This is something I have discussed at length with a number of very successful people over last few months! It's also something I have actively studied as I constantly interact with people every day. At some point, things that separate successes from failures became glaringly obvious. What became obvious is that you, individual, decides whether or not you are going to be successful. Then you implement that decision.

As strange as it may sound to you, we decide how successful we are willing to be. History is full of examples of people who decided they were going to be big successes and how they made this happen. Most of examples that I can think of were people who identified people who could help them achieve their dreams. They then attached themselves to these people. Alexander Graham Bell's assistant was such a person. Napoleon Hill was such a person... he used Dale Carnegie to make him a big success. Most of online "gurus" that I know also did same thing. They studied, modeled, and became understudies of those already successful.

Before you can become a huge business success you have to make that critical decision to do so. Once you have decided (emotionally as well as intellectually) that you will succeed, then you begin to make it happen. It's very important that you make that decision at emotional as well as intellectual level. If it's not an emotional decision to make it happen, you will give up too easily when going get rough. You will give up too easily when inevitable obstacles appear in your patch.

One of big fallacies spread online is that it's easy to be a big online success. From those I talk to every day, and based on my own experience, I think nothing could be farther from truth. Most of those making six-figure incomes put in many very long days. I have personally worked many 18-hour days as I struggled to complete a project. I have only recently reached point where I don't feel compelled to do this. So don't let anyone tell you that it's easy, but do commit that you are going to make it happen.

Frequently, these attacks are well deserved. Example: Enron.

All too often, these attacks are engineered by antagonists (usually plaintiff attorneys or issue-oriented activists) through all-too-willing news reporters who are hell-bent on winning this year’s Pulitzer.

When that time comes for you and your company, you will have to decide: Do I want to play hardball with news media?

Before you even consider that question, you must take an inventory. You must have three things in your corner before you even consider taking on media.

First, you must have persuasive evidence of your innocence.

In Court of Public Opinion, you are guilty until proven innocent. If you plan to take on news media, you must be prepared to present evidence that sways public in your favor.

“Persuasive” is not same as “conclusive.”

Indeed, logic need not apply.

You will want “proof” that persuades brain by aiming at heart.

You must also make sure that you stand on solid legal ground. Your team should always include a legal counsel who is media-savvy and crisis-oriented.

You want to have a lawyer on your side who is not afraid to do battle with, in or through media. But your attorney should also be an expert in communications law, particularly libel.

The attorney’s job in a Hardball PR situation is not to steer your ship, but to help navigate your ship around rocks.

Second, you must have sufficient resources at your disposal.