My Top 10 Rules for Success

“Define success on your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life you’re proud to to live.”

When I retired from the corporate world, I had the luxury of time to ponder upon my journey to success and my own definition of the word — the “Big S,” as I call it. For me, success is the realization of my dreams, broken down into small goals and targets. It is something uniquely built in my own perspective; something born within and not from other peoples’ perception. In my moments of reflection, I figured out the rules to achieve personal success, and I want to share this with you, our readers. Here are My Top 10 Rules for Success:

1. Always have a dream.
   Everything starts with a dream.  When we were young, we were always asked: “What do you want to be when you grow up?” We role-play being a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, a teacher, an entrepreneur, etc. Our dream becomes our goal. When we encounter stumbling blocks and difficulties, we hold on to it, making it our energy booster that gives us strength and hope. We can endure pain and failures that come our way. Without it, we don’t have direction and focus.
2. Work hard. Life is not easy.
   I have not known a successful person who did not work hard.  They actually work harder than others. Their favorite principle? “No pain, no gain.” It is a reality. Life itself is difficult with accompanying pains, stress and daily challenges. Whether you are a student, an employee, or business owner, hard work is a main ingredient. Do what is uncomfortable and be brave to explore the possibilities outside of your comfort zone.
3. Always be grateful.
   My parents taught me that gratefulness is the most important virtue of all. Without it, you’re nothing! The simplest way to show gratefulness is by saying thank you to our parents for having sacrificed for us, to our teachers for the gift of education, our friends for being there for us, and to God for the gift of life and everyday blessings. However, being grateful should not be used to favor somebody for personal gain. It must be pure, sincere, and honest.
4. Think positive!
   Our thoughts manifest our behavior. If we entertain positive thoughts, we will achieve positive results. A positive mindset makes everyday life pleasant and happy while negative thinking makes it miserable. Worries, stress, and fears bring bad vibes and disasters. Having a positive attitude is a choice, a decision. Be surrounded with positive people that will not poison the air with toxins and harmful chemicals. Wear masks of positivity and pleasantness to ward off negative people.
5. Define your purpose.
   If dream is a big thing, purpose is deeper! It is a mission that’s bigger than yourself.  Purpose creates an impact that affects a wider group of people. There are two important events is our life: the day we are born and the day we know why. Ask yourself, what is your big “why”? Our life’s purpose is the reason we are fighting for, and despite temporary failures, nobody can stop us from achieving our mission. Without it, we would perish.
6. Love what you do and give your best.
   Loving what you do is different from doing what you love. Every day is an assortment of tasks and things that we need to do.  While it is fun and fulfilling to do the things that you love, you’ll discover your inner passion by loving everything that you do and giving it your best shot. When you do something, don’t give a so-so performance. It is very important that you have a burning desire to accomplish something, not just for the sake of doing it.
7. Read! Read! Read!
   Reading is the best source of education. It takes you to different places and gives you the best sources of information and experiences. It allows you to acquire knowledge and learning about the world without spending too much. Success is not just about academic excellence; we gain more from reading than what is taught inside the classroom. I cannot imagine learning without passion for reading. Start reading to your kids while they are still in the womb. Make it an everyday habit.
8. Walk the extra mile. Reach out.
   Do not just do what is required of you. Do something beyond expectations. Reach out, volunteer, or render extra services. We learn to handle bigger responsibilities by walking the extra mile, and when we get used to it, we develop a thirst to achieve more. When we give more than a hundred percent, we become indispensable to people and emerge as great leaders.
9. Take action today!
   Not yesterday, not tomorrow, but today! Remember that if you did well yesterday, there is no guarantee that it will be the same for today or tomorrow. Practice leaving the past behind and do not be overwhelmed by your previous wins. Always do everything today as if it were your last. If you plan on doing something tomorrow and you still have time to do it today, just do it.
10. Leave a legacy.
    Leave something behind; something that will make people remember you even if you are no longer around. Legacy is not just about material things, it is something bigger than us, something that will live on from one generation to another such as principles and values that will stand the test of time. In the corporate world, the best way to leave a legacy is to develop your successor — the person who will continue your purpose, vision, and mission for the organization. A legacy is bigger than figures and profits. It is the driving force that defies all limits and failures.  When all else fails, never give up. Leave a legacy!

Success is not measured by other people’s standards, what matters is your inner perspective and self-fulfillment. It does not depend on how much money you have in the bank, how big your house is, or how many cars you have. Success is intangible and cannot be measured.

There is no secret recipe to success. Everything is a given, it’s just up to you to work hard to own it.