John Izzo - The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die

praise for five secrets

This book is rich with anecdotes and insights that broaden your perspective on life and deepen your commitment to live your very best.

Brian Tracy, author of Maximum Achievement,Eat That Frog! and Flight Plan

Instead of wishing at the end of life If I only knew then what I know nowm you can know it now! This book has incredible wisdom from people who have real perspective.

Marshall Goldsmith, author of What Got You Here

Wont Get You There

John Izzo has revealed key fundamental truths from our elders, which he has presented in a way that is absorbing and often moving. This is not just another simple meaning-of-life book; it is a carefully researched and edited exploration of a road map to fulfillment for an era that needs it more than ever. The author infuses personal meaning into each chapter, and we feel as though we are going on a personal journey with him. The journey is joyful, heartfelt, often tearful, moving, but always presented with meaning and purpose.

Janet E. Lapp, Ph.D., psychologist, author, and host of the CBS series Keep Well

Have you ever wanted to sit down with someone who is really wise and ask him or her some fundamental questions about life? How about sitting down with more than 200 wise people? Thats what John Izzo did and he offers truths here that you cant afford to ignore. Prepare to be surprised, provoked, encouragedand changed forever. You will want to keep this book as a constant companion. It is a gentle reminder that it is never too late to live the truths that lead to wisdom, grace, and deep happiness.

Dr. Kent M. Keith, CEO, The Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership, and author of Anyway: The Paradoxical Commandments

John has written a book that takes the obvious and turns it into the essence. When you have finished reading The Five Secrets you will find yourself with a new point of view about the rest of your life. And you will love it!

Joel Barker, futurist

John Izzo is a masterful storyteller. He educates us by weaving a fascinating mosaic of stories that make his point. Let this book be your mentor!

Beverly Kaye, Founder and CEO, Career Systems International and co-author of Love It Dont Leave It: 26 Ways to Get What You Want at Work and Love Em or Lose Em: Getting Good People to Stay

The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die is a magically engaging book: lyrical, poetic, and perceptive. Through deeply moving stories from wise elders, John Izzo masterfully unravels the mystery of what it means to live a full and meaningful life. This book is a joy to read, and it will be an even greater joy to live the profound yet simple lessons revealed in this remarkable book.

Jim Kouzes, co-author of The Leadership Challenge and A Leaders Legacy

I was deeply moved as I savored the wisdom found in The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die. This book brings to light much of the lost wisdom of our elders, providing practical ways to live with greater meaning and focus. John Izzo, who courageously puts the word die in the title, offers us profound and simple wisdom for living, for getting to the heart of what it means to be more fully human.

David Irvine, author of Becoming Real: Journey to Authenticity and The Authentic Leader

The things we think we know are usually the things we most need to be helped to remember. This book prompts us to refocus on the principles on which we build the well-lived life.

Max Wyman, author of The Defiant Imagination

If you read only one book this year, please make it The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die. Dr. Izzo has done a monumental service for all of us in synthesizing fundamental keys to living a happy and meaningful life. This is extraordinary wisdom literature.

Larry C. Spears, President Emeritus and Senior Fellow, The Greenleaf Center for Servant-Leadership

the five secrets you must discover before you die

JOHN IZZO Ph.D.

The Five Secrets You Must Discover Before You Die

Copyright 2008 by John B. Izzo

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed Attention: Permissions Coordinator, at the address below.

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Cataloging-in-Publication Data are available from the Library of Congress.

First Edition
Paperback print edition ISBN 978-1-57675-475-7
PDF e-book ISBN 978-1-57675-551-8

2007-1

Designed by Detta Penna. Cover design by Karen Marquardt.

dedicated to my grandfather, Henry Turpel, whose ring I wear and whose legacy I carry on

I want to acknowledge several people for their help and assistance in the research for and writing of this book.

This book is based on a TV series I did for the Biography Channel titled The Five Things You Must Discover before You Die. If not for the TV series, this research project might never have come to fruition. I want to thank Leslie Sole from Rogers TV who first believed in this project and in the wisdom of my message. Thanks to the entire Rogers/Biography team including Tom, Stan, and Teo, who worked many hours to produce a show I am deeply proud of.

Thanks to Steve Piersanti of Berrett-Koehler for his continuing faith in my gifts as a writer and in the message that this book brings to the world. Steve embodies many of the principles presented in this book, as does Berrett-Koehler, the company he helped create.

Thanks to Ann Matranga whose feedback and editing comments were invaluable in improving the manuscript.