Today, a successful life is about defining and achieving what YOU want and what makes YOU happy. All around the world, young people are striving for more and making extraordinary things happen—in business, the arts, entertainment, sports, education, public service, politics, medicine and law. They do what many only dream about. They create a stir, make the world sit up and take notice, and spend their days doing the very things they love.
 But what do they know that we don’t? What separates those who have it all from the millions who hate their jobs or just sit on that big dream? How do you get everything you want without waiting a lifetime?
It’s simple and it’s never too late. Ambition is the price of admission; taking control of your life is what it’s all about.

Then again, there are also a few secrets…

Secret No. 1: Know What Success Means to You
Meet Jane Rinzler-Buckingham. She’s gorgeous, brilliant, one of the most respected people in her field, has an incredible husband, two happy kids and a killer pad in Beverly Hills. How’d she get it all?

Early on, Jane took control and ownership of her life and carefully began sculpting her path to success. She had a vision of what might be possible and an intuitive sense of what success would mean for her. As a result, she created the life of her dreams.

Jane wrote her first book at 12, called Teens Speak Out, but it was through the company she’d build in her 20’s — Youth Intelligence — that she’d truly find her voice. As the leading youth trends research firm, hers is the one NBC, Nike, Target, American Express and MTV turn to for the latest insight. She even has her own show on the Style Network called “The Modern Girl’s Guide to Life” and two more books with the same name. And talk about fame? Jane is a regular contributor on Good Morning America, a contributing editor at Cosmopolitan, a columnist for the New York Times Syndicate and publisher of Trendcentral, the industry’s daily newsletter-turned-Magna Carta of all things cool and hip.

Secret No. 2: Spin Challenges to Your Greatest Advantage

Doug Ulman didn’t just face cancer once — he beat it three times. Then he turned his attention outward and found a way to help others who had been afflicted early in life, as he had. The Ulman Cancer Fund for Young Adults is the nonprofit he created to support other young adults whose lives have been turned inside out by the disease. The organization provides support programs, education and resources free of charge to young people, and their families and friends who are affected by cancer. From his own life threatening challenges, Doug found his greatest strength and passion in helping others survive. Today, Doug has joined Lance Armstrong, one of the most famous cancer survivors, as the director of survivorship for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.

It’s natural to want to give up or hide in bed for days when something goes very wrong, but ignoring problems never makes them go away. All to often we estimate the power of spirit. During life’s most trying challenging times, it’s up to us to decide whether we chose to play the part of victim, or switch into survivor mode and tackle our challenges head on. That’s the true spirit of the Young & Successful. And wouldn’t you know it, sometimes the greatest challenges can open the door to our biggest opportunities to make a difference in the world.

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