The secrets to a great life...

I’ve always loved the domain name RequiredReading.com. I originally aquired it back 1999 from a woman who wasn’t using it. I thought it would make a good name for an ecommerce / internet marketing email newsletter I was planning to publish. I think I paid a couple hundred bucks for it.

After several months of writing this weekly newsletter, I stopped. Just couldn’t do it - but didn’t know why. As it turns out, it took me another six years or so to realize that I actually despise internet marketing as an industry, and all of the deception and get-rich-quick hype that surrounds it.

RequiredReading.com was also my first blog, back in 2000. That was back when you had to explain what a blog was, and the word still sounded funny. I wrote on and off for the next two years. Mostly goofy stuff, some semi-interesting observations about life and the world. But nothing worthy of the name “Required Reading.”

Then, 9/11 came along. I wrote one more post after that - but I was at a loss for words. The desire to write was gone. Nothing worth writing came to mind. Everything I had to say just seemed so trite.

But here we are now, five years later. The baby who sat on his father’s lap, watching with awe and amusement as the twin towers crumbled to the ground, is now on his way to first grade. His little brother, who was then only a glimmer in Daddy’s eye, will soon be celebrating his three and half year birthday (yes, we celebrate half birthdays for the kids, but sing only every other word of “Happy Birthday to You!").

The urge to write and share is back. But in order to do the name RequiredReading.com justice, it has to be something worth reading. So here’s my goal: I’d like to turn this site/blog into a resource where people can discover life’s little success secrets. Tips and lessons learned that can help others to lead a great life. Sounds bold. But what the hell, might as well think big.

Since I’ve been known to wallow in a prison of delusional, self-imposed misery from time-to-time, I’ve decided to partially rely upon the insights and observations of others, as well. (Especially, those who might be considered more happy and successful than myself.)

While I plan to talk about the creation of abundance and wealth, this isn’t going to be just about making money. We’ve all heard the stories about rich people who are too miserable to enjoy their good fortune. Obviously, there’s more to the equation.

This site is for anyone who wants to improve one or more aspects of their life: financial, spiritual, emotional, physical, and social.

That’s why if all goes as planned, this site will be about things like…

• Discovering little known truths and success secrets common to those who truly enjoy and know how to live life to its fullest.


• How to remove/avoid obstacles that temporarily block us on our path to that which we desire.


• Living healthy, peaceful lives in balance and harmony with others and the world around us.


• Having fun, and rekindling that childlike enthusiasm and passion for simply being alive and doing that which makes our heart sing.

I also plan to also contact others for advice, suggestions and guidance - revealing here what I discover. I would especially like to have a Required Reading List, where successful people can share the books that have had the most positive and profound effects on their lives.

Finally, I dedicate this site to my two little boys (who are not as little as they were when I had this idea).

The thought occurred to me a short while ago that if I died while they were little, it would be difficult for them to learn from their father’s mistakes and small victories. Therefore, what I do know and observe about success and happiness, and what I continue to discover and learn, I have decided to share - with them, and anyone else who might be interested.

Thanks for visiting. I welcome your comments, suggestions and feedback. I hope to soon have something here worthy of the site’s name.

Best Wishes,
Joe Chapuis