For most people, getting out of debt is their dream. And also their worst nightmare! Unfortunately, if all you do is dream, you'll never get yourself out of debt. Life doesn't work that way, unless you lucky enough to live like Major Nelson from the old "I Dream of Jeannie" TV series.

There are many steps people try. And try again. And again. And still are stuck in debt. Not because they don't work. But because these people are all missing the "one thing" they must do to get out of debt.

Here are a few articles I found recently that explain some of these steps. There are lots of good suggestions, so check them out:

Break The Credit Card Cycle from No Credit Needed.

4 Tips for Staying Positive About Your Finances from Money Ning.

But if you really want to get out of debt, it all starts with "the one". So, which one do you think is "the one"?

• Buying a lottery ticket. Nope.
• Signing up with a debt relief program. Nope.
• Doing the same things you've always done and hoping they work this time. Nope.
• Putting every penny towards your credit card bills. No.
• Setting up a budget. No.
• Borrowing money from your rich uncle or cousin (unless they are SO rich you don't need to pay them back). Not this one either.

All of these are good ideas for paying down your debt. And all will help you reach your goals. So you can certainly use a few of these tips as part of your strategy for getting out of debt.

But none of them are the ONE THING YOU MUST DO to get yourself out of debt.

What is that one thing? It all starts inside of you. In your mind. In your heart. Unless you are totally committed to getting out of debt, you won't. You'll quit when things get tough. You'll go back to your old, bad habits. You'll blame others for your troubles.

And none of this will help.

So...you must make a commitment to yourself to do whatever it takes to get out of debt. That is THE one thing you MUST do!

And keep trying no matter how hard it gets. Or how long it takes. If you do this, you have a fighting chance to succeed. Because the only thing you can truly control is your effort. And making that commitment means that you will give the amount of effort you need to get out of debt.

There's a reason why 75% of all people fail to stick with a debt relief program until the end - because its much easier to stay in debt. And whine. And complain. And to keep making the same mistakes, and spending the same amount of money.

So do yourself a favor and commit to YOU!

• Write down your ultimate goal (to pay off all of your debt).
• Then write a list of all your debts.
• And list the steps you need to take to pay off each one.
• Pick one and pay as much as you can, until it is paid off.
• Then add that amount to the next one. And so on.
• Also, put a time frame next to each step. You can put down a date for reaching your goal, or write down exactly what you'll do each month to reach the goal, whatever works for you.

Then - when you are totally committed to fixing your financial mess - you'll be ready to do whatever it takes to get out of debt!