“I am the greatest. I said that before I even knew I was.”

Muhammad Ali

What do world-beaters like Muhammad Ali, Beyoncé Knowles, Lady Gaga, Bruce Lee, Conor McGregor and Jim Carrey all have in common? They recognize that ALL success starts by filling your mind with greatness.

You might have heard some variant of the quote: The path to success is to take massive, determined action. However, most people leap in headfirst, ignoring the critical first step of creating a comprehensive unique definition of what success looks like to them. As Dale Carnegie reminded us: “An hour of planning can save you 10 hours of doing.”

A clear plan gives you the mental fortitude to make the right choice in the many decisions you are faced with each day, resulting in more willpower, passion, persistence and other essential ingredients needed for long term achievement. Along the way, resources of all kinds that you need for your journey—such as people, finances and inspiration—will appear, as if by magic.

Once you’ve filled your mind with greatness and have a comprehensive definition of what success looks like to you, bridge the gap between dreams and reality through the process of autosuggestion:

1. Clearly state what you want
2. See it already in your possession and feel every associated emotion
3. Outline what you are willing to do—the price you are willing to pay—in exchange for its attainment; and
4. At least twice daily, confidently read the written statement of your desire out loud.

Remember, you don’t need to believe it immediately, as Bob Proctor noted in Think and Grow Rich: The Legacy. Through this process, complemented with daily action, champions are increasingly bolstered for success while those indifferent to their destination are lured to mediocrity.

Autosuggestion in Practice

1. Bruce Lee

In January 1969, aspiring actor Bruce Lee wrote out his clear definition of success (below). Today, he is remembered as the world’s most iconic martial artist, a global film star and cultural phenomenon.

2. Lady Gaga

On autosuggestion, Lady Gaga said: “It’s sort of like a mantra. You repeat it to yourself every day: ‘Music is my life, music is my life. The fame is inside of me, I’m going to make a number one record with number one hits.’ And it’s not yet, it’s a lie. You’re saying a lie over and over and over again, and then, one day the lie is true.”

3. Jim Carrey

Before he became a household name, film star Jim Carrey would often sit in the Hollywood Hills and look out over the city, visualizing how one day renowned directors and other people he respected would praise him for his work. In 1992, he went one step further, writing himself a $10 million check for “acting services rendered.” Dating it three years in the future, Carrey kept the check in his wallet where it would stare back at him numerous times each day, while he worked tirelessly to bring his goal to life.

Just before Thanksgiving 1995, the entertainer was given a film role that paid him $10 million. By constantly focusing on what he wanted most, Carrey made his dream a reality.

Time for Action

Having your mind constantly focused on what you want is an essential step to actually achieving it. Whether it’s Muhammad Ali declaring he is the greatest before history agreed, Bruce Lee demanding worldwide fame, Lady Gaga visualizing her meteoric rise, Beyoncé exercising in front of an Academy Award picture, Conor McGregor dreaming big despite his dismal amateur record, or Jim Carrey writing himself a $10 million check, convince your mind it’s a simple choice: win or perish.

Model the habits of high performers. Demand success, expect it, and let the universe show you the way forward.

Onwards and upwards always,
James Whittaker

In case you missed it:
How to Turn Failure into Victory … and a Billion-dollar Empire

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What are you waiting for? Download the free Success Plan Template and create your own unique definition of success: PDF | Excel