Everyone has a dream…
Everyone at some point in their life has an idea or a fantasy of something they wish to do or someone they want to be.
Think back to when you were a child and you were asked what you wanted to be when you grew up. If you were anything like my 5-year-old daughter, Eloise it changes daily; A vet yesterday, a doctor today and a dancer tomorrow.
The innocence, curiosity and endless sense of possibilities is ripe in the young mind which knows no boundaries.
The challenge is that innocence, the curiosity; the limitless possibilities can so easily be suppressed or perceived as just a ‘pipe dream’ as we get older.
No matter how large or small…everyone has a dream. If you took some quiet time to stop, reflect and think…what’s your dream?
And even more importantly…do you know how to make your dream a reality?
The truth is everyone has the ability to make their dreams possible…it’s all about self-belief.
To bring this point to life I want to share an experience close to my heart, a dream I had which is now my reality.
So, those of you who know me well will know my book Built to Grow launched 12 months ago on Amazon.
Honestly, it’s a day I never thought would happen.
Don’t get me wrong it was always my vision, my aspirational goal to turn my years of experience, my tried, tested and proven strategies of driving business growth and unlocking the potential of individuals into something I could share, into something that could make a difference.
I had the motivation, I had the desire but I didn’t really have the time. Or should I say. I didn’t really have the right time.
You see, Built to Grow was 2 decades in the making, working in over 27 countries and with tens of thousands of businesses across a multitude of sectors, enterprises and governments. You have to be able to talk the talk, you have to show skin in the game and sometimes that takes time to build that level of credibility.
Then, when I felt I was ready professionally and had something to contribute which could make a real, tangible difference to how people build and grow their business, life takes over and things like getting married and having children take priority and before you know it another year passed by.
And then one day, all things seem to align.
Personally and professionally I was in a good space, I’d received a great introduction to my soon to be publisher, Wiley, who I pitched my initial idea to and they liked what they heard. It was then all down to me to draft a manuscript of c10,000 words – serious focus was required.
So after many early starts, late evenings, missed weekends I wrote 10,000 words turning my dream into black and white, right there on MacBook.
And Built to Grow was launched. (saying this still puts a smile on my face!)
Anyhow, no sooner had it launched, people kept asking if there was audio version available.
An audio version?
Honestly, if I had £1 every time I was asked this, I would be a wealthy guy.
And the simple answer was no. A new book, especially a business book, needs to ‘prove’ itself first before the publisher would even consider pitching it to amazon audible despite my many attempts to influence this otherwise!
So where did I focus my efforts. One word; Boomerang.
You see, one of my guiding principles, which shape what I do and how I do it, is boomerang.
If you focus on helping others and making a positive difference first (throw the boomerang far and wide) then the rewards and success will follow.
If I show up every day being the best version of ME that I can be and doing my best work in helping people grow their businesses and unlock their real potential, then the boomerang will come around.
And guess what?
It did.
(Drum roll please) Built to Grow Audiobook is finally here!
The book proved itself in the market and I was approached to make the audio version. I was one happy man that day!
After two and a half days of recording, of me reading my book(!) into a mic, it’s here.
If you’ve read Built to Grow you’ll know the style is very conversational, more like a coaching conversation and it was important to me to translate this into the audiobook. I had the choice as to whether I would narrate the book, and of course I jumped at the chance. I wanted it to feel like I’m in the room with you, coaching you through how to grow and personalise each idea to your business.
Want to have a listen?
LISTEN HERE and you’ll get instant access to Chapter One, The Fundamentals of Business Growth: Your AMR Strategy. Let me know what you think in the comments box below!
Or better still.
Download your FREE Built to Grow Audiobook available as part of a 30-day free trial of Audible. Listening is the new reading and what better way than trying it for free!
So, what has this journey taught me?
Here are my 5 steps you can take RIGHT NOW to turn your dream into a reality.
#1 Re connect with your dream
Many individuals have lost connection with their dream or it has been suppressed. So, step one is about re connecting with your dream.
The timing of this blog is great as at the end of a year we all tend to be reflective. How has the current year played out? Did you achieve personally and professionally what you wanted to achieve? Or…is it another year of drifting through life on autopilot? Where you’re just going through the motions and the days/weeks and months all merge into one!
How are you going to make 2018 the year in which you commit to turning your dream into reality?
#2 Focus – where focus goes energy flows
A vision without a plan or strategy is simply a pipe dream.
There are so many distractions on our time these days it is so easy to lose focus. The difference with high achievers is in their level of focus and attention. They lock out all the noise, all the distractions and they create laser beam focus on turning their dream into reality. They play the Victor not the victim! They focus on not being ‘busy’ but on being ‘productive’.
#3 Be patiently impatient
This was a BIG one for me!
The challenge is when you truly connect with your dream and you create laser beam focus on turning it into reality you have a habit of jumping from A to Z in one go. I know I certainly did with my book.
Unfortunately in life everything does take longer than you think, especially to do it right and not compromise on the quality of the work. Honestly the number of re works and changes I made to the book was incredible because I wanted every word, every sentence, every page, every chapter to count, there was no compromise.
So…mastering the art, science and skill of being patiently impatient is essential.
#4 Never forget your WHY
This is your North Star to keep hold of. There will be days when you feel like giving up.
Days where you lose focus.
Days where your dream becomes blurred.
Days when you question is it really worth it
Re connecting with the reason WHY you chose to do it in the first place will do one of two things. One it will re-calibrate and create a compelling picture of the future which you are building or second, it will give you a much-needed kick up the backside to have a word with yourself to get a grip and drive you to action.
Constantly reinforcing your WHY will keep you locked on your dream, help you maintain laser beam focus and challenge you to re visit your plan and adjust accordingly.
#5 Stop thinking and start doing
Take action, make things happen.
There’s a great quote, which says; “When all is said and done…more is said than done!” I’m sure you’ve met many people who fall into this camp. Don’t be one of them.
Build your personal brand and legacy and be known as an individual who makes stuff happen. Who doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the talk.
Many barriers & obstacles come from within. We create limits for ourselves. Once the biggest barrier of believing in ourselves is broken, the limits are endless.
For the action orientated person the flip side is “When all is said and done…more is DONE than said!
Take a moment to ask yourself…What’s your dream, do you truly believe in it and how committed are you to making it a reality?
And don’t forget, Built to Grow Audiobook is available now. Grab your free copy as part of a 30-day free trial of Audible.
He writes with an even bigger smile on his face!!
