!”

-Peter A. McCullough, MD, MPH
Chief Medical Advisor, Truth for Health Foundation

“GPS for Success is a powerful, stimulating, and inspirational read!  This book reveals what many people at the height of their profession have taken a lifetime to learn. It should be at the top of the list of required reading for anyone aspiring to a successful career!”

-Debra K. Brede
Founder, D.K. Brede Investment Management Co.

*Note: Selected colleagues were sent a preliminary draft of GPS for Success for book-jacket quote commitments, and these are the responses that they provided.

“This class has taught me more than any other class I’ve ever taken at Central Michigan University. I wish everyone ‘seized the opportunity’ to take it. It was worth way more than the cost of a one-credit hour course.” –Anonymous

“What I learned this past weekend will stick with me for the rest of my life and has reminded me to keep going after all of my dreams.” –L.M.

“I still have the notes I took from the lectures and a few of your inspirational quotes have stuck with me throughout the years and one being: ‘The secret to success is to give people more than they expect.’ Your strategies and advice helped me ‘turn the faucet on.’ And this e-mail is to thank you for your extraordinary advice and simply for your inspiration. Like Thomas J. Watson said, ‘The way to succeed is to double your failure rate.’ He was right. Take care…” –A.P.

“Out of the 100⁺ credits I have accumulated in my undergraduate career, I feel this single credit will turn out to be the most beneficial and influential of them all.” -M.M.

“You have truly inspired me to go the extra mile for what I believe in and a lifelong goal of helping others. Continue to change the lives of young professionals and students. You exceeded my expectations for this class and I guarantee that I will remember you and this course for a lifetime. I now feel I have the duty to be an honest, hard-working, caring professional in your honor. Thank you!” -J.A.

“You get strategies on success that you don’t get in ‘normal’ college courses, and things you desperately need to know.” -S.C.

“Very valuable life lessons not taught in regular college courses or any level courses. Well worth the cost of a one-credit hour undergraduate course at Central Michigan University. I have a business major brother coming to CMU next year that would HIGHLY benefit from this information.” –Anonymous

“Practical skills that I will carry with me throughout the rest of my career and life. Excellent course. I feel that everything covered will tremendously help me as I develop into my career and professional life.” -K.K.

“I really think this course is useful because it applies to real life. I’ve never had a course that made me feel as empowered and invested in my future as this one has. I really mean that. My only criticism is how short the course was – I wish it would have been even longer, so that we could have obtained ever more information.”  ‒Anonymous

“Real-life, applicable information. Current/relevant to students pursuing a career in any field. Worth more than the cost of a one credit hour undergraduate course.”   ‒Anonymous

“This course taught me so many things, I’m beyond happy I took it. Very helpful for future endeavors in any career field. I truly enjoyed it and will highly recommend it to others.” ‒Anonymous

“I’ve learned more in this day and a half course about the ‘real world’ than I have in the past 4 years of undergraduate school. This course offered practical and inspiring information.” ‒Anonymous

“I thought this course was amazing and it really made me think about what I need to change in my life to become successful. I loved hearing all the success stories – it made it more relatable to my life.” ‒Anonymous

“What captivated me was how relatable your remarks were to me personally. In the midst of all the chaos of an ending semester, I could not have heard your ‘strategies for success’ at a more perfect time. Because of you, I have regained my self-confidence. You have revitalized the notion of, ‘If it is to be, it is up to me.’ I believe in myself now more than ever. You have also shifted my perspective on what truly matters, that is, helping others around me to achieve as well. I make you this promise: I will rehearse and practice your 10 strategies every day to the best of my ability to become a highly successful person. I hope you continue to inspire other students the way you inspired me.” -M.T.M.

“Dr. Barry Franklin’s book, GPS for Success: Behavioral Skills, Strategies and Secrets of Superachievers is an exceptional guide for anyone who aspires to career advancement. Dr. Franklin has unraveled the secrets of the most successful people from every field.

This book provides step-by-step instructions that each of us can follow. He proves that goal-setting, persistence, hard work and kindness will enable ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results.

Dr. Franklin’s own career is a perfect example that his formula for success works — it is quite an inspiration!”