Keys to Success - making dreams come true!

I am fascinated by what makes people tick. People watching is one of my favorite things to do and I can't help but wonder as I watch them, what their story is, who they are, what their lives are like. I think that's the author in me. My father is a Psychology professor, maybe some of that rubbed off on me.
I'm particularly fascinated by people who are survivors, who have exhibited an amazing ability to exercise the human will and overcome incredible odds. I also enjoy hearing about people who have achieved great success and I am inspired by certain aspects of their character that allows them to achieve their dreams and goals.
I found a wonderful list on the internet I thought would be interesting to share. I believe inside every person is greatness. And usually, the only thing holding us back from making our dreams come true is . . . ourselves. Sometimes it's fear, sometimes it's doubt, sometimes it's laziness. No matter what, we all have the key to unlock that greatness. We just have to use it.

I hope you take these not-so-secret, secrets to heart and realize your dreams – whatever they may be.
1. How You Think is Everything.
Always be positive. Think Success, not Failure. Beware of a negative environment.
This trait has to be one of the most important in the entire list. Your belief that you can accomplish your goals has to be unwavering. The moment you say to yourself “I can’t…”, then you won’t. I was always given the advice “never say I can’t” and I’d like to strike those words from the dictionary.
Positive things happen to positive people.
2. Decide upon Your True Dreams and Goals: Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.
You may have heard the old adage: A New Years resolution that isn’t written down is just a dream, and dreams are not goals.
Goals are those concrete, measurable stepping stones of achievement that track your progress towards your dreams.
3. Take Action. Goals are nothing without action.
Be like Nike and “Just do it”.
4. Never Stop Learning: Go back to school or read books. Get training & acquire skills.
Becoming a life long learner would benefit us all and is something we should instill in our kids. It’s funny that once you’re out of school you realize how enjoyable learning can be. What have you learned today?
5. Be Persistent and Work Hard: Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.
There is no getting around this and there is no free lunch. But, if you’re working towards something that you’re passionate about, something you love – then is it really work?
6. Learn to Analyze Details: Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.
Spend time gathering details, but don’t catch ‘analysis paralysis’.
7. Focus Your Time And Money: Don’t let other people or things distract you.
Remain laser focused on your goals and surround yourself with positive people that believe in you. Don’t be distracted by the naysayer’s or tasks that are not helping you achieve your goals.
8. Don’t Be Afraid To Innovate: Be different. Following the herd is a sure way to mediocrity.
Follow through on that break-out idea you have. Ask yourself “What would I do if I wasn’t afraid?”
9. Deal And Communicate With People Effectively: No person is an island. Learn to understand and motivate others.
Successful people develop and nurture a network and they only do that by treating people openly, fairly and many times firmly. There is nothing wrong about being firm – just don’t cross the line to being overbearing. How do you deal with people?
10. Be Honest And Dependable: Take responsibility, otherwise numbers 1 – 9 won’t matter.
(January 17th, 2008 by Victor Stachura)

I've said in a previous post, (I think), that achieving the dream of becoming an author, for me wasn't attributed to a great talent I possess, but rather, a strong desire to make that dream come true. I worked hard and I never gave up, and that is all there is to it. We create our own luck and we make our own dreams come true. There's no magic involved.