Let's face it. Do you really expect success to fall out of the sky and into your lap with little or no effort on your part? Many people do. That's why they do nothing, achieve little and complain so often.

Why do so many people pin their hopes on lotto, gambling on horses, betting at the casinos and engaging in every dopey scheme ever invented? I'll tell you why. You probably already know why. They all want the lazy way to success.

That is why the ridiculous Nigerian scam letters are still doing the rounds after five or more years. You would think that they would be dead as a doornail by now but they are still roping people in. Any scheme that promises so much for so little will always attract people hoping to make something out of nothing. Well, let's stop fooling around with success.

You will never stop evil people from preying on the unwary, the weak and the naive in their pursuit of wealth and riches. That's what drug dealers, bank robbers and scammers are all about.

The pathway to success is often long and arduous. That is why it is trodden by so few. It is littered with those who gave up along the way.

The stepping stones of success are all named - commitment, goal-setting, discipline, morality, willpower, purpose, effort, relentlessness, ethics, willingness and a whole host of others. Tread that path and at the end of it you will find the destination that you seek. Deviate along the way and you will become just another statistic.

Success can be yours but will you follow the path? That is the question.

This article comes with reprint rights providing no changes are made and the resource box below accompanies it.

Gary Simpson

Gary Simpson lives in Perth, Western Australia.

His passions are writing (of course), reading, karate, body building, investment and growing tropical palms.

His website is devoted to helping people achieve greater success and self esteem through personal development.

Gary is a regular contributor to numerous magazines and newspapers. His articles and short stories appear in many forums. Thanks to the wonders of the internet, they are now being shared worldwide.

He has written eight books:

LARGE VOLUMES:

- "Journey,Life and Destiny" - personal development (2 vols)

- "How to Save $1000's and Increase Your Personal Net Wealth"

- "Brain Training - Affirmations to Strengthen Mind and Body"

- "Strike Back 1" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

- "Strike Back 2" - Self Defence Instruction Manual

SHORT VOLUMES:

- "The Power of Choice" (FREE e-book) - a popular story about a man looking back on his achievements from the hereafter. It is a poignant story that has received accolades from all over the world - from Iceland to Canada to Great Britain to Morocco to New Zealand to the Czech Republic to the USA - and dozens of countries in between.

The Power of Choice is a free resource and can be downloaded directly from Gary's website.

- "Using Motivation and Self Esteem to Excel in Everything You Do" (FREE e-book) - valuable resource to introduce newcomers to the wonders of personal development. This book is available on request. You can secure your copy by leaving your name and email address (no "hotmail" addresses accepted) at his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website.

Gary's unique approach has been shaped by his 35 year pursuit of karate and his 15 year study of the principles of motivation. He has two personal mottos. These are:

"Excellence of Execution."

and

"Imagination is Infinite."

You can learn a great deal about all matters regarding motivation and self esteem at his website. You will find articles, interviews with achievers, motivational messages and other material. You can even opt to receive free material by visiting the "zenspiration" page.

The Motivation and Self Esteem for Success website was constructed by Linda Caroll who Gary has called the "Kyoshi of Website Design" (In karate terminology Kyoshi means "Polished Master"). Visit Gary's website to see for yourself.