Reality Is The Product Of Investment In Dreams
Reality is not the absence of dreams. Rather it is a place where dreams can come to fruition. Have you ever heard people say that someone is living in a “dream world”? Maybe it was said about you. They say it like it’s something bad. Like you need to step out of your thoughts and your dreams and join the rest of the world in reality. But what they fail to realize is that this reality that they speak of all started with a dream. Next time you get in your car for that 2 minute drive to wherever, think of how long a walk it would have been if the dream of creating a motorized vehicle was abandoned to embrace the current reality.
Where you are today is simply an indication of where you are today and has no bearing of where you can and will be tomorrow. Your future is dictated by what your desires, your thoughts, your beliefs and willingness to take the steps necessary to get you there. It is always so frustrating to hear people place limitations on children and act them based on those limitations. Who are we to limit the future of an individual? Thinking big is not just a saying that children should hear in school, but instead it is a way of life that should be nurtured and encouraged in people of every age.
Where our society goes wrong is in not wanting to people, especially children to set themselves up for disappointment by reaching for the unattainable: a desire to provide the shelter from the negative. There are a just a few things wrong with that, including that nothing is really unattainable to the person who is determined. Instead of sheltering from disappointment, why not prevent it by realizing the dream.
If we were to survey teenage boys, we would probably find that half of them aspire to be an athlete or artist of some sort. But if we really dug deeper we would find that the desire is not so much the position as it is what they associate with it. They want what those people have. But if we take the time to really explore the dreams, the passion, we would find that there are other talents that they have that can be nurtured to help them find the success they desire. Instead of discouraging them from pursuing these dreams, we need to help them clarify what it is that they are truly after and then identify the resources they possess or need to acquire to realize these dreams. While we’re at it- we can get quite a few adults on that path too.
As with any investment, the more diligent investor tends to have a better shot. Yes, there are times that external factors can affect the returns, but more often then not, having a clear desire that is purposefully and resolutely pursued wins out. Taking the time to acquire the resources and being prepared to take the steps toward the dream no matter what should not be underestimated. The diligent investor will give their investments time to mature and know that there may be low points and that they need to stick around and ride those out no matter what, until better days come back around. Having this same attitude with one’s dreams would yield similar results. Taking the time to get the information that is needed and than being fully dedicated to implementing that knowledge can make the difference between immeasurable success or lack there of.
Whether for adults or children, it’s not about living in “the real world” or facing reality because this “real world” or reality is ever changing. More importantly each individual has the opportunity to guide the direction of that change. We may not always be able to get things to move where we want when we want just by snapping a finger, but through conscious and diligent investment in the future, big differences can be made. So next time the 15 year-old says he wants to be a football player, don’t just shut him down. Instead, explore with him what he really wants and what he has to do to get there. Then encourage him to put in the work so that one day his dream can come to fruition.
Dreams are not a bad thing. Dreams and reality are definitely not mutually exclusive. In fact, investing in dream can create a reality that is better than imagined. So don’t start dreaming and NEVER ask a child to give up on a dream. Instead make the investment that can realize your own dreams and instill in children the work ethic that will inspire them to do the same.
I’m just saying though…
Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com
Picture What You Want- A plan is the roadmap to reaching goal
We often hear that the way to financial freedom is through self-employment, creating your own income stream… When so many leaders say that, becoming a business owner is the way of becoming financially free it is certainly enticing for people to start their own business. Unfortunately many people are just jumping in blind.
It is true that many small businesses do not make it past the first few years, but there is even more truth in he fact that many of them thrive. One of the greatest differences between the businesses that thrive in contrast with the ones that don’t survive the first few years is the soundness of their plans. In this economic climate, jumping in blindly is not an option. As our economy is being rebuilt, new opportunities are presented every day. These opportunities also require new approaches and fresh ideas, which many new and budding business owners can provide. Regrettably, a good idea is not enough to assure success. Investors, from the individual purchasing goods and services for end user consumption, to the large corporations and government entities purchasing for redistribution, everyone is looking for the best bang for their buck.
Every buyer is thinking about Return On Investment so as a supplier you need to be able to answer that. That’s one reason that having a sound business plan is mandatory. Developing a strong business plan forces you to look beyond your great idea. In the process of developing a plan you will need to conduct assessments of everything from the value that your goods or services will bring to consumers, how your offerings match up with the needs of your target market, how your organization differs from the completion and much much more. The strong business plan will also provide the information that is needed to make these client presentations. When you have the opportunity to pitch your services to your dream client, much of the information needed to create an engaging numbers-based presentation will be in your business plan. So all that will be left to do is research your audience and match the presentation to their needs.
Knowing this makes it difficult for me to accept when people say they don’t have or need a business plan. When you don’t have a plan, the question raised is how serious you are about your business. If you jump in blindly, armed with only what you believe is a good idea, how are you to gauge success? Know that you are on target to reaching your goal? Recognize and adjust to changes in the environment?
The key to succeeding in any endeavor is the willingness to put forth every effort necessary to achieve one’s goal. If you don’t have a clear idea of that goal and the steps necessary to reach it you are at risk of always being “three feet from gold”. Just as a savvy architect would not start laying bricks before he has developed the blue prints for a structure, a savvy entrepreneur would not start a business without a business plan. The architect may know exactly what the completed structure should look like, but he still takes the time draw out every last detail, which allows him to plan for every incident and secure access to resources even before they become needed.
While many entrepreneurs report that they do not know how to develop a business plan, that is not enough of a reason to go blindly. In this era of economic rebuilding, there are many resources that are available to help individuals get their businesses started off right. Community organizations such as local Small Business Associations (SBA) and SBA partners such as SCORE, Center for Technology, Enterprise & Development provide free services which include assistance with developing business plans. It is a great shame that many more people are not taking advantage of their services which can substantially increase one’s chances of creating a thriving business.
Taking the time to develop a business plan is a one of the first signs of your commitment to your business. People who take the time to develop a business plan are less likely to back away at the first signs of trouble, because in addition to the investment they have made in the plan, they have gained knowledge which prepares them for dealing with rough patches. From the time we were children we’ve been taught the value of drawing a picture, designing an outline or creating roadmaps to help us visualize our goals, understand the tools we need and see the steps we must take. As adults with much bigger goals it is now even more important that we remember these small lessons learned. From Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling to the 3 year-old’s hand print drawing- They all started with an outline that allowed every last detail to be in its designated place.
<span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”><span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”> </span><span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”> I’m just saying though…
Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
<a href=”http://www.drjudic.com/”>www.DrJudiC.com</a></span
We often hear that the way to financial freedom is through self-employment, creating your own income stream… When so many leaders say that, becoming a business owner is the way of becoming financially free it is certainly enticing for people to start their own business. Unfortunately many people are just jumping in blind.
It is true that many small businesses do not make it past the first few years, but there is even more truth in he fact that many of them thrive. One of the greatest differences between the businesses that thrive in contrast with the ones that don’t survive the first few years is the soundness of their plans. In this economic climate, jumping in blindly is not an option. As our economy is being rebuilt, new opportunities are presented every day. These opportunities also require new approaches and fresh ideas, which many new and budding business owners can provide. Regrettably, a good idea is not enough to assure success. Investors, from the individual purchasing goods and services for end user consumption, to the large corporations and government entities purchasing for redistribution, everyone is looking for the best bang for their buck.
Every buyer is thinking about Return On Investment so as a supplier you need to be able to answer that. That’s one reason that having a sound business plan is mandatory. Developing a strong business plan forces you to look beyond your great idea. In the process of developing a plan you will need to conduct assessments of everything from the value that your goods or services will bring to consumers, how your offerings match up with the needs of your target market, how your organization differs from the completion and much much more. The strong business plan will also provide the information that is needed to make these client presentations. When you have the opportunity to pitch your services to your dream client, much of the information needed to create an engaging numbers-based presentation will be in your business plan. So all that will be left to do is research your audience and match the presentation to their needs.
Knowing this makes it difficult for me to accept when people say they don’t have or need a business plan. When you don’t have a plan, the question raised is how serious you are about your business. If you jump in blindly, armed with only what you believe is a good idea, how are you to gauge success? Know that you are on target to reaching your goal? Recognize and adjust to changes in the environment?
The key to succeeding in any endeavor is the willingness to put forth every effort necessary to achieve one’s goal. If you don’t have a clear idea of that goal and the steps necessary to reach it you are at risk of always being “three feet from gold”. Just as a savvy architect would not start laying bricks before he has developed the blue prints for a structure, a savvy entrepreneur would not start a business without a business plan. The architect may know exactly what the completed structure should look like, but he still takes the time draw out every last detail, which allows him to plan for every incident and secure access to resources even before they become needed.
While many entrepreneurs report that they do not know how to develop a business plan, that is not enough of a reason to go blindly. In this era of economic rebuilding, there are many resources that are available to help individuals get their businesses started off right. Community organizations such as local Small Business Associations (SBA) and SBA partners such as SCORE, Center for Technology, Enterprise & Development provide free services which include assistance with developing business plans. It is a great shame that many more people are not taking advantage of their services which can substantially increase one’s chances of creating a thriving business.
Taking the time to develop a business plan is a one of the first signs of your commitment to your business. People who take the time to develop a business plan are less likely to back away at the first signs of trouble, because in addition to the investment they have made in the plan, they have gained knowledge which prepares them for dealing with rough patches. From the time we were children we’ve been taught the value of drawing a picture, designing an outline or creating roadmaps to help us visualize our goals, understand the tools we need and see the steps we must take. As adults with much bigger goals it is now even more important that we remember these small lessons learned. From Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel ceiling to the 3 year-old’s hand print drawing- They all started with an outline that allowed every last detail to be in its designated place.
<span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”><span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”> </span><span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”> I’m just saying though…
Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com
Live For Today – Prepare For Tomorrow
It is said that life is a journey. I agree. The thing about a journey is that it has multiple components, each of which serve a vital part in making the journey great and complete.
The Past or experience, is the first part. That is where every journey takes foothold. The ideas, the desires and hopes that you have for every journey stem from experiences. It is our past that helps us design our future. Whether it is the negative experiences that are to be avoided or the more desirable experiences that are sought, the experiences from the past help make that determination. The past is to be remembered for the pleasantries that it holds and appreciated for the many lessons that it has taught.
The Present should be treasured. Living in the past or the future causes one to miss the present and the opportunity for many experiences that can make the future even better. Every moment in the present is a part of the journey that should be cherished. It is an opportunity to enjoy every moment as it occurs but still taking into account the past and future.
The Future begins in the past. As we eagerly await the future we also plan for it. The experiences accumulated in the Past are used in the Present to plan for and design the Future.
All three parts of the journey are ever-present. All three exist even when the focus is just on one.
Recently many people have questioned the value of a college degree in light of difficulties faced by new graduates in getting desired positions and salaries. Recently, an article was posed on CNN Money Questioning whether the cost of tuition was worth it. It immediately spread through social media with everyone putting in their two cents. That was all you saw on Facebook and Twitter for a while. When looking at the face-value of tuition to current salary many are saying it’s not worth it. The real question is: When did a college education become a short-term investment. People don’t go to college because they recuperate their full investment the first year on the job. People go to college and beyond because over time they earn more than they would without that degree and they have the luxury of earning a living doing something they enjoy. Sure you could make $40,000 working in management at McDonald’s, but how long will you have to work your way up to that level without a degree? And more importantly, are you willing to put up with the nonsense and rudeness of certain customers?
In the present we do have to be practical and cautious. You have to do what makes sense for this day, but if you are so blessed, tomorrow will come whether you’ve planned for it or not. That’s exactly why you must plan for the future but not necessarily live for it. You should not bypass everything that takes place in the present to focus on preparing for the future, but by the same token, you cannot be so focused on the present that you do not plan for what happens later. Those individuals who talk about the cost of college in comparison to today’s wages are doing exactly that- focusing so much on the present that they fail to consider the future.
Imagine students start to do what the current talk suggests- not go to college because their salary after graduation is not worth it. As the economy bounces back and salaries return to normal levels, these students will have to face the decision to now try to catch up. Even when they do earn their degrees, they will have missed out on accumulating years of post graduation experience.
Planning for the future may not be the easiest and most convenient thing to do. It often is not the most enticing because planning for the future frequently requires some level of sacrifice or the forfeiture of something much more exciting. In the end the rewards are great and worth the wait. More importantly the results planning for the future far outweigh the burden of trying to catch up later.
I remember when the economy was on the downswing and my 401K balance kept dropping. In my 20s, I invested aggressively, so my losses were just as aggressive. Very three months when I received the statement I though about crying and thought about cashing out. I did neither and now instead of having spent the 25% or less of my investment that I would have received in a cash-out, I’m looking at 100% of my investment which has come back and is now growing. Past experience has shown that the downswing of every pendulum is followed by an upswing. Giving up on that downswing also means missing out of the great things that come in the upswing.
As we look to the rehabilitation of our broken economy, I hope that people will remember that just as you don’t through out your shoes while recovering from a broken foot, we should not throw out resources that made our economy great before. Temporary setbacks always have and are likely to always be a part of our reality. Giving up on better days ahead should never be an option.
<span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”><span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”> </span><span style=”font-family: ‘Calligraph421 BT’; font-size: 14pt;”> I’m just saying though…
Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
<a href=”http://www.drjudic.com/”>www.DrJudiC.com</a></span
It is said that life is a journey. I agree. The thing about a journey is that it has multiple components, each of which serve a vital part in making the journey great and complete.
The Past or experience, is the first part. That is where every journey takes foothold. The ideas, the desires and hopes that you have for every journey stem from experiences. It is our past that helps us design our future. Whether it is the negative experiences that are to be avoided or the more desirable experiences that are sought, the experiences from the past help make that determination. The past is to be remembered for the pleasantries that it holds and appreciated for the many lessons that it has taught.
The Present should be treasured. Living in the past or the future causes one to miss the present and the opportunity for many experiences that can make the future even better. Every moment in the present is a part of the journey that should be cherished. It is an opportunity to enjoy every moment as it occurs but still taking into account the past and future.
The Future begins in the past. As we eagerly await the future we also plan for it. The experiences accumulated in the Past are used in the Present to plan for and design the Future.
All three parts of the journey are ever-present. All three exist even when the focus is just on one.
Recently many people have questioned the value of a college degree in light of difficulties faced by new graduates in getting desired positions and salaries. Recently, an article was posed on CNN Money Questioning whether the cost of tuition was worth it. It immediately spread through social media with everyone putting in their two cents. That was all you saw on Facebook and Twitter for a while. When looking at the face-value of tuition to current salary many are saying it’s not worth it. The real question is: When did a college education become a short-term investment. People don’t go to college because they recuperate their full investment the first year on the job. People go to college and beyond because over time they earn more than they would without that degree and they have the luxury of earning a living doing something they enjoy. Sure you could make $40,000 working in management at McDonald’s, but how long will you have to work your way up to that level without a degree? And more importantly, are you willing to put up with the nonsense and rudeness of certain customers?
In the present we do have to be practical and cautious. You have to do what makes sense for this day, but if you are so blessed, tomorrow will come whether you’ve planned for it or not. That’s exactly why you must plan for the future but not necessarily live for it. You should not bypass everything that takes place in the present to focus on preparing for the future, but by the same token, you cannot be so focused on the present that you do not plan for what happens later. Those individuals who talk about the cost of college in comparison to today’s wages are doing exactly that- focusing so much on the present that they fail to consider the future.
Imagine students start to do what the current talk suggests- not go to college because their salary after graduation is not worth it. As the economy bounces back and salaries return to normal levels, these students will have to face the decision to now try to catch up. Even when they do earn their degrees, they will have missed out on accumulating years of post graduation experience.
Planning for the future may not be the easiest and most convenient thing to do. It often is not the most enticing because planning for the future frequently requires some level of sacrifice or the forfeiture of something much more exciting. In the end the rewards are great and worth the wait. More importantly the results planning for the future far outweigh the burden of trying to catch up later.
I remember when the economy was on the downswing and my 401K balance kept dropping. In my 20s, I invested aggressively, so my losses were just as aggressive. Very three months when I received the statement I though about crying and thought about cashing out. I did neither and now instead of having spent the 25% or less of my investment that I would have received in a cash-out, I’m looking at 100% of my investment which has come back and is now growing. Past experience has shown that the downswing of every pendulum is followed by an upswing. Giving up on that downswing also means missing out of the great things that come in the upswing.
As we look to the rehabilitation of our broken economy, I hope that people will remember that just as you don’t through out your shoes while recovering from a broken foot, we should not throw out resources that made our economy great before. Temporary setbacks always have and are likely to always be a part of our reality. Giving up on better days ahead should never be an option.
I’m just saying though…
Dream Big… Live Bigger…
DrJudiC
www.DrJudiC.com
Presentation Is Key- Poor Delivery Gets A Good Message Missed
This morning a friend stopped by to pick up something he needed for a meeting with a client. When I opened the door I missed everything but the SUPER wrinkled shirt he was wearing. At that moment I forgot my manners. No hello. No how are you. I jumped straight to Where are you going looking like that?
I was coming from a place of caring. As the owner of a small business who also works with other small business owners I know and preach the value of presentation. Representing one’s company and one’s brand well are very near in dear for me. At first I thought his presentation in wrinkled T-shirt and sagging jeans was unacceptable meeting attire. Now I realize that my delivery of that message was even worse. I needed to go back and read the Black Enterprise Magazine piece on how to deliver or accept feedback or 4 Ways to Give and Take Criticism and get some of my own recommendations.
It does not matter how well intentioned your advice may be, especially when unsolicited, if not properly delivered the benefits may be lost in transit. Between my ranting and raving about how I can’t believe he would go like this and blah blah blah I’m sure he heard, part of the message did make it through and he changed to a less wrinkled shirt. Had I taken a calmer approach, the complete message could have been heard- enough for him to iron the less wrinkled shirt.
These are the steps that I should have followed- Hopefully WE will remember them
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Avoid going with your first reaction– Whether it’s shock as it was for me or anger, which it can often be, this does not place you in the best position to help someone else. If you are having a moment- deal with that first so you don’t subject others to the backlash.
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Identify your purpose– Before you speak up and share your advice, think of why. Is it because this is your preference or something that will benefit the other person. If it is indeed just your preference you may want to reconsider speaking up unless you are actually affected.
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Determine your goal and how you want it to be received– When you do speak up, what exactly do you want the person to hear? And what do you want them to do with that information? This morning, my goal was that my friend realized hears the importance of representing his business well and professionally at every step. And I wanted him to start applying that by ironing his shirt.
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Select a delivery method that will effectively communicate your message– How do you need to say what you have to say so that the other person not only listens but also hears you? That was where I really dropped the ball. I just started speaking without a plan and my message was missed. At best, I communicated- You can’t go to this meeting with that shirt as is. My true message was- You need to present yourself and your business in a manner that represents a solid and professional organization. Since I failed to communicate that message, even though he changed the shirt today, the message has not stuck enough that he would not wear an equally unacceptable outfit to a meeting next week.
While I focused on my poorly delivered message we must not overlook the message that he was delivering. As a business owner, you are a walking logo. Every where you go you are representing your organization and as a result don not have the luxury of EVER letting your guards down all the way.
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You represent your company. You are the first image that most people have of your organization. Before they got your business card or saw your website, most people saw you first. You want to display the confidence they need to have in knowing that they are hiring a professional company and not some dude from up the street who may or may not deliver. Look like they should take you seriously enough to visit your website.
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Existing clients are also prospective clients. Having closed a deal with a new client only means that you’ve got that one contract. Instead of relaxing you need to be stepping your game up. Once they have agreed to do business with you, you now have the burden of proving them right. If you showed up in a suit for the first meeting and return haphazardly dressed to drop off the contract, then they may start to wonder if they made the right decision. Everything after that is judged based on that. The out-of-place P that you typed as you attempted “Ctrl P” to print the document becomes a sign of your inattention to details as opposed to an honest mistake.
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You represent your clients. Once a company is doing business with you, you also become a representation of them. If you happen to be in their office when a client shows up, they need to be able to introduce you without hesitation. When people are looking to work with an organization, the people and companies that the organization works with or subcontracts to can and frequently do play a role in their decision. While you would never want to cost one of your clients a potential client, your clients are even more adamant about that.
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Your presentation says what you think. For many people, the way you present says what you are thinking. The applicant who does not take the time to press his suit is not serious about the position- this assumption can be made no matter how desperately he wants or needs the job. By the same token, clients can be judging how seriously you take them based on how you present in your meetings with them. Even if the clients is BooBoo from around the corner who no one knows what’s in his cup, you look presentable as a sign of respect to your client. The levels may vary, but the philosophy is etched in stone.
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You are always prospecting. I always say that once you step out of your home, you are at risk of meeting a potential client. That is doubly so when meeting with clients. When you go into a client’s office or even when meeting them at locations in the community. There is always the potential of being introduced to a colleague, their previous or next appointments, or a number of others who could be interested in your services, if you make the right impression.
