SHIFTING SUCCESS GEARS TO DO WHAT COMES NEXT
successhasgears.com
In 1989, I started writing The Joy of Success:
10 Essential Skills for Getting the Success YOU Want.
In 2003, The Joy of Success was published by William Morrow/HarperCollins. It has been translated into 16 languages.
Here are some covers from around the world …
When The Joy Success was published in Chinese, I was invited to facilitate two-day training programs in Shanghai and Dalian.
And work with groups of business leaders. Below, see the red and gold banner over the entrance to the hotel. Sad to say I don’t read Chinese, so I didn’t know the banner was announcing my Women in Leadership program until we were leaving and our host asked if I had enjoyed the welcome banner! Then I did!
Excited readers and audiences spread the word …
I was invited to teach The Technology of Success at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
“Three-Gear Leadership is the jet fuel that can propel an organization to the next level of sustainable growth. The key question is how to know which gear is most effective at any time.”—Anita Brick, Director MBA Career Advancement,
University of Chicago Booth School of Business
I created My Success File program for students and parents at the Miami Children’s Museum School. I talked to parents while students learned in classrooms. Lots of excited sharing on the way home in the car! CEO Debbie Spiegelman is a wonder! It is through her efforts and guidance that the Children’s Museum transformed a marshy strip of land to a world-class Miami destination. Added a school and raised two powerhouse daughters … at the same time!
“The Joy of Cooking and The Joy of Sex. Now there's another classic. The Joy of Success reveals important recipes for success in love and work.”—Teresa Lee Oster, journalist and psychotherapist
Good evening. When I was asked to introduce our speaker I thought, “Hmmm, what words best describe this author and The Joy of Success? Let’s see …
Jack Canfield, author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, says, “I have been reading books on success for over 30 years. The Joy of Success is one of the most sophisticated and useful ones I have ever read. I highly recommend it.”
Dr. Christiane Northrup, author of Women’s Bodies, Women’s Wisdom says, “Finally a book about success written by a woman who has also raised children!”
Dylan Ford Rosenberg, Unity School 4B, says, “Better than the best.”
Eliza Rosenberg, Unity School 1A, says, “Amazing and incredible.”
Our speaker tonight gives new meaning to the word storyteller. While the names have been changed to protect the innocent, we’re in more than a few of her stories. Unity School, please welcome my mother, Susan Ford Collins.”
In 2006, I was the Keynote Speaker for The National Grants Management Association in Washington D.C. And they gave me a heartwarming update!
I told my story about being laughed at at NIH early in my career. Afterward I was signing copies of The Joy of Success in the back of the room when a group of participants headed my way. Smiling they told me, “We are the team at NIH that manages grants, and we only wish we’d been there for you that day. That is exactly the kind of research we’re looking for now! Susan, your only problem was … you were ahead of your time!”
Keynote speaker for Smith College’s Redefining Success Women’s Leadership Conference Northampton MA. April 2016 https://flic.kr/s/aHskxNiwDn
“An educational, brilliant, and touching keynote! I am in gratitude to have witnessed it.” – Shelly LaValley Frugé, Smith College Redefining Success Women’s Leadership Conference
Facilitated two-day Joy of Success Seminar at the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership Retreat Center upper New York state. The Wise Women’s Retreat. June 3-6, 2004
Afterward Cindi Cook, Program Director at Woodhull wrote, "I am still reeling from your presentation here at Woodhull. It was so, so wonderful, and you were one of the best, if not the best, speakers I have ever seen---and I really mean that!"
In 2004, I was invited to create a new course, The Freshman Experience (FEX101), at the University of Miami and I spoke to the Freshman Class with UM President, Donna Shalala, former US Secretary of Health and Human Resources. Over the summer students had read The Joy of Success so we had a lively conversation!
“This course creates opportunities for students to become self-managed, knowledgeable about others, to develop life skills and become an integral part of the campus community. Thank you.” Jan Willians-Eddleman, Director of Freshman Advising
In 2004, I Co-Founded The Strategic Forum South Florida, an organization of top CEOs. We meet once a month at Florida International University FIU in Miramar to learn what’s new in their industries and support each other’s goals. Currently I am a Board Member and Advisor to the Student Group. FIU business graduate students are invited to our meetings, and we have a session afterward so they can ask questions of our guests. Over the years we have given students scholarships and created connections for internships and jobs.
In 2006, I received the “Founders Award” at The Strategic Forum Annual Retreat, Cheeca Lodge, FL
Little did I know another book, Success Has Gears, was on its way.
Old connections renewed and recharged.
Shifting Gears: How YOU Can Succeed and Lead in the NEW Workplace Susan Ford Collins and Richard Israel. 1st Edition 2005. 2nd edition was retitled Success Has Gears: Using the Right Gear at the Right Time in Business and Life 2014
I had met Richard Israel at a meeting in Coconut Grove in the early 1990s. He was teaching his ABCs of Selling around the world and working with Tony Buzan, the creator of Mind Mapping. When we reconnected in 2003, our conversations birthed a book about my 2nd Success Skill. In it, we present case studies so readers can more easily recognize the shifting points. We told Robert Morgan, CEO of Spherion Employment Solutions, about our new book and he wrote the Foreword.
In 2012, I wrote The Miracle Diet: Lose Weight, Gain Health: 10 Diet Skills with Celso Cukierkorn who lost 100 pounds and kept it off … even though he was a Rabbi who was offered food all the time! How did we meet? Sweating in a Bikram Yoga class taught by Dmitry Zhitov.
Exciting new clients and startups were coming my way …
Bruce Turkel has been a treasured friend since we were co-founders of The Strategic Forum in 2004. Ever since we’ve collaborated on life changes and new books. I’ve sat next to him in hundreds of The Strategic Forum meetings watching as he drew his brand of portraits of our speakers. He is one of my favorite people and most frequent lunch guests! And Bruce introduces me to people he knows I’ll love. In 2017 Caroline de Posada was one of them! We immediately discovered that we shared the same birthday! December 8th. Caroline grew up learning from her famous-speaker-father Joachim de Posada (Have you heard about The Marshmallow Experiment?)
Caro’s father spent 80% of his time traveling around the world … and this was before cellphones. So, they didn’t have a lot of face-to-face time together! Her mom and dad were divorced and Caroline lived with her mom who made sure all of her needs were lovingly met. But her dad made a promise … he would send her postcards from wherever he was so she would always know he was thinking of her. Caro has boxes of postcards with stamps from exotic places she shares with her three sons.
When Caro’s dad died of cancer, she had to soul search. Was she to continue marketing his work? Or was there work of her own she needed to develop? And there was! That’s why Bruce had sent her to me. Our shared birthday was a grand predictor … and we’ve shared our lives and work ever since.
Leadership Training and Executive Coaching for Anatomie Women’s Luxury Travel Apparel. Miami FL
“Savvy travelers know to pack smartly, opting for clothing that is wrinkle resistant and does not take up too much space in luggage. Changing to European fabrics and quality craftsmanship ensure luxurious and beautiful pieces. Anatomie checks all of those boxes.” Filip Boyen, CEO, Forbes Travel Guide
The Technology of Success Training for Eberjey Intimates … soft, stylish, pleasurable plant-based sleepwear. Miami FL. https://eberjey.com/
Training and Consulting for Dayton-Granger in Fort Lauderdale FL.
* Relive Richard Branson’s Virgin Galactic suborbital flight with Dayton-Granger lightning protection.
https://youtu.be/ZPrB3WvnZpE?si=qEysqzqy8szhXwUy
Technology of Success training for the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO) Florida International University, North Miami Beach FL. April 24, 2019
Leadership coaching and training for New Horizons Computer Learning Centers. And the Florida School of Nursing and Technology (FVI) Arnie Girnum and Denyse Antunes and their teams. 2018-2024
Parenting Q&A … For the Love of Teenagers Summit.
How to Teach Success. Dmitry Zhitov interview for Russian TV.
Mantras of Success SpeakQNetwork interview.
Be Strong International Leadership Training, Coral Gables FL
“Our Children Are Watching is a book full of hope … a very valuable item.”
Michael Fitzsimmons, Producer, The Weekend Today Show
Faces and Voices of Cuba. Coffee table book with photos by Dmitry Zhitov, words and layout by Susan. 2023
Booksigning at Books & Books in Coral Gables. Chance and serendipity were working again … Dmitry was teaching the yoga class where I met Celso Cukierkorn. And continues to be my valued photographer and friend.
Lifestyles Speaker Miami Book Fair International. Nov 8, 2003
Training Magazine: The Greatest Challenge Trainers and Leaders Face: Shifting Gears
American Management Association: Are You Sending Successful Employees to Competitors?
American Management Association: Why Do We Do What We’re Told Not to Do?
CEO Magazine: Brain Tips That Will Make You a More Powerful CEO
The Costco Connection … Success Steps: Are You Using All 10 Success Skills? Take the Quiz to Find Out.
Forbes Magazine: Leadership: Five Misconceptions Even Smart People Have About Success by Caroline Ceniza-Levine features Susan’s book The Joy of Success. Nov 15, 2015
Articles and Talks are linked for easy access …
We're Stuck in a Success Crisis and It's Affecting Our Kids! Caroline Dowd-Higgins interviews (Audio)
Why Most People Can't Think Outside of the Box. Caroline Dowd-Higgins interviews (Audio)
7 Things Highly Successful People Do You Might Not Be Doing, Thrive Magazine
Today’s Honoree, The #1 Blog For Recognizing The Works of Others (wordpress.com) Susan Ford Collins: Success and Leadership Coach October 14, 2015
The Glass Hammer: Working Hard? How is the Teamwork at Home? Susan Ford Collins
McAlister & Payne Digital Magazine: 7 Things Highly Successful People Do You Might Not Be Doing.
Successful Meetings Magazine: Leadership Is Like Driving a Stick Shift. Gearing Up for Success
Women's Leadership Summit, Keynote Speaker and Panelist … Success and Leadership Have Gears, Florida International University. Video: Intros 07:31, vision 30:25 to 37:20, mentoring 52:38 to 54:37, passion 01:11:54 to 01:14:20
Fayette Woman: 10 things Highly Successful People Do
WorkingMomsAgainstGuilt: The Workplace Squeeze
Upstart Business Journal: Why Most People Can’t Think "Outside the Box"
Success, Hologramming and Health: New Approaches in The National Parkinson Report.
“3 Books Every Small Business Owner Should Read.”
Web.com Small Business Forum spotlights The Joy of Success.
The Joy of Success won a Silver ELit Award.
In Business Magazine: We’re Stuck in a Success Crisis.
Business Breakfast Keynote Speaker Susan Ford Collins opened The Virginia Festival of the Book in Charlottesville VA Article in Charlottesville Business Journal by Jane Goodman. And in Daily Progress by David Dadurka. Mar 19, 2003.
Barnes and Noble Jenkintown PA hosted a Joy of Success talk and book signing April 6, 2003.
Afterward a participant asked if I would be willing to create a workshop for 911 Survivor Families. I was, and it was a life changing experience I’ll never forget.
Keynote Speaker MEGA-SUCCESS Conference with Mark Victor Hansen Miami FL. Oct 23-24, 2003.
Jan 21-23, 2005 Keynote speaker Week-End du Millionaire for Haitian business leaders sponsored by Colas International at the Hotel Montana. The Joy of Success was Colas International's Book of the Month.
Sun Sentinel: Here's How Workers Can Avoid Being Overwhelmed by Information
Miami Culinary Institute: Food for Success is Success Starts 6:17
Susan facilitated 2-day Women's Leadership Conferences in Shanghai and Qingdao, China 2006.
eWomen Network International Conference and Trade Show, Richardson Renaissance Hotel in Dallas TX Aug 1, 2003.
Keynote Speaker for CondeNast’s Allure Magazine’s "View from the Top" Celebration,
4 Times Square. Apr 15, 2003
I co-created and facilitated Managing Information Overload (MIO) with Richard Israel for The Strategic Forum at Nova Southeastern University, The University of Miami, and The Miami Herald 2005.
“To say you guys were a hit would be an understatement. When I returned to town, I asked my executive team, “How did it go?” Twenty minutes later, I was feeling sorry for myself for missing it. So, we invited you back to train me and all of the 125 of our management team. I just saw the feedback. I could not agree more. It was a terrific course.”
Jesus Diaz, Publisher, The Miami Herald
“I only wish I had learned this 30 years ago!” Blas Moros, former Director, Microsoft Latin America and Asia
“Before this seminar, I had taken many seminars. Each time I left them, I was euphoric. However, after the euphoria wore off, I was back to how do I accomplish what I want? The Technology of Success seminar gave me the means, day-by-day, to get what I want out of my professional commitments and my personal relationships. This seminar works!” Stephen Goldstein, Ph.D., Vice President for University Relations and Development, Nova University.
The Technology of Success for Students and Teachers at Ransom Everglades School, Miami FL.
Facilitated Successful Weight Loss: It's Not Just What You Eat ... But What You Think! Kingsport TN with Dr. Rallie McAllister. A three-month, physician-monitored, highly successful weight loss program. Nov 21 to Feb 2, 2003
Chance and serendipity were at work again. How did Rallie and I meet? We sat next to each other on a plane! Later she read The Joy of Success and contacted me.
NEW Technology of Success Videos for you to enjoy!
Introduction to Technology of Success, Dr. Jan Keating, Founder Stanford University Online High School, #1 online high school in US.
Mater Beach Academy Miami Beach FL
Mater Beach Academy Pilot Program Lunch
Mater Beach Academy Career Day 2025
CEO Circle and Miami Women Who Rock
Emily Zubizarreta CEO & Founder, Host of "SPOTLIGHT TV
CEO Circle Mastermind at Susan’s Home
CEO Circle Downtown Meeting with Susan Ford Collins
This is My Success File. And what’s in yours?
Why do I ask? Here’s the bottom line:
When Your Success File is FULL, you feel Success-FULL. When it is low, you feel dependent and needy.
Now that you know this … you have a choice!
I built My Success File for me and for my family. I’m sharing it to inspire you to build the Self-Confidence you’ll need to create your future … the one you want. And to inspire your family to create the futures they want … and pass on the Success Filing Skill.
HINTS FOR YOU AS YOU SUCCESS FILE …
Think about YOUR SUCCESSES at home, in school, exercise, sports, art, music, acting, dancing, sailing. Earning diplomas and licenses… your driver’s license or diver’s license? Getting a lease or mortgage. Your real estate license, medical license, marriage license. Or divorce papers. (Success is sometimes Deletion … cutting out something that doesn’t’ work for you, or others.) What successes have you had at healing and being healthy? What changes did you make?
What did you do to earn money as a teen? When did you get a job, promotion or bonus? Or find a new position? Or start a business? Or invest. (Success and leadership have gears. Success is different in each one. Skill 2.) ADD
Were you ever laughed at? How did you deal with that? Did you stop … or keep going? Did others discover you were right after all? Or did you learn why you were wrong and make corrections? (These are all important as you build your Success File.)
Did your parents agree with the direction you wanted to go … with your goals and dreams? Or did they object, create obstacles and blocks? Did that mean you stopped sharing your dreams with them? Have you been able to close that gap, or is it still there? Who have you found to dream and celebrate your successes with you?
What parenting and family successes have you had? Children, yours and others? Siblings? Who helped you along the way? Who were your guides and mentors? Your teachers and coaches? The people who helped you clarify your course, make corrections and connections? And the ones you helped?
Who believes in your dreams with you now? Who are your Co-Dreamers and Collaborators? Your Teammates?
What are your top three dreams? Can you see yourself succeeding at them? What does that look, sound and feel like? Imagining the future you want is where you need to start.
For more, see Skill 3 Hologramming in The Joy of Success.
hologrammorepowerfuldreams.com
Success Filing your life now will be exciting because the truth is … you are far more Success-FULL than you realize!
Tiny daily successes have accumulated into big ones. Old disappointments have transformed into current successes. Chance and serendipity have brought unexpected opportunities. And your detailed dreams (Holograms) have empowered you to seize them … and will continue to. And most important of all, Success Filing brings you The Joy of Success and Leadership you deserve!
