5 Positive Steps for Success in Business and Life

1.  Articulate clearly what you’re about.  The ability to communicate who you are and what your goals are will attract the people you want in your business and your life.  Just as a business must clearly state what their mission is, i.e., to provide the best possible service quickly and efficiently at the best possible price, so it is in life.  By telegraphing your values to the world, you will attract people who share those values.
Think of the example of Steve Jobs, who articulated a clear vision of who he was, what he wanted to achieve and who he designed his products to serve.  JP Morgan Chase reaches out to people with this message of what they intend to provide clients:  “The right relationship is everything”.  
2. Live by a policy of continuous improvement.  How self-aware are you?  What are qualities you want to develop?  Growing as a business owner and as a person means that you are always improving your ability to do good things for yourself and to contribute to those around you.
Have you noticed that the best people in every walk of life update their skills?  They may have coaches, personal trainers and they practice their special skill.  Those activities pay off in many ways, for example, Celine Dion practices singing on a regular basis, and like sports teams, she has a coach or trainer to help her be at the top of her field.  
Most of us don’t have the resources to hire multiple professionals, but there are several cost-effective ways to strengthen and improve critical skills.  In the professional world you can join industry associations, or sign up for continuing education.  In our personal lives we can join a gym or special interest group.  Both can be good places to meet people who share your interests and values.
3. Be authentic and consistent to build a good reputation.  Everyone must have a good reputation to create sustainable success in both business and in life. 
When you hire someone to work for you, it could be a bookkeeper or accountant or a doctor, how often do you ask friends or associates for referrals?  One reason we ask for referrals is because we learn through experience that past performance is the best predictor of future performance.  We want to find the best possible professionals for the job.  Clients want the same thing, and in your personal life, don’t you want the people you have relationships with to be the most reliable and trustworthy?
4. Hold yourself accountable and keep your commitments. 
The quality of integrity is what most people look for, both in their professional and personal lives.  We count on people keep their promises to us.  If you call on a florist to send flowers to someone, you want those flowers to arrive at the right place and on time.  When you schedule appointments for work or dates with friends, can you be counted on to be ready or show up on time? 
5. Success is earned based on how we serve others. 
When we step outside ourselves and demonstrate our interest in what is important to others, people very often will respond in kind.  Through cooperation