As Sir Isaac Newton stated, "an object at rest tends to stay at rest while an object in motion tends to stay in motion." A shortened version I know, but one that holds a fundamental truth with success.

To become successful, you MUST have momentum behind you. While there are many strategies to build momentum, here are 5 MUST-KNOW strategies to move you forward toward your own success:

1. Be Grateful

Being grateful, thankful, and appreciative is not only one of the strategies to creating momentum in your life, it's a fundamental law of the universe. Those who are grateful receive more than others who aren't.

And being thankful isn't hard to do. It only takes a few minutes a day to show your appreciation to your creator for everything you have. Now, I'm not talking religion here. I'm just talking about a simple conversation with your creator (whatever your beliefs).

It might be awkward at first, if you're not used to doing this, but the rewards are well worth it...frighteningly worth it!

So, whether you're already grateful or not, here's a simple activity to get you started in the right direction or enhance what you're already doing:

a. Start by writing a list of things you are thankful, grateful and appreciative for. This list may include: your family, your friends, your health, your personality, your looks, your finances, your business or career or whatever else you're thankful for.

b. Now, write a list of things you WANT to be grateful for. This list includes things that are not on your original list, but want in your life.

For instance, if you're not satisfied with how much money you're making right now, this should be on your second list.

Another example is, if you're not as fit and healthy as you'd like, you should put this on your list for things you want to be grateful for.

Listen, although these things are not in your life yet...keyword is yet...it is crucial you become thankful for them. Once you do this, they wil start appearing in yout life.

c. Next, find a quiet spot. I like to walk in the woods (or somewhere alone) when I'm being grateful. It gives me the silence I need to listen in case my source is giving me immediate answers.

d. Finally, read your lists aloud. Use your voice to feel the emotions behind each item on your lists.

This is very important! You MUST feel your emotions.

By doing so, your brain and body will internalize what you have, want, and want more of.

Eventually, you'll be able to say these things to yourself without your notes. That's when being grateful really pays off.

The reason is simple. When you can repeat out loud what you have, want, and want more of, your brain becomes a heat seeking missile for those targets.

As long as they align with your thoughts and actions, there is no end to what you can have. So, be grateful and keep that momentum going!!!

(Article continues in Part 2 of 5)

Copyright (c) 2008 Weston Lyon