What if you could become wealthy without gambling, but by creating a vision, a plan, and simply taking action on your plan? It's what I did to become a millionaire by the time I turned 35; and it's what I teach all those who've I've helped become millionaires.

But, here's the catch. You don't get to lie on the couch, watch TV, and eat Bon-bons all day. Millionaires are active. And, they have plans for achieving their millions. These plans don't come out of thin air, either. They come from what I call a Gap Analysis.

Step 1: Know where you are.

You first need to uncover exactly where you are right now, financially speaking. Many people prefer to stay in the dark about how much money they're making, spending, and holding onto each month. But not you. You'll figure it out because you want to become wealthy.

Step 2: Where do you want to be in a year?

Where do you want to be financially in one year? Most people waiver between setting goals that are too small and ones that are unrealistically large. Although your goals should feel like a stretch, at the same time they need to be do-able. This is where the help of a wealth mentor comes in, as they will have a better sense of how far to realistically stretch your goals.

Step 3: Notice the Gap

You'll immediately notice the strikingly huge gap between where you are and where you want to be. Your Gap Analysis is the map that will guide you through this process. It contains both your plans for step-by-step goal achievement and how you will carry out those goals.

Although your Gap Analysis may at first appear daunting or even impossible, it's important that instead of beating yourself up over it, you use it as an opportunity to start making better choices today. Sometimes it simply takes a truthful look at what's really going on before you can instigate lasting change.

How Candy closed the Gap

Candy started working with me when she was $10,000 in credit card debt and earning $25,000 a year as a waitress. When I had her define her current financial situation and where she wanted to be in one year (which was making at least $60,000 a year from her own jewelry business, having her debt at least halved, and not waiting tables), she was brought to tears.

But once we established her gap, we were able to map out a plan, which contained the steps she needed to take that would bridge that gap. With an organized, realistic Gap Analysis laid out for her in a step-by-step fashion, Candy now had the focus and guidance to move forward.

By showing Candy how to use my debt management plan and by helping her to create a powerful marketing plan, she started the jewelry business. Within a couple of months she was making more than she ever had while waiting tables, and in a year's time she had surpassed both the projected income and the reduced debt amount she had hoped for.

The idea of a having a plan may sound scary because then you have to commit to it. But the funny thing is, it's often easier to commit once you have a plan. So why not wake up and take action today?