I am always on the hunt for powerful strategies for success and I have found some of the best success tips in the strangest places. I recently discovered three tips while watching the auditions for the television program, So You Think You Can Dance.

I saw that those who dared to dream, set goals, put in the practice hours and lastly, showed up fully and fearlessly to compete were most often rewarded. Success is in the making when you combine the key ingredients of vision, potential, passion, and action.

Success Booster or Buster #1: Your word is a powerful energetic force by which you communicate, think and create the events in your life.

One dancer when asked about her desire to be in the competition answered with a quote from her mother: "My momma always told me that what you say, you speak into existence." She then went on to passionately talk about her dreams and her commitment to developing her potential to its fullest.

Ask yourself:
Do my words clearly express what I want OR do they send unclear messages?
Are my words moving me forward OR keeping me stuck in place?

Success Booster or Buster #2: No one can want something more than you want it for yourself.

Last season a dancer was eliminated because when asked about her desire to be on the show said that her friend and fellow competitor deserved it more than she did. To the girl's chagrin, the judges informed her that she had been selected, but now they would take her friend instead. She returned this year equipped with newfound passion, commitment and Success Booster #1 (which was last year's buster for her).

Ask yourself:
Do I want to invest my time and energy into making this happen?
If this didn't lead to the result that I wanted, would I still be glad that I took the time to work on it?

Success Booster or Buster #3: Obstacles pave the way to success and excuses pave the way to failure.

Things come between us and our goals. It happens daily and/or it can happen in one defining moment. What you choose to do in those moments determine your ultimate success. Many of those who were rejected in last season's auditions returned stronger and better. They took the advice they were given, which were obstacles at the time, and found ways to get over, around or through them.

Ask yourself:
What is stopping me from achieving your goal?
Am I using my obstacle(s) as an excuse to avoid success (or more failure)?

When you start paying attention to successful people, places and events, you will discover success boosters and busters everywhere. Once you find them, pack them up and put them into action.

Copyright 2009 Susan M. Brown