;)

       When I ask people to describe characteristics of successful
people, they often identify characteristics that they associate
with others but not themselves. This never ceases to amaze me.

In a recent Red Ladder survey, respondents indicated that the top
two drivers for success were 1) having a strategic vision (87.5%)
and 2) having written goals (50.0%). Further, 62.5% indicated
that their definition of success was "work that is both
challenging and rewarding." Interestingly, no one indicated that
their definition of success was "being financially secure."

We all have the capacity to be successful. The question is, how
successful do you want to be? Here are some key characteristics
exhibited by successful people. Most successful people:

1. Have clearly identified their core values/ mission/ vision.
These comprise the compass by which key life decisions are made.
If a mariner didn't have a compass, how successful do you think
she would be navigating the world's oceans? You need a compass
too.

2. Create a personal definition of success. This is not what
society defines as success. Your personal definition of success
becomes your map and it goes hand-in-hand with your core vales/
mission/ vision. If you don't define success, how will you know
when you achieve it?

3. Have clearly defined, written goals. According to a Yale
Study, 3% of the graduating class of 1953 identified goals and 20
years later, those who had written down their goals appeared
happier and more content. Further, the same 3% that had written
down their goals had achieved more wealth than the remaining 97%
of their classmates put together! Need I say more?

4. Develop competency in negotiation. During interviews with
successful women in business, negotiation was cited as the most
critical factor in getting what was wanted both personally and
professionally. Successful people understand that negotiation is
not only about getting what you want, but getting what you
deserve. If you can't or won't negotiate the results and outcomes
you want for yourself, then who will?

5. Embrace risk-taking. People who are comfortable taking risks
typically experience increased autonomy, heightened self-esteem,
a more positive attitude toward life and an increased sense of
personal power. Most successful people I speak to, see and seize
opportunity. They recognize that taking risks typically involves
personal growth. Those with an aversion to risk often link risk
with failure. What is failure? Simply a judgment about events.
So, instead, view risk as a learning opportunity. Remember, no
risk, no reward!

6. Engage in continuous learning. One successful man I spoke to
indicated that, "continuous learning is key if you want to get
ahead in life." Does that mean formal education? It might, but
for most, it simply means staying current in their field or
maintaining expertise in an area of passion. And if your field of
expertise also happens to be your area of passion, then you are
really onto something!

7. Think big. Successful people aren't afraid to think big.
During a recent seminar, I asked participants to write down one
goal they would like to accomplish and to think big. One woman
shared with the group that she was a professional speaker and
that her goal was to replace Oprah Winfrey when she retires in
2008. I followed up with her recently and discovered that she is
currently in discussions with a local broadcast company is being
considered for an afternoon TV program. That's the power of
thinking big.

Woody Allen once said "eighty percent of success is showing up."
To inflate your success, it's the other twenty percent that is
most critical, that is, hard work combined with the desire to
succeed. If you do nothing else, carve out time to craft a
strategic vision for yourself, write down your goals and
remember, think big!



---------------------------------------------------------------------
Regina Barr is a business consultant and speaker with a special
passion for helping women achieve leadership success. Regina
helps companies develop strategies to attract, develop and retain
women leaders. Subscribe to Regina's monthly Ezine for women
in business at http://www.RedLadder.com
Author:  Regina Barr

1|| Title: ENDING PROCRASTINATION by Jim Rohn 
2|| Title: Why You MUST Have a Photo in Your Internet Personals Ad 
3|| Title: The Willingness To Heal 
4|| Title: Catching Up With Your Life 
5|| Title: Are you doing Great Work? Or merely Good Work? 
6|| Title: 6 Steps To Ensure You Always Have A Job 
7|| Title: Bouncing Back From Difficult Times 
8|| Title: Are Your Goals Exciting? 
9|| Title: Goals Help In Getting Out Of The "Pits" 
10|| Title: A Glimpse Of Your True Nature... 
11|| Title: Seven Tips for Boosting Your Self Confidence 
12|| Title: Getting Motivated By A Motivational Speaker? 
13|| Title: Giving Up In Dealing With Your Fears Is Not An Option 
14|| Title: Achieving Your Personal Best: Making The Leap From Good To Great 
15|| Title: How to Keep The Job You Have (Even When Times are Tough) 
16|| Title: Seven Strategies for Inflating Your Success 
17|| Title: 10 Differences between Winner & Loser 
18|| Title: Managing The Fear Of Loneliness 
19|| Title: Warning Signs: Your Guy May be a Mr. Wrong instead of Mr. Right 
20|| Title: Proven Ways to Lose Weight Quickly and Naturally 
21|| Title: Discover How Online College Classes Work 
22|| Title: How to Have a Happy Marriage 
23|| Title: Build The Confidence To Approach Other People, Through The Power Of Compassion! 
24|| Title: Managing The Fear Of Rejection In Today’s World 
25|| Title: Zen Listening and Communication 101 
26|| Title: Achieve Your Goals – Tips From A Life Coach 
27|| Title: We Were Meant to Fly 
28|| Title: How You Can Get Anything You Want In Life In 68 Seconds 
29|| Title: Four Tips To Help You Set And Enforce Family Boundaries 
30|| Title: 9 Steps To Living Abundantly 
31|| Title: Getting Through The Day When Your Anxieties Are Out Of Control 
32|| Title: Alcohol And Substance Abuse Will Not Take Away Your Fears 
33|| Title: The Drugs Don’t Work! 
34|| Title: Effective Time Management - Ten Top Tips 
35|| Title: Universal Law Series - The Law Of Belief 
36|| Title: Do You Have Problems Getting Things Done? 
37|| Title: Where To Find Happy People! 
38|| Title: Facing The Fear And Anxiety Of The Unknown 
39|| Title: The Leadership Development Plan 
40|| Title: The Day X-Mass Went Up For Sale 
41|| Title: Every Garden is Attacked 
42|| Title: A Review Of Techniques In Managing Your Depression 
43|| Title: Considering Becoming A Life Coach? 
44|| Title: R… E… S… P… E… C… T…: Four Tip s For Teaching Your Child Respect 
45|| Title: Travel Single and Safe in Italy 
46|| Title: New Job Tips: Starting A New Job Next Week? 
47|| Title: Divorced And Penniless - Why It Can Happen To You 
48|| Title: Ever Thought About Being A Commercial Pilot? 
49|| Title: Success Is Based On A Realistic Plan 
50|| Title: Mommy What’s A Hurricane? Helping Your Child Cope with Natural Disaster 
51|| Title: Getting A College Degree After The Military 
52|| Title: Tips To Get Into College 
53|| Title: 3 Steps To Forgiveness 
54|| Title: The Success Zone 
55|| Title: Managing Your Fears, Anxieties, Depression, OCD, And Panic Attacks 
56|| Title: Discernment And Judgement 
57|| Title: Sexual Enhancement Food 
58|| Title: Who Is Responsible For Solving All Of Life's Problems? 
59|| Title: Memories Are Made Of This! 
60|| Title: Our Worst Enemy 
61|| Title: Life Experiment in Wealth and Abundance 
62|| Title: Are You Lost or Are You Found? 
63|| Title: If I'm not accepted, I'm not okay 
64|| Title: Everything You’ve Ever Learned about Public Speaking Is Wrong 
65|| Title: The 80/20 Success Secret 
66|| Title: How To Start Now 
67|| Title: 8 STEPS TO UNLEASHING YOUR GENIE... 
68|| Title: On-Line Libraries 
69|| Title: THE SEVEN C's OF SUCCESS by Brian Tracy 
70|| Title: THE BILLIONAIRE'S STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS by Brian Tracy 
71|| Title: 10 Steps To Better Decision Making 
72|| Title: Get Over Your Need for Acceptance and Get on with Your Life 
73|| Title: The Secret for Overcoming Procrastination 
74|| Title: WHY GET RICH WHEN YOU CAN BE WEALTHY? by Chris Widener 
75|| Title: Expressing Your Love Through Service 
76|| Title: Great Salary Negotiation Tips 
77|| Title: Boost self-esteem tip #1: Think back to when you did something new for the first time. 
78|| Title: Build self-esteem if you were not born with it 
79|| Title: Finding Inspiration to Realise Your Dreams and Ambitions 
80|| Title: Three Inspirations for Happiness 
81|| Title: How to Give Yourself a Motivational Warm Up When You Wake Up 
82|| Title: Motivational Operations 
83|| Title: 10 Motivational Triggers That Make People Buy 
84|| Title: Tips and Motivational Advice for Keeping Fit One Day at a Time 
85|| Title: Setting Goals That Empower The Business Owner 
86|| Title: Don't You Quit! 
87|| Title: Home-Based Business Breakthroughs - 8 Powerful Strategies 
88|| Title: Guide to Internet Business - Website Setup 
89|| Title: A Home Based Business - Who, Why, When and Where To Start? 
90|| Title: 3 Easy, Money Making Internet Business Models 
91|| Title: How To Be Motivated Without A Motivator 
92|| Title: If you try, your dreams might come true! 
93|| Title: Forget "Thinking" Outside The Box....GET Outside The Box 
94|| Title: The Thriver's Secrets to Success™: It Starts With Your Attitude - Get a Grip and Go®! 
95|| Title: 5 DIY Anti-Aging Tactics. 
96|| Title: Is Wealth For Me? 
97|| Title: Time in a… Shoe? 
98|| Title: What is your Charisma Quotient? 
99|| Title: The Ten Pillars of Leadership and Business Development 
100|| Title: About Happiness and Fulfillment