I’ve always been a dreamer. Making dreams come true for myself and others is what my life is about.
When I was in my teens, I started to think seriously about where I wanted my life to go. Having been inspired by reading biographies of great men and women, I had visions of doing something significant. I knew that many people begin their lives this way—filled with high hopes and lofty aspirations. I also knew that most people abandon their dreams. So I promised myself that I would never give up trying no matter what difficulties might come.
And the difficult times did come—some of them more painful than I could have imagined—but I kept my promise. I’ve never given up. I’ve been blown out of the sky several times, but I’ve always been able to put things back together and lumber down the runway to bluer skies.
My greatest fear had always been that I might reach the end of my life and feel that I hadn’t fulfilled my purpose—that I hadn’t made a lasting difference in the world. I no longer have this fear, but I’m still driven to make the most of my talents, my experiences and my resources.
During my 40+ years of personal development research I’ve seen many people—good people, hard-working people, talented people—not experiencing the success they deserved. They weren’t failing, they just were no longer willing to go for the best that’s within them. They had good intentions, but somewhere along the line, they got discouraged and disheartened and gave up on themselves—they let their dreams slip away.
It was largely out of this commitment and concern, as well as my own failings that I started SuccessNet. What I try to do with my writing and with this network is to coach people to be their best—personally and professionally. No professional athlete would consider competing without a coach. And yet, hardly anyone considers having a coach for the game of life. Coaches challenge and motivate the player. A good coach will help the athlete develop a game plan and create accountability for following that plan.
And we all need a game plan—a game plan for a balanced, value-driven, principle-centered life. I believe that happiness is a result of continually striving toward worthwhile objectives while also enjoying and appreciating what is here and now. It’s a paradoxical balance struck between what I call “inspirational dissatisfaction” and contentment.
By investing the time and energy to get clear on our values and life purpose, by defining and articulating what we really want from all areas of our life, and then consistently acting on our objectives, we will live a successful life. This kind of work is not easy. It requires deep thinking and honest soul-searching. It demands focus and attention. It’s not something you do in an afternoon. In fact, it’s an ongoing process—worthy of regular review and contemplation. But if you’re not the architect of your life, you are at the affect of everything and everyone you encounter. It’s something we all need help with.
My passion is helping people discover, develop and fulfill their dreams. In the process, I fulfil my own. I take great joy in supporting people and organizations to create excellence in every part of their existence. To participate in the development and realization of a dream is, for me, to walk on hallowed ground. By dreaming big dreams and acting upon those dreams, we give birth to things that never would have been, but more importantly, we each become more in the process.
Dream on.
Langston Hughes wrote, “Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is like a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
Best Life Tenet: Every morning you have two choices: continue to sleep with your dreams or wake up and go after them.
Recommended Reading
How to Create a Vital Vision for Your Life
Live Your Life by Design Instead of by Default
No thinking person would ever start to build a house from just a rough sketch or a vague idea. And yet, hardly anyone has specific plans for how they want their life to be. Our lives are certainly more important than a house. This book gives you the impetus, the tools and the guidelines to create a meaningful, inspiring and detailed vision for your best life.
