The best way to determine that is to apply these test questions:

· What would I do for free? · Am I enjoying my work so much that time seems to fly by? · How would I like work to be done if I were on receiving end? · What would I do if I didn't have to support myself, but did indeed want to work? · What work would I do if my doctor told me that I had only five years more to live?

> considering my financial rewards:

· Am I contended with my current income? · Am I in position to influence a change in my income? · What if work I enjoy doing doesn't pay very well?

If you're satisfied with first two, then I say, "Hang in there! You're on your way to becoming rich."

People who became rich did so because they persisted. Only a personal involvement with what you enjoy doing will produce kind of persistence that propels you out of bed in mornings and makes you willing to work long and hard.

> investing in yourself:

· Am I developing my skills, talents, and abilities? · Have I made a plan that will help me to develop them? · Am I constantly improving my relationship with others? · Do I ask my co-workers for feedback about my performance?

Investing in yourself means developing both of these aspects: technical knowledge you need in order to do your work effectively and human relations skills you need in order to work effectively with others.

Mr. Joseph Brooks, CEO at Lord & Taylor, once said, "If you love your work, and do it well, someone will spot that ... Let quality of your work do it for you."

Conclusion: To become rich, do it your own way. Rely on your own talents, skills, and abilities. Invest them in a business or profession that you enjoy doing very much. Invest in your personal growth and development. Become very best at what you do at your work even if it pays you little right now. If you really like what you are doing, eventually a fat salary will catch up with your reputation. The bottomline is persistence. Become an expert at relating well with others.

Remember: When you maximize your potential, everyone wins. When you don't, we all lose. © MMIV, Etienne A. Gibbs, MSW

You've heard many of stories about above 'icons' and people like Abraham Lincoln, Thomas Edison and Gandhi. Their journeys were filled with great adversity, devastating setbacks and yes, heartbreaking failures. But still, because of sheer level of belief in themselves and what they set out to achieve, they were able to leave a legacy that today affects every one of us, every hour of every day.

There are millions everyday people who will never become household names who have made magnificent differences in their lives and lives of those around them.

Take for instance, single mother who was reluctantly forced onto welfare rolls due to a deadbeat dad, and pounds pavement until she lands a job, determined to excel, and works her way up ladder until she ends up with a wonderful career to benefit of herself and her family.

Or, foreign medical student whose family sacrificed their entire lives in order to send their child to a 'free country' to get an education, who, through sheer determination graduates at top of his class but decides not to chase almighty big bucks that await him in 'land of promise' and instead returns to his homeland so that he may help alleviate dire suffering of people in his native land.

Or, how about countless entrepreneurs who have taken a single idea and no matter what obstacles they faced, and many sacrifices they had to make, created successful businesses with products that impacted thousands or even millions of people?

I am privileged to know so many individuals who have accomplished great things only because of great belief they had in themselves and their ideas. As such, I firmly believe that every human being, no matter where they believe they are at on this roller coaster ride we call life, CAN accomplish great things.

As strange as this may seem at this time, I can tell you with all sincerity I possess, that this great universe of ours awaits your simple and sincere decision, so that it can begin to fill you with all power you need to make your dream a reality. It's a matter of truly making that decision and then opening yourself up to receiving that invisible assistance.

"The Creator has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do." Orison Swett Marden

Now back to my miniscule, winged friend. On cue, and still prior to daylight, he shakes me out of my peaceful slumber. He knows nothing else. No other way. He just cranks it up at enormous volume at nature's call, oblivious to fact he is impacting me on a major scale by doing only thing he was designed to do. How we all should be, don't you agree?

The Power of Small!

© Rick Beneteau