How do YOU spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S?

In 1989, in a speech to the American Women’s Economic Development Corporation, Oprah Winfrey listed her personal ten commandments. This list appears in Oprah Winfrey Speaks: Insight from the World’s Most influential Voice, by Janet Lowe.

Oprah Winfrey’s Ten Commandments for Success

1. Don’t live your life to please others.
2. Don’t depend on forces outside of yourself to get ahead.
3. Seek harmony and compassion in your business and personal life.
4. Get rid of the backstabbers—surround yourself only with people who will lift you higher.
5. Be nice.
6. Rid yourself of your addictions—whether they are food, alcohol, drugs or behavior habits.
7. Surround yourself with people who are as smart or smarter than you.
8. If money is your motivation, forget it.
9. Never hand over your power to someone else.
10. Be persistent in pursuing your dreams.

No one can deny that Oprah is a role model for success. From humble beginnings, this business mogul gives you the impression that she's a "real person" ... the kind of person you'd really like to spend the day with. She also has a penchant for philanthropy -- paying it forward.

It is true that success means different things to different people. There are very few Oprahs in the world, but there ARE a lot of successful people. What makes a person successful?

My dear friend, Dr. Erna Harris, recently asked me to be a guest on her cable program Process for Profit to talk about just that ... what does it takes to be a success? If you ask any successful person, you are likely to get some variation on these keys to success ... they are really very simple:

• You have to have a dream. What are you reaching for? What is your goal? How will you know when you've achieved it?
• You have to have a true belief that you will achieve your dream. If you don't believe in yourself, who will? If you've ever read The Secret or heard about the "Law of Attraction," you know that believing that something will come to you ... putting out that positive intention ... is a powerful force.
• You have to have a plan. Believing in yourself is a wonderful start but you can't just sit around and wait for the universe to bring you good fortune (although some might say you should do exactly that). If you make a plan for achieving your dreams, the baby steps you take along the way help fuel your progress. Success breeds success!
• Just do it! Nike is right. Taking action ... doing it ... is a big part of achieving your dreams
• You have to really want it. When the going gets tough, your drive and determination will depend more on your sincere desire to achieve your dreams.

How do YOU spell S-U-C-C-E-S-S? Do you have a dream ... something that you've always wanted to do? Are there voices in your own head or from others around you that are holding you back?

Getting Your Bearings ...

• There will never be a "perfect time" to pursue your dream. If you find yourself making excuses for not following your dream right now, you may be getting in your own way. If you can recognize that, you can own it and move past it.
• It does take courage to pursue a dream. Many people spend their time thinking about "What would happen if I fail?". I would challenge you to think about "How will I feel when I succeed?"
• You'll need a personal cheerleader. Find a trusted friend or coach who will support you in the pursuit of your dream. I'm not suggesting you look for a "yes man (or woman)". You need the moral support of someone who is a good listener and who truly believes you deserve to be happy in what you do.

Think about your vision, believe in your dream, talk about it as though it is already here and before you know it ... you'll be living it!

Believe!