The analogy, "The ladder of Success", is a fallacy. For some reason, it makes it seem that if you keep climbing the ladder, you will succeed. In reality, Success is more like an American style football game.

What Is Success?

Let's first define success. On second thought, let's not.

To give a definition to the word success would mean that the attributes would be the same for everybody. Of course, we all know that success means different things to different people.

So, the first thing we have to do is figure out the three or four things that would make you feel like a success.

Let's do that now. Before you continue on with this article, I would like you to write down three or four things that you can say, "If I accomplish this, I would be a success".

Success to me =

1._______________________

2._______________________

3._______________________

4._______________________

Setting Your Goals:

Now, rewrite the above sentences into Goals.

For Example:

Rewrite: Success to me = never having to work again

To: My Goal is to be financially free so I never have to work again.

Once you have defined all your success goals, it is important to write them down. For me, I write all four of my goals on index cards and stick them in places where I can always see them. For Example, I stick the index cards on my refrigerator door, on my bathroom mirror, on my car visor, in my office, etc.... I constantly remind myself of what my goals are.

Normally, your goals are going to stretch throughout different areas of your life. For me, my goals include keeping God in everything I do, keeping a strong relationship with my family and friends, obtaining enough financial security so my family will always have enough money, etc......

For you, you might have the same goals, but, it is important for you to know exactly what they are. You should know them so well, that somebody could wake you up from your sleep and you would be able to recite them as easily as you do the alphabet.

Break Down Your Goals into First Downs:

Here's where many people will tell you that reaching your goal is like climbing a ladder. They say each step on the ladder that you take will bring you closer to your goal.

For me, however, that analogy seems too simple. And a little to scary.

To me, reaching your goals is like a game of American Football.

When playing a game of football, the main objective is to reach the goal. But, that can't be accomplished on every play. Most of the time, a team is not going to score a touch down on the first play. It normally takes many plays to score the touchdown.

If the goal of every play was to score the touchdown, the team members would be considered failures.

Really, the goal of each play is to get a first down. If you notice, when a team gets a first down, they jump around giddy like little children.

So, really, the main purpose is to get another ten yards closer and get a first down. This builds confidence and a small feeling of success. As long as you are striving and getting that next first down, you are moving closer to your goals and feeling successful.

We all know that in life we have obstacles. These obstacles are going to keep us from getting those ten yards. And, even more, sometimes these obstacles can intercept your plans completely and keep you from ever reaching your goal.

Remember to celebrate your first downs and to watch out for the "other team" who is trying to move you back in the other direction. Think of success as a game and not an obstacle of climbing. It is important to have fun.

Now, when ever anybody tells you the "ladder of success" you don't have to think of this 10 mile endless ladder, you can chuckle and think "Success is like a friendly game of football".

I hope something in this article helped you.

Carl Coddington has been an Internet business entrepreneur since 1994. He has been helping thousands of people and businesses succeed on the Internet through his highly successful newsletter at www.promoinnovations.com While there remember to get your free e-book "101 Killer Ideas That WILL Make you 1,000's of Dollars a Week!"