Why Successful People Stay Successful

Every success person I have I ever talked to or read about have one major thing in common... A Success Notebook. This notebook not only holds their thoughts and feelings, but their goals, people they've met, and, of course, an outline.

When I say a notebook, I'm not saying you have to go out and buy some crazy fancy leather bound journal, just an ordinary spiral will do the job. Why? Because every kid had to have a notebook in school. The smart kids that always had amazing notes that the not so smart kids copied. And the smart kids stayed smart and the not so smart kids got really good at copying.

This notebook can also be electronic. My favorite app to write on is Color Notes. It keeps my thoughts organized by color and I can back it up to my email. This is especially handy when I’m traveling because I don’t like taking all of my notebooks with me. Paper just doesn’t backup as well.

The goal here is to create a space to write down your thoughts and feelings before you jump into a new idea, or even just jot something down that comes to mind while you're out and about. How many times have you had the next Uber or Disney mind blowing idea and lost it because you were too busy trying to find a pad and pen? Or better yet, had one then lost it promptly after writing it and stuffing it in your pocket?

This notebook doesn’t have to be all business all the time. You can write whatever you feel, draw if it helps. You can make charts, you can text talk, so long as it’s coming from you you’ll be fine.

The second thing every successful person has is a mentor. A mentor is someone who has been in your shoes and can help you along the way. Whether it's your mother or someone you met at a business meeting, they are someone you can talk to who won't steal your ideas, but actually, listen and be honest. Constructive criticism is amazing. Not everyone will have the same viewpoint and they can help you see it from a different perspective.

The best part about mentors is they don't have to be a gender specific, they don't have to be business leaders, they don't have to be your best friend. Here's why: You need a different perspective. (This is important.)

My best friend is a very bright young man, but I don't run by him with my business ideas, he just doesn't get it. He has an employee mindset, and he will work until he can't work anymore and that's just how it is. When I tried to explain to him that there is good and bad debt all he wanted to talk about was how he was in so much debt and how he can’t make ends meet. Still my best friend but definitely not mentor material.

You don’t want someone that will only point out how badly this could go. You want someone that thinks some of your ideas are super cool and wants to see you be successful.

My greatest mentors are from all walks of life. One is a just recent college grad. She reminds me that I need to have fun every once in awhile. Another is a man who runs an angel investor company, he listens to my ideas and lets me know if I can add anything to it or how I should present it to others.

And number three, and it is just as important if not more so thaneverything else on this page, you can't be afraid to ask for help. You don't know everything and you never will. You need a team of experts in other fields to make you successful. I have associates who know everything about law, I have others who know all about real estate and so on. It's always best to remember you are just one person, delegation makes for great leaders.