Trends &amp; Insights

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Trends &amp; Insights | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p>Relationships make the world go ’round. Good, positive, healthy, meaningful, happy relationships provide us with the richest experiences we have. Your loving spouse who shares everything with you, that best friend who connects with you like few others do, the people at work who appreciate you and help you become <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-it-really-means-to-be-your-best-self-3-tips-for-finding-positive-direction/">the best you can be</a>—they<em> </em>bring joy to life.</p>



<p>But relationships can also be the bane of our existence. What causes more pain in this life <a href="https://www.verywellmind.com/how-to-heal-a-broken-heart-1065395" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">than a broken relationship</a>, especially when it isn’t just broken but downright ugly?</p>



<p>So it behooves us to do all that we can to keep our relationships zipping right along. If we put our very best<em> </em>into our relationships, we can almost guarantee getting the very best out of them, too.</p>



<h2>Characteristics of a healthy, happy relationship</h2>



<p>There are three things that, when done over time, begin to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-ways-to-build-lasting-relationships/">create the kinds of relationships</a> that you truly desire, that you have always dreamed of. The key to remembering the three items that can improve any and all of your relationships is the acronym Z.I.P.</p>



<h3 id="h-1-happy-relationships-have-zest">1. Happy relationships have ZEST.</h3>



<p>Relationships should be fun. Think about it: Don’t healthy relationships start out with a lot of good times? Whether it’s going out to dinner or a ballgame, fun is a major aspect of your relationship. It’s part of the glue that bonds you together.</p>



<p>But as life goes on, the fun starts to fall by the wayside as it increasingly becomes about getting the job done, whatever the job may be.</p>



<p>To restore the relationship, to put a little zip into it, reintroduce the idea of “zest.”</p>



<p>What can you do to get the zest back if you’ve lost it? Think of a specific relationship you have. What were the fun things you did at the beginning of it? Commit to doing those things now—alongside trying some new fun things together—and see if your relationship doesn’t begin to soar again. </p>



<h3>2. Cultivate more INTIMACY for a healthy relationship.</h3>



<p>That is, taking your relationship to a deeper level.</p>



<p>That doesn’t mean you have to start engaging in group hugs with your workmates or having revelation sessions where the tissues flow freely. Every happy relationship that is mutually satisfying has a level of depth to it <a href="https://www.pewresearch.org/global/2021/11/18/finding-meaning-in-others/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">that provides meaning</a>. And isn’t meaning what we search for in our relationships?</p>



<p>At the beginning of a relationship, time is spent opening up, telling each other who you are, where you’re from, what your likes and dislikes are. There is a deep sense of satisfaction with the relationship—that’s why it continues. You like who they are and you enjoy them knowing you.</p>



<p>But then something happens. We get to a certain level and the pursuit of depth ends. We <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/how-to-be-more-empathetic-in-conversations/">stop sharing feelings</a> and joys and dreams and fears. Instead, we settle into routine. The daily grind takes over and we stop knowing one another—we simply exist together.</p>



<p>Now, every time you get together doesn’t have to be deep—sometimes just having plain old fun is good, too. But there is also a need for regular intimate connection. After all, meaningful, happy relationships develop when others love and accept us for who we are at our core.</p>



<p>Think about the relationships you would like to see improvement in. Take some time in the coming weeks and months to really talk and get to a deeper level—to let the other person deeper into your world. You can’t force them to be more intimate and you certainly can’t say, “Let’s get together and have an intimate conversation,” because that would be too contrived. But you can make a decision for yourself that you will let others see more of who you are. Perhaps this will even be the catalyst for them doing the same.</p>



<p>You can guard yourself from intimacy, but then you won’t go much deeper in your relationships and you will feel a longing in your heart for more. Or, you can begin the process of deepening your relationships and see them change for the better.</p>



<h3 id="h-3-happy-relationships-share-a-purpose">3. Happy relationships share a PURPOSE.</h3>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/17-things-every-strong-relationship-has-in-common/">The most meaningful relationships</a> are those held together by a common purpose and vision for what it can accomplish.</p>



<p>When people have a common purpose, they feel bound together, like they are part of a team. Think about your strongest relationships. Aren’t they centered on at least one common purpose or goal? What about your weaker relationships? Think back and see if you used to have a common purpose that has since fallen by the wayside.</p>



<p>What about the relationships you want to grow? Take some time to begin to cultivate a common purpose. Sit down with that person and tell them that you would like to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rohn-4-tips-for-setting-powerful-goals/">have some common goals</a> that you pursue together. As you develop these, you will see your relationship strengthen in ways you never imagined.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article was published in April 2016 and has been updated. Photo by bbernard/Shutterstock</em></p>

Does it feel like your relationship is in a rut? These tree things, when done over time, will help you create a healthy, happy relationship.

Does it feel like your relationship is in a rut? These tree things, when done over time, will help you create a healthy, happy relationship. | SUCCESS

3 Essentials of Happy and Healthy Relationships

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Every Happy Relationship Has 3 Things in Common | SUCCESS

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Chris Widener

Your 4 Greatest Resources Aren't What You Think

Business &amp; Branding

Business &amp; Branding Archives

Stay ahead in business: strategies and insights for success

<p>When people think about pursuing something, the first thing they normally do is look at their resources to determine whether or not it can be done, which is always a wise thing to do. But where most people fail in this process is taking stock of the wrong things, like money. “How much money do I have?” they ask. Sure, we need to know how much money we have, but money is not the greatest resource. In fact, there are a few other resources <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/rohn-9-things-more-important-than-money/">that are more important</a>, and that certainly have more of an effect on your goals than money.</p>



<h2 id="h-desire">Desire&nbsp;</h2>



<p>Everything that comes from life comes from wanting it—<em>really</em> wanting it. Do you have a desire for something? This is not a wish or something you would take if it came along. This is something deep in your heart. Something you long for. In many ways, it is what you feel you were created for—your destiny. It is buried within you and cannot be taken away. Do you have this kind of desire for what you seek? If so, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/3-ways-to-start-living-your-dreams-today/">you will accomplish it</a>.&nbsp;</p>



<h2>Vision&nbsp;</h2>



<p>If you have a vision for something, you will attract the money needed. Vision is that grand, spectacular plan that sees the big picture, paints it for others and draws them along. Do you have a vision for what you want to accomplish? Can you see it, even if it isn’t here yet? Can you hear it? Smell it? How big is your vision? Is it a little thing that lacks a compelling nature? Or, is it something so big that it acts like a giant magnet that attracts everything around it? If you have the vision to see your plan <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-books-to-help-you-make-your-vision-a-reality/">come to fruition</a>, it will, no matter how much money you may or may not have.</p>



<h2>Persistence&nbsp;</h2>



<p>It’s true that most people who achieve something others don’t do so simply because they tried longer. Not necessarily harder, just longer. So often, the prize is lost because we do not persevere. Wealth, talent, genius and education are good, but they cannot and will not take the place of someone who is tenaciously persistent.&nbsp;</p>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/4-ways-to-build-grit-when-you-need-it-most/">Do you persist</a> when the going gets tough? When it looks like the goal will be a little further off and a little longer in arriving, do you quit and go elsewhere, or do you buckle down and attack with even more diligence? If you persist, you will achieve your dream, whether you have money or not.</p>



<h2>Courage</h2>



<p>Do you have it? Can you look risk in the eye and not blink? The individuals who have accomplished tremendous things were not handed those things. I have found that every one of them had moments of pure, unadulterated fear—a fear of loss, a fear of humiliation, <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/how-be-yourself/201910/5-ways-overcome-your-fear-failure" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">a fear of failure</a>. But what separated them from the rest is that they had the guts to go forward anyway. When others slunk off into the distance, they forged ahead. It didn’t matter how much money they had. They had a dream—a big dream—and the <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/daring-to-dream-finding-the-courage-to-follow-your-own-path/">courage to go for it</a>, no matter the cost.</p>



<p>If you have these resources, then you have all the resources you will ever need to live the life you have always dreamed of.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article was published in April 2009 and has been updated. Photo by Dasha Petrenko/Shutterstock</em></p>

There are a few resources that are more important, and that certainly have more of an effect on your goals, than money

There are a few resources that are more important, and that certainly have more of an effect on your goals, than money | SUCCESS

Your 4 Greatest Resources Aren&#8217;t What You Think

Your 4 Greatest Resources Aren't What You Think | SUCCESS

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What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything

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<p>In all of my interactions with people, I've never found anyone, regardless of their level of success, who doesn't sometimes find themselves simply not wanting to do the things that they need to. It is a part of human nature for there to be times that, in spite of all that we need to do—and even desire to—we will find ourselves not wanting to do anything. What separates those who will become successful from those who will maintain the status quo is what we do at those very crucial moments in time. When we are making that decision, the successful choose to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/9-ways-to-motivate-yourself-when-youre-stuck/">find the inner motivation</a> that will enable us to conquer our complacency and move on in action. I find that I confront this issue in my life on a regular basis, so the following success strategies are not merely pie in the sky techniques, but proven ways to get yourself to get up and go even when you don't feel like doing anything.</p>



<h2 id="h-honestly-evaluate-whether-or-not-you-need-a-break">Honestly evaluate whether or not you need a break.</h2>



<p>This is usually the first thing that I do when I find that I don't want to get to a specific action. The fact is that at times we will have been working very hard and the lethargy we are feeling is really our body and emotions telling us that we simply <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/what-good-self-care-looks-like/">need a break</a>. This is where it takes real intellectual honesty, because sometimes even when we don't need a break our mind is still telling us we do—and sometimes we do actually need a break.&nbsp;</p>



<p>I'll give you a good example—I don't particularly like to exercise, but I do almost every day. Sometimes before going to the club I find myself thinking about how I just don’t feel like going. Most of the time I am just feeling lazy. However, sometimes I realize that my body needs a break. So from time to time, I will take a one- or two-day break from working out. The benefits of this are twofold: One, my body gets a break to regenerate itself. Two, after a day or two, I begin to miss my workout and eagerly anticipate returning to the gym.&nbsp;</p>



<p>As another example—perhaps you are a salesman who has been phoning clients for a week straight, day and night. You wake up one morning and just don’t feel like doing it anymore. To give yourself time to rest, take a break for the morning. Go to a coffee shop and read the paper. Go to the driving range and hit some golf balls. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/stuck-on-a-problem-take-a-break/">Take a break</a> and then get back to it!</p>



<h2 id="h-start-small">Start small.</h2>



<p>I'm at a point in my workout schedule where a typical day for me consists of 30 to 45 minutes of aerobic exercise and about 30 minutes of weight lifting. So when I find myself not wanting to get up and go to the gym, I will sometimes make a commitment to go and just do a smaller workout. Instead of deciding not to go, I'll commit to doing 15 to 20 minutes of aerobic exercise and 15 to 30 minutes of weight lifting. This is beneficial for two reasons. One, I actually get some exercise that day. And two, it keeps me from getting into a cycle of giving up when I don't feel like moving toward action.&nbsp;</p>



<p>Maybe you are a writer who simply doesn’t want to write today. Instead of the long day of writing you had planned, decide that you will at least outline a couple of new articles. You will still get some work done, and afterwards you may find that you put yourself into the writing mood after all.</p>



<h2 id="h-change-your-routine">Change your routine.</h2>



<p>I have found that <a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/202112/want-keep-your-mind-sharp-keep-your-body-strong" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">what keeps my mind healthy</a> is what burns the most calories, like doing 30 to 45 minutes on the treadmill every day. Now let me be very blunt: I find running on the treadmill to be extremely boring. Usually I can get myself to do it, but sometimes I need to vary my routine. So instead of 30 to 45 minutes on a treadmill, I will break down my aerobic exercise routine into a number of different areas. I will do 10 to 15 minutes on treadmills, 10 to 15 minutes on the reclining cycle, 5 to 10 minutes on the rowing machine, 5 to 10 minutes on the stair stepper and then back onto the treadmill for 5 to 10 minutes. I still get my exercise, but I'm a lot less bored. </p>



<p>Alternatively, maybe you are in construction and you have been working on the plumbing for a week, and it is getting monotonous. Don’t do the plumbing today! Go frame-in the office.</p>



<h2 id="h-reward-yourself">Reward yourself.</h2>



<p>One way that I <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/6-simple-ways-to-find-motivation-in-your-everyday-life/">motivate myself to do something</a> when I don't feel like doing it is to tell myself that if I get through the work that I need to, I will give myself a little reward. For instance, I may tell myself if I get up and go to the club I can take 5 to 10 minutes off my treadmill exercise, which will shorten my workout routine, and I'll allow myself to sit in the hot tub for a few extra minutes. Hey, it works!&nbsp;</p>



<p>Maybe you are a mortgage broker who feels like sleeping in. Tell yourself that after the next three mortgages you close you will take your kids to the fair or your spouse to the movies. Maybe you’ll give yourself a night on the town with old friends.</p>



<h2 id="h-reconnect-the-action-with-pleasure-rather-than-pain">Reconnect the action with pleasure rather than pain.</h2>



<p><a href="https://digitalcommons.uri.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1068&amp;context=kinesiology_facpubs" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Psychologists have long told us</a> that we humans tend to connect every action with either pleasure or pain. Tony Robbins has popularized this even further with something he calls “neural associations.” When we are finding ourselves lacking motivation, it is probable that we are associating the action that we are thinking about with pain rather than pleasure. For instance, when I'm considering not going to the health club on any given day, I am usually associating going and working out with having no time, the pain of exercising and weight lifting or the boringness of running on a treadmill for an extended period of time. What I can do to re-associate is to remind myself that by going in and doing my exercise I will <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-focusing-on-your-personal-growth-now-is-more-important-than-ever/">feel better about myself</a>, I will lose weight and I will live longer. This brings me pleasure. When we begin to run those kinds of tapes through our minds, we find our internal motivating force unleashed and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/why-attitude-matters/">change our attitude</a> about the action that we are considering. </p>



<p>Maybe you are a counselor who really doesn’t want to spend the day listening to people. Your association may be that it will be boring, or that you will be inside while it is sunny outside. Instead, reassociate yourself to the truth of the matter: Someone will be better off because of your care and concern. Think of your clients, the progression they have been making recently and how you have been a part of that.</p>



<p class="has-small-font-size"><em>This article was published in June 2009 and has been updated. Photo by </em><em>G-Stock Studio</em><em>/Shutterstock&nbsp;</em></p>

What separates the successful from the unsuccessful, is the ability at very crucial moments, to choose to find the inner motivation that will enable us to conquer our complacency and move on in action.

What separates the successful from the unsuccessful, is the ability at very crucial moments, to choose to find the inner motivation that will enable us to conquer our complacency and move on in action. | SUCCESS

What to Do When You Don’t Feel Like Doing Anything | SUCCESS

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Personal Development

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Personal Development | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

Success

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Success | SUCCESS | What Achievers Read

<p class="rtecenter">“The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly.” —<em>Theodore Roosevelt</em></p>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><strong><em>Related:</em> </strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/5-daily-habits-of-highly-successful-people"><strong>5 Daily Habits of Highly Successful People</strong></a></p></blockquote>



<p>The degree of our success is directly related to the degree in which we excel in and balance certain segments, or principles, of our life. Every person, organization and business can, and should, operate out of the following seven arenas. Here’s how:</p>



<h2 id="h-1-i-am-arena-of-values">1. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/do-your-actions-reflect-your-values">I Am: Arena of Values</a></h2>



<p>Every person, organization and business has values, and they may not know or be able to articulate what they are, but they have them. The values of a business are what they believe in: What do they think is important?</p>



<p>What a company values will affect the way the business runs and the employees act and work, so it is important to know what those values are. Here are some questions for you to ask: What do we think is important? What do we hope to accomplish? What do we believe in as we go about our work?</p>



<p>Is there clear indication in your workplace or home that you are operating in the Arena of Values? Can you say without a doubt that “I Am,” or “We Are”?</p>



<h2 id="h-2-i-should-arena-of-responsibility">2. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-what-basketball-can-teach-us-about-responsibility">I Should: Arena of Responsibility</a></h2>



<p>What are the responsibilities that we must live by?</p>



<ul><li>To be a person and company of <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/9-tips-to-help-you-strengthen-your-integrity">high integrity</a>. Ultimately we are only a success to the degree that we are honorable people. This means that we are honest, hardworking and forthright. I don’t think it matters how much money one accumulates if they are not a person of integrity.</li><li>To make our families priority. Sometimes I think of all the people I help and work so hard for day by day and realize that none of them will be at my side when I breathe my last breath. My wife and children will fill those spots—so they get the most from me.</li><li>To give to charity. One of the things that rounds us out as healthy, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/3-things-successful-people-do-on-the-daily">successful people</a> is to give away money, time and possessions, free of all strings. Instead of a $10 check every now and then, put it into your budget to give away a certain amount every month—make it big, make it a sacrifice. At first you will think it is impossible, but it will come around. At the end of your life, you will be able to look back and see the difference you have made.</li></ul>



<h2 id="h-3-i-could-arena-of-possibility">3. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/15-inspiring-quotes-about-being-a-dreamer">I Could: Arena of Possibility</a></h2>



<p>People often get so caught up in the day to day that they lose their zest for life. They get the nose to the grindstone, and may be doing important work, but they <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/where-dreams-go-when-they-die">forget to dream</a>. They forget to think of what could be.</p>



<p>How is your business in the arena of possibility? What would happen if at your next staff meeting, whether you have 30 people or just you and your partner, you asked the question, “What are the possibilities for this business to really do something great?” I think that you would probably be astounded at what you might hear.</p>



<p>People have great ideas, dreams and possibilities inside of them—they just need someone to stop the treadmill and ask the question, surrounded by an atmosphere of acceptance.</p>



<h2 id="h-4-i-would-arena-of-negotiation">4. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/5-things-all-successful-negotiators-know">I Would: Arena of Negotiation</a></h2>



<p>Every possibility has a cost associated with it. At this point, an organization not only says “we could” but also internally negotiates with questions about the tradeoffs, like:</p>



<p>If this is to come about, what will the cost be? <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/if-it-doesnt-suck-its-not-worth-doing">Is it worth it?</a></p>



<p>If this comes about, what will the ramifications be in other areas of my business? What other adjustments would have to be made, and are they worth it?</p>



<p>What would the reward have to be in order for me to pursue this possibility?</p>



<p>How long will it take me to reach this possibility? In light of that, do I want to readjust the organization for that period of time?</p>



<p>Take some time to measure the costs of your possibilities. Then, when you find the ones that are good for you, go for it.</p>



<h2 id="h-5-i-want-to-arena-of-vision">5. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-how-to-create-a-master-plan-for-your-life">I Want To: Arena of Vision</a></h2>



<p>Now, of those possibilities, what ones would you really like to do? <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/25-successful-peoples-thoughts-on-the-power-of-passion">The ideas that stir our passions</a> for excellence become things that we can easily “see.” They can become our “vision.”</p>



<p>In order for something to happen, someone has to first see it happening long before it actually does. If money, and time, were no object, if you knew that you couldn’t fail at your attempt, what would you want to try? Then, why not try? This is your vision. And a vision is a powerful thing—it’s what drives success and accomplishment.</p>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/31-things-that-happen-when-you-finally-decide-to-live-your-dreams">Great things come when we dream</a>, and vision drives us to attempt things far beyond where we are right now.</p>



<p>“Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy, nor suffer much, because they live in the gray twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”</p>



<h3 class="rtecenter" id="h-recognize-all-of-the-hard-work-that-will-be-involved-in-achieving-your-dreams-then-spend-some-time-preparing-to-meet-the-challenges">Recognize all of the hard work that will be involved in achieving your dreams, then spend some time preparing to meet the challenges.</h3>



<h2 id="h-6-i-will-arena-of-dedication">6. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/14-ways-to-improve-your-self-discipline">I Will: Arena of Dedication</a></h2>



<p>Perseverance is the most important thing in work. I have come to believe that much of what separates the successful from the unsuccessful is simply determination. The successful are not always the brightest, the best looking or those with the most prestigious diplomas. Instead, they are the ones who say, “I will do this!” and “Hardship will not deter me!” These people have entered into and continually live in the arena of dedication. Staying there long enough usually puts them on top.</p>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-the-key-to-getting-all-you-want-discipline">Dedication</a> is a key to success. So the next step? Hard work! Recognize all of the hard work that will be involved in achieving your dreams, then spend some time preparing to meet the challenges. Here are some questions to help you get through the process, prepare yourself for the job ahead and come out on the end of success.</p>



<ul><li>What are the obstacles we will face?</li><li>How will we overcome those obstacles?</li><li><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/why-your-attitude-is-everything">What kinds of attitudes</a> and dedication will we need to exhibit when the time comes to face difficulties and uphill battles?</li><li>What are the rewards our dedication will bring to us as individuals and corporately?</li></ul>



<p>Focusing in on these questions will help you prepare for the times when you will need to show dedication, perseverance and inner fortitude. The mental preparation now will strengthen you to succeed later.</p>



<h2 id="h-7-i-do-arena-of-accomplishment">7. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/34-things-you-need-to-know-about-becoming-successful">I Do: Arena of Accomplishment</a></h2>



<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-steps-to-achieve-any-goal">Accomplishment</a> comes when the job is complete. What is important at this stage? A few things:</p>



<ul><li>A little rest. It isn’t time to sit back for good, but resting can be a much-needed reward for all of the hard work you have shown up until now. After the pace of pursuing your dreams, your body and mind need some well-deserved rest.</li><li>A little celebration. Celebrations are great for us. What is all the work for if one can’t enjoy the fruit of his labor? Maybe it is a small dinner out. Maybe it is a huge celebration for 100 of your closest friends and business associates. Maybe it is an exotic vacation.</li><li>A sense of fulfillment. The greatest reward is, as the old saying goes, “the satisfaction of a job well done.” Not many people make it to the accomplishment arena very often. Enjoy the satisfaction!</li><li>A new high bar. One of the great things about life is the challenge of new heights. You have accomplished your task, and that’s good, but... what’s next?</li></ul>



<blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p><em><strong>Related:</strong></em> <strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-little-things-successful-people-do-differently">10 Little Things Successful People Do Differently</a></strong></p></blockquote>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>Editor’s note: This post was originally published in January 2015 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness. </em></p>

Spend some time preparing to meet your biggest challenges.

Spend some time preparing to meet your biggest challenges. | SUCCESS

The 7 Arenas of Success

The 7 Arenas of Success | SUCCESS

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<p id="h-vision-is-the-spectacular-that-inspires-us-to-carry-out-the-mundane-chris-widener"><strong>“Vision is the spectacular that inspires us to carry out the mundane.” —<em>Chris Widener</em></strong></p>



<p>Can achievement be broken down into steps? It isn’t always that clean and easy, but those who achieve great things usually go through much of the same process, with many of the items listed below as part of that process. So if you have been struggling with achievement, look through the following. Begin to apply them and you will be on the road to achieving your dream.</p>



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<p><strong><em>Related:</em> <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/5-steps-to-achieve-the-life-youve-always-dreamed-of">5 Steps to Achieve the Life You’ve Always Dreamed Of</a></strong></p>
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<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-1-dream-it">Step 1: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/what-is-your-dream">Dream it.</a></h2>



<p>Everything begins in the heart and mind. Every great achievement began in the mind of one person. They dared to dream, to believe that it was possible. Take some time to allow yourself to ask “What if?” Think big. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-how-to-stop-listening-to-the-negative-voice-in-your-head">Don’t let negative thinking discourage you.</a> You want to be a “dreamer.” Dream of the possibilities for yourself, your family and for others. If you had a dream that you let grow cold, re-ignite the dream! Fan the flames. Life is too short to let it go.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-2-believe-it">Step 2: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/your-thoughts-create-your-beliefs">Believe it.</a></h2>



<p>Yes, <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/dream-girl-dream-big">your dream needs to be big</a>. It needs to be something that is seemingly beyond your capabilities. But it also must be believable. You must be able to say that if certain things take place, if others help, if you work hard enough, though it is a big dream, it can still be done. Good example: A person with no college education can dream that he will build a $50 million-a-year company. That is big, but believable. Bad example: That a 90-year-old woman with arthritis will someday run a marathon in under three hours. It is big all right, but also impossible. She should instead focus on building a $50 million-a-year business! And she better get a move on!</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-3-see-it">Step 3: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-where-do-you-see-yourself-in-10-years">See it.</a></h2>



<p>The great achievers have a habit. They “see” things. They picture themselves walking around their CEO office in their new $25 million corporate headquarters, even while they are sitting on a folding chair in their garage “headquarters.” Great free-throw shooters in the NBA picture the ball going through the basket. PGA golfers picture the ball going straight down the fairway. World-class speakers picture themselves speaking with energy and emotion. All of this grooms the mind to control the body to carry out the dream.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-4-tell-it">Step 4: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-steps-to-achieve-any-goal">Tell it.</a> </h2>



<p>One reason many dreams never go anywhere is because the dreamer keeps it all to himself. It is a quiet dream that only lives inside of his mind. The one who wants to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/17-motivational-quotes-to-help-you-achieve-your-dreams">achieve their dream</a> must tell that dream to many people. One reason: As we continually say it, we begin to believe it more and more. If we are talking about it then it must be possible. Another reason: It holds us accountable. When we have told others, it spurs us on to actually doing it so we don’t look foolish.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-5-plan-it">Step 5: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-5-simple-steps-to-plan-your-dream-life">Plan it.</a></h2>



<p>Every dream must take the form of a plan. The old saying that you “get what you plan for” is so true. Your dream won’t just happen. You need to sit down, on a regular basis, and plan out your strategy for achieving the dream. Think through all of the details. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/why-this-before-that-matters-if-you-want-to-achieve-your-goals">Break the whole plan down</a> into small, workable parts. Then set a time frame for accomplishing each task on your “dream plan.”</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-6-work-it">Step 6: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/success-takes-time-and-hard-work-follow-these-5-steps-to-stick-with-it-to-the-end">Work it.</a></h2>



<p>Boy, wouldn’t life be grand if we could quit before this one! Unfortunately the successful are usually the hardest workers. While the rest of the world is sitting on their sofas watching reruns of <em>Gilligan's Island</em>, achievers are working on their goal—achieving their dream. I have an equation that I work with: Your short-term tasks, multiplied by time, equal your long-term accomplishments. If you work on it each day, eventually you will achieve your dream. <em><a href="https://www.amazon.com/War-Peace-Leo-Tolstoy/dp/1781395934/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&amp;qid=&amp;sr=&amp;linkCode=ll1&amp;tag=sm0fe-20&amp;linkId=4d47ecf9cc705bfbf7409195e84cc7ff">War and Peace</a> </em> was written, in longhand, page by page.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="h-step-7-enjoy-it">Step 7: <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/if-youre-not-happy-youre-not-successful-so-enjoy-the-journey">Enjoy it.</a></h2>



<p>When you have reached your goal and you are living your dream, be sure to enjoy it. In fact, enjoy the trip, too. Give yourself some rewards along the way. Give yourself a huge reward when you get there. Help others enjoy it. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/the-right-way-to-be-generous" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Be gracious and generous.</a> Use your dream to better others. Then go back to No. 1. And dream a little bigger this time!</p>



<p><em>Achieve your dreams once and for all when you enroll in the Win the Day Accelerator with James Whittaker. He'll guide you, step by step, to gain clarity about your unique path, create a personalized plan to achieve your goals and help you find your sense of purpose. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/win-the-day/">Learn more today!</a></em></p>



<p style="font-size:12px"><em>Editor’s note: This post was originally published in March 2014 and has been updated for freshness, accuracy and comprehensiveness.</em></p>



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Your short-term tasks, multiplied by time, equals success.

Your short-term tasks, multiplied by time, equals success. | SUCCESS

7 Steps to Achieve Your Dream

7 Steps to Achieve Your Dream | SUCCESS

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A positive attitude is key to a successful life, so what happens when things go wrong? We have a tendency to let our attitudes take a dive along with our state of affairs. But life is going to deal setbacks, both minor and major, on a regular basis, and if we are going to be successful, we need to know how to keep our attitudes intact.
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<em>Related:</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-clever-tricks-to-trigger-positive-emotions"><strong>10 Clever Tricks to Trigger Positive Emotions</strong></a>

We need practical tools to help us understand how we can keep our attitudes up when the circumstances are down. Here are some thoughts to help us do so:
<h2><strong>1. </strong>Take some time away.</h2>
You know what happens. You’re going about your day and everything seems to be going well, when out of nowhere, disaster strikes. All of your best laid plans begin to tumble. Sometimes <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/the-3-ways-people-react-to-change">circumstances surprise us and we react</a>—and, unfortunately, this often compounds the problem, because by reacting, we tend to operate out of our weaknesses instead of our strengths. We make decisions that are not well thought out. We function with a bad attitude that says, “I can't believe this is happening!”

The next time life turns against you, take some time to just step back from the problem and think. This will enable you to rationally deal with the issue at hand, instead of emotionally reacting. It will allow you to put your state of mind back in its proper place. It will give you the opportunity to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/why-your-attitude-is-everything">choose your attitude</a> as you face the circumstances at hand. Remember that you don't have to do something right now. Go grab a cup of coffee and relax. <em>You</em> are in control—not the circumstances.

<em>Related: </em><strong> <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/5-ways-successful-people-take-control-of-life">5 Ways Successful People Take Control of Life</a></strong>
<h2><strong>2. </strong>Keep your eye on the goal.</h2>
One of the biggest problems with trouble is that it gets your focus off where it should be. When racecar drivers get into trouble, they keep their eyes straight ahead and do not move them away. There is too much chance of wrecking otherwise. Instead, their eyes are on the goal—and this keeps them out of trouble.

If you find yourself getting down about circumstances, sit down and write out <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-4-tips-for-setting-powerful-goals">what your goal is</a>, and give some thought to how you can achieve it. Make sure you’re keeping the important things important.

A man was asked how he was doing and he responded, "Pretty well, under the circumstances." The other man asked, "What are you doing under the circumstances?" Good question. We shouldn't be under the circumstances. We should be focused on the goal and moving forward.
<h2><strong>3. </strong>Focus on solutions, not problems.</h2>
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease,” the old saying goes. Negative circumstances don't sit idly by—they scream for our attention. When we face difficult circumstances, we tend to dwell on them. We talk about them, fret about them and give them way too much attention.

<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/think-slow-and-other-tricks-for-better-problem-solving">Instead of talking about problems, talk about solutions</a>. Instead of spending your time thinking about how bad things are, think about how good they will be! Don't have family or staff meetings about the problems and how big they are; have meetings on the solutions and how you will implement them. Don't let yourself or other team members complain; encourage them to solve, with an emphasis on the positive results that will come from doing so. Then take some time to put these solutions down on paper so you can monitor your progress.
<h2><strong>4. </strong>Get some positive input.</h2>
The mind tends to build on itself, so when we begin to go in one direction (<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/3-tips-for-overcoming-your-worried-brain">like worrying</a>), it can be a slippery slope. One thing we must do is get our thoughts back on track with positive ideas.

When circumstances have you against the emotional wall, meet with a friend who can encourage you. <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/41-books-to-motivate-you-to-become-your-best-self">Pick up a good book and read.</a> Whatever external influence you can get to put your attitude back on the positive side of the tracks—do it! It must be one of our first goals to start plugging good things into our minds to power our attitudes.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:</em>&nbsp;<strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/videos/youtube/how-to-train-your-brain-for-positive-thinking">How to Train Your Brain for Positive Thinking</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>5. </strong>Tell yourself the good.</h2>
One of the greatest internal powers we have is the power to control our thoughts.

Spend time dwelling on the good things about your life or career instead of the problems. Think about positive things—things that you enjoy and that give you a sense of happiness and peace. There is an old childhood song that says, "Count your blessings—name them one by one." That’s great advice! Let your positive attitude develop from within as well as from without. This makes all the difference!
<h2><strong>6. </strong>Remember that circumstances are not forever.</h2>
Sometimes it seems like we are going to be up to our eyeballs in the situation forever, when in reality, “this too shall pass.” There will be a time in the future when circumstances will change and you will be on the mountain instead of in the valley. This will give you a sense of hope as you live and work that will change your attitude, make you feel better and put you on the fast track for growth.
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<em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Related:</em>&nbsp;<a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/what-i-learned-from-30-days-of-positive-thinking"><strong>What I Learned From 30 Days of Positive Thinking</strong></a>

Instead of spending your time thinking about how bad things are, think about how good they will be.

Instead of spending your time thinking about how bad things are, think about how good they will be. | SUCCESS

6 Ways to Keep Your Attitude Up When Life Tries to Bring You Down

6 Ways to Keep Your Attitude Up When Life Tries to Bring You Down | SUCCESS

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characteristicsofpeoplewhoarethebestatwhattheydo

What does it mean to be <em>the best</em>? What are the <a title="6 Qualities of Wildly Successful People | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/6-qualities-of-wildly-successful-people">characteristics common to successful people</a>, achievers, doers—the ones who find ways to become the very best at everything they do?

Would <em>you</em> pass the “Best” test?

Here are 12 questions to find out if you’ve got what it takes to rise to the top:
<h2><strong>1. Are you an optimist? </strong></h2>
You can't get to the top if you don't think there is a top, or if you think you can't make it. <a title="Have You Ever Met a Successful Pessimist? | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/have-you-ever-met-a-successful-pessimist">Optimists always believe things can improve or be done better.</a> This pushes them to be their best.
<h2><strong>2. Do you have a vision? </strong></h2>
Visionaries can see ahead of the pack. Their eyes aren't locked on the here and now. They see the bright future and what things will look like when they reach their destiny. While working hard for today, they live for the future. They “begin with the end in mind.”
<h2><strong>3. Do you relentlessly pursue excellence? </strong></h2>
The status quo is not for the best. They want to experience the best and <em>be</em> the best. That means giving their best. They go the extra mile so that in everything they do, in everything they say and think, they are striving for excellence.
<h2><strong>4. Do you have a lifelong habit of personal growth? </strong></h2>
They don’t want to stay at the level they are at. They want to grow in their work, their intellect, their spirituality and their relationships— in every area of their life. And they discipline themselves to put themselves in situations where they grow. Personal growth doesn’t “just happen.” People must <em>choose </em>to grow.
<h2><strong>5. Do you welcome competition? </strong></h2>
Like the lead runners in the race with someone on their heels, the best know that the competition is right behind them. They love it because they know the competition keeps them from becoming lazy or complacent. The competition pushes them to go faster and achieve more—to remain the best by forging ahead.
<h2><strong>6. Do you strive to be a leader? </strong></h2>
Someone has to lead—it may as well be the best. <a title="10 Ways to Be a Leader—Even When You Aren’t in Charge | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/10-ways-to-be-a-leader-even-when-you-arent-in-charge">People who become leaders get there because they want to.</a> They want make a difference. And they want to be equipped with the skills necessary to lead others to a better place.
<h2><strong>7. Do you leave a legacy? </strong></h2>
Leaders aren't in it just for themselves, though they will surely reap the rewards of being the best. They build things that last beyond themselves, things that can be enjoyed by others as well. They leave a mark for future leaders to see and use.
<h2><strong>8. Do you know how to prioritize and execute your goals? </strong></h2>
Just like weight loss boils down to eating right and exercising, personal management boils down to prioritizing and executing. First prioritize your activities—the important stuff goes on the top. Then execute—<em>do</em> them. The best have <a title="Rohn: 4 Straightforward Steps to Success | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-4-straightforward-steps-to-success">habits and discipline that get them to the top</a>, by doing the best things and doing them first.
<h2><strong>9. Do you focus on building relationships? </strong></h2>
Success does not come alone. Everyone who achieves greatness does it with the help of countless others. How do the best get others to help them? They treat them with respect. They embrace them. People become the best because they help <em>other</em> people, and people like them.
<h2><strong>10. Do you make excuses? </strong></h2>
When they fail, they admit it and move on. They get back up and do it right next time. They let their actions speak louder than their words. They stand tall and do it better next time. No excuses, just results.
<h2><strong>11. Do you strive for “good” or “best?” </strong></h2>
Yes, they could say, “This is good." But that would mean they have settled for less than the best. Many people think that good is good. Good is not good. Good is the enemy because it keeps us from the best. What will it be: good or best? The best choose the best.
<h2><strong>12. Do you dare to dream? </strong></h2>
While others live the mundane and settle into a life they never bargained for, a rut, the best dream of a better life. And then they take the necessary risks to <a title="Stop Fantasizing and Start Saying ‘Yes, and’ to Your Dreams | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/stop-fantasizing-and-start-saying-yes-and-to-your-dreams">achieve their dreams</a>. They live by Teddy Roosevelt's quote: “Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs, even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much, because they live in a grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat.”

So, do you have what it takes to be the best?

<strong>Are you goals too tough or not tough enough? Take this quiz to find out. </strong>

Here are 12 questions to find out if you’ve got what it takes to rise to the top.

Do you have what it takes to be the best? | SUCCESS

12 Characteristics of People Who Are the Best at What They Do

12 Characteristics of People Who Are the Best at What They Do | SUCCESS

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<p>Everybody has bad habits. Everybody. Now granted, some people have less than others and some people’s bad habits are more grating than those of others, but we all have them.</p>

<p>What is great is that we don’t <em>have</em> to. We’re all capable of change, so let’s!</p>

<p>There are two kinds of bad habits: The ones you know you have, but others may not notice, and those you don’t know you have, but everybody else is keenly aware.</p>

<p>How do you get rid of a bad habit if you don’t know you have it? The answer is simple but hard: Ask somebody to be brutally honest with you. You might be afraid of being embarrassed, but would you rather everyone talk behind your back? Get up the courage and ask. Ask somebody who loves you and has your best interest in mind. Be gracious and <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/feedback-take-it-or-leave-it-but-dont-defend-yourself-against-it" target="_blank" title="Feedback: Take It or Leave It, but Don’t Defend Yourself Against It | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener">don’t defend yourself</a>. Just accept it and work on it.</p>

<p>What about the ones we know about? Those are the tough ones. Why? They <em>must</em> be tough if you know about them and yet you still have them. If they weren’t tough, they would be <em>former</em> bad habits.</p>

<p>How do you boot a bad habit out of your life? Here are a few things that must be a part of the plan:</p>

<p><strong>1. You have to want them to go.</strong></p>

<p>In truth, some people actually want their bad habits to stick around. So the first thing is to go deep into the recesses of your heart and ask, <em>Do I really want to give this up?</em></p>

<p>You do? Good. Then on to the next step…</p>

<p><strong>2.</strong> <strong>Make up a list of all of the reasons you want to quit your bad habits.</strong></p>

<p>Make them positive. Make the list long. Start with the really powerful and dramatic if you need to. Now memorize them. Put them in your mind.</p>

<p>You are making connections between stopping the bad behavior with what good things you will get from doing so. If you want to lose weight, then picture yourself slim and looking good in those skinny jeans. If you want to stop smoking, picture your wife actually kissing you rather than sending you to the bathroom to brush your teeth.</p>

<p><strong>3. Choose.</strong></p>

<p>Once you have the information, this comes down to one thing: an act of the will. Choose to do it. Say to yourself throughout the day, <em>I am choosing to…</em></p>

<p>Eisenhower rightly said, “The history of free men is written not by chance but by choice, their choice.” It is your choice. You can write your history.</p>

<p><strong>4. Take action.</strong></p>

<p>This is tricky because there are two philosophies about it.</p>

<p>One theory is that you must take massive action—you must go all or nothing. Using the weight loss example, this person would go spend $500 to join a gym, rework their schedule and hit the treadmill every day for a year. They will get rid of all fat in the house. They go all out—and that works for some.</p>

<p>Others would burn out on that, feel like failures and be worse off than before. They should start out slow, taking baby steps but working diligently toward a planned goal. This person would decide to start walking three days a week. They would decide to limit dessert to two nights a week, down from seven.</p>

<p>Either way is OK as long as you <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/10-steps-to-achieve-any-goal" target="_blank" title="10 Steps to Achieve Any Goal | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener">get to the goal</a> eventually. Which one are you?</p>

<p><strong>5. Tell somebody.</strong></p>

<p>This is your accountability partner. Tell them your goal and tell them your plan. Write it down for them and have them ask you on regular intervals about your progress. This will prove invaluable.</p>

<p><strong>6. Recover from failure.</strong></p>

<p>Inevitably most people will have setbacks. The key is to <a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/blog/5-ways-to-reframe-failure" target="_blank" title="5 Ways to Reframe Failure | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener">have them be setbacks and not turnbacks</a>. Pick yourself up and get going again.</p>

<p>Some people may want to lose 30 pounds and after losing 15, they eat a gallon of ice cream. Then they feel bad and give up. Don’t! Reset your goal for another two weeks and get going again. Chalk it up to experience! Say to yourself, <em>Sometimes you win and sometimes you learn.</em></p>

<p><strong>7. Reward yourself.</strong></p>

<p>You should regularly congratulate yourself by rewarding yourself with some gift. Start small with small victories and plan a big one when you are finally and for sure over the habit.</p>

<p>Is it that simple? Most of the time, no. Habits are hard to break. There are so many intangibles that it would be hard to cover them all. But this is a simple and workable plan that will help you make great strides if you just apply the principles.</p>

<p><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/tiny-habits" target="_self" title="Tiny Habits | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener"><strong>Check out a shortcut to personal growth—a life hack called “Tiny Habits” that will help you create good habits.</strong></a></p>


Everybody has bad habits. Everybody. Now granted, some people have less than others and some people’s bad habits are more grating than those of others,

Everybody has bad habits. Everybody. Now granted, some people have less than others and some people’s bad habits are more grating than those of others, | SUCCESS

7 Steps to Break Your Bad Habits

7 Steps to Break Your Bad Habits | SUCCESS

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BeHomeforDinnerMoreOftenOtherRulesforaGoodLife

The direction of our lives is determined by the choices we make every day. They accumulate and add up to our ultimate destiny. What’s yours look like?

Here are eight choices you can make, choices that will create abundance and prosperity in all areas of your life:
<p class="rteindent1"><em style="line-height: 20.8px;">Related:&nbsp;</em><strong style="line-height: 20.8px;"><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/5-life-lessons-you-never-learned-in-school" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">5 Life Lessons You Never Learned in School&nbsp;</a></strong></p>

<h2><strong>1. Choose to grow personally.</strong></h2>
This sounds simple, but many people never choose to grow by taking real action—actually exercising, saving more money, reading a book (or two or three), waking up earlier, picking up a new hobby. Make a decision today to be a person who is on the never-ending journey of personal growth.
<h2><strong>2. Choose to always treat others right.</strong></h2>
We come across all sorts of people, many of whom will treat us poorly. We can choose to treat them right, no matter how they treat us. When they lie, we will tell the truth. When they cheat, we will play by the rules. We may get the short end of the stick sometimes, but in the long run, we will win. And most important, we will be able to sleep at night.
<h2><strong>3. Choose to break a bad habit.</strong></h2>
Take the biggie first. Tackle it head-on. If you don't know what it is, ask a friend. Then spend every effort you can to <a title="Ditch Your Bad Habits in 5 Simple Steps | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/ditch-your-bad-habits-in-5-simple-steps" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">break that habit</a>. Forget about the others—you will get to them later. Stop smoking, get out of debt, lose that excess weight. Exercise the power to <em>choose</em>.
<h2><strong>4. Choose to work smarter.</strong></h2>
Feel like you’re out of balance? One of the first things I do is try to find out how much time I am wasting at work—what makes me work longer, what throws the rest of my life into chaos. Getting your work done by diligently working in the time you have will free your life up extraordinarily.
<h2><strong>5. Choose to see your work as a way to help others.</strong></h2>
(And not as a way to make money.) If you put your heart into helping others, the money will most assuredly come. Spend time helping others grow, and your finances will grow with it.
<h2><strong>6. Choose to become balanced spiritually, emotionally and physically. </strong></h2>
Our lives are best when we have these three major areas in balance. Spend some time cultivating your spirituality, becoming <a title="A Pessimist's Guide to Being an Optimist | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/a-pessimist-s-guide-to-being-an-optimist" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">emotionally healthy</a> and physically fit.
<h2><strong>7. Choose to sow more than you reap.</strong></h2>
There are many takers in this world, but our lives will be better as we become givers. <em>The world</em> will become better as we become givers. Give away your time, give away your money, give away your love.
<h2><strong>8. Choose to get home for dinner more often.</strong></h2>
The family is the most important group of people you will ever belong to. Make a decision today to <a title="Rohn: 8 Traits of Healthy Relationships | SUCCESS.com" href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/8-traits-of-healthy-relationships" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">grow in your relationship</a> with your parents, siblings, spouse and children. This one choice you will <em>never</em> regret.
<p class="rteindent1"><em>Related:&nbsp;</em><strong><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/rohn-a-good-life-contains-these-6-essentials" target="_self" rel="noopener noreferrer">Rohn: A Good Life Contains These 6 Essentials</a></strong></p>
<em>“The history of free men is never written by chance, but by choice; their choice.” —Dwight D. Eisenhower</em>

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Choices you can make today that will change the way you move through life, for the better.

The direction of our lives is determined by the choices we make every day. They accumulate and add up to our ultimate destiny. What’s yours look like? | SUCCESS

Be Home for Dinner More Often & 7 Other Rules for a Good Life

Be Home for Dinner More Often &#038; 7 Other Rules for a Good Life

Be Home for Dinner More Often & 7 Other Rules for a Good Life | SUCCESS

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9 Success Principles I Learned from My Single Mom

I was at a dinner party the other night when someone posed this question: Who has influenced your life the most? I thought for a minute and said what no one else said, “My mother.”

You see, when I was 4, my dad died. At the time, it seemed like we were on top of the world. My dad was making good money and we were living in the biggest house in one of the most prestigious country clubs in Seattle. Then my dad was diagnosed with cancer and was gone in six months. That’s when we found out that my dad didn’t have great life insurance. My mom and I went from the upper bracket to the lower middle almost overnight.

As I reflect back on my life, most of what I am today I learned from a tough-as-nails woman who went to work and busted her tail to get me ready for life. I realize now how many success principles she displayed while living out her life.

The following success principles, though they can be and should be applied by all of us, are dedicated to all of those single moms out there. You are doing a tough job. Keep plugging away, be tenacious and love your kids. They’ll see your life and turn out all right.

<strong>1. Don’t whine during tough times.</strong> You know, my mom got a bad deal, but as I look back on it, I cannot ever remember her complaining about her lot in life. That spoke volumes to me and has been a lesson ever since. Two people working, one whines, the other makes the most of the situation and works harder—who do you root for?

<em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/john-c-maxwell-instead-of-complaining-remember-these-10-things" target="_blank" title="John C. Maxwell: Instead of Complaining, Remember These 10 Things | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Successful people don’t whine</a>; they work harder and beat the odds.</em>

<strong>2. Be creative.</strong> My mom immediately went to selling real estate. She did all right, but she also bought old houses and fixed them up and sold them. We would move in and she would hire the workers from the real estate office to fix up the house on the weekends. A couple of years later, we would sell the house and pocket some much needed extra cash. I moved a lot, but you do what you have to when your back is against the wall.

<em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/top-of-mind-get-your-creative-on" target="_blank" title="Top of Mind: Get Your Creative On | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Successful people get creative</a> when it comes to solving problems.</em>

<strong>3. Sacrifice for others.</strong> I know we didn’t have much growing up, but my mom always found ways to give me the extras. We would cut back here and there so that we could take a trip to Disneyland or get new athletic shoes. Finding purpose by sacrificing for others is one of the highest calling in success.

<em>Successful people live not only for themselves but for those around them as well.</em>

<strong>4. Be independent.</strong> My mom didn’t cut corners or get a leg up in anything. She worked hard for what she got. And she taught me to do the same. I can remember being taught to do things on my own that other parents were doing for their kids. Many of those kids still need their parents to get the job done.

<em>Successful people don’t rely on others to do for them what they can do themselves.</em>

<strong>5. Believe in yourself.</strong> When I would say I wanted to do something but didn’t think I could, my mom would ask me, “Has anybody else ever done it?” I would say “Of course, lots of people.” Her reply? “Then you can, too. You are smarter than them!” Well, I probably wasn’t smarter than them, but point well taken. If someone else has proven it can be done, then you have a chance.

<em>Successful people believe that they can do it!</em>

<strong>6. Have a dream and pursue it—even if it takes years.</strong> My mom kept a dream alive and pursued it on the side as I grew up. The year I graduated from high school, my mom graduated from college. She was 54 years old. She kept her dream alive and worked at it bit by bit and finally it happened.

<em><a href="https://successcom.wpenginepowered.com/article/7-steps-to-achieve-your-dream" target="_blank" title="7 Steps to Achieve Your Dream | SUCCESS.com" rel="noopener noreferrer">Successful people dream big dreams</a> and then complete them no matter how long it takes.</em>

<strong>7. Stretch yourself.</strong> I can remember my mom taking me to business and real estate seminars when I was a 12-year-old kid. Not because she couldn’t find babysitting, but because she wanted me to learn something. Most parents wouldn’t even think that their 12-year-old could learn something there. Mine did.

<em>Successful people stretch themselves.</em>

<strong>8. Experience is the greatest teacher</strong>. My mom used to pull me out of school all the time and take me on these wild trips and journeys. I would say, “Uh, mom, shouldn’t I be in school?” She would always answer the same way, “Chris, we can’t let school get in the way of your education!”

<em>Successful people understand that going to school can get you some knowledge and a degree, but nothing beats actually </em>doing it<em>.</em>

<strong>9. Some things are worth more than money.</strong> One of the greatest sacrifices my mother made for me was when I began high school. I did well in sports and played in the evenings, so my mom quit selling real estate, which takes up a lot of evenings, and took a lower-paying job as a secretary at the university. She rarely missed a game all through high school.

<em>Successful people realize there are some things money can’t buy.</em>

I was at a dinner party the other night when someone posed this question: Who has influenced your life the most? I thought for a minute and said what no

I was at a dinner party the other night when someone posed this question: Who has influenced your life the most? I thought for a minute and said what no | SUCCESS

9 Success Principles I Learned from My Single Mom | SUCCESS

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