A Dreamer's Guide to Life: Leadership

I'm just going to put it out there..I'm not an expert. I don't know everything there is to know about leadership. But I've learned from experience, through trial and error. I think the real life experience and the things I've learned from watching others are much more valuable than anything.

Doing my research on the concept and definition of leadership was pretty sparse. All the definitions that came up had the root word "lead" in it which, in my opinion, doesn't effectively help someone to understand the meaning. But from what I saw, everyone had their own unique way of describing what leadership is. Alan Keith of Genentech states that, "Leadership is ultimately about creating a way for people to contribute to making something extraordinary happen."

Being a leader isn't easy, but it's definitely worthwhile. The feeling you get when you know that you have that kind of impact on a concept, a person, a thing...it's unexplainable. It's one of the best feelings knowing that you not only impacted the lives of all involved, but they impacted yours in a different way. Every person I have ever met and had the pleasure to meet has helped me. So whether you think you're a leader or not, in your own way you probably are.

There are "leaders," and there are "followers." Some people are born leaders; they just need to find it within themselves. There are some people that are just meant to do those things. They know the right things to say. They know how to time everything just right. They know how to bring people together. They know how to make people listen. Whether you are a leader or a follower doesn't matter. If you're a leader, be a great leader. If you're a follower, be a great follower. Those that lead can't do it without your presence.

So, here it is. This is just the tip of the iceberg...

You've got to listen first and then speak second.

Be yourself, no holds barred.

Be objective rather than subjective.

Be neutral.

Inspire others as you've been inspired.

Share the wealth, nothing is a secret.

Keep learning to be better.

Consider yourself a "follower" with more responsibility.

You don't always need to be "the strong one."

Be strict and understanding.

Think about others before yourself.

Earn your respect, don't expect it.

A Dreamer's Guide to Life: Business pt. I

Yet another topic I can write (and talk) about forever...yes, EVER! Business. After all, it's the "American Dream" right?! Well, I don't know if it's the "American" dream, but it's definitely a dream of mine and many other people. Business is what makes the world operate. Meaning it's what provides people with jobs, education, items that we need to survive, and more.

Business: n. the practice of making one's living by engaging in commerce

I'm all about business. I live, think, breath, and dream about business. I love talking to business-minded people, hearing what they have to say, their ideas, it's all very exciting. I own 2 and help operate a third. I've even got another one on the way! Why do I love it so much? Because possibilities are endless. You can make anything a business. As long as there is a need, you've got a business. And that fact with such an open ended answer is something that drives me. Crazy? Yes, some times. Actually, many times. But in my opinion, all of it is worth it. So, you interested? How do you get started?

1. Have a concept. Believe in that concept. As long as there is a need, your business can thrive.
2. Name your business. It can be straight forward, it can have hidden meaning. As long as it's not too difficult to pronounce, you're good. :)
3. Write a business plan. This is a very, very important step to your business's success. Many people think that writing a business plan isn't necessary because their business is "small" or they'll figure it out when they get started. WRONG. Having a plan for your business, no matter how small or large, will spearhead you into the right direction. Sure, I'll admit, the unexpected can (and probably will) happen. You might even fall off track or need to update your plan, that's okay. Hire a business consultant to write it for you if you have to. Just make sure you read it. :P But outlining your goals for the start-up of your business will be a key component to your success. Trust me on this one.

Okay, let's stop there. That's enough to keep an entrepreneur busy for a while. Really think it through, take it seriously right from the get-go. Don't "see how it goes." Put yourself on the track for success. Think big in the beginning and push hard to achieve it. It starts with believing in yourself and what you have to offer the world. And believe me, you have a lot to offer. I know, I know. I sound cliche and over-positive, but I'm not lying.

For more information, a great resource is the Small Business Administration website.

A Dreamer's Guide to Life: Goals Pt. II

In continuation to my long-ago-post about goals.... so you've written down your goals? Let's make sure these goals are your REAL goals. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Will these goals make you happy?

2. Will your goals be of benefit toward your future and not just momentary satisfaction?

3. Will your goals not only benefit you, but others as well?

4. Do you believe enough in yourself to make these goals happen?

Having goals is one thing, but being active and continually giving yourself opportunities is the bulk of achieving them. Knowing and understanding what you have to do to achieve a goal is an integral part in success. Sitting and hoping isn't going to cut it. You need to be brave, seize every opportunity, do research, and work hard. Success very seldomly happens overnight (and if it does, it's very short lived). That being said, let's break this down a little bit.

As an example, I'll use my goal of wanting to make a difference to break down how I believe will help me to achieve it.

I. My lifetime goal: Make a difference in the world.

II. Things I want to achieve that will put me closer to this goal: 1. Become a public speaker. 2. Teach. 3. Volunteer my time.

III. What can I do now to help make it happen?: 1. Begin writing my "Dreamer's Guide to Life" blog, meet with clients and make presentations, be a leader. 2. Teach dance classes, train employees, apply for teaching positions. 3. Helped start a not-for-profit dance group, help my family at their bakery, volunteer at events.

This is just a shortened version, but you get the idea. You always want to start with your ultimate goal, and work down. Figure out what you can do to achieve that goal, and what you can do NOW to make those things happen. While you might be doing things now, you should always look and be open to new opportunities, adjusting, and change. Maybe there's a new opportunity that will come along down the road. Consider adding those things to your list, or maybe replacing it with another. Goals are subjective, and they can always change. Nothing is concrete.

One thing to remember: RESEARCH! Doing research in things you want to pursue is very, very important. The internet and literature are great resources to help find statistics, opportunities, internships, jobs, information, and guidance. You should always go into something well informed about the topic.

Last thing, don't worry about what everyone else is doing. The most successful people in the world (yes, the WORLD!) took a chance on themselves; regardless of other people's thoughts and opinions. They knew that what they had to offer was of value and never looked back. They didn't follow the crowd. They didn't let set backs get them down. They persevered through it all. It might be a long road, but believe me, it'll all be worth it in the end.

Stay tuned for my next DG2L: Careers.

A Dreamer's Guide to Life: Goals

NO GOAL IS TOO UNREALISTIC. I firmly believe this is true. But the real question is, DO YOU? When people are in their adolescent age, they don't even blink when thinking about this concept. Everyday after school, you run off and play "house" or "doctor." The next day, you want to be an astronaut, teacher, firefighter, dancer, etc. The next day, you want to be something else. What's wrong with wanting that in your adult life?

We want to be all kinds of things. We want a career, we want a family, an exciting life, money, hobbies, etc. All things that we believe can make us happy. I want you to know: those things are attainable. People out there are having the time of their lives living out their passions: restaurant owners, actors/actresses, professional athletes, writers, competitive eaters, race car drivers... Each one has their own road to success, but they got there. It's not just about the money (don't get me wrong, part of it is) it's about the enjoyment that comes along with it. The accomplishment you feel once you're going through the motions.

I'm a goal oriented person. The strive and want to hopefully one day meet my goals is my life's passion. For example:

1. I don't want to have just one career. I believe life's too short for me to focus all my time on only 1 thing. I want to be an entrepreneur and be many things, a "Renaissance Man" if you would.

2. I want to make a difference. This is a broad subject, and purposely, because I'm not quite sure yet how I'm going to go about doing this. Maybe my Dreamer's Guide to Life series will do that? We'll see.

3. I want to be an inspiration just like those who have inspired me. I want to inspire by positivity, success, endurance, hard work, words, and actions.

These are just some goals out of my hefty list, but you get the idea.

So, the point. If you ever feel lost, feel like you don't quite know what you want to do, make a list of things you want to do and achieve. It doesn't matter how unrealistic you think it is. Attainability is all in the mind. If you don't think you can do something, you probably won't. If you actually believe you can, you're more likely to make things happen. Give yourself a chance before you rule it out or quit.

Stay tuned for DG2L: Goals pt. 2 - I have goals, now what?!

A Dreamer's Guide to Life: Inspiration

I can talk for days about this topic. It's a simple yet complicated subject, and it was just recently that I figured out what inspiration means to me. Inspiration can come in the form many things: people's lives, words, art, music, dance, etc. But the derivative of these things are from people and I love learning about the thoughts and concepts of people.

There are people that inspire me. Michael Jackson: I wrote a post about him in the past. Hugh Hefner: as a business man, he took a concept that people thought was feeble, unneeded, and distasteful, and has created a successful empire. Even though critics put him down and has had his own set of failures, he persevered through the pressure and is someone I can look up to because of that. My Mom: she has taught me to see the good in everyone and to find a way to connect with a person. In the context of business and friendship, I have learned to always search for the good in peers and clients alike. Without the people I've met or have been connected to I wouldn't be the person I am today or will become tomorrow. There are so many other people that inspired me, moments I hear of in people's lives that inspire me, products made by people that inspire me, the list can go on and on.

Speaking of moments, there are many moments that have left me feeling like I want to do more and be more. Even what people may see as insignificant moments could mean something to me and manifest itself into a form of inspiration. Reading a passage from a book (recommended one to read: The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch), listening to a person talk about their life, watching people dance, looking out into the ocean, seeing a beautiful photo...there are just so many different ways and outlets.

The main idea is, embrace whatever you find as a source of inspiration to be a better person or the person you want to be. It doesn't matter what people think about it as long as it inspires you. That drive that inspiration creates is an unexplainable feeling. It gets you to work harder, think optimistically, and believe in yourself.

It's okay to be afraid, it's okay to not know what's in store. People that inspire you probably didn't know either. But they got through it, and I think, it's what makes life so interesting. Success is what you make it out to be and inspiration will help you get there.

Stay tuned for the next installment: goal setting.

A Dreamer's Guide to Life: Introduction

I've been wanting to do this for quite some time and have been caught up and too busy to put anything down. I must admit, I thought doing this was going to be "easy." For those of you that have read my previous post about "A Dreamer's Guide to Life," I'm stuck in a rut about it. So here I am about to make my first attempt in hopes that this can be of help to someone. If not, that's okay at least it's out there just in case. :)

Just as a side note, I want to make it known that this is just my advice. You don't have to take it or agree with my opinion. The point of this project is for me to teach something and to hopefully also learn something in the process.

Today's boring topic: the Introduction. This is why I'm here.

1. Who: ME and YOU. I want to talk about what YOU want to read. The good and the bad. The pretty and the ugly. The only thing I won't talk about is politics (too sensitive of a subject) and sex (I'd like to keep this blog as PG-13 as possible). Let me also make it known, that I believe in God. And if you don't or if you believe in something else from what I believe in, I'm open minded and am glad you believe in something. You don't have to believe in what I believe in to read these blogs.

2. What: Life -- and everything that comes along with it. Love, friendship, work, school, happiness, sadness...I want to talk about it. Sometimes people are too scared to ask (a lot of times they are) or they think know. At times you may know. But sometimes, isn't there a fear of the unknown that gets to us? Well, you're not alone. Chances are, someone has gone through it or something like it (not always, but many times). Or just because you're a unique situation doesn't mean we can't be there for you to tell us about it. Have a topic? Let me know what it is and I'll look it over.

3. Where/when: Right here...for now. This blog is the first medium I have to get this out there. Hopefully things can evolve into audio or video but until then check this blog regularly for topics.

4. Why: Because it just feels right. For me. There are things I learned the hard way that I wish someone could've told me. I wish there was a class that I could've taken on Life that could've told me certain things, even just the basics on how to take care of yourself. So here I am, I want to be that someone I wished for.

Stay tuned for the next topic: Inspiration.

A Dreamer's Guide to Life

So, ever since The New Year of 2008 part of my resolution list is to try to figure out how I can give back to the world. I'm a firm believer that you only get as much as what you put in. Call it what you want - karma, the golden rule, etc. I like to call it common sense. I admire people that live by these beliefs and really mean it. Not just believe it, they put it into action. They talk the talk AND walk the walk. Okay, I'll stop. I think you get the idea.

Anyway, I think I've found a small way that I can make an impact. Growing up, I've always been shy. I was the girl that was too scared to raise my hand in class or speak up. I would finally get up the nerve somewhere near the end of the school year because it was only then that I felt comfortable to say a word in front of a group of people. Things have changed since then. Thanks to VENT, I've found a part of myself that I never thought would be part of my personality. I found a love for speaking. I know, who would've thought? Well actually, it might've only surprised me.

My goal: teach the things that they don't teach you in school: life, love, money, business, etc. I want to introduce my peers that can also be an inspiration to many. I want people (especially the college bound generation) to maybe see the world in a different way. I love to inspire and I love being inspired. I think this might be my way.

Keep an eye out for it, "A Dreamer's Guide to Life." Podcasts and YouTube videos will be coming soon.