The Traveler’s Gift: 7 Decisions That Determine Personal Success is a self-help book by author and motivational speaker Andy Andrews. It was published in 2002 and is Andrews’ first book. In it, Andrews tells the story of a young man named David Ponder who sets out to gain the wisdom he needs to make a successful life for himself and his family. Through a series of personal discoveries and inspiring encounters with various historical figures, David learns seven timeless lessons or “decisions” that lead to personal success.
The story opens with David at the lowest point in his life. He has lost his job, his wife is expecting their first child, and he has become disillusioned with the world. Feeling desperate, David decides to go for a walk in the woods. While walking, he meets an elderly man who tells him he has been provided with a gift—a traveler’s gift—which is the chance to meet with seven people from history. As David embarks on his journey with this traveler’s gift, he discovers seven key decisions or life principles.
The first decision is to accept responsibility. David learns that his choices and actions are his own and that criticizing or blaming others will not benefit him. The second decision is to have courage. David learns that despite life’s challenges, one must remain brave and push forward. The third decision is to cultivate discernment. David discovers that wisdom is not forced on him but must instead be sought out. The fourth decision is to have faith. David is encouraged to trust his intuition and remember that every experience has a purpose.
The fifth decision is to commit to excellence. David is taught that achieving greatness is a matter of perseverance, not luck. The sixth decision is to envision a better future. David learns the importance of setting goals and dreams for himself and his family. The seventh decision is to facilitate the success of others. David realizes that the only true form of success is helping others achieve it as well.
Throughout the book, David’s encounters with these historical figures and his life-changing discovery of the seven decisions become more meaningful as readers gain an understanding of how each decision can be applied to their own lives. As the story comes to an end, David has regained hope in himself, those around him, and life in general.
The Traveler’s Gift is an inspiring and thought-provoking work that challenges readers to reflect on their own life challenges and encourages them to look beyond their current situation and strive to achieve personal success. Andrews’ combination of personal anecdotes, historical references, and inspirational quotes make this a timeless classic. The Traveler’s Gift is an invaluable read that serves to remind us all that we can live successful lives with courage and faith.
