5 Thinking That May Be Hurt Your Success

The world has more than 7 billion people in it, and no two are the exact same. All of that diversity makes for exciting business possibilities. But when it comes to the success of your own business, only one person can provide the motivation: you.

Related: The 10 Biggest Motivation Killers and How to Fix Them (Infographic)

And that brings up the question of what creates motivation. Some people, for instance, are inspired by fear; they use it as fuel to move forward. An entrepreneur terrified of going back to a corporate world job may use that fear to stay motivated, to move forward and create a sustainable business. Others may become paralyzed and depressed. What motivates you in your business?

Through my life-coaching practice and research for my next book, Adventures for Your Soul, I discovered that through our vast differences, we are more similar than we realize. We all want love, acceptance and appreciation. And when it comes to running a thriving business, the way we approach the process is essential for long-term results. You may have habits hurting your business, but you can transform them by answering the following questions.

1. Are you a 'why bother?' person, or a 'why not?' person?

Problems are an inevitable part of business. But how we approach them depends on our point of view of the world. A why bother? person falls back on excuses or reasons a project can’t be done. Maybe it’s been done before, or it will take too much time or money, so they throw their hands up in the air and say, “Why bother?” "Why not?" people, however, look for solutions in the unknown territory of life. These are the people who, instead of saying something can’t be done, say, “Watch me. Why not try? I have nothing to lose.”

2. Do you focus on reasons or results?

Motivational speaker Marie Forleo has said, “You either have reasons or results.” People fall into one of two buckets when it comes to making their dreams come true. They focus on all the reasons their dreams can't be realized, or else the results they want to see.

If you yourself are trying to reach new heights, you have to do what you haven’t done before. You have to focus on the possibilities and results possible for you.Results-driven people often make their dreams come true faster, and they are happier, healthier and wealthier for it.

3. Do you think 'it can't be done,' or do you find a way?

I teach marketing and entrepreneur classes at the college level. Last week, I proposed a problem for my students to solve. One student raised her hand and politely said, "It can’t be done." I smiled and replied, "With that mindset, you are right. But if you take on the focus that itcan be solved, you will be able to solve it." The students who thought they could solve it did. Those who said it couldn't be done stayed stuck.

The results we see in life are based on what we think. What you think, you become. If you want new results, look for new ways to approach old problems.

4. Do you follow the rules, or are you comfortable breaking them?

Rules are set for a reason: to keep order, respect, and policies in place. But some rules are better broken. In your life, playing it safe can often hold you back. People you admire, leaders and business owners who move society forward often break rules. Give yourself permission, then, to break more rules, and you will feel more fulfilled and free. 

5. Do you see the world as a threatening, harsh place, or a kind, loving one?

We will attract what we believe. If you look at the world in a negative light and see only hate, sadness and pain, you will feel more of that in your life, and your business will feel like a struggle. But when you focus on small acts of kindness, on love, on opportunity and hope, you will have more opportunities and joy will be yours for the taking.

How Persistent Are You Towards Success

This parable is told of a farmer who owned an old mule. The mule fell into the farmer’s well. The farmer heard the mule praying or whatever mules do when they fall into wells. After carefully assessing the situation, the farmer sympathized with the mule, but decided that neither the mule nor the well was worth the trouble of saving. Instead, he called his neighbors together, told them what had happened, and enlisted them to help haul dirt to bury the old mule in the well and put him out of his misery. Initially the old mule was hysterical! But as the farmer and his neighbors continued shoveling and the dirt hit his back, a thought struck him. It suddenly dawned on him that every time a shovel load of dirt landed on his back, HE WOULD SHAKE IT OFF AND STEP UP! This he did, blow after blow. “Shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up… shake it off and step up!” He repeated to encourage himself. No matter how painful the blows, or how distressing the situation seemed, the old mule fought panic and just kept right on SHAKING IT OFF AND STEPPING UP! It wasn’t long before the old mule, battered and exhausted, stepped triumphantly over the wall of that well! What seemed like it would bury him actually helped him … all because of the manner in which he handled his adversity. THAT’S LIFE! If we face our problems and respond to them positively, and refuse to give in to panic, bitterness, or self-pity.

4 Ways To Ignite Your Passion By Lewis Howes

Have you ever heard the saying “Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life?” It’s a secret that people who are passionate about their work have come to understand.

Many struggle to know what it is they are truly passionate about, let alone how to make an income doing it.  

Unfortunately, passion isn’t something we traditionally see in the everyday office workplace. Individuality is discouraged in most corporate environments. People who are especially “eccentric” tend to wither in that world and eventually fade out.

But what if eccentric is just another way to say “being yourself”? Because we all have little eccentricities, somewhere, and we exude the most fun and passion when we let our freak flag fly. In eccentricity often lies innovation, vision and creativity -- all things that are incredibly valuable.

At some point in elementary school it becomes no longer “cool” to show too much excitement. The kids who maintain their exuberance beyond the age of 8 or so tend to be ostracized and shunned. At such an early age we internalize that our passion needs to be watered down so we can fit in.

In today’s ever changing job market, it is actually imperative that you stand out -- not fit in. This is why your passion, if it has died out,  must be reignited. So that you can be outstanding.

Here is where the work begins. First let’s address how you can relocate your passion if you have lost it.

1. Remember what you used to love.

As we grow up we tend to forget what we lost ourselves in as kids. What were the things that lit you up and you could spend hours immersed in? For me, one of those things was basketball. Maybe you loved climbing trees or making up songs or playing video games with your friends. Maybe it was art or music or writing stories in your bedroom.

Try to remember what it was that made you happiest. If childhood doesn’t offer any answers, try digging into the most recent memory of your happiest moments. Name that thing that you love.

2. Do what you love consistently.

This is important. Especially if it has been a long time. You owe it to yourself and to the world to bring your passion back into your life.

Start with one day a week. Maybe a dance class, or get back to the gym for a pickup game.See how it feels. See how you shift. Take that passion with you into the next day and see how you can bring it into the world by sharing the good with others.

Maybe you smile more. Maybe your work is more creative.

3. Don’t wait for it, create it.

Passion comes from within. That’s why it can be so elusive, because we start waiting for the world to bring passion to us rather than cultivating it ourselves.

We are passive, waiting to be entertained. We seem to have forgotten that we are the ones who are in charge of hosting the parties and creating experiences in our lives. Unless you bring something to the table, who would want to invite you to theirs?

So by doing what you are passionate about consistently, you will remember how to exercise your passion muscles.

4. Get outside the comfort zone.

Maybe you don’t have the ability to do the things you once loved due to injury or other limitations. This doesn’t mean you give up on passion, it means you get to start exploring. You really never know what activities or pursuits may captivate you once you engage in them.

Ultimately, it is up to you to generate the passion that will inspire others and the world. When you master that, you will see your self worth increase and therefore your net worth.

The Greatest Gift You Can Give

The best contribution you can make to someone else is your own personal development. If you become 10 times wiser or 10 times stronger, think of what that will do for your adventure as a father... as a business colleague... as a friend.

So the best gift you can give to others, really, is your ongoing personal development—getting better, getting stronger, becoming wiser.

If you have ever ridden in an airplane, then you might have noticed the oxygen compartment located above every seat. There are explicit instructions that say, "In case of an emergency, secure your own mask before helping others." Take care of yourself first. If we used that same philosophy throughout our whole life, it would be so valuable.

I think parents should pick up this valuable philosophy. If the parents are OK, the kids have an excellent chance of being OK. If you learn to create happiness, your kids have an excellent chance of being happy. If you create a unique lifestyle for yourself, it will be a great example to serve your family.

Self-development enables you to serve, to be more valuable to those around you—for your child, for your colleague, for your business, for your community.

That's why I teach development skills. If you keep refining all the parts of your character, yourself, your health so that you become an attractive person, you'll attract opportunity. Opportunity will begin to seek you out. Your reputation will begin to precede you and people will want to be close with you, to do business with you.

All of that possibility is created by working on the philosophy that success is something you attract by continually working on your own personal development.