Brian Tracy
Born 1944 · Age 81
Canadian–American motivational speaker, consultant and self-development author; founder & CEO of Brian Tracy International; author of 70–80+ books and creator of hundreds of audio/video learning programs.
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Life & Career Timeline
Born in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, Canada
Brian Tracy was born on January 5, 1944, in Charlottetown (sources sometimes also reference Vancouver as childhood city).
Early schooling; later dropped out of school
Sources state he dropped out of school early (no exact year provided).
Grew up in a low-income household
Raised in a family that struggled financially; father had trouble holding regular work (context from biographical sources).
Worked with Dr. Albert Schweitzer (reported)
Biographies mention work alongside Dr. Albert Schweitzer in South Africa during his travels (no precise date given, placed in travel period).
Attended the University of Alberta (attendance recorded)
Biographical sources list University of Alberta as part of his education (dates not specified).
Trained in Shotokan Karate and earned a black belt (approx.)
Sources state he trained and gained a black belt in Shotokan Karate during his youth/travels (no exact date).
Worked and lived in multiple countries during travels
Traveled and worked in many countries including England, France, Spain, South Africa, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand during his travels (mid-1960s to early-1970s).
Began extended world travel at age 20
At about 20 he left Canada to travel — touring North America, then Europe, North Africa, Middle East and Asia; travel period lasted ~eight years per sources.
Moved into real estate development & management consulting
Expanded career into real estate development, investments, importation/distribution and management consulting (progressed over 1970s).
Began career in sales
After traveling he started a sales career — initially struggling, then studying top salespeople and improving performance.
Became top salesperson and sales manager
Worked his way to being the number one salesperson and later a sales manager (no exact company or date provided).
Served as Chief Operating Officer of a $265M development company (prior to 1984)
Sources indicate he was COO of a development company with $265 million (no exact employer or date; cited as prior to founding his company).
Married Barbara Tracy
Brian Tracy married Barbara Tracy in 1979.
Decided to compile learnings into a comprehensive system
By 1981 he had decided to compile his research and teachings into a formal system for self-improvement and professional development.
Founded Brian Tracy International
Founded Brian Tracy International in 1984 in Vancouver; the training and development company specializes in leadership, selling, goals, strategy and success psychology.
Became Chairman & CEO of Brian Tracy International
Assumed role of Chairman and CEO of the company he founded; company later headquartered in San Diego (Bankers Hill).
Published 'The Psychology of Selling'
One of his early and enduring books: The Psychology of Selling (Thomas Nelson, 1988).
Published 'The Science of Self-Confidence'
Book published in 1991 on building self-confidence.
Published 'Maximum Achievement'
Maximum Achievement (1993), a comprehensive self-improvement guide (Simon & Schuster).
Published 'Accelerated Learning Techniques' and 'How to Master Your Time'
Co-authored Accelerated Learning Techniques (with Colin Rose) and published How to Master Your Time (1995).
Published 'Eat That Frog!' and several business books (2001)
Published Eat That Frog! and multiple titles in 2001 (Get Paid More and Promoted Faster; The 21 Success Secrets of Self-Made Millionaires; Focal Point).
Published 'The Psychology of Achievement' audio and 'The 100 Absolutely Unbreakable Laws of Business Success'
Published follow-up works in 2002 covering achievement & business laws.
Published multiple titles and expanded programs (2003)
Released books including Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life and others; compiled The Ultimate Goals Program and Power of Clarity material.
Ran as candidate in the California gubernatorial recall election
Stood as one of 135 candidates in the 2003 California gubernatorial recall election on an independent platform, receiving 729 votes.
Appointed trustee of The Heritage Foundation
Became a trustee (associate) of the conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation in 2003.
Published 'Advanced Selling Strategies' and 'Time Power'
Released additional sales and time-management titles in 2004.
Published 'TurboCoach' and 'Create Your Own Future'
Co-authored TurboCoach (with Campbell Fraser) and published Create Your Own Future (2005).
Published 'The Power of Charm'
Released The Power of Charm in 2006.
Published 'The Art of Closing the Sale'
Published The Art of Closing the Sale (2007).
Published 'Speak to Win' and 'The New Psychology of Achievement'
Released books on public speaking and achievement in 2008.
Published 'Flight Plan' and 'Reinvention'
Published Flight Plan: The Real Secret of Success and Reinvention (2009).
Published 'No Excuses!' and other major works (2010)
Published No Excuses!: The Power of Self-Discipline, How the Best Leaders Lead, Goals! 2nd Edition and The Miracle of Self-Discipline among others in 2010.
Published 'Earn What You're Really Worth' and 'The Power of Self-Confidence'
Released Earn What You're Really Worth and The Power of Self-Confidence in 2012.
Published leadership & library titles (2013)
Published Negotiation, Motivation and 12 Disciplines of Leadership Excellence (with Peter Chee) in 2013.
Published 'Leadership' and other 'Success Library' titles
Published Leadership (2014) and multiple Brian Tracy Success Library titles (Time Management, Creativity & Problem Solving).
Published 'Find Your Balance Point' (with Christina Stein)
Released Find Your Balance Point in 2015, co-authored with Christina Stein.
Published multiple titles including 'Master Your Time, Master Your Life'
Published Master Your Time, Master Your Life and other titles in 2016; credited with tens of millions in career earnings and many training products.
Published 3rd edition of 'Eat That Frog!' and other titles
Released Eat That Frog! 3rd Edition, Million Dollar Habits and Believe It to Achieve It in 2017.
Contributed foreword and appeared in other authors' works
Left foreword for Rob Jolles' Why People Don’t Believe You… (2018) and continued publishing activity and collaboration.
Company headquartered in San Diego; international footprint
Brian Tracy International is headquartered in the Bankers Hill section of San Diego; company provides leadership, selling and success psychology training worldwide.
Cumulative speaking and consulting milestones (approximate)
By recent summaries he has addressed over 5,000,000 people in more than 5,000 talks/seminars, consulted for more than 1,000 companies and spoken in 70–107 countries (figures vary by source).
Created hundreds of audio and video learning programs
Sources list 300+ (some claim 500+) audio and video learning programs produced across his career (discrepancy between sources).
Active speaker/author with large social followings
Profiles report large social media followings (multiple accounts with hundreds of thousands to millions of followers) and ongoing video content (YouTube channel producing weekly videos).
Credited with authoring 70–80+ books
By 2023 multiple sources report he authored over 70 to 80+ books translated into dozens of languages.
Listed as CEO/Chairman of three companies in Solana Beach / President of three companies
Profiles indicate he is President/CEO of three multi‑million dollar companies based in Solana Beach / Solana Beach area (company grouping and revenues described in bio sources).
Overall estimated net worth (approx.)
Based on decades of book sales, speaking fees, company revenues and training products, an approximate personal net worth is estimated.
Key Achievement Ages
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