Contrast with…,”I spent the day lining out my goals for 2010,” where the statement almost certainly foreshadows that the individual will fail miserably this year.

“I actually worked on SOMETHING for 10 hours today…something that could make money and then I did an hour of planning on my goals and another hour developing a cool new idea I have for next year….”

THAT person could easily make six digits this year and then seven digits in five years. Quit putting things off and just do it….but learn from others’ mistakes and not overachieve….

2. Identify Procrastination…(s)

If you have a problem with procrastination, make a list of the things you constantly put on hold. This will help you identify your crummy behavioral patterns and make the appropriate adjustments.

If you are complaining about the same things this week as you did last year at this time, you may have thrown a year of your life away. STOP IT. Get your head on straight and MOVE.

If you don’t already have it, pick up The 168 Hour Week: Living Life Your Way 24/7…by Kevin Hogan…

3. Be Independent

Do not be afraid to go for what you know is the right thing for you. Being independent allows you to take control over your destiny and emotional state. Stand firm in what you believe and do not allow other people to determine how you feel or what you believe in.

Connect with others. Love others. Care for others. But come to your own conclusions after thoughtful research and study. Intelligence and Independence are Intertwined…

4. Learn to Influence

Learn the critical skill of Emotional Intelligence that will enhance your success. There is nothing you can learn that will help you more than the ability to influence others.

5. Appreciate Life

Life is short. It is precious. Do not burn any bridges in life. Appreciate life, people, everything around you. Learn as much as you can from every person you meet. Do not turn people away just because you do not agree with them.

You never know, the very people you turn away may be the very people that come to your rescue during a time of difficulty.

6. The Right Marketing

When you get ready to start marketing/promoting/selling your business or idea, never rely on one method of marketing. It is important to look at several options since nothing will last forever. I’ve watched very smart people make this very obvious mistake.

7. Believe

Not only do you need to believe in the product or service you are building to success, you also need to believe in you. Your confidence is what will get you through the difficult challenges and build credibility with your customers.

If you don’t represent something you are proud of, change.

Being smart enough to recognize your own ethical boundaries puts you into a class of people that are easy to do business with. The characteristic of character is not only contagious, it’s good for business.

8. Know your Customers

You should know – really know – your customers, especially your top ten. Find out what they like and dislike. What other products or services would be of value to them? These very relationships are what will keep your business going. It is crucial to consider your customer’s desires all of the time. They are family. Treat them like it.

Your best customers will brag about you. Give them plenty to work with!

9. Keep It Lean

Start-up businesses do not have room for “dead” weight. As an example, when first starting out, if you need some assistance, rather then hiring a permanent employee that will involve salary, insurance, other benefits, etc., consider a temporary employee until the business grows. Keep improving the bottom line before you start adding on more expenses to your business.

I’ve watched a lot of people go down the drain because they spent money they should have been sinking into the business instead of salaries. Be patient. You’ll get to writing those checks…just make sure you have some nice checks for yourself before you go gifting to random breathing beings.

10. Get the Word Out

If your success is focused on a business, when you get ready to open your doors, make sure you get the message out. This will include marketing promotions, advertising, sending out press releases, etc. The more people know about your business, the better chance you have of reaching success.

A good start is more important than you know.

11. Guard your Emotions

Keeping emotions in check is not always an easy task. You will have times of disappointment that will require you to react with integrity. You may feel like crying and feel as though your world has just ended. Keep telling yourself that it has not ended and you will just have to make some adjustments in your plan.

Never allow unchecked anger to be a response. You never know the trickle down effect of that anger and how it could permanently damage your reputation.

In general, if you don’t have something good to say, don’t.

12. Be Nice

Study after study has shown that people with pleasing personalities have an easier time achieving success. Not only are they more level-headed in handling the business, but they also draw people around them that are eager and willing to help.

In fact, in addition to being pleasing – be polite, show true interest, and have a great sense of humor. Be appreciative. Want VIP service? Be damn nice.

13. Break Bad Habits

Habits, regardless of size or nature, are exceptionally difficult to break. This will take effort, but you can do it. Unfortunately, poor habits can be the one aspect of your behavior that could be the biggest obstacle to your success.

Become an expert at looking in the mirror. Find the good and the bad with equal precision.

14. Improve Efficiency

You will want to develop your potential to its fullest. The more efficient you can become, the better job you will do. Be efficient with your time by not procrastinating and efficient with your effort by staying focused.

Wasting time is a Life Drain. You get one life…and “This ain’t no dress rehearsal.” Make your moments count.

15. Have Fun

When people begin the process of successfully growing themselves, their relationships or their work, whether for personal growth or starting a business, they may start by incorporating fun, but within a very short time, they realize it is hard work and the fun simply falls by the wayside. If you look at some of the most successful people in the world, you will find common threads that run between all of them. First, they invariably started with nothing. Second, they love their work.

They enjoy life, the people around them, and even find enjoyment in the challenges. This one element is often forgotten. This is a crucial element for success and is an important part of your plan.

16. Face your Weaknesses

The best way to get better at anything and to be “a success in life,” is to face the weaknesses you have. Everyone has plenty, and in order to be better, think more clearly, act appropriately, and succeed, you have to identify the areas you need to improve on and then take action to turn your weaknesses into strengths.

Defects you repair and overcome become your stories that weave the tapestry of your life with meaning. There is no better gratification than being successful. Accept that you are in for some hard work, but the results will be incredible. Use these tips as guidelines and step outside the box. Take action and succeed!

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Kevin, I have read, and continue to re-read Covert Persuasion The Science of Influence and Covert Hypnosis. My learning experience is best described as drinking from a fire hose! You have provided so much valuable information in these works I have trouble deciding what to work on first. In Covert Persuasion you explain the Focused Outcome… Read more “Drinking from a fire hose!”

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I have been receiving your Coffee with Kevin Hogan newsletter for a couple of years now as well as several others. Over that time, I have ‘weeded out’ most. I have purchased some of your products and believe you are the ‘real deal’. Your insights and the wisdom you impart have been, are, and will… Read more “Your insights…are, and will be invaluable”

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For me, the trouble with psychology stuff is that I find it too interesting — I just want more… but I need to focus my time on my business. Kevin’s stuff is among the worst because it’s among the best… I want to listen/read/learn more. I believe Kevin’s material is up there with the work… Read more “I just want more…”

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Kevin, this week I secured a further 12 speaking engagements. This is the start of my career and I want to speak wherever I can. However, get this…I am also speaking at two large engagements with 500 and 600 attendees respectively. I am just doing everything you told me to do. I am getting myself… Read more “This week I secured a further 12 speaking engagements…”

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Kevin’s Digital Marketing Course was excellent. He gave us LOADS of stuff to learn, and he also personally answered every single question I could throw at him. So now I have all the knowledge needed to successfully market ANY product. There’s no need to guess or wonder what some other guru knows that I don’t… Read more “There’s no need to guess or wonder…”

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Lifestorms came exactly the right information at the right time for me. In summary, I’m the 50 year old ‘unfulfilled potential’ and as I’ve dug up the past patterns over the last few years, I’ve progressed. But your program made me recognize both patterns and origins I had overlooked. Now I’m becoming free.

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Your classes are truly useful and quite masterful done.

Your classes are truly useful and quite masterful done. I think you are a champion of logic, reason and wisdom! For me it is relatively rare to meet and get impressed by lecturers as much as I have been impressed by you. Keep going – I will be back soon!