So much has been written about success. So many success programs, books, CDs, and other media exist on the subject. A Google search (06.29.10) on the keyword "success" returns over 335-million results.

The term is like one tiny star in the cosmos.

I think it's safe to say that ‘success' is/has been an over-used word throughout our human world and throughout (recorded) history.

It's also fair to say that success means something different for each and every person, and yet most would agree that a simple and accurate definition might be: to obtain a desired result (or set of results).

It is also fair and accurate to say that every successful person followed 6 absolutely essential steps to achiever their success…even if they did not know they were following those 6 steps! In a moment I will share those "must know" steps with you.

Perhaps Dr. Norman Vincent Peale (1898-1993) was among the first of the modern-day success gurus with his "Power of Positive Thinking" work (circa 1956). And today we have success consultants, coaches, lecturers, and millions more people who make their living in one fashion or another from/on the subject of success. In just my amazing lifespan (I'm 48), the technology boom has been so overwhelming that it has made the world smaller in many senses, and yet so much more confusing because of all the voices that are now heard, and the resulting information overload. But success has not changed, in and of itself; only the terms of measurement are ever-changing.

I remember thinking as a troubled teenager: why is there no ‘owner's manual' for living a successful life? I would ponder being alone in a cold world; born unto role models, teachers, and influencers, and yet ultimately we must invent our own ‘success manual' for living. My brother used to accuse me of thinking too much, but my internal response was to say: is that such a bad thing? An extension of much of my early thoughts was to be in awe of the humility of life; the more I learned, the more I realized how little I truly knew. Further, there was the wish that I were somehow smarter than I am…and I admit to that wish even now. As time progressed I studied these success gurus and motivational experts. It was then that a success manual did emerge from my thoughts.

There is a six-step system that virtually guarantees success and abundance in all areas of life, and the ability to maintain success over a lifetime! Every once in a while something special and unexpected comes along. True, not very often does something new appear on the scene, but it certainly happens. Yes, even though it might seem that success is an exhausted, and exalted subject, I have assembled in detail the exact six steps that are necessary to achieve lifelong success. Show this to virtually anyone and I doubt they will disagree with these steps!

Step 1 is motives/motivation. Just as every successful building stands upon proper footings and foundation, knowing your motives and motivation is the foundation for building success. A warning: it is all too easy to mistake goals and desires for these motives and motivation, so be careful to think this through most carefully! Motives are the "why" question; motives and motivation move us forward and keep us going because they are at the very heart of WHY we want the things we want. Here's one example: many people mistake money or wealth as a motive or motivation, yet money is never the motive or motivation…no, it is whatever that money buys you - why you want that money - that is the motive/motivation! Perhaps money buys back your time to spend that time as you want; the motive, then, is freedom! Money buys freedom and choices! So, the motive and motivation for money and wealth is freedoms and more choices. So, to summarize Step 1: carefully examine everything you desire and dig below or behind those desires to find out exactly why you desire these things…these are your motives. Another word of warning: be sure your motives are based in goodness. Otherwise, you will likely sabotage your foundation for success.

Step 2 is preparation. Look carefully at your motives or motivators and ask yourself if you are prepared - fully prepared - to achieve those motives. Let's stick with the money example to help illustrate. In the above example, I showed that the motive for money is freedom and choices. Now I ask: are you prepared for freedoms and more choices? Is my emotional house in order? Am I drinking too much, for example? Do I suffer from untreated depression? Put simply, if we are not emotionally prepared for success and abundance, we cannot build success; or, if we do somehow build success, it cannot last through our lifetime because we have not properly prepared. Step 2 - preparation- is the reinforcement of our foundation and allows our motives to be realized and sustained.

Step 3 is goals or goal setting. It is something virtually everybody knows is essential, but most of us do not go about it correctly! It is too easy to quickly jot down some goals and think we're okay about our goal setting…but we are incorrect indeed. Goal setting is done in 3 phases: 1) short term goals (today to 6 months), 2) intermediate goals (perhaps within one year from now), and 3) long term goals (5 years and longer). Also, each of those 3 phases should be done as structured "workshops" to ensure quality, accuracy, and realism. If you want the rest of this you'll have to download my absolutely free eBook (instructions are provided at the end of this article).

Step 4 is research and development. This is the step that builds a road map and vehicle to reach each and every goal. There is a system for doing this as well.

Step 5 is consistent action. We must take consistent action towards our goals - or at least our immediate goals - each and every day. Even if this is as simple as looking at a picture that motivates you to achieve a goal…at least that is some action. But, in Step 4 you developed a vehicle and road map, so you know what the consistent actions are that you need to perform.

Step 6 is flexibility. Personally, I like this one the best because it is the glue that holds it all together and allows for us to be human and not some kind of machine. Flexibility means giving ourselves a break now and then; flexibility means allowing goals to be revised; flexibility means changing anything or everything so that is makes more sense; flexibility means having an open mind to changes and new ideas or realizations.

All 6 of these steps are covered in much more detail in my free eBook (that originally sold for $47), called: "Lifetime Success in 6 Simple Steps". I invite you to enjoy this book for free. It is a labor of love that has taken over 20 years of learning to come together as a formula. Here's to your lifelong abundance and success!