Let's get one thing straight... there are no real secrets to success. We've all heard that, and some of us are in the process of learning this valuable lesson. You can't cut corners. There is no easy way. And yes, hard work, dedication, and determination is going to get you farther than you ever thought possible. With that being said... we are fortunate enough to live at a time where ideas can spread faster than ever before. Social media has its pros and cons, and often we are bombarded with the negative, but there is also this whole other side that celebrates all aspects of life, success, and happiness. The best part? People are willing to share their journey's with you. No, this doesn't make your journey easier, but it can inspire you to chase our wildest dreams. Throughout all these articles I've read there are certain themes that continue to pop up. Here are some tips for success:

1. "There's no traffic when you go the extra mile." -Boss Babe

Sadly, this is the truth. Only a handful of people are willing to go out of their way to achieve their goals. It is easy to do the bare minimum to get by, but if you really want to succeed, then you have to give it 150%. There are no short cuts, but there is always the option to create your own path, and in order to live your dream you are going to have to do just that.

2. You have to take care of yourself.

You may have some sleepless nights along the way, or days where stopping for fast food is the only option for dinner. That's ok... life gets crazy sometimes, but you aren't going to feel your best if you make this a habit. It is important to take care of yourself. That means eating right, exercising, and yes, plenty of sleep!

3. "Success takes time to build, don't wait." -Rosie Pope

Whatever your definition of success is, there is one thing they all have in common... success takes time! How great would it be if it only took one day to build an empire? Sadly, this is just wishful thinking. All the stressful days that seem to last for forever are only going to prepare you for everything that happens down the road. Don't worry- you will get there. Dreams don't have expiration dates!

4. Know that you can start late, look different, be uncertain, and still succeed.

It is rare that someone knows exactly what they want to do right out of high school, or even college. Life has us taking all kinds of unexpected twists and turns. If you have a goal, and you continually work towards it, one day everything will come together. The way you look or the time you start have little to do with it. As long as you know who you are and you are willing to do the work, you will succeed.

5. The fact that you aren't where you want to be, should be motivation enough.

You can try and "fake it 'til you make it," but you can't fake ambition. You either have it or you don't. If you want to succeed you are going to have to hold that determination close to your heart and not let it falter. It is what is going to keep you going through the days that seem impossible.

6. Learn to love mornings.

We have all experienced one of those mornings where we wake up super early and we get all these things done that we didn't know were possible, and it happens all before having to start our daily routine. There is a reason the phrase "the early bird catches the worm" is so popular. When you look in to people's success stories a common theme is that they start their days early rather than sleeping in. But don't worry- they get enough sleep because they take care of themselves (see #2)!

We all have different ideas of what determines success. However, regardless what our view is, the journey to get there can lead us confused, tired, and maybe even a little hopeless at times. If you truly believe that you can do it, nothing and no one can stop you. Here's to you, your journey, and your success!!