Making progress takes work, every day.  The good news is that steps to making progress don't have to be tremendous.  Simple things, done every day, build momentum, and move you forward. 

1. Practice Gratitude.
        Even if your life isn't perfect, start being grateful for the things that you have.   Being grateful opens you up for more things to come into your life to be grateful for.  Besides, being grateful helps you feel better, even if your life is "not so perfect".  Sometimes it is hard to think of things to be grateful for so start and be grateful that the sun is shining, that flowers grow, that someone cares about you, that you have a job, a computer, eyes to read...etc.   

2. Invest 10% of your time, maximizing the other 90%.  
        This can be as simple as writing down a to do list.   Writing things down get them off your mind, which can help you sleep better, and also will keep you from wasting time.  It's no fun to come home from the store and realize that you forgot the one thing that you went there for!

3. Set goals based on your values. 
        In order to succeed and make progress you have to enjoy or at least believe in what you do.  Do not set goals based on what others think you should or could be doing.   It will be a short lived victory.  Only by doing things that are true to who you are can you keep up the momentum to carry you through the inevitable "rough times".

4. Stop waiting for things to come to you.  
        Success will never knock at your door.  You need to go after it. 

5. Solve your problems, even if you didn't cause them.  
        Problems are like road blocks, if you don't deal with them, you will constantly be in a detour.