Having wealth is not just a money thing. Money merely provides an easy way to measure our success in life, but how do you create a true life of quality for yourself, and for your children?

People believe they are wealthy and successful by many different measures.

You might be rich in money, and you might be rich in friends. You might be rich in properties, and you can be rich in happiness. You might be rich in atmosphere. You might be rich in knowledge. You might be rich in respect, or admiration from others.

The terms wealth and success have different meanings for different people, but there's only one true way to become wealthy and successful no matter what meaning you place on each of the words.

First you must decide just what being wealthy, and what being successful, really means to you. That's why you create, and write, your goals. The resulting goal log becomes your life's plan, and an easy reference.

To make that life plan happen you must learn perseverance.

Thomas Edison said, "Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up."

Most average people quit before they reach the end of their journey. Quite often people quit just one step away from reaching their desired destination. They don't bother to take that next step that might bring them to the top of a hill where, looking down, they see their success sitting in the bottom of the next valley.

The mountains you climb are the obstacles that give you character. They give you the battle wins and losses that lead you toward winning that big war of life's success. Those small defeats provide personal growth, if you take time to learn the lessons they offer. A little defeat along the way doesn't mean ultimate failure. Lost battles are only the dues you pay for reaching your dreams. You only admit true failure if you give up on your goals. You never win when you quit.

Don't make that mistake in your life. Once you start on a trip promise yourself that, no matter what happens, you won't give up until that trip is finished.

Climb your mountains, and earn your rewards. Once you reach those peaks you have the right to coast down to that valley, and success.

You'll always find potholes in your road, and steep inclines to negotiate. Conquer them with perseverance, without overcoming those barriers you won't achieve personal growth.