'I've helped millions of people become successful'

Motivational Guru, America's number one success coach, an author who has sold more than 500 million copies of his various books in an intense interview with Rediff.com shares his insights into what makes people shower such encomiums on Jack Canfield. 

Here's a peek into the world of Jack Canfield, author of hot selling Chicken Soup for the Soul series which includes Chicken Soul for the Indian Soul At Work.

Jack was in Mumbai recently to sign one of his American bestsellers: The Success Principles -- How to Get from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be.

Who is Jack Canfield and what makes Jack Canfield, Jack Canfield?

I think what makes Jack Canfield, Jack Canfield is someone who really wants to make a difference to the world and contribute to the upliftment or fulfilment of people living their dreams, the world working better, committed to ecological sustainability, spiritual fulfilment, social justice, I want schools to educate children in more humane ways.

I think I am a person who came to earth with the purpose of contributing to make things work better (for others).

What makes Jack Canfield feel sad?

I think what makes me feel sad is when I see injustice in the world, when I see waste of talent and resources, when I see people misunderstood, when I see unnecessary tensions between religions and people of different beliefs instead of embracing each other's diversity we tend to isolate, separate and often kill each other over ideas. That to me is sad.

What does Jack Canfield do when he faces such a situation?

What I have been doing my whole life is try to address some of these issues we are talking about by writing books that hopefully inspire and uplift people and help them live life of compassion, love, joy and fulfilment. I also conduct seminars, coaching programmes and give speeches to encourage people to lead better lives.

Would Jack Canfield be Jack Canfield without his wife?

Would I be myself without my wife? I doubt it. She is someone who totally supports me, loves me and encourages me to be all I can be. And when I come home from long road trips or what I have done today – done eight interviews, book signing and tomorrow I will be doing speeches and talks – she is there to help me unwind and make me realise that I am just a human being like anybody else and not to take myself too seriously.

Does Jack Canfield believe that Jack Canfield is America's # 1 Success Coach?

There are lot of people who can claim that they are America's # 1 Success Coach. But it was a name that someone gave me as a result of looking at all the people who are out there. I am sure Tony Robbins (Anthony Robbins, another motivational guru having a large following in America) can equally claim that. But I do believe I am someone who is a great coach. I have helped millions of people around the world become successful.

We just found out this week that we have sold 500 millionth book and I feel pretty good about that.

Does Jack Canfield believe in God?

I do believe in God.

Is God He or She?

I don't think God is either He or She. Actually God is the combination of all things. God to me is an intelligence beyond form, beyond the duality of male and female. It contains everything.

What does Jack Canfield do to take his message to those who cannot afford to buy his books or CDs... the poor of this world?

When I am in the United States I do at least ten or 12 free seminars every year for the homeless, people in the prayer houses, going to prisons, I work in university schools; So I do a lot to get my work out. I have also contributed probably a million free books to people in the American prison system and to university schools.

What is Jack Canfield's advice to people who have lost their jobs?

Losing a job is not the end of the world. A lot of people get very depressed when they lose their job because they think they won't get another one. When you don't have a job, your new job is to find the next job. And if you can't find a job then ask yourself: How can I be of service to somebody?

What can I do to contribute something that makes a difference? You can actually create a job. Lot of us think that we need to have an employer but we can be more entrepreneurial and figure out what service or need that can be filled that I can do. Do not be necessarily focussed on your resume, focus more on what can I provide people...

Three ways in which one can feel good about oneself...

Couple of techniques to feel better by yourself. One is called the mirror exercise.

Every night you go to bed look into a mirror and just talk to yourself. I would say: Jack I really want to acknowledge you today for the following things: Your accomplishments, disciplines that you kept while meditating, yoga, while reading, and finally any temptations you overcame... like for me it is staying up too late playing video games, or surfing the Internet. Then look into the mirror and say I love you. That's a very powerful technique.

Another technique is to keep a victory log. Write down your victories everyday so that when you are depressed you can go back and read the things you have accomplished.

The third thing would be to choose to be of service.