The Success Principles

“Success is no accident. It is the result of conscious focus, action, and personal choice.”

1. Take Responsibility for Your Life

Your journey toward success begins with accepting full responsibility for your life. When things don’t go well, many people reflexively blame others or external circumstances. Instead of pointing fingers, you need to reflect on how your responses to these events shape your life. Shifting focus to your own actions allows you to reclaim control.

Success involves making better choices. If, for instance, you’re given $400, your decision to either spend it on something fleeting or invest it for long-term benefit determines the outcome of that opportunity. Opting for constructive actions builds the foundation for greater success. Similarly, examining your daily habits, like analyzing your diet and fitness regimen, can reveal what changes will help you achieve your goals.

But it’s not just about recognizing problem areas; it’s about taking proactive steps to address them. If an aspect of your life needs fixing, such as your finances or relationships, you are the only person who can change it. Self-discipline and honesty with yourself are non-negotiable tools for progress.

Examples

• Choosing to invest $400 in a mutual fund rather than spending it.
• Analyzing your eating habits and noticing unhealthy patterns.
• Taking initiative to fix a declining relationship instead of blaming the other person.

2. Define Your Purpose and Vision

Understanding what you want out of life is essential for success. This requires asking yourself deep, reflective questions to identify your purpose. Your purpose is essentially your reason for being—what drives and inspires you. In articulating your purpose, it’s helpful to focus on your strengths, interactions, and how you envision a better world.

Once you’ve identified your purpose, you can create a vision for your ideal future. Include everything from your dream job to the relationships you want, or even the lifestyle you envision. Breaking this vision down into smaller, clear, and measurable goals allows you to make tangible progress.

Historical examples prove the power of vision. Leaders like John F. Kennedy, who dreamed of landing on the moon, or Martin Luther King Jr., who envisioned equality for all, brought monumental changes to the world through their clearly defined goals. You too can achieve remarkable results with clarity and dedication.

Examples

• Creating a purpose statement that highlights your passion for mentoring others.
• Setting measurable goals to strengthen workplace relationships by offering six compliments by Friday.
• Recalling JFK’s vision of the moon landing as inspiration.

3. Visualization and Affirmation: Feel Success Before It Happens

Visualization and affirmation transform your goals into more realistic pursuits by allowing you to “live” them before they’ve materialized. The key is to state your goal as if it has already happened, and then mentally immerse yourself in the scenario.

For example, instead of saying, “I want a car,” you can affirm, “I feel thrilled driving my red convertible.” Pairing affirmations with vivid sensory visualization sharpens your sense of possibility. Imagine the sound of the car engine, the smell of the leather interior, and the feeling of the wind on your face. This practice motivates you to act by making your goal feel attainable.

Connecting emotions to visualizations adds energy to this process. When affirmations are charged with enthusiasm and positive imagery, your subconscious begins working harder to make them a reality—even suggesting creative solutions.

Examples

• Affirming, “I’m proud of my fitness as I complete a 5K run by June.”
• Visualizing and feeling the warmth of the sun in your dream vacation spot.
• Describing strong emotions like joy when meeting a professional milestone.

4. Overcome Rejection Through Perseverance

Success involves overcoming obstacles, including rejection. Taking “no” for an answer is often the easiest way to abandon your goals, but those who keep pushing eventually find opportunities that pay off.

Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of KFC, heard over 300 rejections for his fried chicken recipe before finding success in his seventies. Similarly, Stephen King was rejected repeatedly before selling millions of copies of his novel Carrie. These examples remind us that persistence ultimately paves the way to success.

Beyond rejection, mastering any craft also requires relentless effort. Take Debbie Macomber, who spent five years writing and rewriting before she got published. Building a successful career, relationship, or community initiative often boils down to commitment over shortcuts.

Examples

• Colonel Sanders facing and overcoming hundreds of rejections.
• Stephen King persisting until his novel became a bestseller.
• Debbie Macomber refusing to give up on her passion for storytelling.

5. Finish What You Start

Success requires clearing unfinished tasks off your plate. These incomplete projects drain mental resources, preventing you from focusing fully on greater goals. Whether it’s cleaning your garage or completing financial paperwork, the clutter in your life acts as a roadblock.

Scheduling “completion days” can be incredibly helpful. During such moments, decide whether tasks are worth doing, delegating, delaying, or dropping entirely. Even letting go of certain responsibilities can be liberating and open space for new opportunities.

Unfinished personal matters, like unresolved grudges, have a similar mental toll. Forgiveness, more than just an act of kindness, frees you from emotional burdens and allows positive energy to flow back into your life.

Examples

• Clearing clutter from your garage during a “completion weekend.”
• Writing a forgiveness letter to someone you’ve had tension with.
• Finally finishing minor repairs in your home that you’ve put off for months.

6. Reframe Negative Self-Talk

Your thoughts hold immense power over your outcomes. Negative mental loops often limit progress, but challenging these beliefs can unlock your potential. Self-doubt is often rooted in fear, but reframing these thoughts into empowering messages can change everything.

For instance, one railroad worker’s fear of freezing to death in a stuck car caused a real physical reaction, even though the temperature was far above freezing. His negative thoughts became his reality. On the flip side, asking yourself, “What would self-love say about this challenge?” can help you reframe inner criticism into positive motivation.

Compassionate inner dialogue translates to more productive actions. When you connect with your personal fears, you can shift the focus from what you lack to what you’re capable of achieving.

Examples

• Shifting “I can’t handle this job” to “I’m learning to overcome workplace challenges.”
• Recognizing inner fears as hidden forms of self-love.
• Using affirmations like, “I am capable and confident” when facing a tough meeting.

7. Build a Strong Support Network

Success is rarely a solo journey. Surrounding yourself with supportive people—mentors, peers, and collaborators—can accelerate your path to achieving goals. Building a mastermind group involves gathering a small team of skilled individuals to exchange advice and guidance.

Mentorship is another powerful tool. Successful people often share their experiences to help others avoid pitfalls. Don’t hesitate to reach out to people who inspire you; many are willing to share their strategies when directly asked.

Collaborative environments foster growth. Whether through mentors or mastermind groups, exchanging ideas and constructive feedback helps sharpen your abilities and keeps you accountable.

Examples

• Forming a mastermind group with six peers in your industry.
• A young entrepreneur gaining wisdom from an experienced mentor.
• Brainstorming innovative ideas during weekly coffee meetings.

8. Create Meaningful Relationships Through Honesty

Authentic connections enhance both personal and professional success. Honest communication strengthens trust and builds deeper relationships. For example, Jack Canfield risked losing a $730,000 contract by being upfront about project limitations, but honesty ultimately won him the contract.

Equally, people value recognition and appreciation. Research shows that employees rank appreciation as a top motivator, though bosses often underrate its importance. Expressing gratitude authentically can transform workplace or personal relationships.

Little gestures can make a big difference. Whether it’s verbal praise, handwritten notes, or thoughtful actions, showing you care reinforces bonds between people.

Examples

• Winning a contract by being transparent about terms.
• Writing thank-you notes to colleagues for their efforts.
• Learning how specific people prefer to receive appreciation.

9. Redefine Wealth Beyond Money

True wealth isn’t just financial—it’s mental, social, and emotional as well. Tangible assets matter, but long-term success also relies on strong relationships, good habits, and intellectual growth.

Successful people often prioritize health, education, and friendships, considering these their most valuable assets. Helping others makes life even more fulfilling. For instance, volunteering not only benefits the community but also boosts personal satisfaction and health.

Understand wealth in a holistic way. Use your skills to contribute to causes you care about and invest time generously in relationships and self-improvement.

Examples

• A charity founder gaining fulfillment by serving others.
• A young professional reinvesting energy into both work and family.
• A retired individual teaching skills to underprivileged students.

Takeaways

1. Complete one small, unfinished task today to regain focus and reduce distractions.
2. Write down one specific and measurable goal, and pair it with a vivid affirmation.
3. Identify and contact one person you admire for mentorship or advice.