“University of Success” by Og Mandino has left quite a mark on Travis Spell’s life.
The 1983 self-help book is a collection of life lessons from 50 people Mandino considered the “greatest success authorities in the world.” Over 10 chapters – referred to as “semesters” – the book covers a range of topics from failure and taking risks to eliminating bad habits and developing financial literacy.
Spell, who works as business development manager at Milwaukee-based Riverworks Development Corp., said the book taught him how to think about success and then to organize his life in a way that would help him obtain success. He says it’s allowed him to guide others to do the same.
He highlights two quotes from the book that have stuck with him: “Often it is not the wrong start but the wrong stop that makes the difference between success and failure,” and “We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.”
“Growing up I did not have these teachings, but in this book, I found the lessons and the inspiration to achieve it,” said Spell.
