I can tell, with 95% accuracy, if you are going to succeed or fail in life and business based on your answer to the following question, "Do you mostly read for entertainment?"

Reading for entertainment is a wonderful way to relax and get away from daily stress. However, in a society where your pay is based on your knowledge and skills, simply reading for entertainment is not enough.

Reading fiction can provide you with some useful information. Unfortunately, it's usually not the information you need to increase your income.

In order to obtain your goal to be successful, if that is your goal, you need to supplement your fiction with nonfiction material.

Specifically, how-to-books, magazines, web sites, forums, audio and videotapes that direct your thoughts, actions, behaviors, attitude and outlook on becoming successful.

Your whole being must be immersed in your goal to succeed!

Success will not fall into your lap! You must create it. You must train your mind to see opportunities most people overlook every day.

There is an opportunity staring you in the face right now; but you cannot see it until you expand your knowledge and are able to see things from a different perspective.

Reading to gather information helps you to develop your vocabulary in a certain area and allows you to understand industry jargon. It helps you stay abreast of trends that may affect you directly or indirectly.

It is not easy to stay up-to-date! Fortunately, you have quality information available to you on the Internet.

If your goal is to start a business, then:

• Get a book on starting the business you desire
• Get on the Internet and do some information gathering
• Start networking with people that are doing what you want to do and learn from them

Whatever you do start reading with a goal in mind.

I want you to do a little exercise. Write down five goals you want to achieve within five years.

Next, I want you to write down what steps you have to take to reach those goals. You don't have to be specific, general steps are fine.

Now ask yourself, "Will reading for entertainment help me to achieve the goals I listed?"

If reading for entertainment will help you keep on reading. If it does not then it is time to modify your reading material to match your goals.

Repeating the same habits and actions does not create different results! When you change the action or habit you change the outcome!

Shawn Nelson, MSA is a Motivational Speaker, Life Counselor and Author who creates guides, e-Courses and run several web sites that help people achieve their relationship, personal, life and professional goals. To learn more visit the 9 Hidden Success Barriers Revealed web site.