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**  SUCCEED FROM THE START by Darren Roberts **
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1) PREPARE THOROUGHLY
If it's worth doing, then do your homework beforehand. If it's not important enough to prepare for then it's probably, in the long run, not all that important to you.  This involves goal setting and thorough planning.

2) INVEST ONLY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD
This relates to putting more money into a project than you feel comfortable with.   Stay within your limits. This way you'll reduce unnecessary stress and worry. Stress and worry are certain to send you towards the gurgler.

3) BE EXTRAVERTED
If you are shy and have trouble relating to people then you won't be able to build a network of business associates or potential clients. Jump out of your shell and choose to have an impact.

4) BE A LEADER
You have to stand up and follow what is closest to your heart. You can't abdicate this right to someone else because they can't do it as well as you can. They don't know you like you do. You have a personal vested interest in yourself. Make it happen.

5) OPTIMISM 
The image you portray to the world is a reflection of your belief.  If you think that everything is going to fall apart then your belief will become your obsession and it will become reality. You deserve better than that.

6) FAMILY TIME & EXERCISE
Shun your family away and those closest to you will soon become strangers. If they are as important as you think they are then give them the respect and time you all deserve.

Similarly, if you fail to exercise your body and give your muscles, bones and tendons a workout from time to time, be it walking, sport or some leisure activity, then you will become more prone to injury and long-term health problems. 

7) LEARN FROM MISTAKES
There are three types of people in this world; those that learn from their own mistakes, those that learn from the mistakes of others and there are those that don't learn at all. As long as you fall into either of the first two categories you're on a winner.

Mistakes are mere advice that something isn't working. Back up a step and examine what you did. You can then tackle it again with newfound knowledge as opposed to doing the same all over again.

8) RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
You will miss vital ways of making your job easier if you don't keep up on what's happening in this area. Make this a priority and your knowledge can only work to your advantage.

9) BE PERSISTENT
Succeeding rarely involves a big victory right away. You have to work for it. If you aren't prepared to look at alternative ways on an ongoing basis to reach your goal then your lack of persistence will send you down the drain quickly.

10) BE OPEN TO OTHER PERSPECTIVES
This is big. This is huge. We all believe in many things. If someone offers something contrary to our close heart felt beliefs then we reject it accordingly.

We cannot afford to become so stuck in our ways that anything extraordinary or just different will be automatically dismissed. Opportunities abound. If we put the blinkers on then we receive a very narrow picture.  If things are different, respect them for what they are, different not inferior. Opening our doors to newness will present a world of abundance. 

The above list is by no means exhaustive. Ensure that your plan covers all possible contingencies. This way you'll increase your chances of success many times over.