1. Written by: Andy Andrews
The
Traveler’s
Gift
Written by: Andy Andrews

2. The Traveler
David Ponder loses his job and feels “like a beaten man” (9).
He felt as though his life no longer had purpose.
Gets into a car accident
Experiences a traumatic head injury
Meets with 7 different historical figures

3. The 7 Decisions That Determine Personal Success
“The Buck Stops Here”
“I Will Seek Wisdom”
“I Am a Person of Action”
“I Have a Decided Heart”
“Today I Will Choose to Be Happy”
“I Will Greet This Day With a Forgiving Spirit”
“I Will Persist Without Exception”

4. “The Buck Stops Here” Meets with President Harry Truman
“The words It’s not my fault! have been symbolically written on the gravestones of unsuccessful people…” (28).
Take responsibility for your actions
“I will not let my history control my destiny” (32).

5. “I Will Seek Wisdom” David visits King Solomon
Discusses how a person “can change the future by changing [his/her] actions today” (44).
“We are… forever influenced by those with whom we associate” (45).
Find a person who has accomplished what you hope to accomplish, and listen carefully.

6. “I Am a Person of Action”
Met with Colonel Chamberlain in a battle during the Civil War.
Make positive behavior a “habit” (69).
“I inspire others with my activity” (69).
“It is true: an army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep” (70).
Do not fear the thought of failure

7. “I Have a Decided Heart”
Sails with Christopher Columbus
Do not let anyone convince yourself that you cannot do something.
“Poor is the man whose future depends on the opinions and permission of others” (81).
“When confronted with a challenge, the committed heart will search for a solution” (86).

8. “Today I Will Choose to Be Happy”
Traveled to the home of Anne Frank in Amsterdam.
We can choose how to interpret life, whether we want it to be positive or not.
“I will greet each day with laughter” (108).
“When I choose to smile, I become the master of my own emotions” (109).

9. “I Will Greet This Day With a Forgiving Spirit”
David spoke with President Lincoln right before his Gettysburg address.
When things are bad, do not “pray and wait,” “pray and work” (119).
“By the simple act of granting forgiveness, I release the demons of the past…” (138).
“...know that criticism is part of the price paid for leaping past mediocrity” (139).

10. “I Will Persist Without Exception”
His final meeting was with the angel Gabriel.
Gabriel discusses the fact that “faith is to believe what one has not seen” (149).
“I know the outcome I desire. I hold fast to my dreams. I stay the course. I do not quit” (165).

11. The Final Result David Ponder meets with his future self.
He finds himself living his life by these seven decisions, and sharing his secrets to success to the world around him.
“As you lead others to success and a life of their dreams, the life you seek and deserve will be revealed to you” (187).
Helping others will guide you in the direction of success.