Retire Early

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.56>> Retire Early, If you didn't have to worry about earning a living, you could concentrate on your personal potential and being of service to others.

You don't have to be a millionaire to retire early. In fact, if you had savings of half that amount, invested prudently, you could retire and earn an annual income that exceeds the annual income of 75% of the people in the United States. Over half of the people in the United States have less than $10,000 saved for retirement and live from paycheck to paycheck. They have no definitive financial plans. You are different. You now have a financial goal: to retire early.

Consider this: After 20 years of saving 20% of your income, you may create the choice of not having to work for a living.

Consider this: As an alternative to saving 20%, can you earn 20% more if you work 10 hours a day rather than 8, or 6 days a week rather than 5?

Invest In Your Future

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.55>> Invest In Your Future, Today, investors sacrifice and spenders enjoy. Tomorrow, investors enjoy and spenders keep working. If you buy a house today, you may have to work two jobs to make the mortgage payments now but you may own the house without debt in twenty years. If you give up TV tonight, you can take an evening course and in six years earn a college degree. If you start training today, you may be sore tomorrow and a black belt in four years. Invest in yourself.

Most wealthy people save between 15% and 20% of their income. Invest in fields in which you have a specialized knowledge. If you sell car, invest in the auto industry. If you are a real estate broker, buy income properties. Be sure to diversify your holdings by investing in a retirement plan and a no-load mutual fund. There is a time value to money, so the earlier you start investing the better. Invest in things that appreciate rathern than spend on things that depreciate. Secure your own retirement.

Relax Your Body

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.54>> Relax Your Body, In your personal dealings, remain loose and light. Eliminate stress. There is rarely need to be tense and hardheaded. Much can be accomplished through calm reason and a soft voice.

Most physical movements should be loose, light, fluid, agile and flexible, rather than tense, hard, rigid and stiff. Slow, deep breathing will calm anxieties, lower your heart rate and allow for concentration. Massages, steam baths, saunas and whirlpools also help the muscles to rest. Make sure you get your rejuvenating 6-8 hours of sleep per night.

At any time, start counting backwards from 100 as you breathe deeply. Let the air fill your belly as you inhale and exhale, more slowly and more fully with each breath. Quiet your muscles and relax.

Stay Fit and Healthy

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.53>> Stay Fit and Healthy, Be prepared to succeed both physically and mentally. You do not know when you will be called upon to defend with a block, a blow or a word. You can swim, run, or rollerblade. You can take a walk. Staying fit also helps to prevent inquiry and helps you deal with stress and fatigue.

If you want to be thinner, start putting out more calories than you take in and you will lose weight. Start now. If you want to be healthier, add more fruits and vegetables to your diet. Drink a lot of water. If you want a strong heart, do twenty minutes of vigorous calisthenics each day. If you want to look good and feel strong, work out with weights three times a week for thirty minutes. You don't need fancy gym equipment to be fit. You don't need a lot of time. You just need the will to start and persist.

Avoid Negative People

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.52>> Avoid Negative People, You have one life to live. You want to be happy and to make your life meaningful. You haven't got time to waste with negative people. They will drain your energy. When they find a willing audience, they won't let it go. They may have justifiable concerns but too often get involved in minor matters. They blame and look for excuses. Even when blame can be justified it serves no productive good. They are usually negative because they have ceded control of their happiness to others - the boss, the neighbors, the kids, the politicians, the police.

Be polite and encouraging to negative people. You can be compassionate, but still be strong enough to walk away. Everyone has problems, but not everyone allows those problems to rule them. You can offer a temporary safe haven without becoming a permanent home. You do not have to sacrifice your life to the problems of another.

Communicate with Ease

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.51>> Communicate with Ease, Can you talk your way out of most tough situations? Can you talk your way through to decision makers to build up your sales? Can you talk to the media and garner positive press for your business? Can you talk to 500 people and win converts to your cause or position?

Being an effective communicator can take you a long way and is a skill worth developing. Be yourself. Believe in your own words. It doesn't matter if you are talking to one person or one thousand. If you want people to like what you say, persuade with modesty and build your audience up. Listen to good communicators and model yourself after them. How do good interviewers ask questions? How do good public speakers work? How do good salespeople sell? To communicate well, you can't get stuck on transmit. Pause before you speak. You must listen and speak with purpose. Get to the point. Create interest with visual aids. Tell them what you are going to tell them. Tell them. Tell them what you told them. Sit down.

Don't let technology leave you behind. Learn to communicate via e-mail and the Internet.

Venture Outside The Box

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.50>> Venture Outside The Box, It would be nice if there were logical step-by-step instructions for every step on your success journey. But, there aren't. You learn from your own experiences and by studying the experiences of others, and then you often have to find your own way. To find an answer, you may have to go outside the box.

If all graphic designers are offering computer-generated work, maybe your niche is hand drawing. If all your day care center competitors are strict about pick-up times, maybe your niche is to be flexible. If none of the other landlords in your area allow pets, maybe you do. Being a little different can be profitable.

If you can't earn a degree full time, perhaps you can take evening or correspondence or on-line courses. If you are worried about starting a business, you can consider buying an existing business or a franchise. If you can't exercise because you have to baby-sit, how about taking the kids for a walk or run with you? Don't give up. At times, you may have to improvise and be creative. Quitting or not trying isn't an option.

Accept Hard Work

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.49>> Accept Hard Work, Great accomplishments come from hard work. Luck accompanies hard work. If necessary, be prepared to endure temporary hardship. At times, the work is going to be hard to do and you would prefer doing something easier. Accept this. Put enthusiasm into your work and you will reduce boredom. Commit yourself to hard work and be thankful that you aren't lazy. Laziness makes all work difficult.

From day one, you accept the premise that by following the Action Principles, you will work hard and give much. Don't cheat, or look for the easy way out. Bask in the feeling of exhilaration and accomplishment that few will experience. If you work hard, you will never go hungry. In the end, you will discover that all the hard work was worth it. Work hard and don't wish that your life were any other way. Get accustomed to doing what others can't or won't.

Do What Others Can't

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.48>> Do What Others Can't, Most people can't give two nights a month to volunteer at a hospice. You can.

Most people can't get up at 6:00 AM and jog two miles. You can.

Most people can't give up their lunch hour to solve a customer's problem. You can.

Most people can't help to clean up other people's messes. You can.

Most people can't help a friend deal with destructive behavior. You can.

Most people can't give five percent of their money to charity. You can.

Develop Winning Habits

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.47>> Develop Winning Habits, If becoming a success were easy, everyone would do it. It isn't. They don't. You can develop winning habits while identifying and working to eliminate your bad habits. Be patient. Psychological studies have shown that it takes about 30 days to begin to form or begin to rid yourself of a habit.

You can keep your word even though this may not always be easy. You can write and focus on your goals and objectives and your to-do list. You can exercise when you're tired. You can read business materials. You can volunteer. You can give a little extra money to charity. You can give a little extra time to family members, students and customers. You can pick up litter on the jogging path. You can delay gratification. You can do a lot while others are idle.

You won't always want to do these things. You will feel that you are doing more than your share. You are right. Work on your habits. You are tough.

Be Persistent

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.46>> Be Persistent, Modern life can make you soft. The status quo may become comfortably familiar. You can actually begin to believe that you are doing all that you can, or that doing more isn't worth the effort. Challenge yourself. You must start the positive momentum in your life and then you've got to stick with it day to day.

You don't need someone else to tell you not to smoke. If today, you smoked a pack, tomorrow smoke 18. The next day, 17. Improve. If you haven't read a book recently, read one. If you don't exercise, take a walk around the block. If you're shy, say to five new people: "Good morning!"

You know yourself. You know what improvement you need. You don't need anyone to tell you not to jump from a fifty-story building, so why would you need someone to tell you not to do drugs, to exercise more, eat a sensible diet, talk to your kids, or compliment your employees? You know what to do.

Keep going. No one can say that you failed until you do. Keep taking small steps forward your goal. Challenge the you who is content with yesterday's accomplishments. Take a deep breath. Changes that last a lifetime begin in a moment. With persistence, only time stands between you and your goal.

Develop Your Special Talent

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.45>> Develop Your Special Talent, You were born with a special talent. It may be to sing, write, teach, paint, mentor, preach, defend or befriend. You have something special to offer the world, something you can do better than 10,000 others. You must keep learning and trying new things to find your special talent. The world needs your gift. Be aware that even a special talent can go stale if you don't keep using and honing it. Endeavor to keep your talents and all your skills up to date.

An advantage isn't an advantage unless you use it. Find ways to use your advantages to set and reach your goals. Likewise, you should recognize and then try to minimize the impact of your limitations. Remember that not all advantages are transferable. Just because you are talented in one area doesn't mean that you will be talented at everything you try. The successful real estate investor can easily lose her money opening a restaurant. Stick to your advantages and don't stray from them without reasoned justification.

Be Prudent

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.44>> Be Prudent, Just because you deserve victory doesn't mean that you will win every fight, game or argument. Someone else may have the tactical advantage. Have the self-confidence to know when not to fight. Perhaps the smartest course of action is to retreat and reflect upon your options. Can you return to the challenge on another day better equipped, more experienced and stronger?

The non-action of the wise man is not inaction. It is not studied. It is not shaken by anything. The heart of the wise man is tranquil. It is the mirror of heaven and earth... emptiness, stillness and tranquility. Wise men don't fight each other.

Demonstrate Your Love

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.43>> Demonstrate Your Love, From the Bible, we learn that love is patient and kind. It does not envy. It does not boast. It is not proud. It is not rude; it is not self-seeking; it is not easily angered; it keeps no record of wrongs. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. It is responsibility and a willingness to work out problems.

Love is too wonderful and too powerful to be kept bottled up. Let it out with your smiles, your voice, your manner, your enthusiasm and your continuing acts of kindness. For love, you can risk being vulnerable.

When you find love, cherish and safeguard it. A loving marriage and family is worth all your efforts.

Practice Forgiveness

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.42>> Practice Forgiveness, Anger, hatred, bitterness, resentments and thoughts of revenge are heavy weights that slow a person down. Allowed to fester, these negative feelings can consume increasingly larger portions of your life. LIberate yourself. Let it go. The forgiving person is always stronger. Be like the rock in the stream and let the thoughts of revenge flow by you.

As a person of action, improving yourself and helping others, you will make lots of mistakes. You will do foolish things. Learn the lesson.

You practice forgiveness for yourself. Consider those whom you may have offended or injured and ask for their forgiveness. Can you say, "I'm sorry and I apologize if I offended you."? If you ask and your request is rejected, you have lightened your burden in trying. Continue to encourage efforts at reconciliation.

Practice Forgiveness

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.42>> Practice Forgiveness, Anger, hatred, bitterness, resentments and thoughts of revenge are heavy weights that slow a person down. Allowed to fester, these negative feelings can consume increasingly larger portions of your life. Liberate yourself. Let it go. The forgiving person is always stronger. Be like the rock in the stream and let the thoughts of revenge flow by you.

As a person of action, improving yourself and helping others, you will make lots of mistakes. You will do foolish things. Learn the lesson.

You practice forgiveness for yourself. Consider those whom you may have offended or injured and ask for their forgiveness. Can you say, "I'm sorry and I apologize if I offended you."? If you ask and your request is rejected, you have lightened your burden in trying. Continue to encourage efforts at reconciliation.

Show Loyalty

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.41>> Show Loyalty, Be a stand-up person. You stand for your family, country and friends. When and if trouble comes, let others have no doubt that they can count on you for help and support. Your commitments don't waver with the moods of the moment.

You don't hesitate to act.

At work, you build customer loyalty by concentrating on service with an attitude clear to everyone that customer retention is very important to you. You don't run a business solely dependent on finding new customers.

You are consistent, devoted, faithful and true. You stand for your beliefs and values. You aren't afraid to pledge allegiance to what is right. This is loyalty.

Become Grateful

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.40>> Become Grateful, Life isn't exactly the way you want it to be. You will have your ups and downs and crosses to bear. You will have opportunities to practice holding your tongue and exercising patience. Yet, because you are focused on the larger picture, you will be able to keep everyday events in perspective.

Be grateful for all you have. Acknowledge and accept compliments. In the larger scheme of things, you may wish to be grateful for good health, a supportive spouse, a rewarding profession, obedient, healthy children, conscientious employees, prosperity, religious faith, loyal friends and even winning sports teams. You add and choose. Why not write letters to people in your life who have made a difference and thank them? You will both feel good.

When you can look forward and be thankful, you can help others do the same. Hold the burning candle from which others can light their candles.

Embrace gratitude.

Develop Your Sense of Humor

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.39>> Develop Your Sense of Humor, In all areas of life, a quick wit, a hearty laugh, a smile and a warm sense of humor are appreciated. To be a good joke teller, tell jokes often. Practice. Model your delivery after comedians you admire and funny friends. Start a joke file.

Always be absolutely sure that your material is clean and non-offensive. Stick to a universally funny subject - you. Most of the best humor is self-deprecating. That is, you have to learn to laugh at yourself. On your road to success, there will be many stumbles and fumbles, providing many opportunities for you to turn the unexpected into stress-reducing laughter. Don't sweat the small stuff. Laugh about it. Be affable. Humor will add to your attractiveness.

Appreciate Your Appeal

Bill FitzPatrick - Founder of the "American Success Institute".

Action Principle No.38>> Appreciate Your Appeal, Students will want to learn from you, bosses to promote you, banks to lend you money and customers to buy your products or services.

Your allure will be your genuine selflessness in wanting to help them to achieve their objective, whether it is to become a black belt or buy a car. By not trying to be a sales person, but a true customer service person, you will make more sales.

Charisma isn't painted on the outside. It comes from the inside. Be honest. Be yourself. Adopt this attitude and you will be liked by many - immediately.