13. Esteem

In order to succeed and prosper you must first have an
appropriate level of self-esteem. A belief in self that is deep
and true, not merely a facade to impress or convince others.
It is not enough to have good ideas and be a good worker,
you must have the courage and belief in your own ways to
promote them at all costs.


Others will try and convince you that things like Ego, Selfishness,
Will Power, Determination, Self-centeredness, and other survival
modes are negatives, that they are destructive and even immoral.
But without the most basic sense of self-love, there is not even a
chance of  doing well in life.


We are our own best, greatest investor/cheerleader/supporter.
We have to be.


You may have to learn to sell yourself and the idea with more gusto,
or you may need to learn more people skills, business practice, etc
but unless you are willing to commit to 100% confidence and faith
in you--the bottom line--then all is for naught.


Own your own space.


Know that what you have is rock solid, and leave no room for doubt.
Because the world and your enemies and every friend you know has
not a single vested interest in anything concerning your success and
prosperity. You are utterly and incontrovertibly alone, and none will
mourn the failing of you or your dreams except you.


It's a hard fact, but it's sobering. You are the only person
you can ever truly count on.


So you'd better learn to like yourself. Love yourself. Be at one
with your ideas and your talent and your strengths. Because when the
time comes for the perseverance and dedication to get ugly, how you
feel on a gut level about your dreams and your abilities can not be faked.


This is the real game. No re-starts. No lifelines. No fairy godmothers
waving any magic wands.


If you can't fully stand behind what you want to do or who you are,
why on earth would anyone else want to?

Please Stand By

12. WILL POWER & DEDICATION

Once you have an initial goal in mind, the key is to
attack it with fervor. Goodness knows the number of
jobs I have held where I worked my fingers to the bone,
long hours and little pay, no reward or consideration, and
still I kept at it. I at least owe it to myself to maintain that
same sense of drive for my own interests.

We all have a domesticated willingness to devalue self 
and a subservience, because that is what society teaches;
we must have the will to break free. Will power is
necessary to accomplish anything, and it's frowned upon
by many as 'bad' because it makes the difference between
making it (and being competition for the 'winners') or
failing (and playing right into the hands of the manipulative
'masters.')
Commitment to your goals, the drive to keep at it no matter
what, and the push to make your own ideas come to pass
are all crucial for being successful. All of these practical
applications require more than lip service; they require true
force of will. Mind over matter.

You have to decide in your mind to succeed and that
you are dedicated to it regardless of the risk or results
or recriminations. You have to mentally prepare and be
determined before it can happen. (Knowing you can do it
also ties directly into esteem, so see step 13 for more on that.)

Dedication is perseverance. Doing the work that needs
doing no matter the difficulty. Complaints are of no
significance. Circumstance are of no importance. "Ain't no
use in complainin'...when there's a job to do..." And it has to be
actual and gut level; faking it won't cut it. You aren't being
paranoid; people are out to get you. (In fact, look only to
self to find the one person who truly supports your dreams.)

You can move  a 4-bedroom house full of furniture with
only your own body and will power, if you decide to.

You can take a diagnosis of a  'terminal illness' the 'medical
community' said would take you in 6 months time, and survive
hale and hearty for 4 & 1/2 years...if you decide to.

You can build a house your own way...
you can make a living your own way...
you can put a message on a van...
If you can imagine it, it can become reality.

Eyes on the prize.
Bottom line it.
Stick to it.
"Whatever it takes, Babycakes."

11. Vision

Most success seems to stem from one main factor; individuality.

Whether it is finding something you are good at and marketing the hell
out of it, finding a new and innovative way of doing the oldest and simplest
thing imaginable, or coming up with innovations and brand new ideas
that rock the global marketplace, it's all about unique vision.

Stepping off of the beaten path can be a perilous ordeal. Not everyone
has the chops to face the slew of Nay-sayers and Doubting Thomases who
will fail to comprehend what it is you're doing.

Others are critical enough; if they are unable to see a solution or concept
in the way you do, or fail to understand the feasibility of bringing it about,
you may be all alone.

Keeping a sound, vivid image of what it is you're working for...keeping in
touch with that fire inside.... will be crucial to maintain enthusiasm when you hit
roadblock after roadblock.

They say that in order to create something, you first have to be able to envision
it coming into creation. That keeping a visible reminder--especially a physical
construct like a Vision Board of diagrams, artists' renderings, proposals-- will
help you better maintain the focus, allowing your vision to become reality.

10. Comprehension

Comprehensiveness is key to any plan.

What is it that you desire?

"Do you know where you're going to?"
(or are you merely along for the ride?)

What are your goals?

How do you intend to achieve them?

If you can't answer these questions,
then chances are that you won't make things
happen. We must have a road map and
a destination in order to get somewhere.
Otherwise, we can end up anywhere.

**************************************

"LIVING WITHOUT A DEFINITE MAJOR
PURPOSE PROMISES NOTHING BUT A
SCANT LIVING.

You may get by in life without a Definite Major
Purpose, but you will never get ahead. Definiteness
of purpose is the starting point of all achievement.
Financial goals in particular should be specific,
definite, and measurable. You should know what
you plan to earn, by when, and how you plan to
do so. The greatest advantage of financial security
is the peace of mind that comes from knowing that,
whatever challenges life brings, you are equipped to
deal with them. You will be better at whatever you
choose to do because you can focus on opportunities
instead of struggling to eke out a living"
- Napoleon Hill Foundation

**************************************
This isn't to say that a solid goal can't change
based on new information, a change in desire,
or some other positive response to life's ever
changing circumstances.

But you have to have a solid vision to start.

Lack of vision and clarity can keep us mired
down in the same old thing, day after day.

Looking beyond the immediate, and being able
to imagine something more--something better--is
key to being able to get there.

9. Close to the Vest

Business people and successful people can be
passionate about things, and utilize emotion in
their quest, but pick and choose what you share.

Keep personal matters and deep emotions, as
well as your history and interests, very close to
the vest. Most people will traffic in the commerce
of your personal business, even innocently.

And a friend or worker today may be an adversary
or competition tomorrow, so don't give all your info
away.

The old adage "Never let them see you sweat" is a
good one. People might expect that you are weak or
nervous, but unless they see the results or proof of
it, it is just speculation. It's always bad energy to let
people see your inner workings...to know that you
fear or have troubles.

Not everyone is looking for you to succeed...not even
the people supposedly in your camp. So the less you
let your Achilles' heels be exposed, the more poised
and ready for battle you are.

Never leave the house without a game plan. You
don't want anyone outside of yourself to see you
less than confidant, affable, and strong.

If you have to, fake it.

There are great affirmations, books, tapes, mantras
and more designed to help get you into a strong spirit
before you take on the world.

Do the leg work.

8. Budget

There is no alternative to budgeting.


If we want to be better off, we must have
a set determination of what expenses are
allowable. No matter if we are bringing home
$400 a month or $ 400,00 a year....a budget is
crucial. Money tends to spend itself when there
is no plan put into affect.


Yes, things happen that create need. But even
then, there has to be a rational response of
cautious preparation before we just hand over
money.


In considering a budget, absolutely every expense
needs to be put out on the table;
* Gas, food, electric, and all the regulars.
* Quarterly and bi-annual bills
* Expenses for things we anticipate down the road
(school costs, trip extras, special events)
* Regular needs (oil changes, haircuts, etc)
* 'Unexpected' costs like car and appliance repair


Then, you have to prioritize. Not everybody who
tries out for the team makes it; it's just reality. Some
stuff falls to the side of the road.


This is where the maturity and discipline come in.
You can't be buying dinner out if you're behind on the
light bill. You can't rent movies and pay for cable if
the car's about to be repossessed.


Once hard decisions are made about who can--and can't--
be paid, the real work comes in. Handling and controlling
the money once it is 'available.'


Some people cannot have cash in their hands, or it
will be gone. It's too easy to just blow it on the first
several things that come along.


If we aren't responsible enough to refrain from spending
wildly, we can have a plan for bill paying.

Get help if need be. Develop new habits for how we handle
the money--or credit cards.


But make a plan, and stick to it. Consistency is the key.
And remember, that every good thing on this earth
requires sacrifice.