It's certainly not my good looks, that's for sure.

Last week LO Robert Kleiner sent in this question: "Hey guys what is the one biggest thing that makes you successful?"

This is a trick question.

Not that the fellow who sent it in is trying to trick us, it's just that this is a myth, like Bigfoot or the Loch-ness monster.

It's a myth that's been perpetrated by years and years of gurus telling you they have the one secret and if you want it, you can buy it for a small fortune.

So let me give you the real deal here: First, wipe the slate clean and clear your mind of any pre-conceived notions of success you may have, and accept what I'm about to tell you at face value. I'm a guy who came from nothing -- Mr. Nobody from nowhere -- and I now have far more than I ever expected, and I'm running at a speed few people can ever catch.

Ready?

O.K., her goes: Becoming successful, like becoming fit, or winning a bike race, or even being good looking (Which I'm definitely not, and I guess Mike probably is.), is the result of many different ongoing efforts that take a ton of persistence and discipline.

Read that last part again, because it's incredibly important: "the result of many different ongoing efforts that take a ton of persistence and discipline."

Sometimes it's easier to understand something conceptually, when you're looking outside whatever it is you are personally looking to do. So for instance, let's talk about getting fit, since I've recently finally found my own very stubborn formula for doing this, after literally over 20 years trying to master it, and I've taken off 18 pounds. Here's what this involved:

* Exercise - consistently working at higher and higher levels of performance, usually doing different exercises
* Building muscle - using a variety of different techniques, reps, sets, resting periods
* Cardiovascular work - again, using a variety of different techniques and working at a variety of different intensities and even over different time frames and a different times during the day
* Caloric consumption - monitoring it VERY closely for some people (like myself), including even the details not only of your total calories, but even the breakdown of them
* Constantly doing this every day, rain or shine over a long period of time
* Constant study of what's important or what are the newest breakthroughs

Now mind you, I'd been doing "almost" all of these things for the last 20 years, but I just got turned on to one of the important ones, and it made all the difference. Yet, if I gave up all the others, I'd still be nowhere.

See where I'm going with this?

Success in any endeavor isn't the by-product of one thing, it's usually the by-product of many many things -- including the things you tried that didn't work -- and having the discipline and "stick-tuitiveness" to keep at it over time.

As an entrepreneur, LO, or marketer, this includes:

* Speaking to the right people in the first place -- who are qualified to buy what you are selling and who can afford your services.
* Using 2-step lead generation techniques to attract these people in the first place
* Constantly staying in touch with them, in a positive and non-threatening way.
* Making them irresistible offers
* Using conversational and engaging copy in your communication
* CONSTANTLY putting new people into your prospecting funnel using direct-mail, space or display ads, online ads and referral systems
* Doing a good job!
* Treating your clients like gold so they give you referrals and buy from you again
* Constantly studying your craft and your business development and learning from others, extensively
* Differentiating yourself from your competition
* Usually out-working your competition as well -- successful people are willing to do those things others aren't.

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. Inside each one of these items are dozens of other sub-sets and micro-steps you must do as well.

So next time someone tells you they have ONE secret to becoming successful -- head for the hills and hang on to your wallet.

Next time we speak, I'll tell you the biggest reason why most people -- even if they know all the things I just discussed here -- NEVER become successful.

O.K., now click the link below, to take our curious new LO survey and get added to an advanced pre-notification list for an exciting new product we'll be releasing soon, called The ABC's of Loan Officer and Mtg Marketing:

http://www.loturnaround.com/abcsurvey

Now go close some deals, Craig Garber & Mike Miget

P.S. Also, give us some feedback on the 3 questions in this survey. You'll find them thought-provoking and engaging. Here they are: http://www.loturnaround.com/abcsurvey

If you enjoyed this, pass it on to a few of your friends and business associates, and if you have any comments about this message, PLEASE -- leave them here on our blog -- we want to know what you're thinking: