#1: Set goals.

Every success book you read this step will be at the top of the list. However, hardly anyone does this step the right way. If you ask someone in business they say their goal is to make a certain amount of money. What they don't do is write it down, share it with others, and develop smaller goals to help reach the main goal.

Having a nice pie in the sky deal goal is all good and fun but if you don't have a plan to reach it and ask for help them your goal will never become a reality.

#2: Find a Mentor.

In business they are called mentors but in sports we call them coaches. No top athlete has gotten to the top without a coach. In fact, many of the best have two or three coaches. They're there for one reason... to help them be the best they can possibly be. A mentor will help you set your course. They'll help keep you on track. They'll take you from where you are today to where you want to be.

The best part of having a mentor is that you can avoid the losses and mistakes they have already experienced and learned from. With a mentor your path to success will be much shorter and less expensive

#3: Don't Re-Invent The Wheel.

Starting a home business from scratch can be one of the most painful experiences anyone will go through in business ? so why do it when you don't have to?

There are so many proven systems and products to sell online. Find a system that's already working. Then just jump in and follow it. This will save you thousands of dollars and thousands of hours in lost time.. The online market is so massive that you don't have to worry about the market being saturated. Just do what already works and you will see success. Hint - Your mentor should be able to help you with this step.

#4: Leverage Your Time.

This is a not so well kept secret of the wealthy. No business owner gets rich trading dollars for hours. The wealthy let their money` and other people work for them. As an employee you are the leverage the business owner is using ? your time for his money.

The owner of a business may only be able to work 10 hours a week, but once he gets some employees to leverage their time his output will dramatically increase.

Lets say you can leverage the work of 1,000 other people to create a 10,000 hour work week. That's the way to become wealthy.

#5: Use an Automatic Selling System.

The number one reason people tell me they can't make it in business or make money online is because they can't or don't like to sell. What they don't realize is all they need to do is find a system that does the selling for them. There are hundreds, if not thousands of products you can sell and all you have to do is copy a formula already created. The lead generation, sifting, and selling, is all done for you.

#6: Generate leads.

I am sure you have heard the saying ?The money is in the list?. Well no matter how many times you have heard this it is still true, never more so than in today's world of online marketing. Generating leads is the biggest advantage you can have in most businesses. Learn how to put your business in front of the people who are looking for what you have to offer.

#7: Use Tax Advantages.

The government loves small businesses and to help them succeed they provide many tax breaks. Starting your own home based business gives you the advantage of tax benefits not available to the general public. Everyone should have a home business just to save on taxes if nothing else. Talk to an accountant in your area to get the full scoop on what your tax advantages are.

#8: Build a Residual Income.

Residual income is income you earn over and over again after you sell a product. Rock stars earn a income every time a radio station plays one of their songs. The singer sang the song once and earns money over and over again until nobody plays his song on the radio. This is called residual income and is one of the most important ways to become wealthy in business. Work an hour today and earn an income forever.

Most people live pay check to pay check all their lives. They hope Social Security will take care of them when they get older. That's a mistake. Social security isn't enough for people to live on today. It definitely won't be when you have to rely on it. You have to make a plan today...or you'll end up in desperation tomorrow.

Follow these steps and there is no doubt you will find success.

Copyright 2006 Chris Stirling