Today as you walked through field you wanted to avoid getting wet and hot. Nor did you want to lose any water from those two full urns. But you got soaked by wet grass and you slipped from time to time on damp track and lost a little water each time. And all worry made you sweat.

If instead you had paid attention to what you wanted - to be cool and dry as you carried urns you might have noticed other pathway through field. The one in shadow of forest.

You can walk along that trail of perfectly level golden stones at anytime of day without being bothered by heat of sun. One step and one golden stone at a time would have brought you home very dry indeed with two urns full to brim.**

And so it is for us all. Know what you want and you just might get it otherwise you are doomed to get what you worry about - that which you do not want.

The best communicators and most persuasive presenters know exactly what they want to say and how they want to impact their audience.

If they want you to laugh they tell a good joke, if they want you to listen up they might speak more softly or even pause and use silence to capture your attention. And if they want to feel relaxed and confident for a big event they prepare diligently in advance of big day.

Be highly specific about your intentions and you will find steps to take you where you want to go. Your steps to success are out there - go find your gold.

Had I ever done anything illegal or unethical on job? Ever spoke ill of any of my employers? Ever performed in a way that would cost a company money or customers? Absolutely not. My work ethic was such that I always gave 110 percent, always tried to do what was best for companies where I worked, and prided myself on seeing, suggesting and implementing improvements.

So what was my problem?

And then it finally occurred to me. It wasn't *my* problem at all.

I'd figured out pattern at last. Every time I got "sent to principal's office," (the phrase I began to use whenever I was called in for one of those chats with boss), it was a result of my frustration with what I felt was my company's short-sightedness. I'd rebel against silly rules, get discouraged when people whose greatest talent involved kissing butt were promoted, and yearn for compensation and perks commensurate with my contributions.

If I was willing to give 110 percent to my employer, it seemed reasonable to want 110 percent in return. Time and time again, I met with disappointment. And time and time again, my frustration with status quo would get me into hot water with boss.

What I failed to realize all along was that I was in fact Don Quixote, tilting at windmills. My initiative, my enthusiasm and my dedication weren't character flaws at all. They were merely misplaced.

The day I realized this was day I decided, once and for all, to redirect my focus into starting and building my own business.

On that day, my frustration disappeared. I stopped wasting my time and talent butting my head against brick walls, and began to use them to build foundation of my own dreams instead.

You see, I never had a "bad attitude" at all--simply a "right attitude" in a wrong work environment.

So, you've been told you have a bad attitude? Terrific! Use it to determine your own future and fuel your success.