194 Identity: Your Passport to Success ninE-STEP SuCCESS ProCESS Step 1: Check Your ID Before you decide what you want for your life, you first must understand who you are, what the influences are on your life, and why you think and act the way you do. Self-awareness is where success begins. it is difficult to understand the world and how you respond to it until you first know yourself. What are your strengths? What moves you forward? What are your weaknesses? What holds you back? What are your patterns of behavior? What are your passions? Sometimes the biggest obstacles to success are those that we unconsciously put in our own paths. Past hurts, business or career downfalls, and negative attitudes hold you back. Learn from the bad experiences and failures, and let them go. Focus your life on what you love and care about, and you will never work a day in your life.