You have hundreds of skills that could be highlighted in your resume to attract attention of a number of employers from a variety of sectors. The key to success is selecting and supporting skills that directly respond to specific requirements outlined by potential employers in their advertisements or position descriptions. Take time now to list five activities that give you a feeling of satisfaction. Then, list five things you are good at. Do not limit your answers to previous work experience.

Understanding your interests, skills, and attitudes will increase your confidence and help you sell your strengths to a target employer. Increased self-confidence sends a positive message to employers. Do not spend too much time trying to discover your weaknesses. If you cannot think of weaknesses that affect your ability to secure your target position - move on! Career plans built on strengths decrease time it takes to find right job.

Important: If you don’t take time to see it, it won’t happen!

7. Think Big See big picture in everything we do. So much of our time is wasted dealing with unimportant things in our lives (what that person said or did, driver who cut us off this morning, and activities which don’t add value to our lives, etc.) that we forget about big picture. We were put on this earth to make a difference. We make a difference for our families, our communities, our organizations, and for ourselves. All of our actions must be put into action with this concept in mind. Think a little bigger today than yesterday, and you’ll create a better future tomorrow. Thinking big leads to great actions. Thinking small leads to small results. So Think BIG!

8. Set Goals The fastest way to fail in life is to not set clear goals. Set goals in financial, family, health, spiritual, and career areas. Your goals must incorporate SMART techniques or else it’s just a “conversation in park.”

* S for specific * M for measurable * A for attainable * R for realistic * T for time-based

For example, you might have a goal of achieving $2 million for retirement in twenty years. After doing your research, a SMART goal would be following:

“I will acquire $2 million dollars for retirement by 2024. I will do this by contributing $20K, or $1667 per month, to my various retirement funds each year. Of $20k each year, $2k will go to my IRA, and $18K will go into my organization’s retirement program.”

Remember most detail you can add, more realistic your goal becomes.

9. Positive Appearance Super achievers are very careful about their appearance and their movements. They know that looking good translates into feeling good. Billy Crystal, of Saturday Night Live and movie fame, once played a character that was known for saying, “It is better to look good than to feel good.” What he was really implying was “fake it until you make it” concept. In other words, if we are feeling down, then think positively and your mind will tell your body to follow suit and act positively. Also always dress part of an achiever. Model dress, actions, and behaviors of someone who is successful and embraces long term values of successful people. This will also tell your mind that I am an achiever.

Don’t let that be deciding factor on being motivated. You can easily distinguish those who are motivated from those who are not motivated just by looking at their appearance and their movements. The motivated move forward, onward and upward with confidence.

10. Helping Others Develop an obsession to help others. Share your special talents without expecting a reward, payment, or commendation. And above all else, keep your good deed a secret.

You know what, it you apply helping techniques to others, it will automatically come back to you tenfold in a number of ways. First, enjoyment of knowing that a special talent you had made someone else’s life better. Second, because you didn’t seek it, word will spread about you and your deeds. This will be translated into unexpected riches and opportunities. Third, you will gain a new level of confidence in knowing that you can make a difference. Super achievers find motivation and meaning by helping others.