It used to be that we were raised knowing right from wrong, values from a self-will run riot and how to grow up to be successful in business and in life. If we believe much of the news, it would seem that too many have lost their way and forgot what it takes to be successful.

These top 10 hints are a refresher course and work as well for starting your own business as they do for living a life in a soul-filled and valued way. Read, printout, activate and enjoy!

1. PURSUE THE DREAM IN YOUR HEART. Without something to strive for, helplessness and hopelessness become your compass. God gave you a dream. Remember it and go for it.

2. CREATE NEW WAYS TO GENERATE POSITIVE ENERGY. Stop waiting for others to make you happy or give you permission to follow your dream. The dream is yours and it’s your Life’s Work to bring it into reality.

3. KNOW WHAT YOU BELIEVE AND WHY. These are your values. As Malcolm X said, "If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything." In the book, DISCOVERING YOUR LIFE’S WORK - HOW TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS, readers learn that what they believe in becomes their Life Works.

4. WHERE YOU ARE TODAY IS FOUNDED IN THE CHOICES YOU MADE YESTERDAY. It’s simple. If you don’t like the life you have today, make different choices.

5. BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE MORE THAN YOU EVER THOUGHT POSSIBLE. What kind of life would you have if you found and made use of all your potential? Believe author Bo Bennett when he says, "everyday people settle for less than they deserve. They are only partially living, or at best, living a partial life. Every human being has the potential for greatness."

6. NURTURE YOURSELF AS THE PRECIOUS CHILD OF SPIRIT THAT YOU ARE. This means honoring the body mind and spirit you were given as well as eating well, exercising, sleeping well and keeping a positive mental attitude. It also means taking a luxurious bubble bath and catnap once in a while.

7. SEEK THE LESSONS OF LIFE HIDDEN IN EVERY MOMENT. This is the development of wisdom. Without it you’ll find that you keep making the same mistakes over and over and wonder why nothing has changed. Every interaction holds a lesson for the evolution of your soul. Learn the lesson and move on.

8. CELEBRATE AND USE YOUR GOD-GIVEN GIFTS OF SKILLS, VALUES & INTERESTS. If you want to discover and achieve your Life’s Work and a successful life, you must first uncover the unique gifts God gave you to work with and then develop them into a business and lifestyle.

9. VIEW CONFUSION AS A CLUE THAT YOU ARE TEMPORARILY ON THE WRONG LIFE PATH. "In the greatest confusion there is still an open channel to the soul. It may be difficult to find because by midlife it is overgrown..." Saul Bellow. Your job is to go within and redirect yourself back onto your unique path.

10. CHERISH YOUR LIFE & EACH BREATH YOU TAKE. A person lost in resentment will never achieve his or her Life’s Work. Forgive, let it go and achieve the dream God put in your heart.

If you are thinking of starting your own business, or jump starting the one you already have, post these 10 tips to a successful life and live them everyday. Pass them forward and share your gifts with others. One person can make a difference in the quality of life, and you are just such a person.