I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of

But that led me to self-development. Because in order for me to make serious money in any business, I had to improve my skills and capabilities. What I learned through college was mastering performance skills—but what I lacked was success skills.

Skills such as communicating, developing high character, and critical thinking were not in my repertoire. I knew how to make money on the job, but I was success-challenged when it came to personal growth.

Which leads us to Paying the Piper. Or to be more exact: the price you pay for remaining stagnant.

I was stuck at a job I didn't like, working hours I didn't want, for people I didn't know, and wishing for early retirement. My co-workers were sick, broke, and many ended up with marital problems. Funeral announcements averaged one per month and personal injuries were rising.

Yet I remained stagnant.

I wanted to leave, but my insecurities forbade me to go. I felt like a caged rat running on the wheel, going absolutely nowhere. I didn't want to end up as another statistic. I knew I'd have to pay the piper someday if I didn't get off the wheel.

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of

Skills such as communicating, developing high character, and critical thinking were not in my repertoire. I knew how to make money on the job, but I was success-challenged when it came to personal growth.

Which leads us to Paying the Piper. Or to be more exact: the price you pay for remaining stagnant.

I was stuck at a job I didn't like, working hours I didn't want, for people I didn't know, and wishing for early retirement. My co-workers were sick, broke, and many ended up with marital problems. Funeral announcements averaged one per month and personal injuries were rising.

Yet I remained stagnant.

I wanted to leave, but my insecurities forbade me to go. I felt like a caged rat running on the wheel, going absolutely nowhere. I didn't want to end up as another statistic. I knew I'd have to pay the piper someday if I didn't get off the wheel.

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of

Which leads us to Paying the Piper. Or to be more exact: the price you pay for remaining stagnant.

I was stuck at a job I didn't like, working hours I didn't want, for people I didn't know, and wishing for early retirement. My co-workers were sick, broke, and many ended up with marital problems. Funeral announcements averaged one per month and personal injuries were rising.

Yet I remained stagnant.

I wanted to leave, but my insecurities forbade me to go. I felt like a caged rat running on the wheel, going absolutely nowhere. I didn't want to end up as another statistic. I knew I'd have to pay the piper someday if I didn't get off the wheel.

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of

Yet I remained stagnant.

I wanted to leave, but my insecurities forbade me to go. I felt like a caged rat running on the wheel, going absolutely nowhere. I didn't want to end up as another statistic. I knew I'd have to pay the piper someday if I didn't get off the wheel.

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of

I didn't know what to do, who to turn to, or what it would cost. All I knew was: I didn't want to feel like a caged rat forever.

Which is why I'm writing you...

Because for some of you: you want to make meaning of your life but have no place to start. You desire a more satisfying career, but you've been discouraged. Maybe you've started a small business, but are now stuck. Or maybe you're struggling to let go of your job even though you were designed for a higher calling.

Believe me, I know exactly how you feel...

I was stuck at a job wanting to leave, but not wanting to leave. I fought and often gave in to the forces that wanted me to stay. But after departing my last pity party—I took action. And so can you...

If you consistently apply these five action steps, you'll conquer stagnancy forever:

1) Search for a mentor. Every industry has top producers who have knowledge to share. Look for the ones that parallel your interests. Seek them out. Read their articles. Find out if what they offer can help you make breakthroughs.

Breakthroughs are critically important. You don't want to spend a whole year dabbling at a new skill. You want to progress and leverage it right away.

But don't stop searching after you find one mentor. He or she usually had many other influences. And by absorbing more positive influences—you become richer.

2) Buy their stu