Successwhen we hear this word the first thing we think about is financial success but there are other forms of success to be surepersonal success, spiritual success, successful relationships and so on. But money is the most commonly used measurement to gauge success. Have you ever-wondered how financially successful self-made people get that way? Earned success does not come by luck (although that helps) and its not hoping, wishing and fantasizing (although that is certainly part of the process).

No, success has rulesEvery product or service ever invented by mankind started as an idea. Ideas are only seeds that, when backed by the universal laws governing success, blossom into something greater, into products or services which change the course of destiny and the lives of people. Those laws, when understood and applied, have powerful benefits to the people who give birth to ideas and to investors who organize around them. The universal laws of success are not hard to understand yet, few people know about them and even fewer apply them. For review;

1. All you need is one sound idea. (Not just any idea, a sound ideaa simple idea can make millions)
2. A burning desire for its achievement (A red-hot desire)
3. Belief in your product or service (Develop the best product or service of which you are capable)
4. Faith in yourself & your associates (Have confidence, try whether you are ready or not)
5. Specialized knowledge (What are your interests and hobbies? What are you good at? Do it!)
6. An organized plan of action (You must have a business plan)
7. A decision to act with persistence (You must take and make a positive action everyday)
8. Organized financial capital (People and money gravitate to good ideas as surely as water flows downhill)

The two most important rules are having a sound idea and a plan. The simplest way to move toward turning your idea into reality is to write a business plan. Writing a business plan is exciting because it gets you thinking about your idea and as you work your plan you will see opportunities and obstacles in advance of spending money. If you have an idea, you may want to discuss it with someone you know and trust who has business experience and can help guide you. Then, get a spiral binder and jog down everything you know about your idea and begin to scratch out your plan whether you are ready or not, doing so breathes life into the idea (and the plan) as you write.

You want to think about legal and financial issues, research and development, production, management, marketing and sales as you develop your plan. You need a written plan to present your idea to the professional people who can help you get it up and off the ground. One approach is to offer professionals a piece of the pie in exchange for their services. You should have at least an attorney and accountant to protect you, your idea and business. These professionals are often networked and can refer you to other professionals you may need like bankers, investors, marketing people and the like. Success is not easy but it can be achieved if you really (really) want it.

Well discuss this topic further over time so you may want to clip this article and file it. I will leave you with these thoughts till next time: Set goals. Each night write down the six (6) most important things you have to do the next day pursuant to your goals and get em done! If you dont get them done, carry them over to the next day. If you dont have goals, any way you take will get you there.

Copyright 2005 James W. Hart, IV All Rights reserved