Have you noticed how often business blog headlines lead with a number? On any day you can find articles that offer 3 tips, 4 must-do’s, 5 ways, 6 lessons or 10 things to help you with everything from improving brainstorming to increasing productivity.

So here’s my meaningful, helpful number 2, for the two words that are linked inextricably to the energy of success. The first word is create, and the second is compliment. Interestingly, each has an opposite that also begins with the letter c.

Create. Our beliefs, thoughts and emotions shape our experience and our outcomes. So as you focus on what’s next for you — your goals, what you want to accomplish, your success — are you thinking about what you want to create? Can you view your “right now” as being right? Can you see it as the springboard for what you want? Or, are you instead concentrating on what’s wrong with your current situation, trying to control your present circumstances versus actively creating what’s next for you?

Compliment. Our professional lives are as much about relationships as our personal lives. We have employees, colleagues, team members, bosses, clients, customers, boards, advisers and suppliers who are all important to our success and that of our organization. Every one of the people you work with on any level wants the same things you do: to be accepted, appreciated, valued and recognized. In other words, to feel good! So the next time you’re tempted to criticize someone, lead in with a little praise. I’m not suggesting you turn a blind eye to a problem behavior or situation, only that you remember it’s not the person, it’s the behavior, situation or issue. Start a conversation, and begin with a compliment about what’s right.

So there you have it. Create vs. control. Compliment vs. criticize. With some practice, you’ll find how easy it is — and how good it feels! — to design success.