Obsession of Success

Persistence, A Prerequisite for Success

2006-07-20T20:41:00.000-07:00

Do you ever notice that very rarely in life that things that are important to us that we set out to achieve happen with ease? Something always seems to come up or get in the way. It just never seems to go smoothly. Sometimes you feel like screaming "Why can't this one time, things go the way I planned them to go?" Been there? There now?

The cool thing is that if you think back to the great accomplishments of your life and think back to what you had to go through to achieve that accomplishment you realize how much you learned and how much you grew during the process and it really makes us proud. Perhaps it was getting your degree, or running in a marathon race. It doesn't matter what it was, you had to go through a lot to accomplish that feat, it wasn't easy, but you are a better person today because of your persistance. Pat yourself on the back, celebrate your success, you were persistant, you didn't give up, you are special. YOU are!

It's true, success rarely happens without persistence. We need to become the person it takes, to accomplish the goal.

It is the same with our Success University business. It's not going to just happen with ease. We have to put time, energy, focus and money into it and then we are going to hit some brick walls and you are going to ask yourself "Why isn't this working?" This is a VERY important time. These are your moments of truth. When you hit that brick wall are you going to give up or are you going to exercise persistence and climb over that brick wall? So many people hit the brick wall and give up, not knowing what is on the other side of it. So many people don't exercise persistence and quit inches within their desired target. Don't let that be you, you be the one that is special. You be the one that is going to continue and hit it until you succeed and then you are going to be the one that can realize how much more you became because of your persistence.

I want to share a story with you. Back in May of 2000, I was an Herbalife distributor that had been in about 8 months. I had a small orginization and had been working my butt off and seemingly getting no where. I had invested a lot of money, time & energy, quit my job because I believed in the opportunity so much. I took that leap of faith.

But there was a problem. I hit the brick wall. I felt like quitting. I remember sitting at my desk thinking, "this just isn't working, it just don't seem to be happening for me." I was devastated, but then I started thinking about the alternatives. I was going to have to tell my family and friends that I failed. I was going to have to look for another J O B. I was going to have to abandon my dream. When I thought of those things, I became very sick to my stomach and I remembering tell myself this. "Failure is not an option! I can't go through that."

Anyway, to make a long story short, that day I gathered myself and put things into high gear. I wasn't going to let anyone or anything stop me. I put the blinders on and went for it. My check that May was about $170. I wrote a script of how I wanted it to turn out and it was amazing how close I was. By the following May I was making over $9,000 per month and hit a six figure income for the first time in my life.

What if I would have quit that day? I would never realized the growth that happened. The growth that made me into the kind of person it took to achieve a six figure income in network marketing.

So you see, quitting would have accomplished nothing. I would have been less, had less and all the effort I had put into that original goal would have been a waste of time, money and energy.

Don't EVER QUIT! Instead see your setback as a setup for a comeback. Persist, believe, keep following your dream and you will achieve. God bless,

Terry A. Poster

http://terry.successuniversity.com

Terry Poster is a former Herbalife President's Team member who earned a six figure income in 18 months using techniques discussed in his articles and blog. Currently he is involved in several network marketing opportunities, the primary being Success University. Find out more about the author at his blog, http://spaces.msn.com/visioncast
Join the team, we are exploding. http://terry.successuniversity.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Terry_Poster

technorati tags:success, persistence, life, will

Are you Hungry for Success?

2006-07-20T20:40:00.000-07:00

This is something I learned from a guy in Louisiana. I
worked with him in a different business way back when...

I learned a ton from this guy whether he knew it or not...it's

too bad he is not successful in business yet, because he
really has some good insight.

I brought it up that you need to want success...want a
business that will earn you profits.

We spoke of hobbies, and how we need to treat our business
like a business! and how a hobby never pays the bills, they
only cost money.

SO WHAT'S THE SECRET?

It all comes back to having that "dream" or a reason why.
But it's more than that...

It's hunger; you need to be hungry. Be starving for success.
You know when you can't focus on anything else except

that need to eat? You start getting the shakes and you need
it. Now bring that feeling and transfer it to your business.

So you need to be hungry. And the insight that this young
guy had was a one liner, and picture this in a Louisiana
accent; "well there are times you could eat...but you are
not necessarily 'hungry'." well how huge is that?

I learn from the people I mentor as much as they learn
from me! That was one of those AHA moments.

Of course, we could all eat a little bit of success,
but are we hungry?

So, now every time I look at my business and think to
myself "it's just not growing as fast as I want" (which,

if you are like me, is never fast enough). I need to ask,
"am I still hungry?" And every single time I can answer

no. I have become comfortable where I am at.

This brings me to another quote. "Success is found
outside our comfort zone." Think about that! If you
want to be better than you are now, you need to look
beyond yourself and expand. Whether it be physically,
mentally, spiritually or financially. You need to stretch
yourself beyond where you are now.

So if you are having a tough time getting into action;
you look at yourself in the mirror and ask if you just
need a bite of success, or if you want the 5 course meal!

So this week:

-Get hungry!

-Dream big!

-Develop your WHY!

-Be starving for success!

To our success,

Jay Kanik

www.cashcanoe.com

After 10 years of being a mlm junkie I know what works, and what doesn't. Now I want to shorten the learning curve for as many people as I can.

don't be a junkie, be a pro

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jay_Kanik

technorati tags:success, success secret, secret, life

Your Success: Obtainable or Sustainable?

2006-07-20T20:37:00.000-07:00

The desire to consistently improve your life is one of your most fundamental needs. That feeling that comes from knowing that everyday you are becoming more is part of your nature. Knowing that you are affecting and improving your environment through your own influence is immensely satisfying. It is a key ingredient in living a happy and fulfilled life. At some level we are al pursuing success of some sort. We are constantly looking for ways to have more, to be more and to gain more, thinking that once we “have it all” we will be happy and life will be perfect. Then, we can take it easy and relax and just enjoy life.

This way of thinking, this mindset, acts like a virus that can “kill” you. If not emotionally then spiritually. Our modern culture is filled with numerous examples of top achievers who seemingly have everything but they are deeply unhappy and constantly have to battle with the challenges within their own character. They fail to grasp the true purpose of success. From it's latin origin, the word success actually means "to advance" or "to progress" which implies that success is not "something" you get at the end but a process that has very little to do with the end result. From this point of view success is what will improve your life as it is what moves you forward to a better experience of life.

In their pursuit of a greater quality of life most people loose sight of the real reason why they actually want to be successful in the first place. It is never the "things" but rather the way you believe these things will make you feel once you've got them. Your success will be either obtainable or sustainable. Most of your desires will be obtainable within your lifetime but this no guarantee that you will be happy and fulfilled. When you strive for collecting and accumulating "things" you will experience very little fulfilment as you will always rely on something external to give you the feelings that you want to experience inside you; feelings that you believe will come from having what you pursue.

The real purpose of a goal is never to obtain something of material value but rather the qualities that you will gain as a person in your pursuit of the goal. For you to have success that is sustainable you must develop a new mindset; a mindset that focuses not on what you must do to get what you want, but on what you must become to attract that which you want. What you become is what you get to keep. When you shift your focus to developing your character, you can start to use goals and success as a means to an end instead of it being the end-all and be-all of life. You start to distance yourself from the need to have "stuff" in order to feel that sense of joy and fulfilment.

Knowing that you can be successful is not enough. You want the experience of success. You that feeling of success as a part of who you are as a person; as part of your character. When your success is obtainable, when you are able to collect the things, then your experience of success rarely lasts very long. There is no consistency in the experience. So often we see amazing success stories of young achievers that reach their all their goals in a short period of time, only to break down emotionally soon after. The reason is that they haven't learned the key to lasting success which is the ability to create success in your life that is sustainable. Sustainable success is inexhaustible. It is consistent and takes care of itself. With the qualities and attributes that you learned through the experience of pursuing your goal you are able to re-create any achievement as you are the source.

The concept of obtainable and sustainable success is best illustrated with Aesop's fable of the Goose and the Golden Egg. The goose as the source of the gold could consistently produce the gold, but the farmer out of his impatience and ignorance wanted it all and he wanted it now. So, he cut open the goose only to find out that there is nothing. The moral of the story is that you should nurture and develop yourself in order to sustain your happiness and success. If your focus is just on obtaining goals you will not get any more "golden eggs" as the real value is in what you become and how that makes you feel.

You can either obtain success or you can become it. The objective is the same but the mindset is very different. You can either get the "things" that will make you feel successful or you can become the source of your own success and fulfilment. You want lasting results and this will only come from your ability to create and re-create, on demand, that what you whish to experience during your time on earth. Adopting the mentality of creating lasting success, of becoming sustainable, starts with realizing that true success comes from giving and not getting. In the giving lies the "getting" in that what you give away is what you get to experience and your experience is what you get to keep forever. Ultimately, to sustain anything you must give and receive for this is the very nature of growth and life itself. Success is a feeling and in making that feeling part of who you are, you will never be without success and you will never be left wanting anything outside of you.

Let go of your need to obtain "stuff" and focus on the experience of life and the emotional content of your life. Improve yourself by pursuing goals that will make of you the kind of person that manifest that which you want most. That which you obtain will eventually disappear and loose its value. That which you sustain will grow and expand and continue to increase the quality of your magnificent life. Obtainable success is static and like anything in nature that does not grow it will eventually die.

This article is published with the permission of the author, Deon Du Plessis. He is the founder of The Self Improvement Gym, and author (in)action, a groundbreaking new action guide on eliminating procrastination. For more of his in-depth insights into personal development and access to his free self improvement library visit http://www.The Self Improvement – Gym.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deon_Du_Plessis

technorati tags:success, will, life, experience, sustainable success, have success

Success - How Long Does It Take To Become Successful? 5 Components To Have Success!

2006-07-20T07:35:00.000-07:00

I enjoy microwave popcorn and I really like the fact that it is ready about 2-3 minutes from when I decide that I want some. I am also amazed at how computers have changed over the years; they have become faster and faster as the technology changed. But my favourite, is that I can be walking down the street and decide that I want to speak on the phone with somebody and in 15 seconds I can have a mobile phone call connected.

In most cases, I have come to expect that when I want something now, that means I WANT IT NOW! Think about my example above, if it took 2-3 minutes for my mobile phone call to connect a call, or for my computer programs to open, I would likely be really frustrated - it would seem to be forever, but 2-3 minutes for popcorn is ok.

As a society, we have developed an expectation of “instant” or “microwave results” and if those results are not met within the time frame we have established in our mind, then we can tend to get frustrated, and maybe quit working towards a successful outcome.

“How long does it take to become successful?”

Do you think that the inventors of microwave popcorn developed the technology to produce microwave popcorn in 2-3 minutes, or 2-3 months? No, it was likely 2-3 years and guess what, they are still perfecting their success.

Although it does happen sometimes, what seems like “instant” or “microwave success” is becoming an expectation for almost everything, usually because the people observing the success of others, do not know about the actual amount of work the person has done before they got there. Those having success were just ready to receive success and that is when it came to them, but they became ready by being a student of some form of personal development.

Ok, now it is time to put down the popcorn, stop playing with your computer and shut off your mobile phone so we can get into the five specific components to success. It has been said many times before and here it is again…success is a choice and you can choose to succeed, or you can choose to fail, the good news is the choice is yours to make every single day.

Personal Development is actually a general description for the many small changes and choices made in your life daily towards your own personal success. There is a law to attracting success into your life and I will let you know of a movie that I recommend that reveals “the secret” below.

Now, success can be attained by following five simple recommendations; if you truly desire success, you will want to make sure that you implement these instructions and practice the five components to success daily:

1. Daily Meditation/Visualization of Goals – Specific goal setting and daily review; visualize your Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely (S.M.A.R.T.) goals with the emotion as if you have already have attained them.

2. Daily Income-Producing Activities – You can choose to be doing something that will produce revenue right now, if you are just thinking about it or trying to get your ducks in row, you are just wasting time. As Mike Litman says: “You Don’t Have To Get It Right, You Just Have to Get It Going!”

3. Study Personal Development – On a daily basis too; you can get plugged into the study of personal development, if you do not, you simply become a reflection of what you are plugged into (news media, negative friends and anything else that can bring you down) you are a product of what you allow into your mind.

4. Mastermind With Other Leaders - Have mentors and a coach; people that are having success in the area you want to succeed in people that are willing to teach you and keep you on track. Once you get a hold of them, do not let go! If you let them get away, they will not wait for you to catch up.

5. Cultivate The Expectation of Leadership – Leaders lead by example and do not look back and dwell on their failures. Expect excellence from yourself first and do the things you need to do on a daily basis. Then you can expect the same from others; the people that will become successful and contribute to your success by your influence and example. These people will have followed you because you expect leadership and success in yourself and in those around you.

While there are no guarantees in life; you can choose to follow the five components to success and implement them into your life consistently. When you do, you will get everything you desire!

Success and how long it takes to become successful...You should now understand; the answer to this is totally up to you!

Because YOU Deserve Money!

Greg Nicholls

© 2006. Nicholls Enterprises - www.deservemoney.com

You can now subscribe to the FREE “Deserve Money E-Zine Newsletter” and receive weekly insight and knowledge from Greg Nicholls, visit http://www.DeserveMoney.com and subscribe today!

Greg Nicholls, a 36 year old Husband, Father & Entrepreneur brings you weekly information with his free newsletter that will help you understand why you Deserve Money in your life and how to get it! To subscribe to his newsletter, visit http://www.deservemoney.com and begin to benefit from his inspiring insights. Greg is also known for teaching people how to build a successful business while working from home, for more information on how to develop your own successful business right the first time, contact Greg by email at Greg@DeserveMoney.com or call his toll free number from anywhere in North America at 1-800-388-4563 or from outside North America to Canada at 778-786-2287.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Greg_Nicholls

technorati tags:personal success, success, will, having success

UntitledOprah's Secret to Success

2006-07-20T07:31:00.000-07:00

I am a Chicago native. For those who don't know it, when Oprah
Winfrey first came to Chicago in the 1980's, she was a tv news
reporter here. That was my first exposure to her. I was 13 years
old, in high school, and would sometimes watch the evening news
with my mom.

The evening news anchors were Mary Ann Childers, Tim Weigel (on
sports) and a little known new kid in town, Oprah Winfrey. I
really liked the special chemistry the three news anchors had
together. When my dog Brownie had three puppies, two white and
one brown, we named them Mary Ann, Tim, and you guessed it, the
brown one was Oprah.

A lot of people don't know that Oprah's early dream was merely
to be a tv reporter, a news anchor. She admired Mary Tyler Moore
and Barbara Walters.

Oprah was simply following her bliss and pursuing her dream of
being on tv news, when a position opened up at the tv station
for a morning show called "a.m. Chicago." She walked in as an
unknown, gave it her all, and changed the climate of television
as we know it. People knew there was something about her, but no
one knew all of the gifts that were dormant within her... just
waiting for the opportunity to be developed.

Oprah's biggest Secret to Success:

Follow your bliss.

When you set goals and are pursuing your dreams, having a plan
is part of the process. When you are working your plan, when you
follow your bliss, new opportunities will be opened to you that
you could never have predicted or planned. These opportunities
are often invitations for growth. Sometimes you accept them and
sometimes you don't. Oprah accepted her opportunity at being a
talk show host, having no experience in that area and having no
idea where it would lead.

Oprah dared to enter the arena of daytime talk shows when it was
dominated by the reigning King, Phil Donahue. You need to be
courageous when you are working on your dreams.

Oprah says,

"Luck is when preparation meets opportunity."

Some producers early on told Oprah her face would never work on
television, that her eyes were too far apart and her weight and
hair were an issue. Ouch. She persisted anyways.

When Oprah first started in television, some tv producers even
told her to change her name because it was rare, unique, and so
many people had difficulty pronouncing it. Now she is so famous,
her first name alone is a Global Brand!

Sometimes you will have detractors.

Sometimes you will have supporters.

But you must set your goals and follow your bliss.

Along the way, you will be met with some unexpected challenges.

But if you persist in following your bliss, you will also be met
with unexpected blessings.

You will be met with opportunities you could never have
predicted.

Oprah always held tight to her values and priorities, which
enabled her to carefully select which opportunites were aligned
with her faith and values. Oprah adhered to Time Commandment #3.

Like you and I, Oprah has the same 24 hours
in a day. She only invests her time in those endeavors
which harmonize with her intentions.

Oprah set her goals, created a plan, followed her bliss and is
now one of the most powerful people in show business and is the
world's first Female African American Billionaire.

Wherever you are today, you have the capacity to change the
world... but you must follow your bliss.

Oprah had no idea early on that she would one day own her own syndicated talk show, that she would own her own tv studio and
production company. She had no idea early on that she would star
in a movie of a book she loved (The Color Purple) or be nominated
for an Oscar. She had no idea she would produce tv and motion
picture movies. She had no idea she would produce Broadway
plays. She had no idea when she was a tv reporter that she would
own her own magazine and become known all over the world. She had
no way of knowing she would raise millions of dollars for charity
and build schools in Africa. She could never have imagined when
the producer told her to change her name, that one day she would
be known the world over by just her first name, Oprah.

Your destiny is bigger than anything you can create by
yourself... but if you follow your bliss, you will inevitably
attract others who resonate with your positive intentions.

Opportunities come to those who follow their bliss.

Learn and apply The Time Commandments that will help you
follow your bliss and and live a life that is bigger than you
could ever create by yourself. All you have to do is start and
follow some easy universal laws of success.

I explained how Oprah invested her time and energy in pursuing
her dreams.

I want you to pursue your dreams.

I want you to discover all the gifts that lie dormant within
you.

Apply The Time Commandments and unleash your destiny.

I want you to develop your greatness.

I want you to invest your time in the areas of your highest
vision.

Follow your bliss...

Live Your Dreams,

Jill Koenig

Jill Koenig, the "Goal Guru" is America's Top Goal Strategist. A Best Selling Author, Coach and Motivational Speaker, she is an expert on the subjects of Goal Setting, Time Management and Business
Success. She is the creator of the best selling Time Management instant download audio program:
http://www.TheTimeCommandments.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jill_Koenig

technorati tags:oprah, success, bliss, tv, secret, power

The Secret To Success!

2006-07-20T00:37:00.000-07:00

Without this, you’ll never succeed with any business opportunity.

There are millions of people all around the world who want to change, they want more money, more freedom and a great lifestyle, you just have to decide whether you are one of them.

Do you think this person will succeed?

This person lives on Moaning Avenue in Excuse city.

He is always moaning, his friend would always suggest ways out, but he would always have an excuse.

He would always say, I’ve got no money! His friend would say, have you thought about part time work, he would reply, I’m not doing that pyramid scam thing, it’s illegal.

He would say, My landlord has put the rent up again! His friend would say, why not buy your own property and use it as an investment. He would reply, my landlord does all the repairs and what if the interest rates went up.

He would say, I’ve got no money! His friend would say, If you don’t want to network how about working some overtime each week and investing that extra money. He would reply, you’re kidding right! At the end of the day I’m so tired the last thing I want to do is more work.

This person will never succeed, he has the wrong attitude and deep down he’s happy moaning and groaning, if he was truly unhappy he would want to change.

This type of person wants money, freedom and a great lifestyle, but only if it can be done without doing anything!

The type of person that succeeds is one who wants more money, more freedom and a great lifestyle, but is also willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their dreams.

A person who, after it is explained to them, understands the power of leverage and residual income, or whatever other benefits the business opportunity offers.

A person who is willing to listen, learn and apply all the business building principles, whether they are online, offline or both.

If a person is going to be successful, they must have the desire to succeed, without it, forget it, with lots of it, there’s no stopping them!

Good luck with finding your ideal home business or with your home business if you already have one.

One small question for you, have you got the desire to succeed? YES, you all shout!

Linden Huckle

Copyright 2006 Linden Huckle

Linden has been business building online and offline for several years, he has helped lots of people build their business's from home and ultimately take control of their lives. He believes that if people have the desire to succeed, anything is possible.
Webucation ~ http://www.successfountain.com
Health & wealth ~ http://www.tni.com/tokon

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linden_Huckle

technorati tags:success, self development

The Power of Believing, Launch Yourself to Success

2006-07-19T07:53:00.000-07:00

What does success mean to you? It means many things to different people. Since I don’t know you, I won’t try to tell you what it may mean to you. However, I will tell you this, every human being wants success. Whatever the meaning is to them, they want it. You and I are no exception.

The power of believing is not magic, nor is it some mystical power. The power of believing works like this, if you possess the “I am positive, I can” attitude, then you will generate the power, skill and energy needed to do. When you have the “I can”, the “how to” will develop.

Develop your power of believing. Think success, never think failure. Whether you are at work or at home, think, “I will succeed,” not “I’ll probably fail.” When an opportunity appears, think, “I can do this,” and never think, “there’s no way,” “I’ll never be able.” Think only that you can, and you will.

Remind yourself everyday that you are among the best. Believing in oneself is of utmost importance. Successful people are not super human; they do not possess super natural powers. They are simply ordinary folks that believe in themselves and what they do. Never sell yourself short.

You must believe big. The size of your belief is directly proportional to the size of your success. If you think pennies, you get pennies; think dollars and you get dollars. It’s just as easy to have big plans, dreams and beliefs and it is to have small ones.

If you will apply these thoughts, these principles and techniques, these beliefs, to your online or, home based business or whatever you do, and if you will apply the power of believing, then you can launch yourself to success.

Ocha started his online and publishing experience in 1994 when he published a local newsletter. He knew then that there was something to this online world. After being in the sales industry for over 23 years, he finally decided to start his own online business. One thing he tells everybody is, "If You Are Not Having Fun, It's Not Worth It."
http://www.infoworthsharing.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ocha_Nix

technorati tags:success, believing, will, power, will power

Success Is Just A Matter Of Time

2006-07-19T07:50:00.000-07:00

Success Is Just A Matter Of Time
By Stuart Gardiner

There is a great quote that goes "Time is God's way of keeping everything from happening at once" and perhaps this is key to our understanding of why things are the way they are. Time is there for us to experience and through that experience, learn and grow. Our limited sensory perception allow us only to experience events one at a time. We then memorise these events and from these memories are able to predict the consequence of certain actions. The concepts of past and future become firmly embedded in our psyche. The problem is that we have been duped into believing they are absolute truths. The mind becomes our driving force, using time to control our lives!

Instead of fully experiencing the moment and all it has to offer we tend to spend most our lives either dwelling on the past or projecting into the future. Very little mind activity is concerned with the now. Yet, isn't this the only time things are done? If we are constantly being dragged away from the task at hand by subtle and intrusive time related thoughts are we not letting the mind control us rather than us control the mind? Isn't our attention diverted from doing the very best we can do now? Holding onto the past keeps us in our habitual state. Constantly living in the future keeps us from ever getting to the place we dream about.

There is no doubt that to lead a successful life we should make our dreams big and design a plan of action to get there. We break the hold of our habitual condition by coming into the present and taking the action we know we must take to achieve our dreams. We don't allow fear to enter our lives because we don't dwell on future outcomes or what if scenarios. It is pointless trying to second guess everything. It will only lead to disappointment and failure. We can't know everything that is going to happen so we should only deal with what does happen.

The degree to which we can alter our circumstances is directly related to how much power the mind has over us. We overcome that power by coming into the present. If you were to observe your thoughts for a moment by shifting into the present, you would notice that you are in fact not your thoughts. How can you be if you are observing them? You are the observer and have full control over that which you can observe. The more we think and act in the moment the easier it becomes for us to control the mind and to transcend the limitations of time.

When we shift from our current state into the present we look through the window of eternity. From out of nowhere comes now and here. The place from which all creativity springs and where we think and do our very best. Success can be found in the present, a gift from God to you.

Stuart is the co-owner of site http://www.7stepsup.com and the author of several blogs. He believes a major key to success is our personal philosophy on time and how we use it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stuart_Gardiner

technorati tags:success, self help, outcomes, goals, goal

2006-07-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

Stop Chasing Success and Let Success Find You
By Robert Moment

One of the major problems that many business entrepreneurs have is that instead of following their own goals, ambitions and interests to gain success, they choose to chase after success by working to establish themselves in a hot business market that may not be of any interest to them. Although it is possible to achieve success by running a business that holds little interest to you, before long, you will find that this sort of venture will drain your ambition, and ultimately have a negative effect on you both personally and professionally.

Think about it: What would keep you more motivated - Being in a job you enjoy, or in a job that you find boring? Not a difficult question to answer right?

Naturally having a job you enjoy is something that almost everyone strives for; however, the problem that many new business entrepreneurs are faced with is that they have a hard time figuring out what they want out of life. Thus, they proceed to fumble around in different professions, desperately groping around in the dark for their one true calling. This leaves them constantly chasing after a success that is always two steps ahead of them.

To avoid this from happening to you, the following 7 key points will help you stop chasing after success, so you can use your interests to let success find you.

1. Find your life’s purpose and true calling: Remember when you were a child and you had such high hopes for your future, when you used to dream about all of the great things you would do once you were older and able to make your dreams a reality. Well even if this was not one of your childhood fancies, it is time for you to take a serious look at those dreams you lost and hid away in the back of your mind, and find out how you can make them work and grow in your business.

2. Did you choose your work or did your work choose you? Surprisingly, many people fail to take this into consideration, and instead choose to keep their focus on making fast money with the current popular market. By following this type of career, you have given all of your business power and control to a market that can offer you nothing but quick cash until that market dies, or you lose interest and move on to search for hopefully the next big thing.

3. Are you using your natural talents or “gifts” that you enjoy and do so well? Ask yourself if you are using your expertise to benefit your business. Your talents will help make you creative, innovative and keep you challenged. It is your “gifts” that make you an expert of a particular field. Use this to your advantage, and success will find you.

4. Are you ignoring your passions and values? Most people have values, and regardless if these values are religious, personal or so on, the values that you follow say a great deal about your character, and your passions. Therefore, if you are running a business that you don’t believe in, and that is personally unfulfilling, you will never achieve the success you are after, because you don’t have faith in your own business.

5. All of us have gifts but sometimes many of us have a difficult time identifying them: Finding your own talents may take time, but it is time well worth spending. If you have a hard time thinking of things you are good at, make a list of all the times you did really well in school, sports, arts and various life experiences. It may also help to speak with those who you are close to. Often your most trusted friends and family can clue you in on what you excel at. Another option is to begin by exploring options in business fields you like.

6. How do I find my life's work? You can find your life’s work by making a list of all the goals you wish to accomplish, and by discovering how many of these goals are similar. Keep in mind that your life’s work is something that you enjoy whole-heartedly, and is a continuous goal that you will always trying to be working towards. It should not be something that can be achieved quickly.

7. Be able to connect who you are with what you do: Once you know your life’s work, it is now time to go out there and discover the business opportunities that speak to your ambitions, values and interests. Remember, when you like something and are truly good at it, you will soar to fantastic heights.

The bottom line: Use these seven key points as a guideline to get yourself on the right track. Love what you do, put everything you have into it, and let success find it’s way to you through your wise decisions and passion for your work.

Robert Moment is an innovative business strategist and author of ,"It Only Takes a Moment to Score" and upcoming book "Invisible Profits: The Power of Exceptional Customer Service". Robert show entrepreneurs how to successfully build and grow profitable service-based small businesses. Visit http://www.howtostartyoursmallbusiness.com and download the FREE Special Report " 17 Profitable Ways to Turn Your Ideas into Wealth."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Moment

2006-07-18T04:58:00.000-07:00

You're Already Successful, Silly!
By Lisa Irby

You hear the word "success" on a regular basis. People use it in reference to jobs, relationships, sports, and even to measure someone's life as a whole.

We are all successful in some way, shape or form. It's just that some people may succeed in one area while others succeed in another. The problem comes in when we play the comparison game.

How many times have you thought about a friend who possesses something you would like to have, and believed they were more successful than you because of it? Perhaps it even made you feel like a failure because you don't feel you measure up.

My question to you is, "Why are you using THEIR life as a benchmark to measure your own?"

Even though we may not be aware of this, we are often taught to define our own success in life by comparing ourselves to other people. It's great to admire someone for what they've done, but don't discount yourself in the process. People also tend to look at success as a black and white term - either you are or you aren't.

Success can come in all different areas of your life. Maybe you're a great father, cook or friend. Perhaps you have the gift of being a good listener and encouraging others when they are down. That's YOUR success story.

I am not the best public speaker, or the best athlete. I'm also not the best cook or the best gardener. However, as I've gone through life, I've found things that I am good at and focus on them instead of comparing myself to others.

I am a great writer and have a gift for helping people create and make money with their websites online. That's one of the things I enjoy doing and it makes me happy.

We all have a success story inside of us, and I challenge you to find yours and *OWN* it. It's what makes you, YOU! When you already believe you are successful, your perspective in life changes for the better.

Here's to your success! *cheers*

Lisa Irby is the Affiliate Manager for SiteSell.com. She has helped hundreds of "newbies" create a profitble website through her online tutorials. If you're looking for a SUCCESSFUL online business or a way to make some extra money on the Internet, join the free 5 Pillar Affiliate program at http://affiliates.sitesell.com - it's a program that stands for success

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lisa_Irby

2006-07-18T04:54:00.000-07:00

Road to Success: A Road with Closed and Open Doors
By Michael Russell

Closed doors are permitted to become a filter on planning for the future. For successful people, closed doors become a guide to light them through difficult situations. Many who have not seen closed doors as failure, looking back over their years, have thanked God for closed doors for they had found other open doors. For some, closed doors make them spend their days in regret for what they did not get. People blame everybody and everything but their own attitudes for their frustration. However, walking down the road, leaving these doors, you will find open doors of opportunity.

Commonly, some of the richest blessings are received when encountering closed doors. People's desires lead them to hope for only one door, while closing others. Due to different circumstances, people are forced to leave what they always wanted. In fact, some individuals move farther in their life before the door is finally closed. However, other individuals face the circumstances and begin to open a door in another profession. In fact, this open door comes with new challenges and definite gratifications.

You wouldn't do many things if the door you preferred had not closed. To illustrate, many women go to college looking for what they wish. Some do not reach their goal due to situations beyond their control; this door is closed. However, for some the door of marriage did open and through this door they carried their dream of making significant contributions. Sometimes in the hearts of their children they put seeds of success. The lives of these brilliant women show that they did not allow a closed door to become an obstacle in their lives.

Sports-lovers have had to leave their sports and open the door to success in a totally different way. They heroically strive to adjust themselves to looking for a new door of opportunity due to circumstances such as illness and other situations. Since they did not lose faith and permit the frustration of their early dreams to become an obstacle, they found that door to success.

Successful people listen, study, train and plan for a career in other areas when doors are closed. Furthermore, they discipline their powers, overcome fears and are able to help themselves. For some people, incidents such as tragic accidents had shut and locked their desired door for success in a particular area. However, these brave people do not despair and continue to work hard in different areas to improve their lives. In spite of physical disabilities, they do not allow life to be abnormal.

Winners recognize that some doors are temporarily closed and that they reopen for success. They also recognize that God's wisdom makes necessary this closing of doors if the doors chosen are not the best. They finally recognize that some doors are closed by acts initiated by carelessness and lack of faith.

The world is for the individuals seeking new doors in place of doors that had closed. Faith makes an individual grow and find his or her way in the search for new opportunities. There is no place for recrimination, bitterness, self-pity, or settling for an unworthy living of a second rate life. If your door is closed, embrace the faith and courage to find new and positive doors. They will be certainly open for you.

Michael Russell
Your Independent guide to Self Help

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Russell

2006-04-21T11:01:00.000-07:00

Success Lessons From Soccer - How To Win or Lose In The Game Of Life

By John Watson

Soccer matches are all about scoring goals and being winners. As a result, soccer can hold up a mirror to life since many humans also want to achieve goals and to be winners in the game of life. There is much to be learned about life in general from soccer players, managers and commentators.

When you listen to commentators on soccer matches, the key words they use again and again when teams are winning are words about character and attitude like belief, excitement, confidence, effort and so on. Soccer skills and strategies are important but mean little without the right attitude.

Team managers urge their players to show focus, determination and maximum effort. They tell them they should expect to win and not to show too much respect for their opponents no matter how famous they are.

I love listening to the comments of the great soccer managers. They have all been to hell and back. They are praised and popular when their teams win. They are criticised and even sacked when their teams fail to win. They know the heights of elation and the depths of despair. They have to find ways to deal with both and to keep motivating their teams to win.

Gordon Strachan took over as manager of Celtic, one of the top two clubs in Scotland, in 2005. It was not long before he experienced "the worst night of my life"

Bratislava beat Celtic 5-0 in the Champions league, the top European competition. His watch stopped after the match and he still wears it to remind himself that it was the worst night of his life. Celtic, the pride of Scotland, had been humiliated by a less famous team.

Other failures seemed small to him by comparison. We can all learn to deal with difficult situations by reminding ourselves of worst situations in our past or by imagining how much worse our lives could be than they actually are.

None of us knows for sure what will happen to us tomorrow. We could be seriously ill or even dead. Gordon has faced this possibility already. He told the media that on his gravestone he would like these words carved:

"This is better than that night in Bratislava."

He uses the humour of exaggeration to deal with the criticisms of the media when things go wrong. A reporter commented when his team lost a match in Scotland:

"Bang, there goes your unbeaten run. Can you take it? "

"No," said Strachan. "I'm just going to crumble like a wreck. I'll go home,
become an alcoholic and maybe jump off a bridge. Hmmm….I think I can
take it, yeah."

He knows the importance of positive thinking if you wish to achieve success.
One reporter foolishly asked: "There's no negative vibes or negative feelings here?"

Strachan replied: "Apart from yourself, we're all quite positive round here.
I'm going to whack you over the head with a big stick; down negative man,
down."

Strachan often speaks with disarming honesty and schoolboy cheek. He is ready to admit that he and his players are not always at their best. He is ready to face reality. Facing up to reality is a key characteristic of the successful.

When he managed a team in England, a reporter asked him: "So, Gordon, in what areas do you think Middlesbrough were better than you today?"

Strachan replied: "What areas? Mainly that big green one out there...."

Strachan has had his defeats but recently he has led his latest team, Celtic, to undisputed victory in the Scottish Premier League. He is widely accepted as a great manager.

Another great manager now works in the English Premier League. He is Jose Mourihno, the manager of Chelsea. He came to England in June 2004 and soon showed his confidence in himself and his players. He wants only to be judged by the results. A good manager wins. A bad one loses:

"I'm not a defender of old or new football managers. I believe in good ones and bad ones; those that achieve success and those that don't. Please don't call me arrogant, but I'm European champion and I think I'm a special one"

He soon proved himself to be a 'special one' in England as well as in Portugal, his native country. As the name 'the special one' suggests he believes in himself in a big way. A key factor in his success in England is his self-belief and a rich Russian backer who allows him to buy the best players in Europe. You can safely bet money that Chelsea will win almost all their matches.

The odds are not great but you could put £100 on Chelsea to win and make an easy £26 from your bet. Of course, this does not always work out. No team is perfect!

Mourinho is passionate about soccer but retains his sense of perspective and humour. Recently he was asked in London if he was concerned about losing the championship to his main rivals, Manchester United. His reply was typical of him:

"No, I'm more concerned about bird 'flu." The assembled press started laughing.

"Seriously; it's that swan in Scotland that concerns me. It's not that far from here!" (The swan was the first creature with bird 'flu in the UK in 2006)

Over the last few weeks, his team, Chelsea, have been criticised for having players sent off for breaking the rules. When Jose was asked about his success away from home against West Brom, he commented ironically:

"Maybe we won because we played with ten men. That is our best tactic at the moment."

However, he realises that the main reason Chelsea win so often is as follows:"We have top players and, sorry if I'm arrogant, we have a top manager."

Public confidence is so rare in the UK that it is often mistaken for arrogance.

Jose does not believe in having favourites; he believes in the power of the team rather than the individual:

"I don't want special relations with one of them (his players). I hate to speak about individuals. Players don't win you trophies, teams win trophies, squads win trophies."

Another great manager is Harry Redknapp of Portsmouth. He commented about his players in a match with Burnley which ended in a 2-2 draw:

"When the crowd was on their backs no one wanted to try anything in case they got booed. They were defensive and wanted to avoid mistakes."

Harry understands human psychology. If we are too worried about appearing foolish or making mistakes we will fail to make things happen and we will not make full use of our abilities. We go into our shells and play safe.

I remember feeling like this when I played cricket at school. I tried to avoid being anywhere near the ball in case I dropped a catch. It was many years before I realised that I was quite good at catching!

A commentator remarked: "Harry knows how to get his teams going and how to restore their confidence. Now they expect to win at Fratton Park (the Portsmouth ground). They firmly believe they will win." Recently they have won three games in a row and are on their way to escaping relegation to a lower division.

Another manager, Stuart Pierce, of Manchester City also knows the importance of confidence: "We need to go out and really believe we can play a bit."

What key success lessons can we learn from the above?

Skill is important but attitude is even more important. We should expect to win and not show too much respect for the obstacles in our path whether they are human or otherwise and whether they are real or imaginary. We need to believe in our own ability and expect to win even if this makes us seem arrogant.

We should handle failures by reminding ourselves that things could be much worse. Retaining our sense of humour also helps. Teamwork is a key factor in many types of achievement. We should not be worried about making mistakes whether we are playing soccer or cricket or the game of life.

We need to face up to reality and be willing to be judged by the results we achieve as well as the effort we put in. On the whole, I think, that the effort we expend is more important. We cannot always control the results but we can control the effort we put in. The same manager can lose with one team and win with another. He is still the same person and he still made the same efforts.

I'll leave you with a final quote from Gordon Strachan who has been both a winning and a losing manager:

A reporter asked: "Gordon, can we have a quick word?"

"Velocity", replied Gordon as he walked off.

About the author

John Watson is an award winning teacher and fifth degree black belt martial arts instructor. He has recently written several books about achieving your goals and dreams.

One of these can be found here

http://www.motivationtoday.com/36_laws.php

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Watson

2006-04-21T11:00:00.000-07:00

The 7 Critical Keys To Success

By Anna Johnson

Having studied successful people in all walks of life -- in business, sport, the arts, science, politics, and other fields -- it seems clear to me that successful people share a very similar mindset.

In fact, this "success mindset" has 7 critical elements or keys that virtually propel such people to achieving the loftiest of goals.

It follows that if YOU absorb and harness these 7 key qualities, you too will accomplish success in your endeavour.

And fortunately, these success factors aren't secret or exclusive -- they are latent qualities you already have within. You just need to harness them in pursuit of your current goal!

So what are these 7 critical keys to achieving success?

Let's discuss each one in turn.

1. Commitment

Commitment is about deciding exactly what you want and being willing to do whatever it takes to achieve it.

Being committed is more than being "motivated" or even "determined." While motivation and determination indicate a willingness to succeed, commitment is stronger: it allows for no alternative.

If you are committed to achieving something -- you MUST achieve it, no matter what!

2. An Open Mind

Now, being committed to a goal is all very well. But what if your goal is, to put it bluntly, unrealistic? Or what if your strategy for achieving that goal is flawed?

What if you lack key information, skills, talents, contacts or other resources that are essential for achieving the success you desire?

Let's take the issue of unrealistic goals first.

Contrary to what some self-help gurus seem to suggest, there are some goals that are out of your reach, no matter how much you may "commit" yourself to achieving them.

I, for example, am simply never going to be a champion swimmer. I simply don't have the physique, the talent, or the years of training under my belt. Being open-minded, I can see and accept this fact.

Likewise, having an open mind allows YOU to distinguish between what is worth committing yourself to and what isn't.

Open-mindedness also helps you find the best strategy for achieving your goal.

In your quest to succeed, you're almost certain to make mistakes... or, as I like to regard them, "valuable learning experiences"!

This is not only fine -- it's invaluable.

As long as you do, in fact, learn from your mistakes. And better yet -- you learn from other people's mistakes (a much less stressful and less costly way to learn!).

So while being committed without being open-minded is akin to "backing the wrong horse" -- having an open mind and being willing to learn almost guarantees that you'll find the best possible strategy for achieving your goal.

3. Persistence

Success doesn't come easy.

Okay, it depends on how you define "success" and "easy" but from what I've experienced and observed, it takes a lot -- in some cases mammoth -- patience, endurance, resilience, courage... in short, persistence, to achieve anything worthwhile.

You're going to make mistakes. You're bound to suffer setbacks. You will confront challenges...

But to succeed, you need to get right up after you've been kicked to the ground.

That's persistence.

4. Flexibility

On the other hand... just as being committed without being open-minded is a recipe for failure, so too is being persistent without being flexible.

This is called being "stubborn" or "pig-headed".

What good is it if we "persist" in making the same mistakes over and over?

No good at all.

That's why you need to be flexible -- to adjust your plans when circumstances change.

To take advantage of unexpected opportunities.

To account for unforeseen hazards.

5. Faith

You might think that commitment, having an open mind, persistence, and flexibility are enough to succeed. But I've found that three remaining factors are essential for maintaining that commitment, open-mindedness, persistence and flexibility!

Not to mention helping us enjoy the day-to-day journey towards accomplishing our goals!

The first of these is faith.

In many cases, it takes days, months, sometimes years of chipping away at the old block before you have a work of art to show off.

In other words, you may be working day and night on something, without seeing or experiencing any "evidence" that you're making progress.

How do you keep going when it feels like you're making absolutely no headway?

The answer is: faith!

Faith that with commitment, having an open mind, persistence and flexibility, you will succeed!

6. Thankfulness

Chances are that simply by being on the path that you're now on -- even having the opportunity to read this article right now -- you have more opportunities than most people in the world.

There is much to be thankful for.

And what a great frame of mind it is to appreciate each day, each hour, each minute, each moment you have on this Earth!

Being thankful is also great for "opportunistic" reasons. By being thankful for the resources and opportunities you have, you're more likely to value and get the most out of them.

And you'll also be able to cope with difficulties more easily. After all, you're still better off than most people, right?

7. Passion

Finally, the seventh critical key to success: passion!

When you're passionate about what you do, you enjoy the journey -- you enjoy the training, the practice, the research, the seemingly tedious and difficult tasks, in short, the "work" involved in achieving your goal.

And when you enjoy the journey... you keep going!

In fact, when you're passionate about what you do, you don't see difficulties as difficulties... you see them as challenges in a fun and rewarding "game".

And when you're passionate about what you do, you also do all those little, teeny-weeny things that make all the difference between big-time success... and mediocre success... or failure.

Simply put, passion is the fuel that not only keeps your motor running, but keeps it running at its absolute peak.

Commitment, an open mind, persistence, flexibility, faith, thankfulness and passion - these are the 7 critical keys to success!

Now you might think these are a little abstract -- not practical attributes or resources (things like practice, or contacts, or money) that are necessary to accomplish your goal.

But if you think about it, the more practical or material attributes and resources all become available to you once you have the 7 critical success keys.

Think about it a little...

And then focus on developing these 7 critical keys to success. You'll achieve your goals much faster and more enjoyably than you ever thought possible!

Anna Johnson is the creator of the inspiring 1 minute movie, A Bit Of Inspiration. Enjoy the movie and get inspired! Then claim your free A Bit Of Inspiration screensaver - your daily reminder of the power you have within.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Anna_Johnson

2006-04-15T13:04:00.000-07:00

Success: How To Achieve It

By Andre Bias

Many individuals want to become successful but many of those people do not know how. A large majority of people equate success with a college education and that is not always the case. There are many successful individuals that did not go to college, like Richard Branson, while there are many individuals that have gone to college and achieved nothing.

I used to believe college equaled success but I have learned the hard way it does not. Due to that rude awaking I now know what has to be done to be successful. You have to do things for the right reasons. If you do things for the wrong reasons they won’t turn out how you would like them to turn out. If there are things that you don’t want to do like go to college or finish high school then don’t. If you follow your own heart things will turn out fine in the end.

A lot of people become successful by following their dreams rather then following societies recommendations. That is something I wish someone had told me before, so I am telling people this right now, hopefully they will listen so they don’t do things that they end up regretting.

Andre Bias is the owner of http://www.kidfriendlyentertainment.com, an online source for top notch DVD’s for children 10 years old and younger.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andre_Bias

2006-04-15T13:03:00.000-07:00

Success Is

By Robert Curtis

Success is such an illusive concept.

What is “success”, and how do we know when we have it?

All areas, all aspects of life have a success factor. We seek to be successful in all of those things. Sometimes that can seem like such a daunting task. Successful in all things.

The truth is, sometimes we personally look beyond the mark. We anticipate and expect success to be something different than it really is. We pursue that expectation of success seemingly forever and rarely ever achieve it, in our own estimation.

So what is “success”, really?

Success is much simpler and more often achieved than we think. Our own personal expectations are not necessarily the reality of achievement. And what successes are most important? Are our priorities straight as to what is “wanted” as opposed to what is really most important?

Take some time to reassess yourself and your life. Are you progressing or merely chasing improbable fantasies?

What do you really want in life?

I was speaking with a lawyer friend just the other day. The world would tell you that my friend is very successful in their law practice., affecting a positive outcome in virtually every case they take on. But my friend says that he hates his job. The practice of law has not given him the occupational satisfaction that he had expected. He openly admits that he isn’t happy. But my friend continues to practice law because the financial compensation supports an affluent lifestyle, which is my friend’s definition of success.

Is success found by selling happiness for physical wealth?

On the other hand, my own Mom was a stay-at-home mother who made the time to be active in community affairs and raised nine children, as well. Was she successful? She was happiest when her family was gathered around her.

In the end, we find, “things” will not make us happy. “You” make you happy. Your choices in life should leave you empowered, not entombed.

Take another look at your successes, or seeming lack, thereof. Maybe you are more successful than you think, in ways you had not considered before. Your true successes may actually be more important and far reaching than you had ever realized.

Perhaps, then, we may say that success is the optimal balancing of talents, ethics, and desires. Success is not based on the strength of your financial statement, but on the happiness you find along the way. The happiness that warms your heart and lifts your soul.

Bob Curtis has a bachelor's degree in Psychology, and has been writing about the elements of relationships for a number of years. He is the manager of the Essential Sunshine Association, a new website for positive relationship development at http://www.essun.blogspot.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Robert_Curtis

2006-04-15T13:01:00.000-07:00

Success: None of the Secrets of Success Will Work Unless You Do

By John L. Mason

You can't fulfill your destiny on a theory... it takes WORK. You are made for action. It is much more natural for you to be doing than sitting. Success simply takes good ideas and puts them into action. What the free enterprise system really means is that the more enterprising you are, the more free you are.

The word work is not an obscure Biblical concept; it appears in the Bible over 500 times. Often the simple answer to your prayer is: Go to work.

What you believe doesn't amount to very much unless it causes you to climb out of the grandstand and onto the playing field. You cannot dream yourself into what you could be. The only time a lazy person ever succeeds is when he tries to do nothing. A famous old saying says it best: "Laziness travels so slowly, poverty soon overtakes it."

The world is divided into people who do things and people who talk about doing things. Belong to the first group - there is far less competition. If the truth were known, most of our troubles arise from loafing when we should be working, and talking when we should be listening.

There is a man in the world who never gets turned down, wherever he chances to stray;
he gets the glad hand in the populous town, or out where farmers make hay;
he is greeted with pleasure on deserts of sand, and deep in the isles of the woods;
wherever he goes there is a welcoming hand - he's the man who delivers the goods. (Whitman)

- John L Mason, from the book Conquering An Enemy Called Average. (to find out more about this book, please go to www.freshword.com/resources)

About the Author:

John Mason is a national best-selling author, nationally recognized speaker and book coach. He has authored fourteen books including An Enemy Called Average, You’re Born An Original-Don’t Die A Copy, Let Go of Whatever Makes You Stop, and Know Your Limits-Then Ignore Them which have sold over 1.4 million copies and have been translated into twenty-five languages throughout the world. Each book is written with 2 page chapters containing hard-hitting and inspirational thoughts.

"I have posted a special message for you to see on my website http://www.freshword.com In it I talk about right associations and the effect they can have on whether you succeed in life or not. Your best friends should bring out the best in you! If you are an author, or want to be, I have many resources specifically designed for you. Also, make sure to sign up for my "Nugget of the Week - I would love to inspire you."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_L._Mason