Success formula—that’s right, success broken down so that you can create success in your life. I recommend taking notes while reading this blog post. I have read many self-improvement books, watched and followed people who have become extremely successful in life, and implemented the principles I am about to share with you in my own life. I’ve seen them make a huge difference in my own success story.
I believe we can achieve anything we are willing to work for. As I wrote in my recent post about gaining financial freedom, we are more than 99% similar to one another. The difference is that some people have the discipline, perseverance, and most importantly, they master their own mind and thinking to become ultra-successful.
Make the time to do that, and take notes. A lot of what I’m going to share with you has been influenced by Tony Robbins. So if you enjoy this content, make sure to check him out. Learn from his content, attend his seminars, and stay tuned because I’ll be sharing more about him and how you can learn from his teachings. Now, let’s get started—we have a lot to cover!
Step 1: Get Clarity on Your Definition of Success
Success—principle number one is clarity. If you don’t know what you want, you will never achieve it. Clarity is power. You need to define exactly what it is that you want to accomplish. Some people tell me, “I want to become successful.” That’s too broad—it doesn’t work. Success is just a term, and it’s far too vague. You need to get clear: What does success mean to you? What does it look like? Can it be measured?
We have a powerful system in our brain called the reticular activating system (RAS). Its core purpose is to help us focus on what’s important. There’s so much happening in the world that our senses would be overwhelmed if we tried to take it all in. Things like the feeling of the chair you’re sitting on, the sounds around you, or the sights in your environment could easily distract you. So the RAS filters what’s important, allowing us to focus on five to seven things at a time.
Here’s the powerful part: we can program our RAS by deciding what’s important to us. For example, have you ever been in the market for a new car? Once you decide on the make, model, and color, you suddenly notice that car everywhere. Did everyone suddenly start driving that car? Of course not. Those cars were always there; you just weren’t paying attention to them before.
The same thing happened when my husband and I decided to travel to Australia. Before making that decision, I never noticed all the ads or people talking about this country. But after, I started seeing Australian ads and people sharing their experiences everywhere. Did everyone suddenly decided to go to Australia? It is possible. But what is more likely, is that I made them important to me, and my RAS started picking up on them.
This is one way the law of attraction works. It’s not that you say you want something, and it magically lands in your lap. Instead, by getting clear about what you want, you program your RAS to start noticing the opportunities that align with your goal.
Opportunities are everywhere—there’s an abundance of them. But if you’re not clear about your goals, you won’t notice them. When you define what you want, you start to see possibilities and experience serendipity.
A great way to do this is by setting specific goals. Sit down and take the time to define what you want in life. What do you want in every area—career, relationships, health, finances? Be specific. For example, if you say, “I want to make more money,” that’s too vague. If I gave you a dollar and told you to go, technically, you’ve achieved your goal. But that’s not what you meant, right?
Instead, ask yourself: How much money do I want to make? Be precise, because the more specific you are, the clearer your RAS will be.
When setting goals, avoid the tyranny of the “how.” You might hesitate to set a goal because you’re unsure how to achieve it. Don’t worry about the how. Focus first on defining what you want. Once you’re clear, the rest will follow.
“Reasons come first, answers come second. Set your goals for yourself, and you’ll figure out how to achieve them. I guarantee it. So clarity is power.”
Step 2: Become Your Own Leader
Number two: become your own leader. People tell me all the time, “I need a mentor or a coach to become successful,” and honestly, I think to myself, step up and become your own leader. Stop being this weak person who thinks they need someone else to help them succeed. No! Realize that you have something called potential. It’s inside you, waiting to be unleashed, waiting for you to command it into action.
You are powerful, strong, and capable. You have everything you need to achieve whatever it is you want in life, but you have to step into the role of a leader. Take charge of your life. Don’t rely on others. Don’t sit around waiting for someone to show up and say, “I’ll coach you, I’ll guide you to success.” That’s not how life works. If you’re waiting for that, you’ll be waiting forever.
So step up. Be a leader. Right now.
Tony Robbins teaches about the three mandates of leadership, and these are critical as you take on this role:
- See things as they are—not worse than they are.
When you set a big goal, something you’ve never achieved before, it’s natural to feel scared. You start thinking of all the things that could go wrong, imagining the worst-case scenario. This is your subconscious protecting you because if you don’t try, you can’t fail, and it wants to avoid failure.But here’s the thing—if you’re not careful, this mindset will sabotage you before you even start. You need to recognize this tendency and focus on seeing things exactly as they are. Don’t make the situation worse than it is. - See things better than they are.
Now that you’ve grounded yourself in reality, it’s time to create a vision. See things better than they are. Picture what your future could be. What could you achieve? What could you create? Who could you become?When you start to focus on the best-case scenario, it shifts your energy. It excites you. It gives you a compelling reason to keep moving forward. This vision becomes the fuel that keeps you going, even when things get tough. - Make it the way you see it.
Finally, take that vision and make it real. This is where strategy and action come into play. Your vision is your map, but you need to take consistent action to build momentum. Every step you take will refine your strategy and bring you closer to creating the life you’ve envisioned.
These three mandates of leadership will help you step into your power and take control of your destiny. You don’t need to wait for someone else to lead you. You already have everything it takes—just take the first step and get started.
Step 3: Leverage the Power of Belief
Now we move into number three: the power of belief. I can’t emphasize enough how important belief is in your life and in achieving success. This is why the rich get richer and the poor stay poor. It’s about momentum—an object in motion stays in motion.
Tony Robbins talks about something called the success cycle, and I’ll explain it to you step by step. Imagine a cycle:
- On the top left, you see potential.
- On the top right, you see action.
- On the bottom right, you see results.
- On the bottom left, you see belief (or certainty).
So, how much potential does a human being have? The answer is unlimited. We don’t even know the extent of human potential because it’s constantly being redefined. World records are broken regularly. Things once thought impossible have been achieved by those who tapped into their potential.
But here’s the catch: do the results in our lives reflect our potential? Often, no. That’s why we strive for success—we’re not satisfied with our results. Does taking more action always lead to better results? Not necessarily. It all starts with belief.
If you don’t believe in what you’re doing, how much potential will you unlock? Only a fraction. And if you tap into limited potential, how much action will you take? Not much. With limited action, your results will be poor. And when your results are poor, what happens to your belief? It diminishes, reinforcing the idea that “this doesn’t work” or “why bother trying?”
This creates a negative feedback loop that sabotages success.
Now let’s look at it differently. Say I have a goal to lose 10 pounds. If I believe that intermittent fasting, fasted cardio, eating a big salad daily, cutting out sodas, and staying consistent will work, I’ll have certainty. I’ll believe with confidence, “Of course, I’ll lose 10 pounds in two months if I do these things.”
With full belief, how much potential will I tap into? My fullest potential. And if I tap into my fullest potential, how much action will I take? Massive action. If I take massive action, what results will I get? Great results. And great results will reinforce my belief that I can achieve my goal.
Next time, I’ll approach a similar goal with even stronger belief because I now have proof it works. This creates a positive feedback loop of success.
Belief is the foundation of everything. If you don’t believe you can achieve something, you won’t even try. This is why I aim to be your cheerleader—to encourage you and remind you of your potential, especially if you don’t have supportive friends or family. You have unlimited potential, but you need to create belief within yourself.
Examples of Belief in Action
One of my favorite examples is Roger Bannister. In 1954, he became the first person to run a mile in under four minutes. Before him, no one thought it was humanly possible. But Bannister didn’t let that stop him.
Every day, he visualized himself running a sub-four-minute mile. He imagined it over and over until he believed it was possible. That belief drove him to take massive action, and he achieved his goal.
What’s fascinating is that just 46 days after Bannister broke the four-minute barrier, someone else did it too. And soon after, many others followed. Why? Because Bannister’s achievement shattered the limiting belief that it couldn’t be done. Once people saw it was possible, their belief shifted. Today, even high school athletes run a mile in under four minutes.
Another example is elephants in captivity. Baby elephants are chained to the ground, and when they try to break free, they can’t—they’re too small and not strong enough. Eventually, they stop trying.
When those same elephants grow to full size, weighing up to 13,000 pounds, they could easily break free. But they don’t. Why? Because they still believe they can’t. That limiting belief, ingrained from a young age, keeps them trapped despite their immense power.
What This Means for You
Your beliefs shape your life. If you hold onto limiting beliefs that no longer serve you, it’s time to let them go. Replace them with empowering beliefs that align with your goals.
Remember, you have unlimited potential. The only thing holding you back is the belief that you can’t achieve something. Change that belief, and you’ll unlock the power within you to achieve anything you set your mind to.
Step 4: Take Massive Action
Principle number four is simple but powerful: take massive action and persist until you get the results you want.
When you set a goal and your first attempt doesn’t work, don’t give up. Change your approach. If that doesn’t work, change your approach again. Keep adjusting and trying different strategies until you achieve the outcome you desire.
This is where so many people falter—they expect success to come easily and give up too soon. But achieving your goals requires persistence. You must make your goals a must, not just a “want.” When something becomes a must, you’ll do whatever it takes to achieve it. If the path isn’t clear, you’ll create one.
As Tony Robbins says: “There’s no such thing as failure, except the failure to learn from your experience.”
The Process of Growth
Think about teaching a child to ride a bike. You don’t expect them to master it on the first try. You know they’ll fall, scrape their knees, and wobble. That’s why you give them knee pads and wrist guards—you anticipate the falls because they’re part of the process.
But with each fall, they learn. They adjust. They grow. And eventually, riding a bike becomes second nature.
The same applies to your goals. Falling, failing, and struggling are all parts of the journey. These challenges make the success more rewarding. If achieving your dreams were easy, the reward wouldn’t feel as meaningful. It’s the persistence, growth, and who you become during the process that makes it worthwhile.
Resourcefulness Over Resources
If you’ve failed to achieve a goal in the past, you might say it was due to a lack of money, time, or connections. But those are just resources, and failure is rarely about lacking resources. It’s about a lack of resourcefulness.
Tony Robbins often shares this perspective: someone somewhere in the world has achieved a similar goal with far fewer resources than you. Maybe they had even less money, less time, or fewer connections, yet they found a way to succeed. How? They were resourceful. They figured out how to make it happen despite their limitations.
For example, imagine someone held a gun to your head and said, “Come up with $500 today, or else.” You’d find a way to make it happen—because it’s a must.
When you truly want something and make it non-negotiable, you’ll discover solutions you never thought possible.
The Power of Proximity
One of the smartest ways to take massive action is by leveraging the power of proximity.
If your goal is to open a restaurant, immerse yourself in that world. Work at a restaurant—whether it’s as a busboy, server, or line cook. Being in that environment will teach you far more than any textbook ever could. You’ll learn firsthand how restaurants operate, build relationships with managers and owners, and gain invaluable insights.
This applies to any goal. Surround yourself with people and environments aligned with your ambitions. Whether it’s working for someone successful in your field or finding a mentor, proximity gives you knowledge, connections, and opportunities that can fast-track your success.
Immersion Equals Growth
The key to massive action is immersion. Dive in and start doing the work. Learn as you go. That’s how I built my business—not by waiting for the perfect moment, but by immersing myself in the process and figuring things out along the way.
You’ll learn more through real-world experience than years of theoretical study. Start where you are, use what you have, and persist until you get the results you want.
Taking massive action and staying committed will propel you toward your goals faster than you can imagine. Make it a must, stay resourceful, and use the power of proximity to unlock your full potential.
Step 5: Bring Success to Everything You Do
This principle, inspired by the late Wayne Dyer, flips the traditional notion of success on its head. Success isn’t something external you need to chase or obtain—it’s something you bring to every action, no matter how small or mundane.
What Does It Mean to Bring Success?
Imagine you’re working a job you don’t love, like bagging groceries. You have two choices:
- Go through the motions—grumble, do the bare minimum, and treat it like a chore.
- Bring success to it—commit to being the best bagger possible. Smile at customers, double-bag carefully, and create a positive atmosphere.
Bringing success means showing up with intention, effort, and a positive attitude. When you do, it transforms the task, and it doesn’t go unnoticed. Managers, colleagues, and customers will see your excellence. Over time, this energy compounds, creating opportunities and momentum that lead to even greater success.
Treat Every Opportunity as a Blessing
Even if your current job or situation isn’t your dream, see it as a blessing. It’s a stepping stone, a chance to show the universe you can handle more.
If you bring your best to the present, you’ll gain skills, build relationships, and attract opportunities. This doesn’t mean you have to stay where you are forever—it means you recognize the value of what’s in front of you while working toward your bigger goals.
The key is to stop waiting for the “perfect opportunity” to start putting in effort. Success breeds success. When you show that you can handle what’s in front of you with excellence, bigger opportunities will come your way.
The Ice Cream Parable
Wayne Dyer’s analogy beautifully illustrates this principle:
If a child drops their two scoops of ice cream, would you buy them three next time? No. You’d tell them to show they can handle two scoops before asking for more.
Life works the same way. If you want bigger opportunities or responsibilities, demonstrate that you can handle what you already have. Master your current circumstances, and the universe will trust you with more.
Happiness Follows Action
Wayne Dyer also shared a parable about two cats:
- A young cat chases its tail endlessly, believing happiness lies in catching it.
- An older, wiser cat says, “I’ve learned that as long as I confidently move forward, my tail (and happiness) follows me everywhere I go.”
The lesson? Don’t chase success or happiness. Focus on what’s important, take purposeful action, and success will naturally follow.
Practical Ways to Bring Success
Celebrate Small Wins
Recognize and appreciate the progress you make, no matter how small. Success isn’t a destination; it’s a mindset and a daily practice.
Embrace the Task
Even if it’s something you don’t enjoy—like cleaning or repetitive work—commit to doing it well. Turn it into an opportunity to build discipline, creativity, or mindfulness.
Shift Your Perspective
See every situation as a chance to grow. Your current role might not be your dream, but it’s a stepping stone toward it.
Create Value Wherever You Are
When you bring enthusiasm and effort to what you do, you create value for yourself and others. This energy attracts positive outcomes and opportunities.
Be Present
Stop thinking of your current situation as “just a means to an end.” Fully engage in the present moment and task.
Step 6: Don’t Forget About Fulfillment
The last step is what Tony Robbins calls the science of success and the art of fulfillment. Success is a science—it’s measurable, it’s calculated, and there’s a formula to it. But fulfillment is an art. It’s something you have to figure out for yourself.
This is so important because if you’re anything like me—or like most people—you might think that success will automatically bring you happiness, joy, and fulfillment. You think, “If I make this much money, if I get this car, if I move into this house, then I’ll be happy.” But so often, when you achieve those things, you realize they were a bit hyped up. Sure, in the moment, there’s excitement. You buy a new car, and it smells amazing. You love it. But after a few weeks, that feeling fades.
You move into a house with a beautiful view, and for a while, it’s incredible. But eventually, you get bored of it, you take it for granted. That’s called the Law of Familiarity. Anything external—whether it’s money, cars, or houses—will never bring lasting happiness.
Understanding the Difference
Yes, go for success. Strive to unlock your potential, achieve your dreams, and make an impact. But also understand that fulfillment doesn’t come from checking off goals. It’s about being happy with yourself, your relationships, your spirituality, and the love you have for yourself and others.
Take it from me. I’ve focused so much on success, and while it’s great, I’ve learned that the principles of success aren’t the same as the principles of fulfillment.
Robin Williams is such a powerful example of this. He was someone who inspired millions of people, made them laugh, and brought so much joy to the world. He achieved so much professionally and personally. But despite all that, he struggled with addiction and mental health challenges. Success didn’t bring him the fulfillment he needed, and it’s heartbreaking to see what happened.
Balance Success and Fulfillment
You’ve got to remember that while success gets easier as you build momentum, fulfillment isn’t the same. Success might come with public recognition and rewards, but the things that truly matter—your relationships, mental health, and inner peace—require just as much, if not more, effort.
I don’t want you to become someone who’s ultra-successful but miserable. Trust me: money, status, and achievements won’t solve the deeper challenges in life.
Focus on Fulfillment
Fulfillment is an art. There’s no step-by-step formula; you’ve got to figure it out for yourself.
Happiness is internal. Nothing external will give you lasting happiness or fulfillment.
Balance is key. Ask yourself: What is this costing me? Don’t let your pursuit of success come at the expense of your health, relationships, or mental well-being.