There are a lot of success “gurus” out there, and even though some of my readers might lump me in with them, I honestly don’t see myself that way.

Yes, I’ve been on the seminar circuit. I’ve written two award-winning and three best-selling books. But despite all that, the idea that I "have it all together" is, frankly, laughable.

I’m just a regular person trying to do the right thing—and making plenty of mistakes along the way. Maybe the only real difference is that I’ve made a project out of sharing the lessons I learn (and the ones I’m still learning) in a public way.

(Thanks for coming along for the ride—your company makes the journey so much better.)

So what sets me apart from the typical "guru"?

It comes down to my perspective on empowerment.

While many success teachers emphasize that you are the ultimate creator of your life—and that you can, and should, have everything you want—I have a slightly different take. Yes, it’s important to overcome feelings of unworthiness, and yes, you are powerful. But I don’t believe that power comes from us alone.

Some gurus will say, “You deserve it all.” And I get it—they say that to help you rise above the belief that you’re undeserving of abundance. That mindset shift is helpful. But it’s not the whole picture.

From where I stand, overcoming a sense of unworthiness isn’t about swinging to the other extreme and thinking we’re automatically entitled to anything. For me, the bridge between who I am and what’s possible is my reliance on the Savior, Jesus Christ.

I fall short of perfection, and by that measure, I “deserve” nothing. But thankfully, I’ve learned that I don’t have to be perfect to enjoy God’s blessings. What I do need is a willingness to recognize where I fall short, acknowledge it, and trust Him to fill the gap.

Let’s be honest—if the laws of success are truly laws, then by definition, they require perfect compliance to work every time. And yet, people still achieve amazing things despite their flaws. How is that possible?

My belief is that God made a way for the demands of law to be fulfilled—through our honest efforts, humility, and trust in Him to make up the difference. (Yes, I know that was a long sentence… but it’s a big idea!)

The real price of success isn’t flawless execution. It’s unwavering faith.
But not just faith in yourself or the laws—because let’s face it, no one obeys them perfectly. I’m talking about unwavering faith in God.

Related: Trick, or Treat?

Do I believe you’re powerful enough to change your life? Absolutely—more than you may realize. And believing that is a step up from feeling powerless. But there’s more power—and more peace—when you remember that you're not doing it alone.

Some will say you create everything in your life. I believe we’re co-creators with God. Yes, we have agency. We can think for ourselves. We can influence outcomes.

But when I’ve tried going it alone—asking for what I want and getting it through sheer force of will—I’ve often learned that what I asked for wasn’t actually the best thing for me.

(Be careful what you pray for… you just might get it.)

I’ve seen incredible results applying the laws of thought and success. But I’ve seen better results when I first ask: “Is this aligned with God’s will for me?” When I get a clear yes, it becomes so much easier to have faith and be patient while everything comes together.

Now you might wonder, “But what if God’s plan is less exciting than my own dream?”

I truly believe that’s not possible. The joy God has in store for us is greater than we can imagine. Sometimes we chase the equivalent of a cheap plastic toy, while He’s preparing something far more lasting and fulfilling.

Yes, you can use the laws of success without God and still get results—but it’s often a bumpier road. Why? Because God, as a wise and loving parent, knows how to stretch and prepare you so you’re actually ready for the things you ask for.

So don’t resent the challenges. They’re shaping you into the kind of person who can fully receive and enjoy what’s coming.

You've probably heard: You don’t attract what you want—you attract what you are. So how do you become more? Through growth. Through resistance. Through trial.

Yes, I believe I’m a creative being, capable of building a better life no matter my starting point.
But without God, I am nothing.

Before you push back on that, consider: do you control the breath in your lungs right now? If God chose to take that away, all the positive thinking in the world wouldn’t bring it back. Every breath is a gift.

So I treat every blessing—even the ones I’ve worked hard for—as a gift.

And honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever achieved a goal with an attitude of entitlement. When one of my kids comes to me with gratitude and asks for something more, I’m inclined to give. If they come with entitlement or throw a fit? Even if I want them to have it, I hold back. Because I want them to understand that it’s not manipulation or demand that brings good things—it's gratitude and trust.

Related: God or Science – Who Pushes the Apple?

So here’s a question to reflect on: How are you asking for what you want?
With gratitude? With trust? With peace in the process?

Because sometimes, the thing you want most only shows up after you've found genuine happiness without it.

My book Portal to Genius (free) explores these ideas in story form, and might help you see this dynamic even more clearly.

(And wow—this post turned out way longer than I planned. Thanks for sticking with me!)

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