"Success is...the continual achievement of your own predetermined goals, stabilized by balance and purified by belief."
- Resource Associates Corporation
In real life, many people get stuck in a professional or personal position where goals are defined for them. The result is frustration where no one feels fulfilled and the goals often are never reached. However, sometimes developing a successful business does not come 
easily or within the time frame that is initially envisioned. This is not only frustrating, but often creates self-doubts. Our research shows that the two key factors to a successful business are the commitment to a plan and the persistence to follow through with the plan.
There are a set of principles, however, that if applied, will pay rich dividends towards your personal and professional success. These eleven principles will give you some additional direction in creating a balanced, successful life.
As you continue to read, challenge yourself to identify which principles if implemented will take your business and life to the next level. Success, accomplishment, and life balance is right around the corner if you chose to do something about it - so - carpi diem - seize the moment!
1. Earn trust by giving it. We live a cynical world and it is becoming commonplace for people to want to see "it" before they believe "it". Trust in the business world is critical and you can build trust by being a person of your word and encouraging people to trust you by trusting them.
2. Take responsibility for your actions. Do what you say you are going to do! Admit it when you are wrong and take corrective action immediately. Make sure your actions are consistent with you values, and remember actions will always speak louder than words.
3. Get the facts before making a decision. Take the necessary time to collect the facts in order to make the best-educated decision. However, do not over do it - too much information can cause paralysis by analysis, which causes inactivity, and inactivity causes failure.
4. Go the extra mile. Decide to make a difference! Go the extra mile for your customers, your family, and yourself. The little things always matter and they will add up to a stronger business and better relationships.
5. Put first things first and last things not at all. Use your "must do" and "should do" lists effectively. Focus on the activities that will impact your business and life goals-let the rest go. Simplify your world by knowing what is important to you and prioritize accordingly.
6. Accentuate the positive. Focusing on the negative will always get negative results and will also make everything seem incredibly challenging. Focusing on the positive will unveil new possibilities and opportunities that will directly link to your goals...and it just feels much better.
7. Center your life on specific goals. Specific, measurable, attainable, realistically high, and time trackable goals are the key to success and the fulfillment of your purpose.
8. Devote yourself to lifelong learning. What goals have you established to exercise your brain muscles during this year? If you are unclear about the answer to this question, develop those goals now! Develop goals that will force you out of your own comfort zone- it will be a liberating and exhilarating experience.
9. Discover and follow your calling. We refer to it as discovering and following your passion. Understanding your passion is critical to your success and living a life of balanced fulfillment. Living your passion is not the impossible dream; it will always require focused commitment and the desire to be the best you can be.
10. Concentrate on what you do well. Everyone has been given specific and unique gifts. Determine what yours are and maximize them. Do not try to be somebody else - work on being the best YOU! Listen to others, learn from others, but follow your unique direction.
11. Pour a solid foundation of hard work. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy. Hard work is essential for a successful business with longevity. Hard work is required for success in personal relationships. Hard work is required for any kind of worthwhile goal accomplishment, however, some of the hardest work I have had to do, I have enjoyed the most.
So which of the eleven principles did you make a written note to address as it relates to improving your business, your life, and your current level of accomplishment? (We all know if we do not write it down the chances of it happening are slim.) One of them, half of them, all of them...the number you selected is irevelent. The commitment to take action is the most important step of all. Success in life is a continuous and evolutionary process. There really is no destination; there are only self-imposed limitations. Every day provides new challenges and if you are looking in the right places, it also provides the necessary solutions.
The question becomes; are you focused, committed enough to your predetermined beliefs and goals to create a life of balance, success and inner joy? You are the only person who truly knows the answer!
Copyright Tammy Quackenbush. Adapted with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
