Seven Key Words for Success

These seven words, when used properly, hold the key to finding answers and solutions to every problem, obstacle, or barrier you will encounter. When you are faced with a problem, look at this list to determine what you need to do or be to solve it.

1. Change
To make things different in your life, you have to make one or more changes. Change happens all the time, and there is nothing we can do about it. Few things in life are static or permanent, and the "status quo" is never permanent. There are only two things in life that never change: truth, and the fact that everything else changes. Regardless of your background, you can become more.

Even when it is forced on us, change is good. We need constant emotional, spiritual, and intellectual stimulation so we can thrive and grow to become all that is in us to become.

If your life is not what you want it to be, let go of what is holding you back, and add to those things that will help you make it the way you want it to be. If everything in our lives is constantly changing, why do we have such a difficult time? Many people resist making changes because they are in a comfort zone. When they look outside and see all the other joys life has to offer, they say they'd like to have them, but not if it means leaving their comfort zone.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if we accepted change and even planned on it? But change is difficult for many people, primarily because we feel fear, inadequacy, discomfort, worry, or stress. To better view change, we should see it as inevitable. Change should not be feared or resented; it should be seen for what it is-a source of growth.

2. Choice
Life gives us the opportunity to grow. Whether you grow or not is your choice. You can choose to grow and become a happy, spiritual, and emotional giant or stay small. The choices are always yours, and you always have them.

By cultivating the Success Attitude and asking for help from knowledgeable mentors, you can avoid many of the pitfalls in the sidewalks of life. Should you fall in, you'll climb out with their aid. Your future is not in the hands of fate, your boss, the stars, or your circumstances; it is in your choices-the choices you make to determine your path and your destination.

When you are faced with a situation in which you are not happy or not getting what you want, ask yourself, "What am I doing to cause this?" and "What do I have to change in me, about me, or around me to make it the way I want it to be?" Most things that happen to you are either a direct or an indirect result of choices you make.

3. Truth
Only truth properly applied will free you from the bondage that ignorance and limited paradigms create. Are truth and being open and honest the same thing? Even though telling the truth is being honest, few are totally open with all the truth. When we conceal our real feelings, we're not being open; we are only telling part of the story and not being totally honest. Truth can be obscure if you are not looking for it, but when you have truth as your operating system, you'll stop giving other people or circumstances the power to control your life. You must own the role you play in your circumstances by acknowledging that the truth will free you to make the necessary changes to get what you want.

4. Trust
For a truly fulfilling life, trust is essential. You need to trust your mentors, your instructors, your spouse, your doctor, and your boss. Most importantly, you need to trust your own ability to learn, and trust that choosing to make changes will be beneficial.

Many people don't take action because they don't trust that it will make a difference. They don't trust that other people will care. But trust gives you the confidence to take action, and it is the cornerstone of all relationships. If you don't trust others for fear of being hurt, your growth will be severely limited .

Trust comes from making the decision to trust. Although many people feel that trust has to be earned, my motto is to trust everyone until I have reason not to. If someone breaks my trust, then it is difficult for me to know when to decide they can be trusted again. But when, or if, it ever happens, it still involves another decision to trust.

5. Ask
To get what you want you must be willing to ask. It is amazing how many people simply will not-or cannot-ask for what they want or need. Sometimes we feel selfish for asking for what we want or need, or we're embarrassed or afraid it will cause problems. Many times we find it difficult to ask for help of any kind, including candid feedback, because of pride or ego. For too many people, asking for direction implies they have either lost their way or are unaware of what to do. Asking for solutions to our problems means admitting we have problems in the first place.

But we should all learn that asking for help and direction is not a sign of weakness; it is the quickest way to get what you want-from your spouse, your friends, and God.

6. Decide
If you want things to be different in your life, you must decide to make changes. Action is the direct result of making a decision. Sometimes we are afraid to make decisions because we aren't sure of the outcome, but deciding to postpone-or refusing to make-a decision is still a decision. To make good decisions, you must gather information from reliable sources and then decide which of the choices will best suit you and your situation. Some decisions turn out to be wrong, and others don't give you the results you were counting on. Therefore, some decisions need to be revisited, and you must make course corrections. With the help of mentors, you can decide to choose which way is best for you to achieve your Core Desires. Once you settle on a plan of action, there may still be doubts and obstacles in your way, but to keep from wavering back and forth, simply choose to go for it. If it is a Core Desire, you will make the necessary decisions until you overcome all hurdles.

7. Risk
Our fear of taking risks nips many good ideas in the bud and kills many hopes and dreams. But we have to recognize that to venture out on any new path involves taking a risk. Don't let your fear of risk debilitate you. People who risk little, grow little. If you truly have a Core Desire, you will face the risk at all costs-and you will learn and grow. When you are struggling with a situation and find yourself stuck and not knowing what to do, where to go, or whom to turn to, make use of these seven words to help you assess where you need to go. In every situation, you hold the key to your own happiness. Only you can make things different and better. How fast-or how much-is up to you, but both are controlled by your Core Desires.

To create as much success, joy, and happiness in your life as you want, you must know your Core Desires, unleash your Conquering Force, and know that you can-given time-learn whatever you want to learn, create your own opportunity, and overcome all obstacles. You already hold the key to your success in your Core Desires. No outside tools, tactics, techniques, or methodologies have the power or capability to make you achieve success in any area; only your heart-set can do that. When you understand and follow this principle, you will experience the promised blessings.

Your ability to create success and happiness lies within your heart. Your success will always be a direct result of discovering your Core Desires. When you discover your Core Desires and unleash your Conquering Force, you will be successful in any endeavor. You will be able to create and live a life that is full of joy and satisfaction.

Indeed, the truth shall make you free.