We all have BIG plans. Secret dreams.
REALLY BIG ONES.
They are going to get done when we can arrange to set aside a very large slot of time .
It’s never going to happen.
Like that book you are going to write. When I was doing book tours around the country, many people who came up to me and said –
I have the most fantastic idea for a book. It could be a best seller. It is different. As soon as I have time (or retire – or when those kids go to college and the house is quiet – when my job gets less demanding —— when my divorce is final)
What’s your reason? Add it to the list.
I always told them the same thing.
Are you a writer?
THEN WRITE.
I had the same dream and the same excuse. Then, an idea dawned on me.
IF YOU HAVE A BIG PROJECT OR A HUGE DREAM –
BREAK IT UP INTO TINY PIECES.
I WROTE MY LATEST BOOK, A WOMAN WITHOUT A MAN, OVER A FOUR YEAR PERIOD.
Wrote it as my life was happening. No big slot of time. Just kept throwing ideas, poems, while I was waiting at the dentist, for a long light to change, collecting letters from family and various crazy people.
Funny things that happened.
In no particular order.
ALL THOSE SCRAPS OF PAPER WENT INTO A BIG MANILA ENVELOPE.
Four years later, I pulled everything out.
Oh, that’s the end of the book. Put that in one pile. That’s the beginning. Another pile.
Lots of middles. Some things I had forgotten about. Wow. That was funny. Put that in somewhere.
SUDDENLY A WHOLE BOOK HAPPENED.
What’s your dream? A business you want to start – a hobby you want to learn ?
A three month trip around the world? By the time you can do it, you’ll be worried about whether Medicare will cover you abroad. Do one city at time. While you’re young and healthy.
You’ve heard this quote from Goethe a million times.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
IF NOT NOW –WHEN?
Will you?
Here are the four years I dreamed about -
A WOMAN WITHOUT A MAN
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{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
Twitter: MichelleVan
January 9, 2011 at 4:19 pm
Exactly! That’s why I’m spending a month in Europe this summer. Already booked!
You sent me a message on Skype about your wonderful long vacation WHILE I was writing this post. Even though it was going to be expensive. A Month in Europe!
So, my question is -
Are you able to read my mind?
Congratulations. Go for it. Glad it is booked.
You are following a dream NOW.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
January 12, 2011 at 3:19 am
Michelle
Sounds wonderful – visiting UK? London?
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Build Blog´s last blog ..One Thing That Could Make You Instantly Happier =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
January 12, 2011 at 3:20 am
Sorry – me again. I forgot to mention…I’m THINKING about visiting USA for a long vacation this year. Just got to sort out a few things, first.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Build Blog´s last blog ..One Thing That Could Make You Instantly Happier =-.
Twitter: MichelleVan
January 12, 2011 at 7:24 am
I’m headed to France, Italy and in a separate trip by accident to Austria! No UK in the plans this time.. Come to the USA! you’ve got tons of friends and we’d love to have you in Colorado! Whew Hoo!
Andrew -
Don’t tell me you are not coming to Chicago.
It would be such fun to meet you in person.
Let me now as your plans progress. Maybe I can help.
Dear Michelle -
Andrew should come to Chicago.
All you have in Colorado is those gorgeous mountains.
(Of course you are there!)
Twitter: thatgirlisfunny
February 11, 2011 at 12:51 pm
New goals can be overwhelming at the start. What I’ve always noticed after making my lists and writing down new ideas is that, the more I write things down and add in more steps, the more certainly I start to get pulled in the direction I’m supposed to be going in. That direction isn’t always the one I thought I should be going in. I get confused when I get tugged down a path that I hadn’t considered. Set-backs can actually be huge steps forward if they cause you to look again or consider something new that moves you closer to the goal. The trick is, as you’ve said, getting started.
It’s much harder to get started than to keep going. Many of us spend more time thinking about ‘the thing’ than ‘the thing’ actually takes to do. Nothing compares with the satisfaction that comes from getting it done. Put aside whatever is in your way: fear, doubt, lack of confidence – all of those things will be addressed by doing what is yours to do….I couldn’t agree with you more!
.-= Amy Posner´s last blog ..Managing Time on the Slippery Slope =-.
Absolutely, Amy.
That’s why I suggested doing a project in pieces.
You don’t have to think too much. Some of my book was written at 3 Am. I kept a pad by my bed. You always think you will remember in the morning but you never do.
Some of it was written on the margins of the Chicago Tribune while I was having morning coffee – really crazy little fragments that went in the envelope.
Twitter: happymakernowco
January 10, 2011 at 1:13 pm
Hi Corinne,
That those 4 years were worth waiting for when it comes to your book, “A Women Without a Man.” I read the book and it is sad, fun and really keeps you reading. thanks for putting all those years into a book.
You make me smile sweet lady,
Debbie x
.-= Debbie @ Happy Maker´s last blog ..Who else wants to have an e-book that has all the possibilities of going viral =-.
Hi Debbie –
Since you read the book you can see that it covered a period of time in my life.
Lots of stuff going on in that four years. I think it kept it real because all those little notes were happening at that time.
So it went into the book as fresh – not rememberences.
I am so happy you liked it. Means a lot to me.
And so do you.
Twitter: happymakernowco
January 12, 2011 at 9:04 am
That door swings both ways Corinne. You mean a lot to me. You always bring a smile to my face. thanks
Debbie
.-= Debbie @ Happy Maker´s last blog ..Who else wants to have an e-book that has all the possibilities of going viral =-.
Hugs!!!!
XXXXXX
Corinne, you are so right. There are so many wonderful things to do and then suddenly something happens and you can’t do them any more, or at least your dreams have to get smaller.
When I die at least I’ll have some great memories.
.-= Lesley from EasyContentBlueprints´s last blog ..Your Internet Priorities- What Should They Be =-.
Dear Lesley -
Yes, we have to reach for the golden ring when we still can.
When I was in the travel business, I met so many people who had saved and saved for the big tour in their retirement. Then they were so exhausted by the pace they missed some important landmarks.
It was sad to hear the reports.
I’m glad I traveled the world when I did. And mostly for free. Such a hassle now to get on a plane.
Oh I couldn’t agree more Corinne. I’m sure not that long ago it used to be fun to travel by plane, now it is a real chore!
.-= Lesley from EasyContentBlueprints´s last blog ..Your Internet Priorities- What Should They Be =-.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
January 12, 2011 at 3:27 am
Corinne
This might sound a bit weird but I am currently writing 2 books!
One is about working from home and making it work. Not ideas for start-up businesses or anything like that…just helpful actions points for anyone who works from home.
This is going to be pretty short…you know like “The Little Book For Those People Who Work From Home”. I’ve yet to come up with the title. So…anyway…I expect to finish the draft of this one pretty soon.
My second book is going to be about my life. Now who wants to read about me?
“No one!”
That’s not a problem…I just want to do it. I’ve started making notes of stories and memories. I expect this one could take 4 years.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Build Blog´s last blog ..One Thing That Could Make You Instantly Happier =-.
Dear Andrew -
The work at home book should be a seller. Not too much out there on that subject.
I hope you will not just talk about bloggers.
Half the world is telecommuting these days.
One of my sons works for a major company and covers seven states – all from his home. He sees his company headquarters maybe once a year.
My daughter in law is a medical transcriptionist. Same thing. A once a year meeting at the hospital.
They have unique problems. Like reporting in every day. Bloggers don’t have to do that. Except for their posting.
You must know people like that. I would interview them.
The book on your life should be interesting too. Besides, it is a legacy to your children and eventually grandchildren. Valuable if only for them.
I would read it.
Twitter: andrewrondeau
January 12, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Corinne,
The work at home book is aimed at those who work from home…not just bloggers.
But I must admit I was only thinking of people who run their own business and not corporate workers who work from home.
When I was working for corporate companies, I used to be all over the place…never in the office.
I managed teams in 4, 5, 6 different remote locations.
Andrew
.-= Andrew @ Build Blog´s last blog ..One Thing That Could Make You Instantly Happier =-.
Twitter: blogtechguy
January 12, 2011 at 11:41 am
Executing is much harder than planning for most people. People who implement often seem to succeed more, and I think fear holds a lot of people back.
Congrats on your action and your success!
.-= Joel´s last blog ..The Light At The End Of The Unemployment Tunnel =-.
Hi Joel -
You are so right on this one. We plan and plan and then something come up and it goes to the bottom of our “to do” list.
Is it fear – or is it just lack of organization?
Twitter: raymond8
January 12, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Break it into small pieces. I like that because that’s when things make sense to me and I begin to see how BIG things work. Thanks for the reminder.
Twitter: http://leapofaction.com
January 13, 2011 at 7:14 am
Your post reminds me of an exercise I love to incorporate into my live seminars. It’s about “thinking”, “trying” and “doing it.” A participant is asked to think about moving the chair. Chair doesn’t move. Then is asked to try to move the chair. Every time he moves the chair he’s stopped because he’s actually moving the chair, as opposed to just trying to move the chair. Confusion. Till finally everyone gets it. You either try or you do. Recommendation: drop the word “try” from your personal vocabulary, move straight to “do”. For all it’s worth … :-]
Beat – this is such a great comment I am writing a whole post on it.
Yup – will give you credit and a link.
Thanks for taking the time to write such a powerful observation.
You are such a pal.
Twitter: joubess
January 13, 2011 at 1:15 pm
Corinne,
As always, you hit the nail on the head. What are we waiting for? I have to quote Yoda here, “do or do not, there is no try.”
I’ve been happier without all the planning to get where I am today. I kind of fell into tutoring because I needed a job. The only job I want to eventually give up is pizza delivery. To do that, I’m working on increasing my online income, and getting more students to tutor.
I also want to spend more time writing on my blog until I put enough together on one category to make it into a book. But with all the video I use now, I won’t be able to put it in print. It will have to be electronic with embedded videos.
I also have all my journals from years of writing. I could probably put a book together out of those ramblings. Some were pretty insightful. Most were a lot of complaining. I haven’t read them for years.
I also feel that what I’m writing about now is more relevant and important in the larger world, and I want to spend the time I have on that rather than my past.
Sherri
.-= Being the Change I Wish to See´s last blog ..Ugandan kill-the-gays bill part 16- Rachel Maddow interviews David Bahati =-.
Twitter: greatconfidence
January 16, 2011 at 7:44 am
Very interesting to hear how your book was completed. I’m looking at better ways of trying to organise myself and collate ideas – especially stuff done away from a computer. its easy to get too hung up on the process rather than the doing.
.-= David Rogers´s last blog ..People are Awesome =-.
Dear David -
It is good in another way. It avoids looking at that blank page.
Nothing worse after you have thought through what you are going to write about.
And there it is looking at you and you don’t know how to start it. With all the little notes you have collected, you get to choose.
I write my blog almost the same way as I described. (No, it does not take be four years) Then I put everything in word and get to move it around.
Let me now how it works for you.
Corinne,
It’s hard for a lot of people to get started because it requires a lot of work and sacrifice and that’s not something a lot of people are interesting in doing.
It maybe they don’t have the right mentors. That also could be part of it all.
This post is reminder that “if not now … when?” Thanks!
Krizia
Dear Krizia -
You can’t eat a steak in a whole piece.
That is why we have to cut it into pieces.
Then it is easy to enjoy the meal. Not a lot of hard work.
Corinne,
You’re absolutely right. Thanks for being an inspiration once again!
Amy LeForge recently posted..Do Parents Live Vicariously Through Their Children
That’s our job for each other, Amy.
To remind us of what we already know.
Hey Corinne,
I love the way you just made it happen that simple. I’m a big action-taker myself and truly, without starting anything today, what can you start tomorrow?
Tyrone.
Whatever you can do, or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.
IF NOT NOW –WHEN?
Truly a wonderful piece of writing, I am inspired in what you have done, thank you!
So glad to have you on board, Heather.