I am reading the Success Principles by Jack Canfield. He offers us 64 principles, one per chapter and I have challenged myself to read one per week, implement it into my life and in addition, in an effort to solidify what I am learning as well as begin to live out my mission of encouraging others, write and/or blog about it.

I can honestly tell you that I am seeing some great changes in my life, attitude and happiness and I am only in week seven of my personal journey and transformation. This book is empowering to say the least and while I dare say it makes you look at yourself, ask some tough questions and consider a new mind set, it's worth every amount you put into it. I am a firm believer to, that what you get back from something is in direct proportionate to what you put into that very thing. I hope you will join me on this journey.

Jack Canfield reminds us in chapter three that it doesn’t just take deciding what our purpose is and accepting 100% responsibility for everything in our lives, we must also take the next step toward deciding what we want. For example asking ourselves some questions such as “what kind of career do I want,” “what does success look like to me,” “what are my goals and aspirations,” “who do I want to work for and what position do I want to hold,” and yes, perhaps even in what ways do I see God using me to serve His purpose.” Is it corporate, missions, public speaking, writing, encouragement, what gifts is He growing in me and how and what and can I do with those gifts.

All too often our dreams are squashed unwittingly by society, and family. Just as Jack points out to us in Chapter 3 when we are born we are very clear about what we want all the time and don’t hesitate to go for it, fight for it, scream for it, and crawl for it, but as we get older we begin to be fitted into a societal box of what we are told we want to be, should be, can do and cannot do, and we forget how to fight, scream and crawl…let alone run without abandon towards our goals and aspirations. Success looks different to everyone and we are entitled to see it our way without someone else approving it or without it fitting into their box.

How many people do you know that never really knew what they wanted to be as an adult from early on when entering college and for those that did follow through and get a degree, ask them if they are actually doing the job they got their degree in and if they are, do they like it? Kudos’s to anyone that has the courage to step outside the box and make a leap over to the sand box of creative thinking and following one’s passions without succumbing to the seed of doubt within us (which by the way takes on the voice of anyone, our parents, our teachers, our friends, our bosses, and Satan) anyone that wants to hold us back from our obtaining success, peace and joy.

Now look at the small percentage of people that clearly know what they want and never look back from making sure they live their version of success. The difference between this group and the former group is nothing more than deciding what they want, believing they can attain it, having firm goals and a clear vision in place and focusing on the end result and where they want to be.

If a baseball player, or a golfer, for example, does not follow through with the swing when hitting the ball, then the ball will fall short every time. But the player that has a goal to get the ball from here to there, with a very specific purpose, driven toward that goal, and who follows through on their swing will find that the ball lands closer to their goal every time, reaching new heights and propelling the game forward toward and to ultimate success.

One of the very first things you need to do in "Deciding What You Want" as Jack Canfield calls this process is to put it on paper. Take all your thoughts about what you would like to do, dream of doing, think about all the time, and put them in specific detail on paper. You might even want to write it in outline form so you can write action steps under each one and then give yourself a place to mark it complete, motivating you to take the next step. Your "Goal List" should be as important as all the other things you hold precious in your life and should be considered and protected. You wouldn't want your PIN number falling into someone else's hands along with your debit card would you? I should say not! It's the same thing with your goals and future. You must hold it dear to you, place it in the fore front of your mind at all times and you will find this helps to define your vision.

Now that you have written it all down, have it on your mind and are beginning to clearly see what it is you want to achieve, it's important to start sharing it with those you trust to support you. Remember, this is an important part of your life, so choose wisely with whom you share it and if you find you made a poor choice in "the guy you thought was your best friend but he clearly can't handle the new improved you because you threaten him" then immediately remove that person from your list of trusted sources. You need only share this inner voice and breakthrough of progress with those who will support you and not those that will not laugh at you, make fun of you, ask you what you’ve been smoking or tell you it isn't possible...and some will and then offer you a thousand reasons why, even though you didn't ask for them.

However, as you begin to share your dreams, goals and visions with a trusted group of people, your confidence will build and you will find more excitement and passion surrounding your ideals as they spill out of you; and you will begin to receive support either by these very people or through these very people. It is all part of the catalyst that will propel you towards one of the greatest changes you will ever experience in life. I know because I am living it.

My final thought is this...success in part is often failing…over and over and over again. It's a huge part of the process and the journey, and you should expect it to happen and embrace it with open arms, all while considering what really drives you towards your goal anyway...is it to fall down and stay down or is it to get up one more time than you fell and be victorious. Not my quote of course, but it all makes sense. Remember God wants us to have a happy, healthy, successful life while passing through this place. I know that's what I want for myself, don't you?