The Home Business Diva's "Top 10 Success Strategies" For Long Term Results In The Network Marketing & Direct Sales Industry

1. Commit and follow through with your decision to start, build, and grow your business.

2. Look for a company that has outside third party validation, products that are in high demand and strong value, a powerful compensation where YOU get paid first and YOU keep 100% of YOUR Profits, a supportive, caring and growing community available to assist you, along with a planned vision for growth into the future. Finally, as Robert Kiyosaki says, be sure there is ongoing Personal Development Training and Mentoring.

3. Be certain your company has invested in a top notch, turn-key proven Training Program that includes Successful International Trainers, an up-to-date "plug and play" Marketing System designed by experts in this industry, utilizing current, state of the art technology.

4. Commit to the Company System and become part of the Company Community. Surround yourself with successful, like minded individuals as often as possible and watch what happens!

5. Stay in touch with your enroller often to review your progress, especially in the first 30 days. Take the time to build a solid infrastructure in your business.

6. Take personal responsibility, and have accountability every day.

7. Have patience, Rome wasn't built in a day!

8. Identify your goals and chart your progress daily. Ask yourself this question throughout the day... "Is what I am doing right now moving me towards my goals or away from my goals?"

9. Make business decisions based on Facts, not Fear.

10. Finally, when seeking advice regarding your business, rely on the wisdom of the successful and experienced people in your industry, not on your spouse, family or friends. After all, if you required open heart surgery, you would not seek the advice of a brain surgeon!


Follow these simple strategies without exception, and look for more tips next week!

My Questionnaire For Potential Business Partners

From The Desk Of "The Home Business Diva"

1. How long have you been on the search for the perfect Home Business?
2. How would you describe the ideal Business that would resonate with you?
3. Why now, why today? Why at this point in your life are you ready to make a decision to start a business and follow through with your decision?
4. What motivates you?
5. If you overheard a conversation between two of your closest friends talking about you, what would they be saying?
6. Using just 5 words, how would you describe your personality?
7. What are your top 3 strongest qualities?
8. What character trait would you like to improve in yourself?
9. Do you understand that it takes time, dedication, funding, commitment and personal responsibility to start, build, grow and sustain a successful business, whether a traditional business or a home business?
10. Do you make your own decisions or rely on a spouse, family member or significant other to give you permission?
11. Have you ever started your own business? If yes, what is the current outcome?
12. What do you do to generate an income now?
13. What was the biggest goal you have set for yourself and have achieved?
14. What is the biggest ongoing struggle in your life?
15. Describe the type of lifestyle in which you were raised. What is your IDEAL lifestyle?
16. Are any of your parents, family members or friends, successful entrepreneurs?
17. If you received a offer within the first 3 months of getting started in this business, would you take the job?
18. What will your life look like in 5 years if things do not change for you financially?
19. What are top 3 fears about starting and investing in your own business?
20. How would you complete the following sentences?

"If only ...

"I wish ...

"What if ...

Now, if you are up for the challenge, go ahead and fill out the above questionnaire. Email it to me @ robinfirestone@hotmail.com

I will personally review your answers, and reply back to you. Please include all of your contact information. This is confidential and will not be published or shared with anyone! Cheers, Robin Firestone

COURAGE, CREATIVITY, CREDIBILITY & PASSION

What a dynamic week!

Here are some POWERFUL quotes I have gathered and believe you will find them quite effective.... Let's take Personal Responsibility for our Results, or lack of. Get in touch with me today for a quick Mastermind Call.

Live For Today! Robin

COURAGE

I recalled the words of my rich dad: "The biggest challenge you have is your own self-doubt and your laziness. It is your self-doubt and your laziness that define and limit who you are. It is your self-doubt and laziness that deny you the life you want." -- Robert Kiyosaki

"OK, let's set the goal to be financially free." That was New Year's Day 1985. In 1994 Kim and I were free. Things got worse for us before they got better. Kim and I lived in a car for about three weeks after our money ran out. So things did not get better just because we made the decision to retire rich, but it was the reasons why that kept us going. It was time to choose.-- Robert Kiyosaki author of "Rich Dad Poor Dad" & CO Author "Why We Want You To Be Rich"
"All our dreams can come true - if we have the courage to pursue them." - Walt Disney
"Courage is the thing. All goes if courage goes." -- J.M. Barrie

CREATIVITY

"Creativity is inventing, experimenting, growing, taking risks, breaking rules, making mistakes and having fun." -- Mary Lou Cook

CREDIBILITY

"It takes a lot of things to prove you are smart, but only one thing to prove you are ignorant." -- Don Herold

PASSION

"The greatest composer does not sit down to work because he is inspired, but becomes inspired because he is working." Ernest Newman
Rich dad used to say: "If you want something, be passionate. Passion gives energy to your life." Passion is a combination of love and hate. "If you want something you do not have, find out why you love what you want and why you hate not having what you want. When you combine those two thoughts, you will find the energy to go get anything you want." -- Robert Kiyosaki


Live For Today ... Make It Count

"The Home Business DIVA," Robin Firestone, appears on Magazine Cover

Hi Everyone,

I've been so busy traveling the country on my "Chasing Diana" book tour, that I must apologize for not keeping up with my blog... I am out living the lifestyle I teach to others!

Anyhow, I made the time for a photo shoot on Sunday, December 7th, before I caught a plane to Columbus, Ohio for another TV and Radio appearance. And let's not forget to mention Borders Bookstore!

Anyhow... I am being featured on the Cover of "True Wealth Magazine" and
"Home Business Connection Magazine"... both available in January ...

What a Way to "blast off" the New Year!

The Home Business DIVA is spreading wealth solutions around the world. Reach out, get in touch with me, and I promise you, you can turn your life around, and never look back!

Cheers for being part of the economic solution in 2009!
Live Life... Robin Firestone

NBC Interview in St. Louis while on Book Tour for "Chasing Diana"

We have been so busy over the past few months, launching our book 'Chasing Diana." Take a look at this breif interview. We have been getting quite a bit of media attention on our book.

If it were not for proper goal setting, and working through some pretty tough issues, along with believing in what is truly possible, this labor of love would have been impossible.

Personal Development is the key element for anyone and everyone who is looking for ALL OUT success in their lives. Allow me to work with you, one on one, so you can begin taking the steps which will move you forward to your greatest accomplishments.

I am available for coaching and speaking engagements on a personal, group or corperate level. Email me for more information. Of course, our conversations are fully confidential.

Begin living the life You deserve! Robin Firestone "The Home Business Diva"

robinfirestone@aol.com

"Home Business Diva" Robin Firestone ~ Episode 2 ~ Possibilities

Enjoy Episode 2 of "The Home Business Diva"

Dream Big! Let's take a look at where we are in our lives. What's Possible? Is where you are today in your life, EXACTLY what you used to dream about? If yes, awesome! If not, you are not alone. Let's see what we can create together, to change this scenario. It's time to stop dreaming about the possibilities, and start creating your new realities!

Scroll down and watch "The Home Business Diva" Episode 1

Fill out the contact form on this page and accept my gift of 2 Free E Books, that will totally assist you in many ways towards your success. Let's have a brief , private conversation, and free consultation.

Live For Today, Make it Count!

Robin Firestone "The Home Business Diva"

WATCH THE ONE AHEAD OF YOU, AND YOU’LL LEARN WHY HE IS AHEAD. THEN EMULATE HIM

I've been sharing this message for as long as I have been following this simple rule of success ... Fill out the from on this page to schedule a brief conversation with me ... FREE... I play the game of Simon Sex for Adults. For those of you left standing in the game, you are all winners in the game of LIFE! Let me share my SECRETS of Success with you, after all, you dererve to live your life to the fullest! Talk to you soon ... read on! Robin Firestone


One of the surest ways to achieve success is to observe the actions of successful people, determine what principles they regularly employ, and then use them yourself. The principles of success, as Andrew Carnegie said, are definite, they are real, and they can be learned by anyone willing to take the time to study and apply them. If you are truly observant, you will find that you can learn something from almost everyone you meet. And it isn’t even necessary that you know them. You may choose great people who are no longer alive. The important thing is to study their lives, and then learn and apply in your own life the specific principles these people used to achieve greatness.

This positive message is brought to you by the Napoleon Hill Foundation. Visit us at http://www.naphill.org.

Your Choice ... Whine & Complain or Learn The Lesson & Prevail

"Love and Loss" ... article by Steve Jobs creator of Apple Computers


"I was lucky. I found what I loved to do early in life. Woz and I started Apple in my parents garage when I was 20. We worked hard, and in 10 years Apple had grown from just the two of us in a garage into a $2 billion company with over 4000 employees. We had just released our finest creation - the Macintosh - a year earlier, and I had just turned 30. And then I got fired. How can you get fired from a company you started?

Well, as Apple grew we hired someone who I thought was very talented to run the company with me, and for the first year or so things went well. But then our visions of the future began to diverge and eventually we had a falling out. When we did, our Board of Directors sided with him. So at 30 I was out. And very publicly out. What had been the focus of my entire adult life was gone, and it was devastating.

I really didn't know what to do for a few months. I felt that I had let the previous generation of entrepreneurs down - that I had dropped the baton as it was being passed to me. I met with David Packard and Bob Noyce and tried to apologize for screwing up so badly. I was a very public failure, and I thought about running away from the valley. But something slowly began to dawn on me - I still loved what I did. The turn of events at Apple had not changed that one bit. I had been rejected, but I was still in love. And so I decided to start over.

I didn't see it then, but it turned out that getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again, less sure about everything. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.

During the next five years, I started a company named NeXT, another company named Pixar, and fell in love with an amazing woman who would become my wife. Pixar went on to create the worlds first computer animated feature film, Toy Story, and is now the most successful animation studio in the world. In a remarkable turn of events, Apple bought NeXT.

I returned to Apple, and the technology we developed at NeXT is at the heart of Apple's current renaissance. And Laurene and I have a wonderful family together.

I'm pretty sure none of this would have happened if I hadn't been fired from Apple. It was awful tasting medicine, but I guess the patient needed it. Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers."

Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking.

Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.

A personal note from Robin: I love what what I do from the moment I wake up, till my eyes gently close when I go to sleep each night. The passion I have to share my knowledge as a Success Coach and Personal Development Trainer, never lets up. If you are in a rut, or painfully go to work everyday doing something you hate, if you spend your days making other peoples dreams come true instead of your own ... get in touch with me today. What do you have yo loose? Only the rest of your life!

Learn about the only Home Business that helps you help yourself. You can love what you do, and you can become wealthy in a business that is taking the world by storm! Life is filled with choices, choose wisely!

Go to my website and fill out a contact request form @ www.LeadFromTheTop.com or Email me today ... robinfirestone@aol.com



Steve Jobs gave this as his second story of his Commencement Address at Stanford University on June 12, 2005.

"Finish Strong" ... What if you could WIN the Race EVERY TIME? ... Possible? ... Of Course It Is!

Here is another brilliant 3 minute movie from Simple Truths.

"Finish Strong"

click here to view: http://www.finishstrongmovie.com/

Before you can reach the finish line of your goals,
you must be willing to enter the marathon.


" ... you will always reach the finish line if you stay in the race
... you may trip and fall, big deal!

... pick yourself up, wipe yourself off, get over it,
& give it all you got!

... the journey should be as exciting as the win
... when you give up, your giving up on yourself ... ask yourself why?"

Contact me and let's set up a 15 minute one on one call.

I am a Success Coach who will share very important information with you that can change the results you are getting.

Personal Development has changed my life!

Let me show you how it can change YOURS!
... robin firestone

Robin & Jack Firestone Video "Associates of The MONTH!" We love you Liberty League International

What a day we'll never forget ... first, we woke up on the right side of the ground ... very grateful for that ... then, Jack and I had some quality time together ... then, we worked on our LLI business for a couple of hours, as well as some other things .... then, surprise, we found out that the video was live for Associate of the Month on the Liberty League Website, all over the world ... then we dropped off our end of lease BMW convertable and picked up our brand new Mecedes Benz CLK convertible ( it is so totally hot!) ... and then the piles of emails, and calls and im's started coming in and keep coming in, filled with so much love from our friends and family as well as this community, a community that was created one person at a time ... a community that exists no other place on earth.

I will never get tired of thanking Brent and Shane for creating Liberty League International, an opportunity that allows people of all ages from all over the world to change their lives, personally and financially ... combined with a community of people who are genuine and filled with unconditional love.

Thanks again for being in our lives and encouraging us to continue to pursue our dreams ... you are our family, fearless leaders, and genuine friends ...

Thanks again,
Love, Robin & Jack

http://www.beyondfreedomhomebiz.com/ username:beyond password:freedom

http://www.leadfromthetop.com/

http://www.chasingdiana.blogspot.com/

http://www.chasingdiana.com/

http://www.firestonelifestyle.com/

IS SUCCESS WITHIN YOUR REACH?

Article by Shane Krider-Shane Krider ...
co-founder of Liberty League International

Many times in life we find success is easily within our grasp but other times we seem to struggle. Why is it success comes so easily at times but other times, no matter how hard we work or try to succeed, it always seems to be just out of our reach?

Ultimately, what holds us back the most from achieving our goals is the conditioning from our past that we are clinging to. It’s our beliefs that keep us stuck. In order to exceed what we have achieved in the past, we must be willing to let go of the limiting beliefs we have of other people, the world, and ourselves. When it comes to things we struggle with, the beliefs that are holding us back are reinforced. Reinforced in that we feel it will cost us something to let go. We think these beliefs somehow protect us even though we can plainly see the damage they are doing in our lives.

The easiest way to let go of the reinforced beliefs that no longer serve us is to come to grips with what they are really costing us and everyone around us. Then, any amount of pain we believe we might feel will seem like a small price to pay in exchange for giving up our hold on these beliefs.

What is not always easy to recognize at the beginning of this journey is how unbelievably good it actually feels to rid ourselves of these haunting beliefs. There is no pain in letting go of these beliefs; the pain solely comes from trying to hold on. The more of these beliefs you discard, the easier it gets. You can quickly find a whole new level of inner peace, and emotional balance through just letting go.

Your mind will soon quiet and you will find an inner peace. Amazingly, you will begin to hear all the chatter in everyone else's minds as it is clear in their spoken language (Blah, Blah, Blah, Blah). As you listen to others, you can begin to hear their fears, regrets, self doubts and all the other nonsense we allow to hold ourselves back.

You can especially hear it in your prospects. You know when someone is lying (they are not lying to you..... they are lying to themselves, in front of you), and you know when someone has put on a fake personality to have a conversation with you. Once your mind is quiet, you will have no tolerance for this behavior. You will start challenging your prospects with a whole new level of posture. You will be able to cut like a knife right to the "real" reasons people are choosing to stay stuck. And, you’ll find you are able to quickly recognize who your prospect is after just a few minutes of an interview. You will be empowered to ask your prospects questions that will “wake them up” and challenge them to break out of their fake persona and actually “get real” with you. You may be the first person they have gotten real with in years. They will definitely see you as a "real person" and they will believe they can trust you, a stranger on the phone, more than they trust anyone else in their life. In many cases, they will trust you and be more real with you than they are with their spouse, their co-workers, anyone. They will recognize you as the leader who can show them how to get real results in their life. This level of presence and posture, is what true leaders operate with and why they never feel the need to convince. True leaders engage in a powerful, authentic conversation in which they are not afraid to challenge their prospects and they simply ask people to follow their own hearts.

It is truly a gift to be able to communicate with people on this level; a gift you give yourself. Prospecting with a quiet mind allows you to maintain a high level of relaxed confident energy and you will never see prospecting as difficult or draining again.

Once you have experienced this level of authentic communication with people, you will begin to recognize all the times your so-called friends let you off the hook, or obviously aren't even really listening to you. You will begin to see how fake and self-absorbed most people are. You will see very quickly why people never get the results they say they want. They are totally unwilling to let go of the stories they have created about the reality of how life really is. Letting go of these stories would mean they would actually have to take responsibility for all of their results in life. The good news for us is there are millions of people out there who are serious about making a real change in their lives and feel stuck because everyone around them has their own agendas.

So, if you are ready to break free, here is what will be required. The first and only thing you must do is give up and abandon the beliefs no longer serving you. Once you have done this, the people you speak with will be like an open book. You will get a picture of what they say they want, and you will recognize how what they are actually saying with their language eliminates that as a possibility for their life. When you begin prospecting with a quiet mind, you will begin to hear the message behind what your prospect is saying and feel comfortable challenging them.

For example, you might say at some point during the interview, "You told me that you want to make 100k a year and are willing to do what ever it takes, but now you’re saying that you only willing to do what it takes if it won’t cost you anything." You can be calm and confident in the challenge, allowing your prospect to recognize how stuck they are. The prospect will either wake-up or will attempt to engage you in a self-serving defense of their limiting beliefs.

With this level of presence and posture, you will be confident in releasing the prospect if you believe they don’t have the drive, desire and gusto to really make this happen for himself. In the same scenario, when your mind is not so quiet, you might try to convince the prospect of the logic behind coming up with the start up cost in order to make millions. This is silly, and it insults the intelligence of the prospect (whether they know it or not) and it’s just you, trying to save the sale without any consideration of yourself or your prospect.

The only reason you would ever feel the need to convince, explain or sell is when you are not present and are operating from a place of force rather than power. The reason we engage in conversations when others are attempting to defend their limiting beliefs is because we want to be right and feel insecure ourselves.

In releasing your limiting beliefs, you will also release the need to operate from a place of force and righteousness, allowing the flow to happen freely. You will find yourself relaxed, confident and assured of your greater good as you prospect and move forward in your business.

--Shane Krider is the Co Founder of Liberty League International

Breaking Ground in the Direct Sales Industry! Liberty League International Does It Again

Liberty League International

Electrifying with Energy in the City of Las Vegas ... Future is Bright for Entrepreneurs at Super Saturday


Liberty League International, one of the world's leading personal development companies celebrated their six year anniversary with over 1000+ attendees at the Paris Hotel Las Vegas on August 11, 2007.

Highlighting the event, co-founders Brent Payne and Shane Krider unveiled world class training and information. "Another mind blowing event as promised," Executive Marketing Council Member Robin Firestone, exclaimed. "This conference is unlike anything I have ever experienced. The energy was totally contagious!"

Attendees described the event as "mind-blowing" and the buzz that was created transformed the venue. "This is over the top," J.T., from Las Vegas stated. "It's absolutely phenomenal and the connections - I wouldn't miss this for the world, this is absolutely the lifestyle."

Larry Winget, the pit-bull of personal development, well known TV personality and best selling author, took the stage with information that was right on target. "He blew all of us away with his presentation and information," Firestone added. "What a day, what an event, what great people, what a company!"

The company recognized leadership in the community by awarding the "Rising Star Awards" to a select group. The commemoration of leadership followed with awards for Executive Marketing Council Hall of Fame inductees, John McDermott and Shannon Lavenia.

Other announcements included the location of the Liberty Conference in Cancun, Mexico October 11-13th 2007, and the Summit Conference was revealed - Rome, Italy in 2008. The crowd enthusiastically absorbed the information and celebrated these pronouncements.

During the celebration birthday bash, co-founders Payne and Krider personally awarded top prizes for the Beyond Freedom Challenge. The Ultimate prize, a 2007 Range Rover Sport was awarded to top selling distributor David Cooley. Other prizes included iPhones, a Digital Camcorder, Tumi Luggage, and a 60 inch flat screen TV.

Super Saturday recognizes the accomplishments of the leaders and is a forum used to share ideas within the community. On stage, co-founder Shane Krider shared his insights on what it takes to become the "Pinnacle Leader." The co-founders have been involved first hand in finding ways to promote greater abundance, leadership and engagement in the world community. "This is just an awesome lifestyle," Shannon from Las Vegas, stated. "This doesn't exist anywhere else on earth."

For More Press Releases, click here:
http://www.prnewsnow.com/PR%20News%20Releases/Business/Liberty%20League%20International%20%20Electrifying%20with%20Energy%20in%20the%20City%20of%20Las%20Vegas%20Future%20is%20Bright%20for%20Entrepreneurs%20at%20Super%20S

additional links:
http://www.larrywinget.com/ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-url/index=blended&field-keywords=larry%20wingate&results-process=default&dispatch=search/ref=pd_sl_aw_tops-1_blended_26734781_1&results-process=defaulthttp://www.landroverusa.com/us/en/Vehicles/RangeRover_Sport/Overview.htm?sReferrer=I_05paidsearch_google_LandRoverUsa_20050915
http://www.apple.com/iphone/?cid=AOS-US-KWG-iPhoneMM-US
http://www.tumi.com/index.cfm?sub_site_id=13&sourceid=TKEX000124&couponid=67839994&gcid=S15059x001&keyword=%5Btumi+luggage%5D

PROCRASTINATION ~ ARE YOU A VICTIM ~ SNAP OUT OF IT

~ PROCRASTINATION ~

IS THE BAD HABIT OF PUTTING OFF UNTIL THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW WHAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE THE DAY BEFORE YESTERDAY.

For an achiever, perhaps the most dangerous, most destructive habit of all is procrastination, for it robs you of your initiative. When you put things off once, it’s easier to put them off again, until the habit is so firmly ingrained that it cannot be easily broken.

Sadly, the effects of the habit of procrastination are also cumulative. Its cure is obvious-action. You'll be surprised how quickly you begin to feel better about yourself and your situation when you get going on something-anything. As British prime minister and author Benjamin Disraeli said, "Action may not always bring happiness; but there is no happiness without action."

THE HABITUAL PROCRASTINATOR

IS ALWAYS AN EXPERT CREATOR OF ALIBIS.

If you are so inclined, you can always find dozens of reasons why something can’t or shouldn't be done-and precious few why it should or could. It is far easier to rationalize that it’s too difficult, too expensive, or too time-consuming than to accept the idea that if we are willing to work hard enough, smart enough, and long enough we can accomplish anything. Instead of making a commitment, we make up an alibi. If you find that you frequently invent excuses for why you didn't do something or have a million reasons why something didn't work out as planned, its time for a reality check.

Stop explaining and start doing!

WISE WORDS TO LIVE BY ... Live For Today ... Make It Count!

Robin Firestone

... How To Create the Leader Within ...

Are you a Natural Born Leader?

Are you willing to do what it takes

to cultivate the leader within?

Are we born leaders, or are leaders created?

This question has been a debate for generations.

We become who we surround ourselves with.

Jack and I are self made millionaires. We recognize opportunity, act upon it immediately and then take full command of it. We did not get here by luck or accident. Let us show you how to break free of the paralyzing fear, that has prevented you from tapping into your full potential.

When you are ready to go for it all, get in touch with us. Be prepared to learn what it takes to be empowered and unstoppable. We have been creating and cultivating successful leaders for years. We will provide you with one on one coaching, training, and mentorship. What are you willing to do, to tap into your true potential, so that you can break out of your cycle, and take control of your life and your future?

Take a few minutes to read this article on Leadership. If you are committed to change, you must do things differently. We are here to assist you in following through with your commitment to yourself. Let us help you, create The Leader Within.
After reading the article, go to our website http://www.leadfromthetop.com/

Robin & Jack Firestone "The Dynamic Duo"


The Successful Leader
By Anne Marie Baugh

Sometimes we may choose to lead and in other circumstances we are pushed into leadership. Whether you want to lead or are selected to lead, how you demonstrate your leadership will determine how successful you will be and how successful those who follow you will become.

Successful Leadership is a demonstration of a true example. We lead by the example we set. If you expound on virtues or techniques that you do not follow or demonstrate yourself, those that follow your leadership will fail and then wonder why. This can only reflect badly on you as the leader. Teach and live what you teach to be the type of leader that will stand the test of time. Great leaders become role models to others for their future success. So how are great leaders made? Consider these tried and true principles of leadership as demonstrated by leaders worldwide.

Leaders learn. They understand that the moment they become un-teachable, they lose their edge in the world. Leaders not only understand that they must continue to find opportunities to learn, they crave every chance to learn. Brian Tracey, the nationally recognized guru on Leadership, encourages those seeking leadership success to read at least one hour every day. He states that one hour a day will make you a nationally recognized leader within three years. Commit to learning for the rest of your life and embrace the opportunity to do so.

Leaders listen. They understand the difference between passively hearing and actively listening to what people are telling them. They also have the wisdom to know who is worth listening to and who is not. Some people just like to hear themselves talk, but they never actually say anything. A janitor may have a very worthwhile story to tell that teaches wisdom on human behavior while a millionaire may be stuck in his own ego and simply enjoys the sound of his own voice, never really sharing anything worth the time.

Leaders develop discipline. Discipline becomes the corner stone in their lives. Not just in business, but in everything that they do. They learn to develop more discipline by curbing instant gratification. Learning to say no, when they can say yes is the road to discipline. For instance:

"No, I won't eat that cake. I'll wait and have one piece on Friday."

"No, I won't sleep an extra hour even though I have extra time today."

Just because you can, doesn't mean you should. By curbing your wants makes you stronger in every aspect of your life. Leaders discipline themselves to do necessary tasks even when they do not feel like.

Leaders take time to be quiet. Successful leaders are generally very busy people with little extra time in their schedules. However, the most successful leaders take 15 to 30 minutes every day to be absolutely silent. They remove all distractions and noise to sit within the calm of a completely quiet surrounding. In this precious silence they can hear themselves think and feel. In this way they develop their intuition, which guides them with all their decisions.

Leaders are compassionate. They know that kindness trumps bad behavior. That softly spoken words are heard with understanding and that yelling at peak volume simply becomes a battle of wills. In short, leaders care.

Leaders don't wait for other people to do it for them. Nothing stands in the way to accomplishing their goals, certainly not excuses. They are people of action. However, they do understand when it is good to be patient and when it is time to go forward. They also understand the value of delegating. No one can do everything all of the time. Delegation is vital to great leadership. They just make sure that those they delegate to actually get the job done.

Leaders manage their time. They understand time is the only commodity that they cannot get more of no matter how successful they become. So they treat it with great respect. They manage their time by planning their days with precision.

Leaders are persistent. They work doggedly to accomplish their goal no matter how long it takes. Persistence is not an option. They know it separates them from those that would have and those that could have but didn't.

Leaders focus on the positive. A leader keeps his eye on the end result and always maintains a positive outlook, regardless of current circumstances. They think in terms of solutions rather than problems. Leaders understand that they are in command of their own thinking.

Leaders also value failure. The average leader will fail many times before he succeeds. They are undaunted by the failures and view them as golden opportunities to get closer to their goal.
Leaders understand that failure is not the end of something hoped for, but a chance to learn to do it better next time.

Lastly Leaders are authentic. They know that their clothes and cars do not make them successful as human beings. It is their actions in the world and their true intentions that make them leaders worth following. They are authentic in their approach to life, which includes their day-to-day living. Their spoken principles reflect their actions.

Leadership is the desire to excel and to share what is learned on the path to success. As a leader it is important to be generous but authentic with praise. Those learning in your footsteps need to know when they are getting it right and then need to know from you. Praise should not be effusive, but rather appropriate to a particular situation. Given too often, it can lose it's meaning. Not given enough the student can become discouraged. We all need praise. It is invaluable from those that are leading us.

Whether you are a manager in a company overseeing employees or a mentor teaching students, you must be able to handle the rocky road to learning that invariable comes to those new to the task at hand. Everyone learns at a different pace. Some understand certain techniques and ideas with ease, while others struggle to incorporate them. A great leader is able to work well with both personality types.

Patience is the key, as is not personalizing your students struggle. Don't see their struggle as your failure, but rather their learning curve. Motivation is vital to helping others through the learning process. It's important that students or employees feel comfortable asking questions and understand that their questions are valued. Never dismiss a question as unworthy of your time as communication is the foundation for leading successfully.

Engage your students in the process and keep them completely informed. If you are holding back tiny bits of useful information in order to keep your leadership intact, your students will fail and your leadership becomes suspect. True leaders maintain a mentality of abundancy that states there is enough for everyone.

Great leaders have a variety of personalities and styles. You should not strive to become a copy of someone else. Individuality is important to leadership. While strong principles are important to the integrity of leadership, so is your unique vision.

It takes time to incorporate all the principles of leadership so it's important to be patient. Strive to incorporate one leadership principle a week and within a few months you will be demonstrating the true qualities that define and set apart a true leader. You will become the best vision of yourself and that person is ready to lead, motivate, and inspire a future generation of leaders.