Different people have different definitions of success. To the general working class, success could be getting that car, getting that dream house or getting a certain sum of money.

To salesman, success could be having more customers, earning more commissions or getting more sales.

How about you? What is your definition of success?

I've not spoken or seen you before so I can't tell what success really is to you. But 80% of the time, most people would relate their level of success to achieving a certain financial goal.

Sounds boring, doesn't it?

How about let's see 'success' in a totally different point of view? Feel what impact it would have in your life if you were to perceive success this way. Read the rest of this entry »

Success is moving from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm
- Winston Churchill

photo: hans.gerwitz

You may have heard or seen this quote being used commonly in many personal development materials. But is that really the truth? What I've discovered is that it's far from the truth - To many people, they behave as if failure IS an option. In fact, if you have noticed, some people's pattern in life is to give their ‘best shot'. But when they do not achieve their initial goal, most of them just stop and give the classic excuse of, "I've already done my best."

Then interestingly, there will be another group of people whose pattern in life is to Read the rest of this entry »

photo: ©aius

If you have read Adam Khoo's Master Your Mind, Design Your Destiny book, you would have already known that there are 2 important levels that will affect your level of success. Do you know what they are?

Here's the answer:

1. Level of expectations
2. Level of acceptance

Let me explain what each of the 2 levels mean. To put it simply, your level of expectation tells you what you expect from something (e.g. your salary, your house, the model of your personal car). And your level of acceptance simply tells us what you are willing to settle for.

Now, what is the difference between these 2 levels? How can they affect you? Read on... Read the rest of this entry »

In today's society, changes are inevitable - improvements in technology, changes in your career and responsibilities at work.

Less than 10 years ago, as long as you did what your customer expects you to, you would be in good business. But in today's society, if you did just as what you're expected, you would still be in business, but barely making money. You'd be struggling in your business. Why?

Because in order to succeed in your business today, you must exceed your customer's needs and expectations. That's why most companies are gearing beyond just meeting their customers' expectations.

10 years ago, if you were selling computers, when a customer purchases one of it, all you'll need to do is just deliver it on time. If you're able to meet the delivery time, you would be deemed as ‘trustable' and you can expect your business brand to spread from word of mouth.

But today, if you were just to deliver the computer on time, it's very unlikely that your business would be a major success. Why? Read the rest of this entry »

photo: Symic

Everyone knows that motivation is important. Yet, not many people are able to practice motivation. Is it that hard? Or is it because they simply do not know how to?

You see. Personal development has a wide scope. There are several parts for you to consider like physical, psychological and emotional aspects.

Remember the saying "great things start from small beginnings?" That's what personal development is all about. It all starts the moment you recognize your capabilities and take action accordingly.

Here's a step-by-step guide for your personal development: Read the rest of this entry »

photo: neys

There are probably hundred and one ways you can succeed. At the same time, after reading the biographies of successful people, what I've discovered is that if you are truly committed in achieving success in your own field, there are 3 main things you must do.

1. Put yourself on the line

When Bill Clinton was studying in Yale University, everyone thought that he was crazy when he walked around telling them that he will be the President of the United States one day.

What they did not know was that every single time he declared his goals in public, he was putting himself on the line and intensifying his urge and commitment to achieve his dreams (which he did, as we all know).

When Slyvester Stallone got so broke financially because he did not get the opportunity to fulfill his acting dreams, he was forced to sell his dog for $50 just to survive. Read the rest of this entry »

photo: redjar

Being distracted is a deadly sin that most people commit. According to a study conducted in April 2006 by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), it is estimated that "distractions are a contributing factor in 8 out of every 10 police-reported traffic crashes, or an estimated 4 million crashes per year."¹

Being distracted is so easy nowadays. A common scenario is this...

You reach home and you told yourself you had to study for your test or you had to complete your work assignment. But the moment you open the door and you see Read the rest of this entry »

photo: aj82

Having been in my own online business for almost half a year now, I've had my share of ‘low productivity' days where I would easily spend 1 full day just to edit one minor mistake on my website. In fact, I just got the chance to re-experience that a few days ago when I wanted to implement some new functions on my site.

Trust me. It's darn frustrating when I looked back at the amount of time I've wasted in that simple activity. And that's the feeling that motivated me to write this entry.

Now, let me ask you a simple question.

Were there times when you found yourself getting into the deadly pattern of overwhelming yourself with the information you think you'll need? Even before you even get started in doing something? I bet there were.

The truth is that it could happen anywhere, anytime - even when you are just playing a simple game of chess. I mean, have you heard of people who got too overwhelmed in making the decision to move their chess pieces that it takes them ‘almost forever' to make their moves? (well...I admit that I'm one of these people...hehe.)

And that's when the term ‘Analysis Paralysis' comes in. Read the rest of this entry »

"We pick out what we wish to read by headlines"
- Claude Hopkins, Scientific Advertising

Imagine an office setting. The moment someone enters a typical office, they are faced with a receptionist. Within seconds, they begin to judge the company based on the behavior and attitude of the receptionist. If the receptionist is polite and friendly, they will have a good impression of the company. If the attitude of the receptionist is rude, angry and grouchy, the image of the company would be tarnished immediately.

Headlines are just like the receptionists of your office. A good headline will Read the rest of this entry »

photo: Joe Shlabotnik

If you have not read my previous article, The Power Behind Magnetic Headlines, visit: http://www.dominictay.com/blog/the-power-behind-magnetic-headlines.

I strongly recommend you to read the article before this.

Why?

Because until and unless you recognize and see the importance of writing magnetic headlines, you will not be willing to spend the amount of time and effort that is necessary on writing the most important element of your salescopy.

So if you have not read it, I suggest you to do so now before you proceed to digesting this article on the 7 Effective Ways to Writing Headlines to Be Read.

Now, you must be wondering, 'why a witch' in the picture above? Well, it is because I have given the 7 Ways to writing headlines an acronym, F.A.T  H.A.G.S, and the definition of a 'hag' is an ugly, evil-looking old woman. Read on...

To help you understand better, I have broken down this article in 3 smaller parts, each of them covering 4 ways to writing effective headlines.

So what are the 7 ways to writing headlines to be read? Read on... Read the rest of this entry »