Risk More Than Others And Dream Like You Mean It

I've been looking back at the decisions I've made in the recent past. The overwhelming majority of them I've been completely happy with. Some I've just accepted as "ok," nothing great or anything awful has come of them. And only a few have I regretted. 

But hold on, I'm not going where you think I'm going with this intro. This isn't about me right now. It's about you for a minute. Yes, you my readers, my fans (I like to think I have some), my followers, my friends, and my fam. I hope you don't mind. 

I wondered what you have all thought of me and the steps I've taken for the past, call it, 2 years. I've imagined you thinking me crazy, determined, changed, risky, impractical, and sometimes unrealistic. I've heard something in your voice or seen a glimmer in your eyes. It's the sound of confusion regarding something you found questionable or something of a surprise. It's the look of fear that I may do something I would regret, something strange in your mind. In other cases, it's been positive, at least from what I can tell. But I'm not sure, and that's ok because I continued to do things my way anyway. 

I've laughed, been angry, upset, and sad, then anxious, sometimes happy or bashful or mad for things that I've done, both good and bad. But all that I've done and what I continue to do, is driven by the quote above as it should drive you. There's a cadence to my madness; I beat my own drum. I don't do things because I'm crazy. I do it for fun. With many goals in mind, with limited time, to succeed and be happy is impossible all of the time. But to risk more than other think safe, and dream more than others think practical, the results can sometimes be more than magical. We were taught to dream big, no risk no reward. It's time to stop quoting others and keep moving forward.

Look at that. It's funny. I broke into rhyme. I wish I had the ability to do that all of the time.

The next moves I make, the next steps that I take, might be bigger and better than any previous stake. For my future, my family, the people who make me happy, tomorrow's dream might soon become a reality. (396)

Reality Television That Touches Hearts And Teaches Toughness

I've been doing a lot of reading and writing lately but that doesn't mean I don't watch TV. However, I will say that I don't watch that often. But when I do, I really have to enjoy the show. This post is coming after the first week of new Fall programming when two of my favorite reality shows have just aired.

The Voice on NBC is truly one of the most inspiring, emotion provoking, talent-driven shows in all of television history. And although I'm not really one for reality television, especially not talent related competitions, this is a program worth watching.

For those of you who do not watch the show, the basic concept behind The Voice is that, at the very beginning, every contestant gets a blind audition for four celebrity coaches whose backs are to them initially. Each artist has the opportunity to sing a portion of a song and the coaches can "turn" around if they want the singer on their team. If more than one coach turns for a singer, the tables are turned in that that person has the opportunity to choose their coach instead.

It doesn't matter what your height, weight, race, color, religion, sexual preference, taste in music, or other abilities. It matters what your voice sounds like. It is the fairest, truest selection process of any game show ever.

Then there's the Shark Tank, another reality television show that really captured my attention from the first season it aired. The tank is a collective of former entrepreneurs now millionaires / billionaires  (aka the "sharks") who look to invest in the next big thing. Inventors, service providers, creators, and thinkers seek out a financial investor, confidant, and advisor to bring their dreams and hard work to fruition.

The entrepreneurs pitch their invention, service, and business to the "sharks" for the possibility of making a financial deal and in most cases, to work together. The negotiations range anywhere from easy and quick to fierce and competitive. But all in all, the show really sheds light on the difficulties of being a business.

Although these 2 shows couldn't be more different, what they have in common are the biggest draw. The Voice and Shark Tank are about the underdog, the hard workers, the dreamers. It's about people who struggle on a regular basis but find the will power to continue. And they all reach their goals in some way, shape, or form. Not everyone gets in The Voice gets selected for a team to be coached towards stardom. Not everyone in the Tank gets a deal. But they all made it that far which is an achievement in itself.

It takes courage to put yourself out there. It takes practice to vocalize your feelings. It takes sleepless nights to get an idea off the ground. And all of these contestants and entrepreneurs pound the pavement to get to their promised land. When the coaches hear a phenomenal voice, they let it be known to the world. If the sharks see a fantastic product, they jump on board. They all provide constructive feedback when necessary, and the words of encouragement always find a ear to fill. Either way, good or bad, there are emotions involved. Tears of joy or frustration overcome the struggling artists or startups. And those feelings somehow permeate the television screen, and I feel it too.

I think part of the reason I relate to these singers and startup business people is that I'm always looking for a breakthrough. I'm searching for that idea that will help me stand out. My mind is on a mission to put me on the map, to be a household name. I find inspiration from the singers. I know I need mental toughness like the entrepreneurs. I need the drive like they all have. And I have to follow a dream and do whatever it takes to achieve it. In many ways, the story of The Alchemist lives in all of these people. And I hope that one day I will realize my Personal Legend. (678)

A Book For Anyone And EVERYONE - It's A MUST Read

I sometimes check reading lists of notable people to get an idea of what's popular, dramatic, inspirational, action-packed, or insightful. Over the years, I've not been able to read as much as I like, but as per my recent post on self-improvement, the past 3 months given me some time to catch up.

For those of you who follow me on Twitter you'll know that I most recently read The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho. His book was high atop many readers lists. Successful people have all read this book, and it's no wonder why.

It is the story of a boy, Santiago, who travels to pursue his dreams. Along the way, he learns to trust his heart and heed the calls of opportunity. He overcomes fear and chases the potential treasures unknown to him except by his sheer curiosity. Through hardships, bad and good experience, and the insightful people who meets and speaks with along the way, the boy is successful in the end.

This tale lends itself to the life story of anyone who has a goal, who has a dream, who wants to succeed. This fictional work has the power to make you see and understand the importance of drive, determination, and the idea that dreams do come true. Like all the great minds who have previously read this novel, I also must list it above many of the books, both fiction and non-fiction that I've read over the course of time.

What captured me the most throughout the book was how quotable the writing was. Many things just hit me, almost as if I'd never thought of them myself. But the reality is that I've thought of some of these things but the story brought these ideas back to the forefront of my thoughts. Here are some excerpts from the book that left their mark on my mind:

"That is what made traveling appeal to him - he always made new friends, and he didn't need to spend all of his time with them. When someone sees the same people every day, as had happened with him at the seminary, they wind up becoming part of that person's life. And then they want the person to change. If someone isn't what others want them to be, the others become angry. Everyone seems to have a clear idea of how other people should lead their lives, but none about his or her own. " - Santiago's thoughts - The Alchemist

" 'It's not what enters men's mouths that's evil', said the alchemist. 'It's what comes out of their mouths that is.' " - The Alchemist

" 'Everyone on earth has a treasure that awaits him,' his heart said. 'We, people's hearts, seldom say much about those treasures, because people no longer want to go in search of them. We speak of them only to children. Later we simply let life proceed, in its own direction, toward its own fate. But unfortunately, very few follow the path laid out for them - the path to their Personal Legends, and to happiness. Most people see the world as a threatening place, and, because they do, the world turns out, indeed, to be a threatening place.' " - Santiago's heart - The Alchemist

" 'Every search begins with beginner's luck. And every search ends with the victor's being severely tested.' " - The Alchemist

" 'If a person is living out his Personal Legend, he knows everything he needs to know. There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.' "- The Alchemist

Do these quotes evoke the same feelings or thoughts for anyone else? Is it strangely odd how spot-on and relatable these excerpts are to our lives?

As I go through some of my more present struggles, I'm sure I'll keep the story of Santiago close to heart and in mind as I navigate the journeys that life presents.

Hoop (Day) Dreams and Reflection

I've been playing a lot of basketball lately. Sometimes, I get into full-court games if there are people around. But most days, I'm alone, shooting baskets until my arms feel like spaghetti. It's on these days that I get to think about my life the most. Every aspect of the game I play is likened to a facet of my life.

Every shot is representative of an action that I've taken in life. Some of them go in, like the successes I've achieved. And some of the attempts miss - an indication that more work is to be done. And each of these misses can be categorized.

Did the shot fall short? Was it an air-ball? It probably means I didn't have enough behind it. Not enough support. Insufficient strength. I didn't try hard enough. I wasn't prepared to succeed.

Did the shot swirl around the rim and lip out? I didn't shoot squarely. I wasn't at the ideal angle for the shot. I took a chance at a different approach. But I made the attempt in hopes of luck.

Did the shot hit the back of the rim and bounce out? I was over-confident. I tried too hard. I pushed some boundaries but the end result was some pushback. Sometimes less is more.

Was the shot halfway down the hoop and suddenly popped out? I was halfway there. I was livin' on a prayer. I must have needed something else to complete the job properly.

But every time the ball goes in the hoop, there is a certainty that everything went well. The form was perfect. I like those moments. It's a reminder that I have what it takes to score the points. I have what it takes to succeed, to complete / to compete, to do well at whatever task I've undertaken. Which is why I love to take free throws. (If it's free, it's for me.)

Now, I'm not a 100% free throw shooter, but I'd say I'm in a range of 70-80% accuracy. That means that 70-80% of the time, I can execute perfection. I bend my knees. I keep my eye on the basket. My form and posture is square; the arc is perfect; the trajectory is in line. The force is sufficient (and with me). Not too hard, not too soft. And the result is the swish of the net. It even sounds like perfection.

Basketball is an almost daily (yes, I play that often these days) reminder that I try and have to continue to try innumerable things in order to succeed at anything. And out of all the attempts that I undertake, I will fail at some, but prevail in most instances.

American Dream?

Ever since we returned home, all I can think about is how challenging the American Dream really is to achieve. There are many other people around the world who imagine that coming to the United States would make their lives so much easier or allow them to live with so much more freedom. While that is a true change for some people, others should really stay where they are because of how good their lives would / could be in their country of origin.

I've told countless people abroad that their perception is not reality. How so?

Some people have said to us that they believe there is so much freedom in the USA. And I've replied that yes, there are freedoms, but there are so many laws, rules, regulations, by-laws, and other stipulations that need to be abided by while living here in the USA. When I asked them if they have such regulations, many were quick to think and respond that there was no such law in their home country.

When the case of education came up, many cities and countries have found ways to make education free for their citizens. If not free, then at least it was very inexpensive which allowed for many common people to become educated without breaking the bank. When I told them the local currency equivalent of an average education in the United States, these people were sticker shocked at the absurd amount necessary to obtain a diploma.

For me, the follow up to education was logically the issue of debt. Students in the United States expend so much of their capital on education, and then suffer through unemployment or subpar work because either the market for their chosen profession is oversaturated or they are still not qualified for the work they intend on doing. Then the vicious cycle begins. They can't pay their debt, interest is added, time passes, their total debt increases. And once they obtain a decent paying job, these new workers want to enjoy their money. Many spend on clothes, cars, entertainment, and food which leaves little to pay down their initial debt in the first place. And the cycle continues. Debts and interest compound making it years before a former student can ever be relieved. And as their lives progress, their debts seemingly always increase. The next steps of their lives leads to significant others, then engagements and wedding, followed by growing families. Americans live by constantly owing someone or some institution a sum that reduces at a fraction of the speed at which it grew (exponentially). 

So what have the people around the world said? Many have said their piece to me about credit and credit cards. The main issue is, "how can you spend money that's not yours?" Or they wonder, how can the government or financial institutions allow people to have such tremendous debt? Others have expressed concern over the impact it has on the mindset of the people and the cyclical nature of the system. And for me, I've identified another issue with debt. The idea of debt prevents many capable people of pursuing education for the sheer fear of having debt and the inability to pay it off. And uneducated people means a lifetime of poverty (relative to their environment) and/or future struggles; yet another unfortunate cycle that stems from an unfortunate cycle. 

Which leads me to my real point. I am an American by birth, but a citizen of the world in mind and in heart. And I've been thinking so much about my American Dream. For many years, I wanted to follow in the path of the majority. I wanted to graduate from a top notch university; I did that. I wanted to own a car; I paid it off in 4 years rather than 5. I wanted to own a home and grow a family. And this is where I've stalled somewhat.

At the age of 24, I purchased my first home, and I am currently financing it over 30 years (21 left) with some moderate interest rate. I spend a fairly good chunk of my salary paying for this home. But I spend most of my time in an office over an hour away from the home where my money is sunk. How on earth is this a justifiable way spend hard earned money? 

Is this really the dream I wanted? No way! Why am I spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a place where I spend less than half of my time? Why am I trying to fill my home with dead space or useless items of decoration? Why am I struggling to spend on other things that matter like continuing education, organic food and better health, or life experiences and culture? 

I am having a hard time coming up with good reasons to keep doing what I'm doing for the reasons that have previously been dictated by popular culture or merely precedent, here in the USA. 

I feel a change coming... 

Another Deadline in the Books

It's been years since I've been in public accounting with the Big 4 at PricewaterhouseCoopers. And I certainly don't miss all the long hours working on corporate tax returns for multiple clients at a time. But I completely understand what you tax accountants have been going through even though I'm on the private side now. Believe me, my wife is still in the business, and I can feel her pain. 

The careers we chose is not easy. We battle time, constant change, different personalities, a variety of demands, little rewards, limited sleep, unhealthy eating. We find little time for our spouses, pets, families, or socializing. And in the end, we only have the end goal of "pushing a button" (on 9/15 and 10/15) to satisfy the government's requirement to file what clients are unable to do on their own.

It's a thankless job, but someone has to do it. And that's us.