I have been involved in a couple of successful businesses over the years and have been fortunate to evaluate and learn from those individuals that I believe are very successful. I believe that these individuals all have similar qualities that make them successful. I have identified them as what I see are the 4 keys to success.

1. Concern yourself with things that are in your control 
This one seems so easy, but in fact is really hard to do. The hard part is distinguishing what is within my control and what isn’t. The way I distinguish it is if I can significantly influence the situation then it is within my control. If not, I can’t. Those who worry about things that are out of their control never seem to move significantly forward in their endeavors. They are too caught up on the things they don’t control and it impedes their progress, while those who move forward focus on their circle of influence and rise to the top.

2. Set goals and become borderline obsessed with those goals
When I set a goal, it isn’t just something I write on a piece of paper (although that is better than just saying it in your mind), it is a vision in my mind that is so clear and vivid that if I were to write it out it would be 1–2 pages long. I refer to it as a vivid vision of what you want to accomplish. A goal on paper is good, but a vivid vision of what that goal accomplishes looks far better. 

3. Positive Attitude and Optimism
Have you ever thought about the conversations that you have with yourself?  Do you constantly bring yourself down?  Hopefully you build yourself. If you think you aren’t good at something, so will the rest of the world. However, if you believe in yourself and carry that dialogue within your head, then chances are you will accomplish what you set out to do. 

I’m sure that we have all met those people who are so extremely negative that it just physically, mentally, and emotionally drains your energy. If your energy is continuously being drained by negativity (whether it is by you or someone else), then you have little left in the tank to be successful. 
 
I have met people in my life that haven’t been the smartest, but have been successful through determination and optimism. That is the only dialogue they have with themselves. They attract success to them. 

4. Surround yourself with those that share the same drive to success and values you have
You have to surround yourself with others that share your drive and passion. If you have been able to master the first three keys to success, the fourth key should make absolute sense. Associating yourself with those who don’t buy into the first three keys to success is like training hard to get into shape, then hanging out every day at the All You Can Eat Club. You will get unwanted results. 

There is power in a group of individuals that shares the same values and strives to attract success into their lives. They are united as a group, and this goes beyond teamwork. They focus on the task at hand and strive for the main goal with such fervor that success will ultimately find them. 

Aaron Peterson, Executive Vice President of Sales, Satelitte Offices

I often think about the different pathways people take on their road to business success. For some, success just seems to fall in their lap, and others the road is filled with annoying pot holes of frustration, doubt and despair. Too many people that get into business (online or off) give up too quickly. As a business owner who has had many frustrations along the path to success, I can honestly look back and say it has all been worth it.

One of the biggest tools I feel I have had has been a mentor, a person that has “been there” and “done that.”. It does not mean that I will not make mistakes; it just means that I have access to a seasoned veteran who can show me the ropes when times get tough.

There will be times when you want to throw in the towel. You just have to make sure you are doing it for the right reasons?  Are you wanting a better way of life?  Are you wanting to spend more time with your family?  Do you want financial freedom? Owning your own business is one of the great ways to get the things in life that you want from life.

There will be many doubters along the way that will just try and bring you down. You have to grow a thick skin, ignore them and remember why you are doing it. You are not creating a business to better their life, you are doing it to better your life.

Your success has to come from within. Even working with some of the greatest business mentors like Prosper Learning, it does not guarantee anything if you are not in the right frame of mind and willing to put forward the effort. You have to make the choice and decision to say, “Today is the day I am going to do it, and I am going to take control of my future.” Once you are at this point there will be nothing that will get you down - you will be a success!  I am grateful to Prosper Learning and those mentors who helped me along my path to success and financial freedom.

Mat Siltala