How to Be Powerful, Wealthy and Successful

I have read, analyzed and written reports on the following books. 'The 48 Laws of Power' By Robert Greene (Author of 'The Art of Seduction), 'Success' By John C. Maxwell (Author of 'Leadership 101'), 'The Rules of Wealth' By Richard Templar (Author of 'The Rules of Life').

After reading these books, I felt they were pretty much saying the same thing. Although they had different rules and laws, I felt they were saying the same thing. In my opinion, the top 10 rules from all these three books are listed below.

1. Pay Now, Play Later (Success). The explanation for this rule in the book is that for everything in life, you pay a price; you only get to choose if you pay first or pay after. The book says if you pay first, you will better enjoy what follows.

2. Opportunities are the result of pluck, not luck (Success). This is saying that you should seek out opportunities and if you can't find them, create them.

3. Never appear too perfect (Power). From the book, 'Appearing better than others is always dangerous, but most dangerous of all is appearing to have no faults or weaknesses.' People can become jealous and you create silent enemies. You should sometime show that you have weaknesses and admit to harmless vices. The book on success mentions that to succeed, you need to be able to get on well with people and have good relationships but you can't work well with people if you make them jealous.

4. Never outshine the master (Power). Do not make people in a higher position than your look bad. They will not be very happy and will do all that is in their power to prevent you from ever rising.

5. Decide on your definition of Wealth (Wealth). You need to know what wealth means to you because you need to know where you are going and where to aim. Knowing what you want makes sure you make the right options when you have a choice before you because you know what you want out of it.

6. You have to work hard, to get rich enough so you don't have to work hard (Wealth). To be powerful, wealthy or successful, you need to work hard.

7. This rule is in both, the Rules of Wealth and 48 Laws of Power. Rephrased: Act like who you want to be, to be treated like who you want to be. In the Rules of wealth, it is phrased as, 'Only by looking wealthy, can you become wealthy'. In the 48 Laws of Power, 'Be royal in your own fashion: Act like a King to be treated like a King'. I rephrased that because they are practically saying the same thing.

8. Rephrased: Do not go too far. In the Rules of Wealth, 'Know when to stop' this book explains it is so you have time to do other things that you want to do. The 48 Laws of Power, 'Do not go past the mark you aimed for; in victory, learn when to stop'

9. No Shortcuts (Success), there are no shortcuts to any place worth going. My Dad always told me that anything worth doing, is worth doing well.

10. Do not commit to anyone (Power). You should not give anyone control over you. Make no promises and put yourself in no debts.