Decades ago, Napoleon Hill, an American author known for his work, "Think and Grow Rich," identified and published thirteen steps for success. With a little modern updating, here they are:

1. Purpose: Establish and define your major purpose in life.

2. Exact: Fix in your mind exactly what it is that you want out of life.

3. Give Back: Define exactly what it is you intend to give back in return. Be specific with your words:

   • Quality of what you give back.

   • Quantity of what you give back.

   • The spirit of service when you give back.

4. Deadline: Give yourself a time limit by specifying a definite date.

5. Plan: Create a specific, definite and organized plan or blueprint to follow.

6. Statement: Write out a clear and concise statement of the above top five.

7. Read: Every day, read this statement out loud, twice.

8. Believe: As you read; see, feel and believe yourself already having accomplished this goal.

9. Learn: Teach yourself the specialized knowledge you need to carry out your plan.

10. Mastermind: Create a Master Mind Alliance group to tap into the powers of creative imagination and positive association of others. Release the synergy.

11. Decision: Often times it is more important 'That' you decide than it is what you decide. Make it a habit to remove procrastination from your life.

12. Persistence: Develop the habit of persistence, the sustained effort necessary to induce faith.

13. EnthusIASM: Put enthusiasm into your daily life. The end of enthusIASM stands for I Am Sold Myself. If you believe -- others will then also believe.

Did you identify the two most important items on this list that many simply don't accomplish?

Numbers 10 and 12.

These require a person to put in effort and actually do something constructive.

Now that you see how easy it is, will you commit to becoming a success?

Published: December 1, 2006

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Floyd Wickman has dedicated three decades of his life teaching real estate agents how to be successful. Through his long running SweathogsTM training program (sold in 1999) and its successor the StarMaker S.M.A.R.T.TM program, Floyd Wickman has given the tools to success to over 250,000 real estate agents throughout North America. Floyd Wickman has authored six top selling books, has sold over one million audio programs, and was named one of the 25 most influential people in real estate. Salesperson Magazine named him "The Extraordinary Ordinary Man", he makes the hard stuff look easy. His favorite award is the rare CPAE, Council of Peers Award of Excellence from NSA, the National Speakers Association. If you have a question or comment for Floyd or would like him to speak at your event please visit CallFloyd.com and he will get back to you personally.