3. Listen to radio and television talk shows. By listening to others communication we learn to formulate our own opinions, understand our own awareness in world, in our own life, and what we want and don't want. You don't always need to agree, in fact, by disagreeing with speaker you're awareness is even more heightened.

4. News. Listening to news or reading news can increase your awareness about world, your community, and other people’s opinions. This results in an increased awareness of what you want and don't want.

Probably by now you have guessed why it’s important to want to increase your awareness. If we live in a vacuum then air inside us and all around us gets stale. Eventually there isn't any air left and we die from toxicity of our own breath. Awareness stimulates us into knowing and understanding ourselves at levels we could never do on our own. But it can only do so if we ask question, "What new awareness are we taking away from this?" Yet, we must also listen for and hear answer. When was last time you asked question?

(C) Copyright 2005, Catherine Franz. All rights reserved.

On flip side, Mary recognizes that Trump is a savvy businessman that has made his fortunes via real estate. Sure, he might have had a head start with properties inherited by his father, but anyone with enough determination and vision could potentially learn real estate market and take their own slice of pie. She is embracing her competitive spirit – she wants what Trump has and she's going to do her best to stake her own claim.

The above examples are highly exaggerated and quite frankly unrealistic for most of us – as much as we'd like to become a billionaire, it's just not going to be in cards. But that isn't to say we cannot become very wealthy and even hit millionaire status if that is our goal – all it takes is a lot of hard work, determination and a healthy sense of competition.

Most of us would like something that another person has, and while religions and society have trained us to reject such feelings, they aren't inherently bad. If you allow your desires to turn into jealousy and envy then yes, you are walking down a bitter and self-destructive path, but if you instead convert your desires into an honest plan to match their achievements then you're embracing your competitive spirit.

So reach for your desires. Embrace and nurture your inner competitive spirit such that it bubbles up and guides your actions each and every day. Competition is a wonderful motivator, and few of world's "elite" businessmen and individuals would have accomplished their goals and achievements without a strong competitive spirit.

Copyright 2005 Goals and Motivation.com