In previous editions of Success Strategies, we’ve talked about how in order to be successful, we must first define what success means to us, and that means getting CLEAR about what you want, writing it down, and thinking BIG!

Success Begins with Believing. If you are going to be successful in spite of a recession and create the life of your dreams, you have to believe that you are capable of making it happen. You have to believe you have the right stuff, that you are able to pull it off.

You have to believe in yourself. Whether you call it self-esteem, self-confidence, or self-assurance, it is a deep-seeded belief that you have what it takes – the abilities, inner resources, talents, and skills to create your desired results.

I awoke to deep sweats only to find out it wasn’t a dream. I had locked myself up behind the bars of life. Dripping furiously with fear, anxiety, and worry that I let life over exhaust me, I became invisible to myself. I had sought the acclaim others gave me all the time on my validation of worth. I literally was being controlled by others opinions of me. Eventually I lost sight all together of whom I was and goals I had set.

One great question underlies our experience, whether we think about it consciously or not: What is the purpose of life? I have considered this question and would like to share my thoughts in the hopes that they may be of direct, practical benefit to those who read them.

I believe that the purpose of life is to be happy. From the moment of birth, every human being wants happiness and does not want suffering. Neither social conditioning nor education nor ideology affects this. From the very core of our being, we simply desire contentment. I don’t know whether the universe, with its countless galaxies, stars, and planets, has a deeper meaning or not, but – at the very least – it is clear that we humans who live on this earth face the task of making a happy life for ourselves. Therefore, it is important to discover what will bring about the greatest degree of happiness.

You must know the type of the person who has the Midas touch.  That person who, no matter what they do, come out smelling of roses.  They don’t work particularly harder than anyone else, they just seem to have that knack of ‘striking gold’. Opportunities seem to come their way and, to be fair, they know how to make the best of them.

Other people seem to struggle financially no matter what they do.  They may be able to make ends meet, but enjoying greater comforts in life, seems beyond their reach.  No matter how hard they work, they cannot seem to break this cycle. They wonder why is it so hard for them to prosper financially, while it seems so easy and for others.  What does the first type of person have that the second type doesn’t?