I’ve spoken to many groups about this theory and recently wrote a book on the topic (titled, of course, The Theory of 5). More than that, though, I’ve witnessed the transformation both in my own life and in the lives of those around me who have taken this idea to heart. In the coming months, I’ll be sharing with you ways in which you can put this way of thinking into effect in your own life, along with lessons I have learned along the way.

If you’re reading this magazine, I already know a lot about you:
• You want to improve yourself.
• You’re open to new ideas and are willing to learn.
• You want to leave your mark on the world.

To earn success in this life, there are certain elements that most would agree are essential — education, talent, positive attitude and hard work chief among them. These traits and abilities, however, will only get you so far in the world; they won’t get the job done by themselves. The world is full of unemployed geniuses and educated fools. To truly count yourself as successful in life, you need more.

The idea of success — not only in finance and business, but in all areas of life — is one that has long fascinated me. As a young man, I looked at the lives of successful people around me and, more important, I observed what they did to earn and deserve it. Likewise, I paid attention to those around me who were falling short of their goals and noticed their habits and activities, as well.

Looking back on my own life, I can trace any success I’ve enjoyed directly back to those who took the time to mentor, coach and guide me. They demonstrated how important it was to effectively use their time, effort and skills in order to live their best lives.

The motto of the Saraceno household was, “Tell me who your friends are and I’ll tell you who you are.” Those around us have a direct impact on our lives — studies have found that, in many areas of life, we often become the “average” of the five people we spend the most time with — for good or bad.  By seeking the guidance of those we respect and by choosing our circle of five wisely, we unlock a power that will take us places we never believed possible.

After 34 years of study, practice and experience, I’ve come to call this philosophy “The Theory of 5” because I believe there are five distinct key areas of happiness and prosperity in life:
• Spirituality and Religion: No matter what our religious convictions, it’s important to have a spiritual framework to deal with life’s constant ups and downs.
• Marriage/Relationship: Our life partner can be our greatest asset or our worst nightmare.
• Parenting: Our children — along with our nieces, nephews and others who will learn from us — are our legacy. Helping children makes us better adults.
• Business and Finance: A rewarding career and freedom from money woes enrich all areas of our lives.
• Health and Fitness: Success in other areas can be worthless if we don’t have — and maintain — our health.

By finding people in these areas — either people you know personally or people who stand out in our society and culture — who demonstrate the success you’d like to see in your own life, you can discover the roadmap that shows you how to get from where you are to where you’d like to be.

Here’s the best part: Many times, these people will be happy to assist you on your journey. You simply have to ask. If you come to them with an open heart and an eagerness to both learn and to put their lessons into practice, most people would be honored to be a mentor to you.

Mentors can come from anywhere in your life:
• Older mentors — These are the people who have walked the path that is ahead of you and can help you navigate the course.
• Younger mentors — They can remind you of the youthful energy you had when you were getting started and can be particularly helpful when it comes to learning about the latest technology and current trends.
• Co-mentors — Your peers can provide great counsel about the obstacles and challenges you’re currently facing, and together you can keep each other accountable to always be striving to achieve more.

If you open your mind to the ideas within the articles that will follow in the coming months, you’ll find ways to ignite the passion of your heart, beliefs and values. You will discover the means and behaviors needed to change your life for the better. You’ll be on your journey to a Theory of 5 life.

Click here to view more solutions from Chris Saraceno.