This past Sunday, a mini-version of this article was published in our weekly column of the Star Bulletin newspaper of Hawaii, and below is the longer version for our subscribers who “want more” details on the topic and the coaching tips we provide below.

By Deborah Cole Micek & John-Paul Micek

Who has the best chance to become successful?

Many people would answer

that it’s someone who comes from a wealthy home, is intelligent, and knows the right people. But the facts show us something quite different.

Most “net-worth” millionaires are the exact opposite of popular stereotypes held for the rich and famous. In fact, many American success stories reveal strategies that go against “conventional wisdom.”

(Which is not wisdom at all, but simply sayings that make people feel better about their current position in life.)

Take the trite saying, “It’s not what you know but who you know.”

Every time someone says that, it drives me up a wall! If you’re saying this (to others or to yourself,) you’re programming yourself to remain in a box. It’s robbing you of the full measure of success you were created to achieve.

Do you think Sly (Sylvester Stallone) would’ve ever reached the level of success he has reached if he believed that saying? He was originially turned down by over 1,000 agents before getting someone to even consider his script for Rocky. He certainly didn’t know anyone in Hollywood when he was first starting out.

Look at Oprah Winfrey for another example. From an abusive childhood to the first black woman in America to become a billionaire, she certainly didn’t get any breaks by “knowing the right people.” She made her own breaks with her focus, charisma, and determination.

Fighting the “old boys network”

Even if you’re in an industry that’s ruled by the “old boys network,” keep in mind, there’s always a way!

You must continually ask yourself how you can go around, over, under the wall that’s currently blocking you from reaching the other side. You may even need to reinvent the existing system (like William Porter did in the financial industry with ETrade.)

Is there anyone you know in your industry who became successful because their charisma, determination and attitude? These visionary leaders pop up in every industry imaginable.

How can you model their approach for success in your industry?

Begin by thinking innovatively by asking productive questions like, “How can I get to know the people who have influence with my target market?”

Then follow up by taking more action than ever before!

You alone determine your level of business success

Your level of success is determined first by the quality of your thoughts and the types of questions you continually ask yourself.

Everything we do begins first with a thought.

Unfortunately, for most of us, we do many things out of habits we’ve formed at a very young age. And then, we never give our actions any additional thought; instead we go on auto-pilot.

Just like walking, swimming or driving a car, our actions become part of the routine for our everyday lives. We don’t think about how we walk across the room, we just automatically do it.

Yet, your brain continues to send over a million separate messages to your body in order for you to perform this simple action. It’s exactly the same thing with success.

The quality of your internal questions will determine your business innovation and success.

The Coaching Corner:

What type of questions do you ask yourself on a regular basis?

If you’re asking questions like, “Why does this always happen to me?” it’s very likely you’ll get poor answers (and pitiful results.)

If you continually “beat yourself up” anytime you don’t make a sale or a marketing approach brings poor results, you are programming your brain with the message that you don’t “deserve” to earn a lot, and will cease being creative. This translates into a feeling that is often described as “being burnt out” or “unmotivated”.

Instead you must reprogram your mind by asking innovation producing questions. Any time something doesn’t go according to plan, ask yourself an empowering question like, “What can I learn from this experience?” and “How can I do this better next time?”

By doing this you’ll actually stimulate your mind by giving your brain a homework assignment. You’ll be amazed at the results you get the next time you tackle the same project. And you’ll be thrilled with how much easier and more enjoyable it is.

Your brain ONLY responds to the instructions you give it. Start controlling the programming of your brain today and begin watching your profits, performance, and personal fulfillment spike like a thermometer in the Texas Summer sun.

© Copyright 1999-2005 by RPM Success Group ® www.rpmsuccess.com, All rights reserved. Reproduction in any form without the express written consent of RPM Success Group ® is prohibited. Call RPM Success Group toll free at 888-334-8151 for reprint permissions, or by email editor@rpmsuccess.com.

About the Authors:
John-Paul Micek and his partner Deborah Cole Micek are Business Growth Coaches. They specialize in helping small business owners like you, achieve profit-doubling growth in 60-80% less time than it would take to do on your own.

With their strategic coaching programs, and the high-leverage membership benefits of the www.BusinessOwnersCoachingClub.com you’re guaranteed to reach more goals in 12-months than most owners do in a decade.

You can reach them at support @ RPMsuccess.com or toll free in the USA at (888) 334-8151. You can learn more about John-Paul at www.JohnPaulMicek.com or Deborah at www.DeborahMicek.com