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Google was started in 1996 by Sergey Brin and Larry Page as a project at Stanford University. In September of 1997 the domain name, google.com was registered and in September 1998 the company was incorporated. Google started out in garage but quickly grew into the company we know today. Google’s rapid success is amazing even by dotcom standards. If you are launching an internet venture, Google’s story is where you can look for motivation and inspiration. Even if your aren’t, Google can teach you how to go about your life and succeed beyond your wildest dreams.

Be simple

Google was not the first internet search engine, but while other sites were offering too much on their portals, Google presented a simple page with a simple search bar. You should do the same, simplify yourself and your life. Don’t be a complicated person. The more complicated you are, the less people will understand you. The easier you are to understand, the easier it will be for you to convey ideas and points, and for you to make friends and contacts.

Expand yourself

Though Google has a simplified homepage, they have expanded into various areas of the internet and media. You should do the same. Don’t limit yourself, each of us has multiple talents, some talents we just need to take time to discover.

Feel lucky

“I’m Feeling Lucky” is a button next to the search button but it’s something that you should always feel. Feel lucky about what you do and don’t have. Appreciate your life and those around you. You have great things in your life whether you have money and success or don’t.

Innovate

Google has changed the internet and the business world. You should innovate yourself and the world around you. There is always something that needs to be improved, no matter where you look. If you look around your computer desk right now, I’m sure there’s something that can be improved and can make you successful.

Be bigger than anyone expected

There will always be naysayers and people that will downplay your dreams and aspirations. Push them aside but always keep them in mind, you’ll need them for motivation to keep you going so that you can prove them wrong. It’s easier to be the underdog.

Surround yourself with smart people

Google has thousands of employees but they continue to hire smart people. You will need to do this too. Surround yourself with smart people, they’ll bring you great ideas, fill in the voids you can’t, and some of their knowledge may rub off on you.

Don’t be evil

This is Google’s own slogan. The motto was established by GMail creator Paul Buchheit. It’s just a few words and a simple idea but it can make or break your chance at success. No one is going to want to work with you if you’re an evil person. Be friendly and be welcoming to people and customers. (More info here)

Take care of people

Google’s employees enjoy amazing perks for working there. Including a beautiful environment and relaxing atmosphere to work in, among other things. Most employees would never think of leaving Google because of this. You should take of people as well, whether you know them or not. They will repay you by working harder, by helping you out when you need a hand, or just by increasing your good karma.

By following these rules, Google has become a $150 billion company in a short amount of time. These rules work in the business world but can also work in the rest of the world.

Logo property of Google

Many writers and bloggers discuss the steps to success but to achieve success you also need to understand what won’t get you there. Too often people on their way to success fall into unnecessary traps that end their journeys very quickly. And many times people who have already reached an amazing amount of success ruin it with the same obstacles.

If you don’t want to do anything with your life, then this is your ultimate guide. If you want to achieve success then these are the pitfalls and mindset you must avoid.

Give Up

Success is too hard to achieve. It takes persistence and patience. When it gets tough you just have to give up, what else can you do? Only people who want to be successful continue no matter what.

Please Everyone

You have to satisfy everyone you possibly can. You especially have to please all the naysayers, they’re right and you’re wrong.

Do It For The Money

Whatever you’re doing should only be for the money. Don’t worry about your passion, worry about paying the bills and buying yourself the latest gadgets. Your ambition for money is greater than your passion.

Be An A**hole

Putting down others is the easiest way to bring yourself up. Stab people in the back and burn as many bridges as possible. Judge everyone before you get to know them, you’re probably right anyway. You don’t need friends or other people to gain success. And money can easily buy you new ones.

Negativity Is The Key

Positivity isn’t going to get you anywhere. You have to be negative during every situation in your life. You can’t be happy until you reach success and make a lot of money.

Be Selfish

Every penny you earn is for you to keep. Don’t share the wealth. Other people can help themselves. If you help others, you aren’t going to get anything in return.

Be Stubborn

You cannot be open minded and give other people a chance. They probably don’t know what they’re talking about and won’t have good ideas like you.

Complain

This goes along with being negative. Complain about everything. Your life is hard, complain so everyone knows it.

Drink And Do Drugs

Waste all your time and hard earned money on alcohol and drugs. It’ll bring you so much joy, happiness, and fulfillment.

With this mindset and by following all these tips you’ll be sure to get nowhere fast.

In all seriousness, if you have an attitude like this then you really need to rethink yourself and your life. It’s remarkable how quickly you can gain success by avoiding all of this.

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Ryan Allis is a 23 year old entrepreneur who has accomplished a lot in a short period of time. At age 9 Ryan was introduced to the world of computers. By the time he was 12 he had already created a computer business. Then at 16 Ryan moved into web design and web marketing consulting with his company, Virante, and in that first year Virante made $1 million in sales!

Since then Ryan has launched another successful company, iContact. Since it’s inception in 2003 it has grown to over 80 employees, 18,000 customers, and $10 million in annual sales. Ryan is dominating the business world and in 2005 he was named one of Business Week‘s Top 25 Entrepreneurs Under 25.

Ryan wants to use his entrepreneurial skills to change you and the world. He is a social entrepreneur and wants to help reduce poverty in America and across the globe. For entrepreneurs he has published a book called Zero to One Million: How I Built My Company to $1 Million in Sales . . . and How You Can, Too. A few years ago Ryan self published this book but he now has the backing of the McGraw-Hill publishing company. Ryan has set a goal to become number one on Amazon.com and make it onto the New York Times Bestseller List.

I got a chance to ask Ryan a few questions about his success in business and in life.

What was the toughest obstacle you ever faced?

Starting a company without having any money.

What is the one thing in the world you believe needs to change?

The fact that 26,000 children die every day from preventable disease and starvation.

You have met many successful people including The Big Idea host Donny Deutsch, but who is the one person you still wish to meet?

Mahatma Gandhi

Where do you see yourself in five years?

Hopefully making a difference to reduce human suffering and increase access to education, technology, and healthcare globally. Perhaps at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government or HBS.

What are you most thankful about?

Life, friends, memories, relationships, health.

What is your favorite quote?

“People are unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered. Love them anyway. If you do good, people may accuse you of selfish motives. Do good anyway. If you are successful, you may win false friends and true enemies. Succeed anyway. The good you do today may be forgotten tomorrow. Do good anyway. Honesty and transparency make you vulnerable. Be honest and transparent anyway. What you spend years building may be destroyed overnight. Build anyway. People who really want help may attack you if you help them. Help them anyway. Give the world the best you have and you may get hurt. Give the world your best anyway.” — Mother Teresa

Is there one person who has had a pivotal role in your success?

Not really there were many. Parents, high school economics teacher, my business partner, my best friend, our VP of Business Development, our CFO.

Do you think money brings happiness?

Opulent wealth does not bring happiness, but going from poverty into having basic human needs can.

Is there anything about yourself that you think needs to change or you need to improve?

Of course. I’m working on trying to align what I deeply believe in with how I live my life.

If you are interested in learning more about Ryan Allis’ success story please visit his website and be sure to buy a copy of his book.

This post was sponsored by: Free Websites by www.AptoHosting.com

The internet has changed all of our lives, hopefully in a more positive direction. You can use these sites just for entertainment or you can use them to change your life. Many of them you visit all the time but it’s time to look at them another way and harness their power.

*These are in no particular order.

1 – Facebook – Facebook allows you to reconnect with old and new friends. In the case of Lori Haas, facebook helped Lori reunite with her son that she gave up for adoption when she was just 17. (Full Story)

2 – Myspace – This is the most popular social network on the web, even though it has the most spam. Some absolutely hate myspace, but others have used it to launch their careers. Many singers and musicians have achieved “overnight” success using the network. Like facebook you can connect with friends but myspace makes it easier for networking with people you don’t know and create new business contacts.

3 – Digg – many will agree with this choice, while others will strongly disagree. But Digg can open you up to a whole new realm of news. You can visit the homepage once a day and instantly become up to date on what’s going on in the world. You can use Digg to your advantage, find the latest trends in business or find articles on improving your life.

4 – Kiva – Kiva is a lending site that helps entrepreneurs in developing countries finance their ventures. It doesn’t take much to help someone out. By changing others you can change yourself.

5 – Lifehack.org – Lifehack can help you get things done. This blog has in depth articles on all things that do with productivity.

6 – YouTube – If you want to work in the entertainment industry, YouTube is a great way to get your feet wet and at a very low cost. You have an audience of millions of people at your disposal.

7 – Google – This is an obvious one. I really don’t know how we lived without Google in the early days of the internet.

8 – Twitter – Twitter may someday save lives by people quickly alerting others of dangerous situations to avoid. During the California fires, people used Twitter to let friends know that they were safe. You can also use Twitter as a way to help with your business networking by knowing where your business contacts are at.

9 – eBay – eBay can save you a lot of money but can also bring you immense opportunities. You can easily create an online business that reaches millions of buyers. Many people have very successful million dollar enterprises using ebay.

10 – Ancestry.com – This website can help you piece together your family history. By understanding the past your can change the future. * Many readers have expressed concerns about the business practices of Ancestry.com. Please read comments below and be sure to check any complaints about Ancestry.com or any other business before working with them.*

11 – Zen Habits – This blog is similar to Lifehack.org by offering simple productivity to get the most of your life.

12 – Craigslist – You can find almost anything on Craigslist. It’s a simple site but can simply change your life.

13 – Post Secret – The Post Secret project shows you that we’re all very much the same. It can also show you that others may have worse problems than the ones your facing.

14 – LinkedIn – You can use LinkedIn to network with professionals from all areas of business including Fortune 500 companies.

15 – TED.com – This website is full of various videos from TED conferences and has biographies on some of the greatest thinkers of present time. Presentations from successful people such as Tony Robbins, Richard Branson, Jeff Bezos, Bono, Seth Godin, and Jane Goodall. Most videos are a few minutes long but can empower you for years to come.

16 – Wikipedia – Not everything on Wikipedia is accurate but there is so much information on almost every topic possible. Don’t know about something, just look it up on Wikipedia and within a few minutes you can be informed.

17 – The Fastlane to Millions – This is a relatively new and small forum for those who are or aspire to be entrepreneurs and millionaires. The members are very positive and want to help each other get the most out of life.

18 – Second Life – This virtual world may seem like a virtual waste of time but some people such as Anshe Chung have found opportunities limitless on Second Life. Anshe has become a millionaire by buying and selling virtual real estate.

19 – Quoteland – You can visit Quoteland and read hundreds of quotes that will give you a fresh perspective and change your life in minutes. If you have an open mind.

20 – 43 Things – 43 Things can be a great way to achieve your goals. You can post your dreams and aspirations for all to see. Having that type of pressure can be very positive for you, helping you continue till you reach your goals.

* 21 – Stumble Upon – This has been requested by readers to be added to the list. Stumble Upon can change your life and help you discover so many new websites you would never be able to otherwise.

* 22 – del.icio.us – This site has also been demanded to be added to the list. So since many have found Lyved via del.icio.us, it must be an addition. Maybe someone from del.icio.us can change their life after visiting Lyved.

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