Guiding Principles For Success

GPS Map

Non-Fiction - Self Help
Kindle Edition
Reviewed on 10/21/2025
Buy on Amazon

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Author Biography

Dr. Lester Frederick, also known as ‘The Synthesiza’, is the founder of Instructional Design and Leadership Development (IDLD) Creatives LLC, where he works as a Learning Experience Designer, Digital Project Manager, and Learning and Development Consultant. He is also the coauthor of the “Managing Creative Projects” chapter in The Fast Forward MBA in Project Management book.

Lester credits some of his practical knowledge and skills to traveling to six continents. From 2010 to 2016, Lester served as a university Leadership Course Director (BA). Since 2016, he has been a Project and Team Management Course Director (MA).

For over 25 years, he has intermittently refined his mashup of guiding principles for success. In 2025, his eclectic version was published in this book. These principles are timeless, universal, and transferable. Give it a go and drive on!

    Book Review

Reviewed by Jalene Dion for Readers' Favorite

Guiding Principles for Success: GPS Map by Lester Frederick is a self-help book that teaches how we can align our personal and professional goals for a more balanced life, using a creative driving metaphor. He also introduces six key principles: personality, purpose, passion, problem-solving plan, and profit, which serve as a roadmap to success. Frederick provides step-by-step instructions and downloadable interactive worksheets which readers can use to create their own GPS map to success. He introduces real-life examples, such as Michael Phelps, a decorated Olympian, who has dozens of gold medals to his name but still feels unfulfilled. This book is a reminder that true victory isn’t about medals or fame, but finding what we love doing beyond a career.

Lester Frederick's writing style inspired me. It was engaging and detailed. I felt like I was on a road trip with Frederick, having a one-on-one conversation. I learned valuable lessons from every chapter. This book taught me that life is not a race and the real finish line is finding a balance between what we love doing and aligning it with our professional life. The practical exercises were easy and understandable. The pacing gave me more time to understand and connect with the material. The steady pace gave room for self-reflection, helping me connect with the lessons on a much deeper level. Shania Twain's story of abuse and identity crisis was emotional and relatable. This book explores themes of self-discovery, identity, purpose, and direction. I recommended Guiding Principles for Success to anyone looking to rebuild their lives and find a balance between their profession and true passion.

Leonard Smuts

For some, success can be elusive. Guiding Principles for Success: GPS Map by Lester Frederick presents a balanced combination of personal and professional goals. The author begins by examining what constitutes success. The central theme is bringing a balance between work and home into your life. This can be challenging, but it is possible to manage both worlds and ensure that seemingly conflicting goals become complementary. The author emphasizes that it is an ongoing journey, requiring active decision-making while maintaining flexibility. He describes the DAP principle (describe, assemble, and practice), which can be applied to any situation. This begins with a personal assessment of who you are and what you want to be. In this, we should not allow social media to define us. The SMART goal-setting framework is also discussed, as well as the AI revolution. Relevant examples of self-discovery and success will encourage those who face an uncertain future, doubt themselves, and are unwilling to take risks. The impact of PTSD and identity confusion is examined, while examples of issues facing military veterans transitioning to civilian life illustrate that obstacles can be overcome. Other inspirational stories unfold to inspire, both in real life and through characters in literature, movies, and television.

Lester Frederick reflects that humans comprise body, soul, and spirit, which combine to be reflected in their personalities. We are unique individuals, and readers are encouraged to explore their identities using the downloadable GPS map worksheet, without compromising it. Instructions are provided, and there is a workspace in the book. In the process, they will discover their life purpose, values, and passion. He notes that a career is more than just a job and constitutes a calling, also observing that happiness is temporary, while fulfillment is stable and more enduring. Planning is essential, along with networking, personal branding, financial literacy, budgeting, and savings. Leadership is defined, along with business models and project management. The book explores human factors such as well-being, and refreshingly, it is not just about money. The values chart is most useful. Guiding Principles for Success provides a practical and concise guide to those who are stuck. Downloadable resources are available to support readers. A series of charts rounds off this highly recommended work, plus an extensive bibliography.

Jamie Michele

In his self-help book Guiding Principles for Success: GPS Map, Lester Frederick helps readers to create a personal GPS Map that aligns their inner identity with their life and work. He examines how understanding one’s stable sense of self, shaped by history, culture, and personality, helps direct intentional action. Drawing on examples from Shania Twain and combat veterans, Frederick talks about how self-awareness supports alignment of purpose and passion, enabling thoughtful decision-making, practical problem-solving, and steady progress. By providing actionable strategies, historical and contemporary examples, and structured methods, Frederick demonstrates how to handle obstacles, build skills, manage resources, and cultivate habits that reinforce consistent effort. Throughout, Frederick leans into applying inner values to daily actions, connecting personal and professional life in practical, achievable ways.

Lester Frederick’s Guiding Principles for Success: GPS Map is a wonderfully practical blueprint for transforming ideas into tangible results through actionable strategies and structured thinking. I really like his use of historical examples, like the women in Hidden Figures, and contemporary models such as MinecraftEdu, to underpin what he has to say. The standout, and most helpful, sections to me are Frederick’s methods for managing projects with tools like Trello and building multiple income streams, all while maintaining ethical and sustainable practices. It's easy for ideals and actual practice to become convoluted, and I appreciate the reminder of how slippery a slope that is. With a conversational writing style and a solid course on how to be successful by using what Frederick delivers, this book offers a hands-on and highly applicable approach to achieving consistent results in both personal and professional contexts. Very highly recommended.

Diana Lopez

Sometimes it is hard to balance personal life and work. This can cause stress, but by combining these two objectives, we can achieve our goals. To help us find the right perspective, Lester Frederick shares Guiding Principles For Success: GPS Map. He explains that social and work life don't have to be in conflict. They can complement each other if we are willing to change and be honest with ourselves. To do this, he focuses on six important principles: Recognize our personality. Reflect on our true purpose. Identify the passion that motivates us. Be willing to solve problems, both ours and others'. Plan for a more orderly life. Understand what factors to consider to generate profit from our work.

Lester Frederick presents a fun and informative guide. He expresses himself in a warm and friendly manner, and his examples are clear and inspiring. He mentions celebrities, movies, and even references to video games and anime. This makes for entertaining and easy-to-follow reading. This book will be beneficial for students and workers seeking to organize their activities more effectively. He also discusses each point in depth. On the subject of personality, he reinforces the concept of not getting carried away by internet trends: we are not defined by what we see online, but should strive to build our own identity. When talking about purpose, he mentions ikigai, a Japanese concept of well-being. Additionally, the content is interactive because it includes questions at the end of each chapter, allowing us to reflect on what we have learned. Guiding Principles For Success: GPS Map will teach you how to enjoy your work and balance your life.

Mansoor Ahmed

Guiding Principles for Success: GPS Map by Lester Frederick offers a thoughtful and practical guide to help readers clarify their personal and professional goals and create a balanced life. The book uses the metaphor of a GPS map to guide readers on a journey of self-discovery and goal-setting. It introduces six key “locations” or principles: Personality Identity, Purpose, Passion, Problem-Solving, Planning, and Profit, which together help readers build a custom roadmap for success. The author emphasizes the importance of knowing who you truly are, understanding why you are here, and aligning your passions with your goals. The step-by-step approach includes exercises and downloadable worksheets, making the process interactive and tailored to each individual’s unique journey. The book also stresses the importance of balancing personal and professional life as an ongoing, flexible practice rather than a fixed destination.

The writing style is clear, engaging, and accessible, making complex ideas relatable and manageable. Lester Frederick successfully blends motivational insights with practical tools and keeps the pace steady and encouraging. His use of vivid metaphors and real-life examples makes the concepts easy to visualize and apply in daily life. The themes of balance, self-awareness, and purposeful living are woven throughout in a way that is hopeful and empowering rather than overwhelming. The structure helps maintain focus and motivation, making this a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain clarity, set meaningful goals, and actively work toward a fulfilling and balanced life. Guiding Principles for Success: GPS Map feels like a trusted companion, cheering you on every step of the way.