Outsmart the traps that are holding you back from success!

Trap Tales is your guide to avoiding the seven obstacles that ensnare people every day. We all fall into traps, and we often dont even realize it until were deeply entrenched. Like quicksand, traps are easy to step into, but difficult to escapeit seems that the harder we try to climb out, the deeper we sink. But what if there were another way? What if we knew the right strategies to escape the traps we have fallen into? What if we could spot traps from a distance, and avoid them entirely?

In this book, authors David M. R. Covey and Stephan M. Mardyks train you in the art of Trapology. Youll meet Alex and Victoria, who have fallen into traps youre sure to recognize. As you read their stories, youll learn about the seven most common traps in life and work, and how even the smartest and seemingly most accomplished people find themselves stuck and unable to see their way out. Traps are masters of disguise, but there are telltale signs that give them away every time. If you discover that youre trapped right now, consider this book your lifelinethe lessons contained inTrap Tales will teach you how to escape these traps and how to sidestep them in the future.

This book, unlike most books, offers counter-intuitive strategies and unconventional wisdom to:

Learn the seven biggest traps in life and work that catch people unaware

Identify the traps that are holding you back right now

Discover your escape route and climb out of the quicksand

Become a Trapologist and avoid traps altogether

 The core message ofTrap Tales ishopethe belief that anybody can change the trajectory of their life, at any stage of their life. Stop letting traps steal your time, money, energy, and happinessTrap Tales provides survival training of a different sort, allowing you to write your own tale of success.

David M. R. Covey is co-CEO and cofounder of SMCOV, as well as managing partner and cofounder of ThomasLeland. An expert in leadership and global licensing, he has lived theSeven Habits since birth.

Stephan M. Mardyks is co-CEO and cofounder of SMCOV, as well as managing partner and cofounder of ThomasLeland. He is widely seen as a world-renowned expert in the field of Global Learning and Development.

Foreword byStephen M. R. Covey ix

Part 1 Alexs Story 1

The Story Begins 3

Trapology 15

Part 2 Traps 1-3 27

Trap 1: The Relationship Trap 29

Trap 2: The Money Trap 45

Trap 3: The Focus Trap 65

Part 3 Traps 4-6 81

Back to Reality 83

Trap 4: The Change Trap 93

Trap 5: The Learning Trap 115

Trap 6: The Career Trap 135

Part 4 Trap 7 147

Decision Day 149

Trap 7: The Purpose Trap 161

The Perfect Trip 173

Trapologist Toolbox 179

Four Characteristics of a Trap 179

Four-Phase Progression 179

Traps 17 Overviews 181

Acknowledgments 197

Citations 199

About the Authors 201