How many times have you said "I want to be successful?"

How many times have you said, "If I only had X, then my life would be perfect and I would be so successful!

See, we all look at what success is in a completely different way. In many cases, Success is not an easy concept to define. What does it take to be successful? How does success look? When should a person feel like a success? Once success is achieved, how can new goals be set without diminishing the value of one’s previous accomplishments?

Can success ever be realized when time is finite and obligations seem endless? These questions may be answered best with the following question, “Who is the person defining success?”

The answer to these questions is simple; just decide that it is now time for YOU to take the step to define your own vision of success by developing a personal mission statement.

A personal mission statement is developed by focusing on the qualities that make you unique, such as, who you are, what you would like to do, your hopes, fears and wishes. It can be as ambitious or as simplistic as you desire, and it is ever-changing.

What if you don’t feel confident enough to create a personal mission statement? Start with a group of goals you would like to accomplish over the next year. Keep experimenting until you find an idea that you believe you were meant to relentlessly pursue.

Remember, it is YOUR mission and it can change as you grow and excel; you are the only limit to what you can become. Still having trouble defining personal success? Imagine that a genie were to grant you three wishes. If all you can come up with is, "I would like to be rich and thin," you haven’t taken enough time to know your true goals.

The whole process of creating a personal mission statement is like creating your own road map to success. You will have to dig deep to find what is inside you that makes you tick and then simply ask yourself what you would DO if you were rich and thin and you will see a hint of your true mission.

Now ask yourself if any of the things you named are things you can do right now and, if so, why do you choose not to follow through.

This is a very personal key. Measuring your standards on a bar set by others means permanently installing yourself on a treadmill of your own making. Have the courage to determine what you want out of life and make a promise to yourself that you will not settle for less than your vision of success. I see this dilemma often among clients and students who are new in the investing game. Some of my students are stay-at -home moms who would really like to work at least part-time. Many feel unfulfilled and dream of "making it big". Others are working at careers that leave them unsatisfied, when they would really prefer to spend more time with their children.

And although we don’t often hear about this dilemma among men, there are a growing number of men who are sharing equally in the day-to-day activities of taking care of the children who at the same time dream of more flexible work schedules. But somehow they end up trapped! Rob, why is this happening, they say!

Well, the key is for YOU to take the time to determine what is most important in your life and be honest with yourself as you identify a personal mission statement.

When you take the time to know where you are headed, you will begin to see opportunities that will help you reach your goals. By honoring your vision of success, you'll be in the best position to take that next bold step toward personal fulfillment.

Don't rush out to change the world overnight, just start with a few things you want to change, ideas you want to pursue, people you want to meet, or a new hobby you want to try.

Then, when you see an opportunity or a possibility in life that will move you toward your goal, than embrace the challenge and GO FOR IT!

The bottom line is that you are able to create your own reality. YOU are the only person who can determine what it is that you will create with your life's mission.

Finally, WRITE IT DOWN and look at it daily! This is THE ROADMAP to success in YOUR life, so follow the map that you create and you WILL end up wherever you deserve and desire to be!

It really is that simple!

To Your Continued Success,

Robert Paisola

Robert Paisola
www.trumpworldwide.com