Confession: I was a little disappointed when I started reading this book and realized it was fiction. I thought I was reading a serious, non-fiction business book. But then I couldn’t put it down. And by the time I was done, it was my favorite business book I’ve read in the last year.  That was just one of six true confessions I admitted to author Skip Prichard while interviewing him about The Book of Mistakes: 9 Secrets to Creating a Successful Future. Like an experienced novelist, Prichard weaves a magical tale of mystery and intrigue so captivating you won’t even realize you’re learning something important about your work and your life. I’d compare it to Eliyahu Goldratt’s The Goal. In fact, I think it’s better.  As I do with all my podcasts, I’m including a little something below to read as a summary. But the summary is only a fraction of the value and enjoyment you’ll get out of listening to our conversation and reading the book. Click play above and join us to learn more about success, and the rest of my confessions. . .  9 Mistakes #1 – Working on Someone Else’s Dream – Don’t let your parents, spouse, friends, or strangers define your dreams for you. A life choreographed by someone else is not our finest performance. Live your own dream. (Another confession: I made this mistake 35 years ago and have regretted it ever since. Details in the interview at 18:15)  #2 – Allowing Someone Else to Define Your Value – Don’t let other people slap a price tag on you and tell you what you’re good at and not good at. Don’t accept limitations others put on you.  #3 – Accepting Excuses – If you want to take your life back, take your thoughts back. Excuses cannot withstand positive self-talk.  #4 – Surrounding Yourself with the Wrong People – Don’t spend more time picking out your clothes than you spend picking out your friends. Your friends determine your fate because we emulate the people we spend time with.  #5 – Staying in Your Comfort Zone – Mediocrity is the end result of too much comfort. Leaders consistently push beyond what’s comfortable.  #6 – Allowing Temporary Setbacks to Become Permanent Failures – There’s nothing wrong with a setback. Just keep going.  #7 – Trying to Blend In Instead of Standing Out – Most of us spend our lives learning to blend in when success is about standing out. Sameness makes you a commodity.  #8 – Thinking There Is a Fixed and Limited Amount of Success Available – Success isn’t like pie. Just because other people have some doesn’t mean there’s less left over for you. Be motivated, not intimidated, by other people’s success.  #9 – Believing You Have All the Time in the World – While there isn’t a limited amount of success in the world, there is a limited amount of time. Successful people have a sense of urgency.  You can learn more at www.thebookofmistakes.com. And you can find Skip at www.skipprichard.com.  Click these links to subscribe to this podcast on iTunes or a href="http://www.stitcher.