It's said that success has many parents, but failure is an orphan. Those of us who come from a corporate background have seen this philosophy in action. Yet, the most successful entrepreneurs will stand up and proudly tell you how many times they've failed. It has never been for lack of trying. It might have been the wrong idea or the wrong time or the wrong market or whatever, but they always put their heart and soul into the effort. And, as in life, they learned more from their failures than from their successes.

I've learned first hand that business is a participation sport. You will never score unless you actually play. One of the things that has become clear to me from my conversations with business owners is that the road to failure is paved with good ideas that were never implemented. Theory has its place, but the difference between success and failure is actually taking action. I've met a lot of smart people, some of them had MBA's or PhD's, and I've realized that it isn't how well educated or even how smart you are that makes a difference, it's actually applying what you know and care about. More than anything else, taking action - appropriate action - will determine the outcome.

Another lesson that successful people provide is that they make the effort to figure out along the way what works and what doesn't. They quantify and measure their results. They succeed on purpose, not by accident.

The bottom line? Take action! If it's possible, you can do it. The impossible is simply more expensive.

Before sales came marketing. If you are someone whose identity is closely aligned with your results, have you ever stopped to examine your digital identity? Just as the clothes you wear will create a perception in others, so too will your digital identity. What do people think when they see your email address, website, LinkedIn listing or other business listings on line? When was the last time you Googled your name and business? That's what others are doing, what do you want them to think?

Take the time to examine your digital identity and make sure it's an image that works for you.

Your digital identity is networking 24 hours a day. How can you get it to do more?

For me, in addition to my website, I have free listings on LinkedIn, Plaxo, and Merchant Circle. Because I contribute articles to ezineArticles.com I have a free listing there. I know the folks who have started a new local search site, www.OddBodd.com and, for a nominal fee, I've gotten a listing that includes a video of me welcoming people to my listing.

I don't expect any of this digital identity to send me prospects. What I do believe is that this exposure helps enhance my credibility. The beautiful part is that it talks to people whenever they are ready to listen, even while I'm sleeping. Is yours?