We live in the golden age. This is an era that humanity has looked forward to, dreamed of, and plodded forward to for thousands of years. However since it has arrived, everyone seems to take it for granted. We in the good old USA are very fortunate to live in the wealthiest, most convenient, and diversified land that has ever existed on the face of the earth. A land abundant in opportunities for all.

However, if you chose 100 people at random of no particular race or gender who believe they will be successful and monitored their progress from age 25 to 65, a startling realization would emerge. They would all tell you they were eager to learn and progress in life. They would all have a sparkle in their eye and would tell you that life seemed like an interesting adventure to them. But by the time they all are 65, one would be rich, four would be financially independent, five will still be working, and 54 will be broke or dead.

So, of the 100, only five make the grade. Why do so many people fail? What happened to the enthusiasm and belief they had at age25? They were full of hope and desire. They planned to succeed. So why the disparity? Most people get discouraged with a little bit of adversity that happens all throughout their lives.

Here is the best definition I've been able to find on success: Success is the progressive realization of your ideals and goals. What really are your goals? Only you know. Have you even ever thought about it or written them down?

We learn to read by the time were 7 years old. We learn to drive by age 16. We learn to make a living by the time were 25. And yet by the time were 65, most haven't learned how to become financially independent in the richest land that has ever existed. Why? Because people conform and compromise way all the time. They act like the 95 who don't succeed. Yet, most can not tell you why they conform. May be because they think it is the easiest path. Most people believe that their lives are shaped by uncontrollable circumstances that occur during their life. They feel there is nothing they can do to control the outcome; they are a victim of their circumstances. What I call the victim mentality.

This victim mentality runs rampant in American society today. We hear on TV, read in the newspaper and internet daily that "It is not your Fault". How much farther from the truth could people get? Do people really swallow and believe this hogwash? Unfortunately, more than ever before, this thought process prevails everywhere in the world. That is one major reason most people don't succeed. They don't take responsibility. Remember, "it is not your fault". The only person who truly succeeds is the person who is progressing toward their goals and doesn't conform to the way most others think. They are the people who say, "I'm going to do this" and then begin to work toward that goal with reckless abandon and not conforming or worrying about all the Nay Sayers. They don't accept excuses well and are only looking toward the result. Isn't that really what matters the most!

Have you ever wondered why so many people work so hard and honestly without ever achieving anything in particular and others don't seem to work at all yet seem to achieve everything that they set their sights on? You hear people say that those individuals are just "lucky" or "everything they touch turns to gold". And on the opposite side you know probably know someone who is a failure and usually tends to continue to fail. People succeed because of clear goals and objectives. They know where they are going and how they are going to get there. It is that simple. Think of trip you would like to take to a place you have never been before. How easy will the trip be without a map or GPS to guide you? Nearly impossible!

Someone once told me that they think the human race is fixed, not to prevent the strong from winning but to prevent the weak from losing. The economy today can be likened to a convoy in a wartime setting. The entire economy today is slowed down to protect its weakest link, just as the army convoy has to go at the speed that allows it slowest vehicle to remain in formation. That is why it is fairly easy today to make some type of living and at least survive for some. So society has a benchmark that is not really very high. People like security and as long as they are near that benchmark, that is all the faster they go. What we should decide is how high above this benchmark do we want to be.

Why do people with goals in life generally succeed and people without them generally fail? I would tell you the goals in my life have taken me exactly to the place I want to be. If you understand and digest this belief in goals, your life can and will change as well. It will never be the same. The things you want just seem to fall in line. You won't have to deal with the despair, worry, and anxiety that you've had in the past. Those feelings will be history. We become what we think about. A person's life is what our thoughts make of it. You are what you believe. Believe and Succeed! You are in charge of your attitude! Point it in the right direction.