At some point of life, most people come to realize that their childhood dreams will remain just dreams. Children’s fantasy to become a big star, teenage desire to become the best on a soccer field, a young worker’s aspiration to become a millionaire - all this is only a part of those dreams that are never fulfilled …

But time flies, illusions extinguish and each of us should take success or failure we have achieved. Success can be measured in different ways, whether it is a well-deserved respect of relatives and a good experience in science or art, or just a satisfactory family life. Anyway, in our culture success is determined exclusively by financial developments. Based on this assumption, we will look whether your road leads to success.

1. You always bring more than spend

The first step on the path to success is awareness of a fundamental truth - revenue should always exceed costs. This is the most important principle you must adhere to continually. Of course, there are times when your expenses exceed income (unexpected medical expenses, some kind of failure, etc.). But the rest of the time you will always live within your means.

2. You do all your financial obligations

For someone who always fulfilled all his obligations, any cooperation will be beneficial. Cultivate such style of behavior in yourself, and you will succeed.

3. You do not have any debt

One important factor which divides people on winners and losers, is existence of debt. Despite the fact that mortgage debt to cover real estate cost, or debt to open a business are profitable and useful, any personal debts and loans represent a mistake. That is clothes you wear, furniture in your house and your car must be purchased by you without any debts or loans. Of course, many may judge personal success through an expensive car, but real measure of success is presence or absence of credit for this machine. This includes credit card. In my opinion, credit card should be used only when cash payment can be difficult, detriment, or inconvenient. You must immediately withdraw from minus, as soon as you spent money on a credit card. Follow this rule and success will come. If you can not live in this way, then throw away your card and change your way of life somehow.

4. You control present time

In our life journey, there are three basic concepts: Past, Present and Future. All three play a certain role in our lives. It is important to analyze past and learn lessons from it. It is equally important to look to the future, because our planned course affects the result. But we have no control either of past or future. We have just now. If you are constantly running your business in a way the result satisfies you - you are on a road to success.

5. You are skeptic

Sailing in the sea of prosperity, you will periodically swim in shallow water. Avoid this due to skepticism, realizing that 95% of all you see is nonsense. Then your thoughts will be directed in the right direction. You will not understand why all buy lottery tickets. You will understand why variable annuity your neighbor invested his money in is a sad mistake. You will not have illusions about the fact that financial advisor will always give correct advice only due to the fact he has a corresponding certificate. You will not be tempted by an opportunity to invest money in something, just because your friend or relative recommends you this. That is how successful people think.

6. You can retire in 50 years

There is something very important at this age. You spent half of your life and, without doubts, in this age we left behind more, than can expect in future. If the first half of your life was dedicated to work on your assets, it is logical to assume that in the second half of your life assets will work for you. Of course, this does not mean that at the age of 50 years you have to stop working, on the contrary, most successful people are willing to work as long, as their health can allow them. But nevertheless, you should be able to stop working in 50 years.

7. You have a reputation of honest man

It is my firm belief that firm reputation of honest person is the most valuable asset, which you can only wish for. There is no limit to opportunities offered to a man or a woman, whose words and acts can be trusted. Try to do everything so that your credibility would never be questioned. This quality is a true sign of success.

I would like to say a few more thoughts about success. Wealth, at least its certain amount is a necessary measure of success. However, only possession of great wealth is not sufficient for success.

But at the same time do not forget, success is a combination of lifestyle and your relationship to it. So if you are aimed at success, first of all review your attitude towards life.