The next step takes no real effort, and strangely enough, it is most difficult step for average person to take.

FOURTH: COMMIT! Make decision to achieve those goals, to strive for things you want which will make your life and yourself all that much better. Make that commitment from heart, not at lips! It will take time to really feel that commitment, and regularly reviewing goals you've written down will make it possible to truly feel that commitment. You'll go through agonies at first and wonder if any of this is really worth it, and that's point most people give up.

Remember this and you'll look forward to that agony. Every change comes with pain. It hurts to be born, to fall in love, to pass an exam, run a marathon. Once you start feeling that pain, know it for what it is - your old self screaming for life. Let your old self win and you lose!

Once you pass through that barrier of pain between what you are and what you want, you will know what it is worth every bit of discomfort. You've been through it before, and you'll need memory of past incidents where you've made it to help you get through it.

You'll need support of others, too. So you'll have to consider people with whom, you spend most of your time. If they are not as interested in improving themselves as you are, it's time to expand your circle of friends to include those people, and make them best you could want. Make your friends inspirations to you in your quest for a better life.

The final step is so simple and so tough it literally separates men from boys who will never grow up. It means sacrificing immediate pleasure for real satisfaction down road, so if you're not ready to make trade, go back two paces.

FIFTH: Spend every moment of your life in most effective, efficient way possible in pursuit of your goals. You'll never be able to do this as well as you will want to, but that's fine. Nobody spends all their time as effectively as humanly possible. The degree to which you can tune your desire to things you want and discipline yourself to do things that lead to getting them - will determine how successful you will be.

Regardless of how weak you are now, you can and will increase value your time and activities and garner more happiness than you might think fair only if you'll keep your failures in perspective. Think of them as lessons and gain something from them. Use your successes as a well of strength on which you can draw when you're ready to quit.

These simple steps are true secret to getting what you want out of life. It has been proven time and time again by great men down trough history, and centuries from now. The words may change, but ideas will be same.

For centuries men have tried to find ways of making this simple set of guidelines more complicated and more difficult to understand and follow. Most of them succeeded admirably. Most got what they wanted by doing so. What they really wanted was less than they set out to achieve. Getting what you truly want is so difficult precisely because it is so simple. Humans are very complex beings and thrive on making things even more complicated.

It might help to remember that foundation of every religion, belief, system and philosophy that has worked its way to a culture and taken root is personal happiness. In every case, happiness is achieved by reducing things to their simple possible elements.

When all need a hero, a hero is not to be found. That is when best hero we can have is ourselves. That may sound arrogant, but who would you rather be like: a better you, or someone else who might be where you think you want to be, but may have myriad other problems with which you would have to contend. Deal with your own and become better you!

We are all extraordinary and we all have something unique and phenomenal to contribute. However, we must learn to contribute to ourselves, first, and then consider contribution to world around you. It is how you see and feel about yourself that reflects upon and influences your environment and society. Turn inward and exalt extraordinary you. Learn that odd little nuances of life are there to strengthen you to create "extraordinary times."

--- About Author ---

Edward B. Toupin is an author, life-strategy coach, counselor, Reiki Master, technical writer, and PhD Candidate living in Las Vegas, NV. Among other things, he authors books, articles, and screenplays on topics ranging from career success through life organization and fulfillment. Check out some of his recent print and electronic books as well as his articles covering various life-changing topics!

For more information, e-mail Edward at etoupin@toupin.com or visit his site at http://www.make-life-great.com or http://www.toupin.com!