There are many ways to be successful, and there are many different areas to be successful in. Some people are tremendously successful in their careers, but they fall short in their personal lives. Some people succeed at meeting their personal fitness goals, but they never meet the financial standards they set for themselves. When it comes to being personally successful in any area, I have found that the 7 C’s always help me evaluate what I need to do in order to succeed.

1. Clarity-A clear purpose and a vivid vision of what you want.

You can’t achieve a goal if you don’t know what the goal is. We need clarity so we know what we’re going after. The clearer the picture, the more motivated we will be. When people say, they are so close to success that they can “taste” it, it’s because they know exactly what the achievement looks, tastes, and feels like. Build a vivid picture, and know it well.

2. Courage-The willingness to fight and the perseverance to keep fighting.

The actions that are the hardest to take are the ones that we really need to take. You need to be able to do what is necessary, even when it is difficult or unpopular. Great things happen outside of our comfort zones, and it takes courage to take the right actions. The more we run away from fear, the stronger it becomes. Feel the fear, but go through it head first. We generally don ’t reach our potential because of our fear of failure. Create a mindset that nobody cares if you win or lose. Therefore, try to do something that scares you on a regular basis.

3. Curiosity-Dedication to a life of learning. Always evolving and growing.

We could spend our whole lives reading and learning, and we would never even begin to scratch the surface of recorded knowledge. Add in the fact that innovation is happening every second, and it is pretty clear to see that whatever your field and focus is, you need to constantly absorb new information in order to succeed. Curiosity puts you in the right mindset to succeed. Plus, people that are curious are more interesting and are great listeners. When you are curious, you are alive.

4. Character-Peace of mind through integrity, humility, and compassion.

Mark Twain once said, “When you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything,”. When you are a person of character, you are not worried about a lie you told catching up with you. Acting with humility and compassion is spreading good in the world, and by spreading good, we know that good will naturally come back to us.

5. Confidence-Knowing that you have what it takes to achieve your goals.

Confidence is more than a sense of security. Confidence can completely change the way you approach a goal or an issue, and a different approach leads to a different path and different results. When you walk into a situation with confidence, you are in control. When you walk in without confidence, the situation is in control of you.

6. Contentment-The capacity to enjoy the journey.

We should always want more. As the old saying goes, “If you’re not growing, you’re dying.” Wanting more can be material, mental, spiritual, etc. in nature. (Remember though, you can never win the more game of materialism.)  When you are wanting for and trying for more, it is easy to get frustrated. Realize that you are on the path to success, and if you are reading this, you are blessed to live in a time with so much access to knowledge and a higher standard of living than ever before. Practice gratitude, and enjoy the journey.

7. Communication-Intuitive listening and emotional intelligence.

Good communication starts with good listening. An expert archer knows that a great shot starts with skillfully pulling the bow string back. Great communicators go through the same process: pulling in everything that they can while listening to the person who they are speaking with. Listening gives you what you need to understand the other person’s needs; emotional intelligence is knowing how to take what you learned and give the other person what they need. The best communicators are great story tellers and know how to simplify a complex subject.

If you want to learn how to build the right culture, click here for a free chapter on Culture from my book, The Growth Mindset coming out on October 7th, 2017.

Rick Capozzi is a highly regarded industry leader in financial services, author, and former National Sales Manager at Morgan Stanley. Rick’s notable 30-year track record of success spans across several channels, including private banking and trust, wealth management, and Registered Investment Advisor (RIA). Holding senior leadership positions with the world’s largest organizations, including TD Private Bank, Merrill Lynch, Wells Fargo and UBS, Rick’s track record speaks for itself. As Regional President at Wells with over $30 billion in AUM and Regional Director at Morgan Stanley with over $35 billion in AUM, Rick led both regions from nearly last to first in the country by applying his sound principles, proven strategies and actionable tactics.

Rick is currently president of Capozzi Advisory Group, LLC, a boutique consulting and training firm. He is quietly opening his playbook to bring real-world experience and deep industry knowledge by offering managers and advisors proven winning strategies and solutions to achieve sustainable growth. Check out his book, The Growth Mindset, out on October 7th, 2017