On my recent travels I have been fortunate enough to find myself sharing the company of several very successful people. I realize ‘successful’ lies in the eye of the beholder. These are individuals who I admire for finding great pleasure in doing what they do well and maintaining a healthy balance between work, home and the rest of what life has to offer.As a success coach, I am ever aware that we all face challenges and most of us have areas we’d like to develop. Looking like ‘they have it all under control’ doesn’t necessarily mean they do. So when I meet people who are passionate, content and consistently getting great results, I’m curious as to what their secrets are. So I asked.The various responses resonated on many levels, sparked ideas and inspired me to consider and even re-frame some of my own approaches to work and views of success. What I heard were useful principles that can be applied to any aspect of life.The contributors who I thank for sharing their thoughts and these nuggets of wisdom are Charlie: former high-stress City trader turned fitness pro. Justin: accomplished commercial photographer and long-distance cyclist. Rachel: executive director of a human rights charity and mother of two, and Alex: CEO of a Swedish design and manufacturing firm with a family of four.From our amalgamated conversations emerged the following 10 Top Tips for Success:DeliverWhat is it that you have said you can do or will do? Make sure that happens.What is the result you want? Have a clear vision of exactly what you have set out to achieve. Set targets, deadlines, and expectations, then keep checking-in to ensure you are on-track towards the overall desired result.Find Your Added ValueWhat is it that makes you better at what you do, than the next person who might technically be able to do the same job? What is it that you personally bring to the table and makes you unique and stand out as the one to choose? Build and work to those strengths while maintaining your other core skills top notch.Keep It Simple“What is important to you? Far beyond material possessions, work out the fundamentals of what is good or important to you in this lifetime, and if you can spend the majority of your day ticking those boxes, then it is time well spent.”Show UpHow are you going to approach doing what you do? Half-heartedly or with rigour, determination and energy? Your approach reflects in the results you get. Showing up means bringing our best selves to our task and is about who we are being as we do what we do. “It is not only the mind but also the heart that beats for what I do.”Make a Plan and Stick to itRachel shared that to her surprise, one of her greatest keys to success… “has been a very simple thing: set an ambitious plan, a challenge that is perhaps just outside what you think you are actually capable of - communicate effectively to the folks who will be implementing it, break it down into a logical set of steps, and then just stick to it, while revising where relevant. Sounds so basic, but actually quite hard to do. However I’ve been absolutely amazed at what is possible when you can do that and follow through - we have had funded or pre-approved for funding every new project we’ve put our minds to, following an ‘if you can dream it you can do it’ ethos - amazingly energizing and very fun.”See Reality as it isFace the facts and act on them. Seeing a problem as worse than it is and spiraling into defeat or panic, or conversely assuming everything is hunky-dory and ignoring warning signs that there may be issues does not help to solve them. Only getting half the facts can lead to snap decisions as our minds fill in the gaps based on biases, and the reality is distorted. Slowing down and taking the time to see all the aspects of a situation helps us to understand the reality and how best to take action.The Extra Hour Counts…when used effectively and efficiently. Success is not a result of talent but of dedication, focus, effort and time. There are no short cuts. “I never tell my children that they are ‘smart’, I give them praise and credit that they really made an effort, rather than for the result. I tell them that they should try hard and never ever give up.”Don’t Rest on the Laurels of SuccessSuccess is not some terminal state we reach, it is an on-going process of improvement and closing the gap. While our achievements are to be celebrated and be proud of, we forever remain on the road to what we can become. Where is the next challenge, the next refinement, the next opportunity? “I am content but never satisfied.”Balance“Life is a compromise. I try to find a balance between family, profession and myself. When unbalanced I lose energy. This is an area where I still often fail to make the right call. At these moments it is important to have friends and allies that know you and your needs to help you prioritize.”Being PresentWe are at our best when we are here in the present moment, fully aware and not mired in worries about the past or concerns for the future. “When we are present in the moment, we can see the opportunities that await there. I use meditation, yoga and endurance physical training to bring me ‘back’. When I am in the now, I am a good listener and I can reflect back to others, build trust and great relationships. When I am ‘gone’ the magic is gone and I am uninspiring.”So that is them. What will you take from their views and experience that could be useful to you? What do you already do well and how? What is your secret to success? Let me know.Julia Pitt is a trained Success Coach and certified NLP practitioner with Benedict Associates Ltd. Telephone (441)295-2070 or visit www.juliapittcoaching.com for further information.