4. Bounce back from obstacles

When you face obstacles head-on, you:

· meet everyday challenges with confidence. We all face problems, but some of us get stuck while others move on. Turning setbacks into comebacks will guarantee success. · won't give up, you face future with optimism and courage despite events. · will be able to self-reflect and gain wisdom from your experiences. · will be able to face reality, labeling your setbacks, losses and disappointments for what they are. · will find meaning and purpose in your struggles and think creatively under stress. · will expand rather than shut down when faced with challenges, and most importantly you will achieve personal and professional success you deserve while continually discovering your greatness.

5. Develop persistence

My favorite quote by Calvin Coolidge goes like this: "Press on. Nothing in world can take place of persistence. Talent will not: nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Education alone will not: world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent."

When you cultivate habit of being persistent, you: · stop singing blues and you make a conscious decision to train yourself to be persistent. · realize that persistence must become a way of life if you want to succeed.

This speech given by Winston Churchill is still applicable today. "Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense."

What separates a person's successes from failures is ability to carry on when things go wrong. All successful people have persistence in common. When others give up, they don't. Top sportsmen and musicians practice their skills for hours and hours at a time. They never rest on their laurels. They are always trying to get a little bit closer to perfection. When you stop singing blues, you realize that without absolute determination and perseverance, your chances of success are drastically reduced.

Stayed tuned for Part II!

Dr. Cynthia Barnett is the author of Stop Singing the Blues: Powerful strategies for hitting the high notes in your life. The book is filled with heartfelt stories of people who refused to let life get them down.