If you really want to become rich, then begin by evaluating your work habits and work environment. That's how most millionaires made their first offline million.

According to Dr. Srully Blotnick, a psychologist and consultant who spent over 20 years studying how people became rich, most millionaires didn't make their money in real estate, stock market, or waiting for their ship to come in.

They made theirs, instead, through their business or profession. They became so good at their job that they made quite a bit of money. Then, and only then, did they turn to real estate and stocks as sites to invest and grow their money. Even then, their basic business continued to produce bulk of their gains; their investments usually produced only mediocre results by comparison.

There's a monumentally important lesson to be learned from hundreds of millionaires that Dr. Blotnick studied for 20 years. The lesson is this: If you really want to become rich, invest in yourself first; invest in real estate, stocks, and other ventures later. Dr. Blotnick divided this into two stages:

· The first takes place when you're consumed by a business or profession that you enjoy so much that you would do it for nothing. Devlop passion.

· After it pays you enough income, you enter second stage. This is when you become a bona fide investor. You start thinking of and looking for opportunities to use your surplus income.

To set yourself and your career on track, evaluate yourself by answering these questions about:

> liking your work: · How much do I really like my job? · Does my job bring out best in me? · Has it caused me to do more than I ever thought I could do? If you answered any of these questions in negative, consider a job or career change.

> determining if your work is right for you:

I sleep with windows open, and at around 4:00 each and every morning, rain or shine, there has been this very obnoxious bird "somewhere" close by screeching his mating call at what seems like 130 decibels! Many times I've wearily peered out to be able to witness first hand what sounded like a pterodactyl-size creature on some kind of steroids. But never would this clever 'lil creature reveal himself!

I appreciate nature as much as next person, but this large sound at this wee hour of morning is not music to my ears! In one agitated state my fine-feathered foe put me in, I thought about locating a 'sportsman' in neighborhood to take him out, but that was only wishful fantasizing. Besides, I don't believe in 'the sport of hunting.'

By now though, I've gotten pretty used to my tree dwelling alarm and looking on positive side of this situation, could even thank him for extra hour of work I am able to put in every day.

One day last week, I was pounding away on my laptop on front porch swing, when lo and behold - THAT PIERCING SOUND AGAIN! And it was NEAR! Imagine my surprise when after peeking out from under canopy, perched on telephone line above was this teeny weenie finch, smaller than my prized canary, warbling away what was really a beautiful anthem, at least heard at this normal hour of day.

Oh my, power of small!

Now, may I ask: How many times in your life have you thought that you were "too small" to make a difference? How many times has this thought actually stopped you from doing something you knew in your heart was worthwhile? Perhaps something like changing careers, starting a new business, creating your own product or even buying that dream home. Like me, I bet plenty of times!

Think about this. Every great achievement in this world had its roots as a single thought in mind of a single human being. There's no exception - greatest inventions, biggest corporations and tallest skyscrapers were all borne of single idea of one individual!

The difference between most of us and Henry Ford's and Bill Gates of this world is total self-belief and conviction in their ideas to just "build it!" No matter size, no matter scope, no matter naysayers around them. And, knowing full well that road to achieving their goal was going to be paved with major setbacks and failures.

Here's one of my favorite quotes about achievers: