Successful Blog

How to Make Your Dream Come True — Thought, Strategy, Action

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You Decide

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Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Do you have a dream waiting for someday? What are you doing to make it happen?

You decide whether your dream will happen.

You can wonder. You can wish. You can wait for help. Say that you will, or say that you can’t right now. The most important key to a dream come true is personal investment.

Dreams that come true need commitment and action.

Wonders, wishes, and waiting without commitment are a whole lot of nothing happening. Folks who might help us won’t show up for “what ifs” and “could bes.” Their lack of support can be a convenient excuse. That’s the wrong reaction. If we want a dream to come true, we have to be able to explain it how it can be turned from a dream into a reality. That takes thought, strategy, and action.

How to Make Your Dream Come True

A dream needs more than a wish. Wishes dissolve in the mist. To come true, a dream needs a foundation of concrete not sand. When you offer a solid foundation, people listen. They pay attention because you’ve moved the dream into the realm of possibility.

Here’s how to get to the concrete foundation you need.

  1. Define the dream. Take the idea out of your head. Put it in front of you to look critically at it. How does the “dream come true” look? How does it work? Do you see a living example in the world? Describe it in the smallest details.

  2. Define where you sit. Is the dream a good fit to who you are, what you know, and what you can do? What seeds for the dream are in your life already? How might you nurture them?

  3. Plot your strategy. What’s the path from here to the “dream come true”? Start with the finished dream and work backwards until you’re where you sit.

  4. Detail your needs. What work have you already done? What can you do on your own? What sort of help and resources can you hire, borrow, or dig up? Sort them into three lists.

  5. Determine your commitment. What will it take to make the dream come true? Why this dream not another? What arguments will you face? How will you answer them? What will you be willing to give up and invest? Would you do it alone if you had to? Will you give yourself permission to go after the dream — even when the world says you should not?

  6. Enlist support and advocates. Who sees the same dream? Who wants your success? Who helps you think? Who can help you meet the needs you’ve outlines above?

  7. Write the story. Name the dream come true. Write one sentence about what the dream will do. Write three points that explain how other folks benefit from helping this dream become reality.

  8. Know how you’ll ask. Visualize yourself asking for help. Choose the words you will use. Write several kinds of requests based on benefits folks will get from helping the dream into reality.

  9. Define yourself by the dream. When people ask what you do, tell them about the dream you’re making come true. Think of your “day job” as support and supplemental to the dream. I’m an actor who works here now, not I’m a waiter who working to be an actor.

It’s willingness and determination to give ourselves over to our dreams that makes them happen. What’s the difference between me and the guy who got what I wanted when I didn’t? He wanted it enough to stick when it got difficult. I decided somewhere that something else was more important.

The dream is there. It’s not magic. It’s not the big break. It’s giving ourselves permission to pull out all stops. Surely you’ve known someone you would defend at any cost. Find a dream like that — one you’ll single-mindedly protect — and you’ll make that dream happen.

Got the dream? When will you make the investment?

— ME “Liz” Strauss

SOB Business Cafe 01-04-08

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SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

A.P. Lawrence focusing on something he heard us say a lot. This morning I was reading Successful-blog.com and noticed how so many people were talking about “focus”.I’d like to focus on that for a minute.

Levite Chronicles reflected on moving through life with our friends.
Those of you I know in the 2.0 world, they ask about you. They want to know how you are doing. They care about your lives. They are interested. I am, for you and they, the mutual friend. And I can assure both of you all, 0.0 and 2.0, that you would really like each

Confident Writing searched her blog for answers. As I get ready to look through my own writing archives for the year gone by I jotted down the questions I would ask myself – or rather, ask my blog. A note of the things that I would be looking out for, that would help me to learn. These are the 7 searching questions I came up with . . .

Drew’s marketing Minute analyzes what happened to us in 2007. Fabulous, Drew! And then Greg left #7 blank — asking readers to share what they thought was the 7th significant trend of the year. So, here’s my take. A year ago, Time Magazine named YOU (meaning us) the person of the year….heralding the power and influence of social media.

Damn! I Wish I’d Thought of That! reveals the secrets that great event marketers use.
Here are a few videos interviews with smart folks I met at the Corporate Event Marketers Association conference:

Related ala carte selections include

SuccessCREEations announces something worth congratulating! As of the new year I will no longer be employed full time in my old position in the maritime industry. I’m leaving that job to focus on growing SuccessCREEations, Inc. It is a big step, no doubt. and that is one that Gorgeous and I have been working towards for quite some time.

I finally did a decent radio interview . . . you can download it at blogtalkradio/PowerfullLiving

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend! See you when I’m home again!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

SOB Business Cafe 12-28-07

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SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

The Viral Garden asks do we market our products and services as well as rock stars market their wares?
Does it happen by accident? Is it just easier to create fans for music than it is for umbrellas or paper clips?

The thinking blog asks whether we remember lava lamps.
Drempels is a nifty piece of software that makes your computer’s desktop behave like a screensaver, providing a hypnotic and psychedelic display of constant motion . . .

Startup Princess asks about our frustration with what we’re doing.
I ask this question because I can’t be the only entrepreneur out there hitting my head against the wall trying to move to the next stage, unsure what that stage should be!

All Things Workplace asks how we’ll grow without risks?
“Risk-taking” is a criterion for hiring and promotion at many companies. We’re not talking ‘skydivers without parachutes’; we’re looking for people who know how to calculate the odds and shout, “Let’s go!” when they think the benefits outweigh the consequences of the risk.

clear.your.mind asks about how we’re keeping up with our plans?
It has been said, that 90% of business never grow up like they could because their owners lose, sometime in the battle, the goals they once thought for their business.

Just Creative Design asks if we want our great ideas to show up faster?

Related ala carte selections include

This review at Amazon via Phil Renaud’s wonderful blog.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend! See you when I’m home again!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

SOB Business Cafe 12-21-07 . . . Holiday Edition

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SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are

Vandelay brings tidings of careful and caring business.
Unfortunately, sometimes monetizing a website comes at the expense of its readers and visitors. Obviously, in order to maintain a successful web presence, the site must be monetized in a way that is acceptable to visitors.

Carpe Factum brings tidings of diversity and alliances.
The key point that I wish more people would take from this story is that if you’re going to dare to be different, it really helps to have other allies watching your back.

Small Biz Survival brings tidings of managing a micro business.
What level of detail makes sense for micro businesses?
Basically, income and expenses. You want to measure the basic profitability.

Ramblings From a Glass Half Full brings tidings of experience and leadership.
And, I was REALLY focused on what was in front of me rather than what was behind. I also think he knew that I was bound and determined to justify the risk that he took on me.

Shards of Consciousness brings tidings of enlightenment.
No wonder so many people have attributed enlightenment to grace or a gift from god. It’s experience seems to be both beyond their control and at the same time a total break with what has gone before.

Essential Keystrokes brings tidings of learning.
One of the easiest ways to customize a basic WordPress Theme is by changing the background

Related ala carte selections include

Sawse – Stir it Up! brings tidings of wonderful images. . . .
Whether you are looking for great photography from talented artists or want to improve your abilities or income as a photographer, this list has something for you. Sorted into advice, blogs and further resources, here are twelve of the best sites for photos and photographers on the web.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend! See you when I’m home again!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

SOB Business Cafe 12-14-07

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SB Cafe

Welcome to the SOB Cafe

We offer the best in thinking–articles on the business of blogging written by the Successful and Outstanding Bloggers of Successful Blog. Click on the titles to enjoy each selection.

The Specials this Week are some of the best on the living web.

Cube Rules lives leadership. I said goodbye to my team and 3-4 others on the floor and headed on home twenty minutes after being laid off.

All of this, of course, happened a half hour after my wife, Kate, was laid off in a different building in a different department. There are times when working for the same company sucks…

Dorai Learn Log brings out A Robert Scoble interview with Tim Berners-Lee.

It involves serious study. It involves research. We need to study it as a huge complex system.

Jonathan Fields demonstrates doing for others is tricky business. “It’s late, sweety,” I say, “what’s the matter?” “I’m scared, daddy,” comes the reply. “What’s scaring you?” “The crickets.” [we live on the 9th floor in the city, ain’t no crickets, here] “I’m scared they’re gonna jump out and get me,” she continues.

Legal Andrew offers an educated perspective. Many of the key issues for this topic are exactly what time counts as “hours worked.”

Drew’s Marketing Minute offers a timely question (or two). I’m not talking about giving someone a pen or t-shirt with your logo on it. (You’re not doing that, are you?)

The Savvy Entrepreneur offers a thoughtful definition. . . . Filling the pipeline is the first stage in the Universal Marketing Cycle. If you’re not actively filling your pipeline, your business will soon run dry. So what DOES filing the pipeline really mean?

Lorelle on WordPress takes a stand on translations. . . . I rarely give permission. Whoa! Does this sound like it goes against Lorelle’s policy of open, transparent, fair, and equal communication and breaking down the language barriers? Nope. It is within my policies.

Related ala carte selections include

Being Five is a longtime favorite of mine. Be sure to read the one for 12/04/07.

Sit back. Enjoy your read. Nachos and drinks will be right over. Stay as long as you like. No tips required. Comments appreciated.

Have a great weekend! See you when I’m home again!

–ME “Liz” Strauss

Six Steps to a Remarkably Powerful, Personal Network

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It’s NOT Who You Know

relationships button

My recent trip to the UK has me thinking about networking. I’ve never really liked the term, it makes pictures of strangers and stress in my head. So I think in terms of meeting people instead.

We live and interact with people. People help, support, and reach out. They interfere, compete, and ignore. Relationships with people can make the road to our dreams easier and the load on shoulders lighter. They can also thwart our plans and fill our heads with dust.

People who know where we want to go and how hard we’re working to get there can be a most powerful force. Love, friendship, camaraderie, influence, credibility, trust, authenticity all add up to relationships.

Every business is relationships and relationships are every one’s business.

When Fewer Is More

A living network is more than a list of contacts or friends that we’ve exchanged cursory messages with. A true network is people who know us and people we trust with our reputation. If we choose them well, our network of influencers expands our knowledge and our reach exponentially further and deeper simultaneously.

Networks like that take time to build and require attention. Two main qualities describe a network that is remarkably powerful.

  1. A remarkably powerful network is limited in size. Small is flexible and makes it easy to stay closely connected.

  2. A remarkably powerful network is varied in experience and expertise, but in agreement on high standards of quality in all things.

You might have heard “It’s not what you know, but who you know.”

That’s not exactly true.

Six Steps to a Remarkably Powerful, Personal Network

A living network can open doors and make connections to people we only wish we knew. Follow these six steps to build and care for a living network that will powerfully support you as you move forward in your personal and professional life.

  1. Know what you know and know its value. What you know is important. Don’t overvalue it. Don’t undervalue it. Simply understand how common or rare your knowledge and your unique skill set are. Know where they are useful and think through who might be delighted to find someone who does what you do.

  2. Build relationships not an address book. Relationships grow in value and mature with age. They also require time and attention to do so. Choose people you would bet your reputation on — people who share your standards and have similar goals. People who set the bar where you do will connect to other people you’ll want to know.

  3. It’s about who knows what you know (and who knows what your skills are.) Learn to explain your expertise easily to people who have influence. Influencers naturally talk about folks who are great at what they do. Influencers get asked for recommendations. If no one knows what you do well, it won’t matter who knows you.

  4. Be the first to offer help. Be interested in everyone you meet. Ask questions, listen actively, and be first to offer a favor without strings. People remember sincere curiosity and true generosity, especially from someone they’ve just met. Every generous act is an opportunity to share your expertise with those who might help you. Do it unconditionally and they’ll remember both the work and you.

  5. Watch for and welcome every wise teacher you encounter. Wisdom and experience are a prize. True teachers show themselves by offering advice, expecting nothing in return. Mentors who come your way, offering experience and connections, see something in you. Let them help you discover what that is and what it could be if you let it grow.

  6. Take every opportunity to reach out and to stay connected. Know that listening and speaking with friends is how we keep their interests in our hearts and minds. Stay interested in them and most of them will stay interested in you.

Keeping an eye toward reality and respect is how to develop a remarkably powerful network. This relational group will be a much smaller subset of the network of folks that you know. Still, as they say, we reap what we sow. A network built from relationships that are carefully tended is likely to become a remarkable group of lifelong friends and colleagues.

With a powerful personal network, it seems so much easier to become all our potential will allow.

Sometimes fewer is also more. Are you looking for a few good connections?

Be irresistible.
–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz on your business!!