Do you have dreams
for yourself? Do you believe in your dreams? Do you believe that if you follow
your dreams it will come true?
I am here as
living, breathing proof that dreams DO come true. It isn’t always easy. In
fact, it is NEVER easy. True dreams don’t just fall into your lap. You have to
nurture them. You have to work and fight to give them a chance to thrive. You
have to persevere against seemingly insurmountable obstacles.
But, if you
believe in your dreams…if you believe in yourself…and if you have the faith and
courage to follow your heart, then I guarantee that your dreams WILL come true.
Here’s My Story
In 2001—at age 48
and just days before the 9/11 terrorist attacks—I chucked a successful, 25-year
career in higher education (I was assistant dean at a university business
school at the time) to pursue my childhood dream of working in the
entertainment industry. You see, in 1964, when I was 11 years old, I fell in
love with show business when I saw The Supremes performing on The Ed Sullivan
Show. I told my mom, “I’m gonna meet them someday.” Yeah…right….
Fast forward to
1972. I was in college and wanted to be a writer. I wrote an article about The
Supremes and sent it to magazine after magazine. I got rejection slip after
rejection slip.. Just as I was about to give up, an editor called, saying, “Get
us an interview and we’ll publish your piece.” “I can do that,” I said. Then I
hung up the phone and said to myself,” You fool. You’re just a 19 year old
college kid. How are you going to get an interview with world’s biggest female
singing group?”
Two weeks later,
The Supremes were performing near my home. I screwed up my courage, went to the
theater and sent a note backstage, requesting an interview. This burly
bodyguard comes out, and my knees were shaking. I was sure he was going to
throw me out. Instead, he handed me a slip of paper that read, “Come backstage
after the show, Tom, and I’ll give you that interview.” It was signed, “Mary
Wilson.”
I was on my way.
It had been less than eight years since that little boy said to his mother,
“I’m gonna meet them someday.”
And Then It
Happened
In 2001, Mary
Wilson called me and said, “I’m going out on tour and need someone with me to
handle my merchandise. Are you interested?” This was my golden opportunity, and
I wasn’t about to let it slip through my fingers. I resigned from my university
job the next day. It was at that point that I realized that maybe I don’t have
performing talent—but I have management talent. And entertainers need business
people. THIS was my entry point into the world of show business I had dreamed
about.
Overcoming
Adversity
Following my dream
was not without adversity. Wilson’s tour was scheduled to begin in NYC on
September 16, 2001, and had been booked into theaters across the country for
six months. Six months in Europe were to follow. Well, we all know the
devastation that occurred in NYC on September 11, 2001, and the chaos into
which the entire world was plunged. The world, the tour…and my dreams were in
shambles. I had left the security of the university to pursue my dream, and now
it seemed shattered. But, I heard a little boy’s voice deep inside say, “you
didn’t come this far to fail.” So I started laying the groundwork for the next
phase of my life.
From Creative Director to CEO
I worked for Mary
Wilson for five years, and loved every minute of it. In 2006, I took what I had
learned through experience and formed The MotivAct Group—through which I offer seminars, workshops and individual
coaching designed to guide people to clarify, set AND achieve their
goals…living into their dreams as I have lived into mine, with vision, courage,
determination and passion. It all started with the music I heard 52 years ago.
You see, you never know where you will find your inspiration.
And I have never looked
back.
See tips on following your dreams below
1.) Ask yourself this
question
What do I want to
do right NOW, so that I don’t regret NOT doing it a year from now? I didn’t
want to get to the end of my life and say, “what if…?”You can only regret the
chances you don’t take.
2.) What are MY hopes,
dreams, goals and aspirations?
Never let anyone
tell you that your dreams are silly or unimportant. Never let anyone else
define your dreams for you. Make things happen for yourself. No one know what
is best for you but you.
3.) Know your worth as an
individual
…and never let
anyone take that from you. As a kid, my teachers and the band director told me
that I wasn’t good enough and that I didn’t have any real talent. Those words
stuck with me into adulthood. It wasn’t until I finally realized that I had
that management talent that entertainers need that I was able to overcome those
feelings of worthlessness.
4.) Know your risk
tolerance
How much are you
willing and able to risk to achieve your dreams? How much support—emotional and
material—do you have from your family and friends?
5.) Tell other people what
your dreams/goals are — what you want to achieve
…and ask them to
hold you accountable for achieving them. You never know who may hold the key
that opens the door leading right into your dream. Or who may know a person who
knows a person….
6.) If something speaks to your heart, don’t
hold back…JUMP!
Step out on
faith—and I mean deep water faith!
7.) Progress, not
perfection
This is the mantra
I live by. You don’t have to do it right the first time. Striving for
perfection is the quickest way to sabotage achieving your dreams. What happens
is that you don’t do it perfectly the first time, and you give up, thinking
that you can’t do it. Keep making steady progress toward your goal (even if it
is slow going!), and before you know it, you will be there.
8.) Identify what you are
most passionate about
What excites you
so much that you can’t wait to jump out of bed in the morning to get started?
Pursue that with a passion.
9.) Making your dreams
happen is about using your fears and frustrations as fuel for transformation.
Living
successfully requires risk and courage. I know this first hand. Don’t be afraid
to fail. If Plan A doesn’t work out, go to Plan B…and Plan C. You will find a
way to make your dreams come true.
10.) Take time for yourself
every day.
Even if you can
spare just 30 minutes from your busy schedule, do something every day that is
soul satisfying. Spend time meditating and visualizing yourself in the middle
of your dream life.
Courage To Follow Your Dreams
52 years ago, I
had what seemed like a pipe dream. Better yet, it was an Impossible Dream. But,
you see, no dreams are impossible. Each of us has a dream.
Have the courage
to follow your heart. Your heart will never steer you in the wrong direction.
It is through your heart that the universe speaks to you. And I guarantee that
you WILL find your dream in that place where your mind meets your heart and
your soul.
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