The Secret of Getting Ahead

Do you have big dreams?

I'm always surprised by how many people want to write a book. They might have an excellent idea for a novel, think their life story is interesting and others should hear it, or maybe just want to put something down for posterity. Whatever the reason, many people I meet want to write one.

Likewise, I meet a lot of people who would love to travel. They want to visit a big city someday, see some amazing natural wonder, or just get a picture with a famous landmark. Their hearts long for the day they can step out onto that city of their dreams.

Unfortunately, most folks look at those things as either unreachable goals or "someday" moments. If it ever happens, it will be by accident rather than design. They live their life like a leaf in a stream, going with the flow and ending up wherever the water takes them.

I heard a statement once that really resonated with me: "If it is to be, it's up to me." Instead of just hoping for better days and bigger things, what would happen if you actually planned for it and actively worked to make something happen?

Many people feel it's easy to dream of what might be without ever trying, so they never fail at it, and I get it. Failure is never a fun feeling. To try something and not have it work can be hard on the ego, and even harder to get over when it's time to try again. On the other hand, what about those times we try something, and it works? What a rush that brings!

As we come to the end of another year, people naturally start to look ahead to the coming one and plan big. That's admirable and good, but if you don't do anything to push your dreams, goals, and ideas forward, they'll be the same things you plan to do when the next year rolls around!

The secret of getting ahead is getting started. It's so easy to consider, but so hard to do.

You can do bigger things in your life that you've only dreamed of. The question is, "Will you?" Will you take the time and discipline to save money for that big trip? Will you discipline yourself to start writing the first paragraph of that book you've always wanted to write? Will you push forward on that big dream in your life you've always dismissed as impossible?

You can accomplish so much, but will you try?