Next time you go outside during the day I want you to look at your shadow. That dark outline of your image on the ground is not the real you. It's just an outline of you.

The shadow that you cast is temporary. There is no substance to it. It moves, it changes shape and it disappears when the sun goes behind a cloud or when you are shielded by something larger than yourself.

Let's now use this analogy to define your success. Is your success full-bodied or is it an ever changing, ever moving, often disappearing shadow of unfulfilled promises? Unfortunately, for most people that is exactly what it is.

Are you committing time, effort and resources to your goals or are you flitting from one scheme to another aimlessly searching for that elusive thing called success?

Success will not fall out of the sky and into your lap. It doesn't work that way. You need to attract it by doing the things necessary to pave the way. You need to make a stand - put in solid effort. You need to commit and you need to apply discipline to achieve anything worthwhile.

I would be prepared to bet that with effort, commitment and discipline you could be so much more than the person that you are right now. So, are you going to be true to yourself or are you prepared to be just a shadow of what you could really be?

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.