Dare to Dream

Dreaming is as critical to success as sleep is to rest. You can't do one without the other. Donald Trump has a belief, "If you're going to dream you might as well dream big." I too share those same aspirations and beliefs. I love to dream and think of the possibilities life has to offer, that is what keeps me inspired.

A good friend of mine, Kelvin Boston has a nationally syndicated talk show on PBS called Moneywise. Kelvin is very successful and equally a great person. I attended a memorable presentation he delivered at a Louisville church. Kelvin told his audience in order to be affluent you must prepare yourself for wealth.

He went on to invite us to tour million dollar homes and test drive luxury cars and imagine the wealth that will begin to flow our way. I couldn't agree more. Right now as I am writing this, I have my eye on a fantastic lakeside home in North Carolina, and I can see my beautiful wife and me sitting on the gazebo and enjoying the sun setting on the lake.

Am I ready to make my move on this home? Not today, but I am preparing myself for success. Looking at real estate and dreaming of purchasing a beautiful home inspires me. What inspires you?

You have to have a dream. I truly believe with my heart and soul that we too frequently sell ourselves short. We allow others, circumstances or ourselves to put a lid on our goals, our vision, and ultimately our success. I love the stories of immigrants who have come to the United States with $10 to their name, and go on to become millionaires and billionaires in this country.

Now the pessimists will say the immigrants received all the breaks, they didn't have to overcome racism, slavery or a lot of oppression. To some degree that may be true. However did the pessimist take time to understand what the immigrant left behind and what does the immigrant see that the pessimists do not? Opportunity!

I love the story of Madame CJ Walker, an African American, who was orphaned at a young age and widowed with a child before the age of 20. Despite these challenges, in the early 1900's she saw an opportunity. Madame CJ Walker created a hair treatment system for African American women, and sold the product door to door in the deep south, when many in this country practiced racial hatred for kicks and without consequences. Read how she built her wealth, practiced philanthropy, and went on to be proclaimed as America's first self-made female millionaire, and then tell me you can't dare to dream.

Many people know how to dream, but where they struggle is hitting the target. Following one of my speaking engagements, I met with a very good friend of mine for lunch who is a director of marketing for a local organization.

During lunch on this rainy February day, my friend asked me what I wanted to achieve with my consulting practice. I told her I wanted to be successful, but had struggled recently with determining what to market, my company or me, and I was concerned what others might think. She reiterated what I already knew, that I was the brand and if I didn't begin to dream bigger, think bigger, and forget what others thought, the business would struggle and not grow.

From that moment on, it was a matter of working in reverse, as if I had already met my objective. Asking myself "what are the steps I would have needed to complete to reach my goal?" We have to see ourselves achieving our goal and as Kelvin said, preparing ourselves for affluence and success.

Are you ready for huge success or are you still dreaming too small?

I recall while in my mid 20's I met an Executive Recruiter who asked me how much money I would like to make. At the time, I was 26 and making decent money and when I told him I wanted to make $100,000, he looked at me with great disappointment and said "Phil, raise the bar your dreams aren't big enough." His statement made me realize I was selling myself short.

He saw more in me than I saw in myself! My goals and aspirations should have been higher, much higher! Today I can see those possibilities where in the past I couldn't, because I imposed a cap on my dreams. Have you capped your dreams?

Oprah Winfrey has this quote that I think about frequently. Oprah stated "What God has in store for you goes far beyond anything you could imagine". How great, how prosperous could your life be if you dared to dream?

Have the courage to dream big dreams and share this with people you know and love. "Own Your Business, Own Your Life!"

Phil Wilkins – speaker, consultant, author, entrepreneur.
Phil's strategies for success can help your company:

• Attract wealthy business-owners as clients
• Strengthen and grow your business
• Build vital relationships through networking
• Cultivate leadership.  
• And enjoy a balanced life.

For more information, visit www.philwilkins.com, or e-mail Phil at phil@philwilkins.com

To book Phil for your next conference or in house event contact Teresa at Teresa@philwilkins.com or call Toll free:  888-663-6254

Article Reprints
Own Your Business, Own Your Life!  is an electronic newsletter distributed to our clients and colleagues to help them sell more goods and services by developing people. Portions of this newsletter may be reprinted in your organization or association newsletter, provided the following credit line is included:

Phil Wilkins is the CEO of Diverse Wealth Systems, which empowers businesses and sales professionals to sell more goods and services by leveraging diverse ideas, people and systems. He presents keynotes on client acquisition, connecting to the diverse community, the power of entrepreneurship and inspiration. He can be reached at 888-663-6254, by email at phil@philwilkins.com or by visiting his website www.philwilkins.com