Before we start getting into anything I just want to give some background on why I'm writing this and the sources I have accumulated. I am currently receiving coaching and mentorship from a family who has what I want in terms of finances, relationships, their family legacy,spiritually and mindset. They have what I want so I am learning from them on how I can get it. Now, everyone's goals are different so apply these to your scenario.

1. Determine Your Dream

What is it that you want to accomplish? What is your burning desire? It has to be something that you are foaming at the mouth for. For me, it is financial independence so I can live the lifestyle that I want to. Be specific about your goals along the way. If your dream is to be the President of The United States, you don't just magically appear in the White House (Unless the current one dies, resigns or is impeached), you have to set clear goals along the way and strategically plan for them. However, just knowing the dream isn't good enough. As Craig Clickner, a successful entrepreneur once said, "The dreams are free, but the hustle is sold separately."

2. Figure Out Your WHY!

Why do you do what you do? That's the question that no one asks. We always ask What do you do? Or we ask 18 Year Old's what they want to do. Seriously? You want to ask 18 Year Old GUYS what they want to do? Okay, how does Drink beer, chase girls and drive fast cars? Does that pay well? I'll tell you right now, NO!! We define ourselves by what we do rather than why we do it. If you don't have that burning desire for something you'll never accomplish it.

3. The Power of Association

You are who you hang out with. Sorry, I'm not sorry, but that's the truth. If you want to be a great actor then you need to associate with actors. The people you hang out around will determine where you go in life. That's why we hang out with like-minded people. Have you ever been hanging out somewhere with friends and then that one guy comes busting through the door or shows up at the party and you're sitting there like, "Oh no, it's Josh I DO NOT want to be around him. He's always so negative and saying mean things about people." You already know the power of association because you don't want to be around certain people. Avoid the negative people in your life. Sometimes they are disguised as family, friends and even coworkers. They're "just looking out for you" because they're afraid of success. Don't listen to them. If they don't have what you want do not listen to them.

4 Protect Your Mind

Our minds are like sponges. We absorb so much in the course of a lifetime. In order to keep focus on your dream you have to cut out the distractions and protect your mind. No matter what your dream is there will be haters. If someone says that they're training to be an Olympic athlete a lot of people will say, Congrats, that's a worthy goal, but don't think that there aren't people telling them that they're nuts. You have to block out the negative, protect your mind and keep trucking through.

5 Read Read Read

There's books on everything nowadays. Currently, I only read books that will help me reach my goals in life. For me that's building relationships with others, personal development books, positive mental attitude books as well as other topics. Whatever you are chasing read books that will help you along the way. In addition to that, take notes on the books and re-read them. I've read the book How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie at least four or five times within the past year and I always catch things that I missed the first few times. Reading books that will help you propel you to your goals is a great way to help protect your mind and solidify your dream everyday.

6 Set Healthy Success Habits

This is a tricky one. Everyone has good and bad habits. There's a phenomenal book called The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy. In the book he talks about the little everyday habits that can set someone up for success or failure. If you do a lot of little things bad it is going to add up and you'll reap a bad harvest. However, if you do a lot of little things good, you'll reap a good harvest and you'll have a great life. Habits form when you consciously make the decision and stick to it. It is the promises that we make to ourselves that determine if we have good habits or not.

7 Turn off Beyonce and Turn on P.M.A. Talks

If it already isn't bad enough that I actually don't listen to Beyonce now I'm telling you turn her off. I love music as much as the next person, but every opportunity you can while traveling, working out and doing other daily tasks, go ahead and listen to positive mental attitude (P.M.A.) talks, They can be from a religious leader, an entrepreneur or even a speech that someone you admire has given. I don't really listen to music anymore because Shinedown and Five Finger Death Punch won't help me achieve my dreams and goals. I love them, but I have to protect my mind and keep good habits. Charlie Durso, a successful entrepreneur said that he would be in the car for hours and want to throw up all over his dashboard, but he popped in that CD (Or back then, a cassette tape). Listening to something that can help you is better than something that you may want to listen to. You may want to listen to something else, but if it is not helping you, why bother?

8 Speak What You Want, Not What You Have

It is important to verbally speak what you want to have. When you speak it enough you'll believe it. The power of the spoken word is a big thing in life. There's a wonderful book called What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter and it's the power of suggestion when we talk to ourselves of whether we can accomplish our goals or not.

9 Be Willing To Pay The Price

Well, what's the price? Whatever it takes. What does it take? Paying the price. What's the price? Whatever it takes. I had this conversation with my mentor and he told me he had the same one with his so I'm not lonely. Everybody sees the glamour and glory, but they don't always know the price that was paid in order to get there. In any path to success there are decisions that have to be made and a lot of the time they are not popular among the masses.

10 Attitude of Gratitude

Be thankful for everything you have in life. I thank my mentor everyday for his help, love and compassion. Everything could be worse and will more than likely get worse. If things aren't coming against you, you aren't doing it right. Be grateful for what you have your hands on and cherish it. Thanksgiving isn't the only time we should be thinking about what we're thankful for. Everyday it is important to remember to be grateful for what you have and what you will have.

11 Stay Focused

There must be an all-consuming focus on whatever your dream is. Another successful entrepreneur, Tony Pappalardo was diagnosed with ADD and ADHD when he was kid. His mother started reading stories on people who had ADD or ADHD and had this ability to focus. Just because you are labeled with the inability to focus doesn't mean you can't. He also talks about his niece who has a very specific and healthy diet set up by Tony's sister. His niece loves chocolate and gluten so whenever she wants it she will give Tony a kiss, get her chocolate or gluten and leave. That is focus right there!

12 Find A Mentor That Has What You Want In Life

Why listen to anyone that doesn't have what you want? Do you get medical advice from a lawyer? I hope not! Along with finding a mentor you must also be teachable. If you have a mentor but don't listen to them and put their advice into action then what's the point? When I met the family who is mentoring me I told them, "You have everything I want. Tell me what to do and I'll do it." That's what you are looking for. Find someone who has fruit on the tree and follow them.

Just to wrap up, determine your dream, know why you're doing it and set goals along the way. Have fun while doing it and don't let anyone steal your dream. Also here is a list of books that my mentor recommends for success in anything:

How To Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

The Compound Effect by Darren Hardy

The Magic of Thinking Big by David Schwartz

Anything written by John Maxwell

7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen Covey

What To Say When You Talk To Yourself by Shad Helmstetter