You can learn a lot from highly successful businesses. Begin with this simple question: What do they do that makes them stand out from the competition?

Behind every great athlete there is an even greater coach. There isn't a top athlete--from Muhammad Ali to Tiger Woods to Serena Williams--who did not need a mentor to help them reach the top of their profession.

I’ve worked for companies big and small. I’ve started businesses, sold businesses, and I’ve become an entrepreneur. And among the many incredibly important things I’ve learned through all of my experiences, there’s one common thread that stands out when I think about what works.

We may complain all the time that we need a vacation, but when it comes to actually taking off time, we tend to get cold feet.

Life is full of challenges. Whether it’s something small like a crossword clue that you just can’t figure out, or a larger issue like a particularly taxing project at work, we all have to deal with problems that frustrate us. When you encounter these difficulties, do you recoil and throw your hands in the air? If so, maybe developing a little more resilience could be a good thing.

They say all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. And it's true -- hobbies make you more interesting and fun to be around and keep your body and brain rested and renewed.

Whether your past is marked by privilege and abundance or poverty and struggle, every single one of us has a story to tell. It’s a safe bet that everyone you meet, no matter your first impressions, has gone through tough times. You’re not unique in that way, and it’s important to understand the turbulent nature of the human experience before you can really start to let go and move on.

One of my favorite quotes comes from the Dalai Lama is: "When you talk, you are only repeating what you already know. But if you listen, you may learn something new."

It's never too late to take the time to reflect on our business and life successes and shortcomings, learn from them, and begin to plan for a new (and better) year.

Eighty percent of the New Year’s resolution gym crowd drops off by the second week of February per a study from the International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association. This is why I don’t believe in resolutions because most don’t last. But the new year can be a good reminder to start making ongoing commitments to yourself -- which can happen any time of the year and should be an ongoing process.

They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks--but can you? Much of our work is made up of habits. In fact, one study found that habits account for 40 percent of our daily behavior. Some of these are good ones that keep you productive and efficient, but others, well, they can be time killers and energy drainers.

Billionaire Marc Benioff does it every day. So does Russell Simmons, Jeff Weiner, and even Arianna Huffington. It's meditation, and these successful people (and many other CEOs just like them) swear that spending a few quite moments with their mind makes them better thinkers and leaders.

Everyone wants happiness, but few know how to get it. But achieving happiness does not have to be such a mystery. You have the power to increase your level of happiness even if you are naturally not an upbeat person or are easily affected by the daily ups and downs of business.

To boost your brain, you also need to boost your body.

As I explained in my previous article, for optimal brain power you need to increase your brain's neuroplasticity--your brain's ability to grow and expand. One way science has shown you can do this is with regular exercise.

Talk to most successful people and most will say that the key to their success lies in the space between their ears.

Your ability to brainstorm, create, remember, communicate, problem-solve, and make crucial decisions is often what separates success from failure. So if you want to invest in your business, and receive the biggest rate of return, then devote resources to your most vital commodity: your brain.

Never underestimate the power an inspirational quote has to lift you up! Inspiration can push you further, help you through a time when you're struggling, or simply help put things in perspective and remind you what you're reaching for.