What if you could guarantee career advancement, promotions, more money and respect from your professional peers? What if you knew the "secret" to success?

While there aren't any mystical secrets about how to tap into the power of the universe to achieve success, there are four fundamental characteristics shared by all top performers that you can adopt and put into practice in your own professional life.

These straightforward, yet powerful, principles can help any professional achieve greater success. It doesn't matter what your job title is, your field or your industry - if you develop the following practices, you will find yourself in demand in any profession.

• Key 1: Always Deliver
  Every employer, manager, coworker and client wants one thing from you: dependability. They want to know they can count on you to do what you said you would do, when you said you would do it.
  
  When you show that you can be depended on every time, no matter what the task, people will always want to work with you. This quality makes you invaluable to any business, regardless of your job description, because there are very few people in any organization who consistently follow through on what they promise.
  
  This begins from the very first contact with a company in your job hunt. If you say you are going to call a recruiter at 9:00 a.m., contact them at the promised time (not at 9:10 or 9:30). If you say you will provide additional samples by email on Wednesday, make sure you send that information no later than Wednesday.
  
  
• Key 2: Don't Just Meet Standards; Exceed Them
  If you want to be a superstar employee, you have to go beyond basic job requirements and exceed expectations. Extraordinary performers aren't just competent employees; they take initiative and go the extra mile to learn new skills, improve projects and make everyone's job easier.
  
  Being unhappy at your job is not an excuse for laziness or low quality work. If you are so miserable in your current position that you find it difficult to maintain a standard of excellence, it's time to take stock and start looking for a professional opportunity that is a better fit for you.
  
  In the meantime, you are still accountable for the results you achieve in your current job. While you are in search of a better work environment, always strive for excellence and maintain your reputation for superior work standards.
  
  
• Key 3: Work to Make the People Around You Successful
  When you actively work to make those around you successful, your own success will follow. Always ask yourself how you can support the goals of everyone associated with you, whether they are your superiors, your peers or your employees.
  
  If you always strive to make your boss looks good, you will be rewarded through an outstanding professional reputation that can open the door to mentorships, promotions and new opportunities.
  
  Assisting co-workers with their projects boosts the profile of your entire team and strengthens your professional network. When you need help in the future, your co-workers will want to return the favor.
  
  When you look out for the best interests of your employees, it won't go unnoticed. Your employees will want to work hard on your behalf when they see that you are also committed to their success.
  
  
• Key 4. Build Relationships with Successful People
  If you want to be successful, you must create a favorable environment by surrounding yourself with successful people. Developing relationships with other accomplished professionals automatically fosters success and is an invaluable advantage in the "it's not what you know but who you know" department. People want to help the people they know.
  
  Join professional groups, find outstanding mentors and develop a network of accomplished individuals who can provide the advice, support and connections that will get you where you want to go. Remember, these relationships aren't a one-way street. Make sure you give back and help others in your network whenever you can.