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

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.