SEVEN CORE PRINCIPLES OF SUCCESS.

Success is not reserved for the privilege few. It results from cultivating certain positive habits and following through consistently.
Every single person has the capacity to be successful in every area of his or her life.
Successful people adopt a certain personality profile. They think, talk and act in certain ways, all of which can be condensed into seven principles.
Act on them with faith, persistence and determination and in no time, you will become a winner like other successful people! Below are the seven principles of success.

Set a clear vision.
This is the starting point to success. Think through and develop a clear vision of what exactly you want to achieve in life. One example is wanting to become a surgeon. Carry this vision in your mind at all times.

Define your goal.
The vision you set is the ultimate destination, which in this example is to become a surgeon. The goal sets the journey you need to undertake in order to arrive at the destination.
Using the example, assuming you have just completed your secondary school education, what you need next is to enroll in a junior college which on completion will qualify you to pursue a course in Medicine in a university.
Other consideration for the short term journey includes the need to obtain or set aside the necessary finance to complete your medical studies in the university.
These are the short term goals you need to formulate after thinking through in order for you to arrive at your final destination. Short term goals are like the resources you need to reach your final destination. Your goals should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely (SMART).

Plan your work and work your plan.
Work out a plan of action to reach both the short and long term goals. Break down your plan into smaller tasks or units especially if the task is too big. Sometimes you have to take a detour or longer time to reach one of your destinations.
It is okay. For example, if you do not do well in one subject in junior college and it is a compulsory subject for admission to the University for a Medical Course, you may have to do supplementary studies or repeat that subject.
Be conscious of your vision at all times. When you act with faith, determination and persistence, in alignment with your short and long term goals there is only one outcome- success.

Commit to action.
Make a firm commitment to action. Once you take action, stay committed and never give up. Once you deter in your commitment, your belief becomes shaky, and unstable. If you do that, your effort would just fall apart like a pack of cards.
You would have wasted all the time and energy you invested in your efforts. So, stay committed.

Use positive affirmations.
Form and write your positive affirmations that support the vision you have set, using short positive direct phrases in the present tense only.
Make a habit of repeating affirmations several times each day, especially just before sleeping (while lying on bed).
Say and repeat your affirmations mentally or aloud if it doesn’t disturb others. This will help to sustain your faith and persistence.

Eliminate negative influences.
Stay away from negative influences such as negative people, books, articles, etc. Surround yourself with things and people that boost your belief that you will succeed. Believe in a higher power residing in self that has been giving you whatever you need.

Maintain an attitude of gratitude.
Have faith that your vision is becoming a reality. Look around you and be grateful for things that you already have such as home, loving family, e.t.c. Just stay grateful. Give your time, money and service to others in need. Be kind and generous to all.
PROFILE: CHIKEZIE ALIGA. aligacp@yahoo.com