How dependent is your success on attitude, thinking patterns and your focus? It seems pretty self-evident to me. Yet most people don't think about it much. Long-term success can't happen without a positive focus, proactiveness, a good plan and action.

So success ultimately is because you can see where you want to go and you're willing to step out and take the action needed to make it happen. Long lasting success is a combination of positive attitude and positive thinking patterns. You have to have some skills obviously. But it's really more of what's going on inside of you, than what's going on around you.

The other day while working out, I was watching ESPN. They were doing an interview with Kobe Bryant. Whether you like the Lakers or not is irrelevant. He's considered to be the best player in basketball today. There are a few who would argue at that point, but let's just say, he's pretty good.

When asked about his success Kobe said, "Well, I practice a lot. I spend a ton of time at practice everyday." He said, "I take more shots than most people do. I work and practice passing more with my teammates. I really work at this game from many angles, every single day. I enjoy it though. It's fun, but it's work, and I take the time to do it." He went on to say, "The reason I work that hard is because I don't want to let myself down. I don't want to ever say I didn't give it my all. I also know that my teammates depend on me. They're looking to me to be able to make that crucial shot, or make that perfect pass that can set someone else up."

Kobe said, "I've missed lots of shots. That's not the point. I also make lots of shots in the clutch. In the times when they absolutely have to be made, I can make them. But I do that for me. I do that for them. We're a team. We work together. We count on each other and doing those things can really make a difference for our team in the way that we play."

Has it worked? Well, his multiple championships have a lot to say about that. But the willingness to step out there, to be proactive, to take care of himself, to help those people who are depending on him, also step up their game to know the level is absolutely crucial. This attitude is a success attitude. He uses a success self talk pattern. And both the positive attitude and self talk are going on non-stop, moment to moment, day to day.

Ongoing success not an accident. It is not the end of the world to miss a shot. What is the end of the world is to give up when you missed the shot. You keep shooting. You keep practicing, you go for it again.

That positive focus, that positive thinking pattern, that positive self-talk gives your mind more power. Your neurology works better and helps your transform upsetting negative thinking patterns and negative habits so you can move in to a better and better life. You can have the life you desire.

Just like Kobe, keep practicing, keep going for it, do not give up. Just because there's only a few seconds left and you're down by a few points, don't quit. You don't have to make every basket, but if you keep shooting, you will make a percentage.

So keep shooting, keep going. Every moment, you can make your relationships, your finances, the type of life you have, your health better and better and better. It is a choice of focus and you can do this. Day to day, keep moving, keep going, don't give up. Make today a great day!

The Best of Success to You.