I am still feeling the effects of conference afterglow. You’ve felt it right? That kind of “let’s go out and conquer the world and slay all my dragons” gung ho attitude at the same time as the “my brain is going to explode with all the new information” limpness.
First let me say that attending the EntreLeadership 1-Day event on Friday was pretty awesome. I have attended EntreLeadership before, but listening to amazing leadership information from Dave Ramsey, Chris LoCurto and Jon Acuff with my team refreshed me and reinforced the keys to being a good leader.
Coupled with that, I attended the Quitter Conference with Jon Acuff. That’s right – I spent two full days learning and being inspired.
At Quitter, we learned how to identify our dream, battle the fears that hold us back, and move toward living our dreams. What an amazing experience it was to meet people and ask “what is your dream?” instead of asking “what do you do?” as the opening question. Pretty powerful.
We explored building platforms, creating tribes, and developing a community. We compared notes on the negative voices in our heads telling us why we won’t succeed and received validation that pursuing our dreams will be fulfilling.
I am both exhausted and exhilarated by the confirmations, overwhelmed and excited about the possibilities, humbled and psyched at the new connections.
Now the challenge is to act on the things that I’ve learned, and not let them just sit on my desk in the workbooks. Instead of diving back into my world as it was, I need to quit making up excuses and get over the fear of pursuing my dream of writing. I need to make sure to stick with some of the habits I’ve already begun in order to carve out time to practice. And I need to “choose to delight” both myself and you, my readers.
As Jon says, “A Quitter for me is someone who quits average. People who refuse to accept common and instead dare to live out the talents and gifts they’ve been given.”
So my question to you is – are you a Quitter? Will you dare to live out your dream?
September 24, 2012 at 2:59 pm
Part of me says I did that eight years ago almost today. Then I recall that wasn’t living a dream, but stumbling into something I just happened to love. Maybe I stumbled into a dream though.
Realistically though, I am for sure now, for the most part.
September 24, 2012 at 5:45 pm
Isn’t it funny how sometimes you do stumble into it? I went to school to be a writer but then convinced myself I wasn’t. Almost on a whim in January – I rediscovered my passion. So glad you have found it!
September 24, 2012 at 12:18 pm
YES!
September 24, 2012 at 9:23 am
I’m jealous! Being able to go to both of those events! And back-to-back! I read “Quitter” several months ago, and I love the things he brought out in there. When I first got it, I anticipated a secret to making the transition in two weeks (put my notice in and be ready to go by my last day!), but then I read the first chapter that said not to quit my day job! I thought about demanding a refund for false advertising (not really), but it made me realize that the best way to be the right kind of Quitter is to be excellent at what you do while you prepare for your dream. Entreleadership, 48 Days, and Platform also balance out this journey.
September 24, 2012 at 9:33 am
It was awesome, and you are absolutely right – sometimes you can follow your dream and not quit your day job (like Jeff Goins). It confirmed for me that I’m doing it right by finding little blocks of time here and there and moving ahead. thanks for commenting and good luck following your dream!