Years ago, I met someone who was my first KNOWN dream stealer.
I had just written my first book and was very protective of it.
I named it, "Hire Me Secrets Of Job Interviewing." I didn't know
if it was well written or would be successful, but that really
didn't matter to me at the time. The sole purpose was to help
people get job offers.
I owned a Recruiting/Staffing firm in Phoenix Arizona. Every day
it was my job to prepare our candidates to interview with our
client companies for new career opportunities. The book had all
the ingredients necessary to show how to get in the game of
interviewing, answer questions that most of our clients asked,
get the job offer, and make a decision.
I didn't market the book or even tell anyone about it. Why??
Because I was so afraid that someone, especially someone in the
same business I was in, would see it and make fun of me for
writing it.
Be careful what you focus on.
A couple of months after writing the book the dream stealer
entered my office... She picked up my book and said very
sarcastically, "You have got to be kidding ...YOU wrote a book?"
Embarrassed I said, "Yes, all I am trying to do is help our
clients get a job and to also be aware that interviewing is a
game, so they shouldn't take it personally."
In response, she said, "I am also writing a book about
interviewing. At the present time it is all in my head. It's ok
though because I have a mind like a computer. All the chapters
are compartmentalized, I even have a clear picture of my cover.
I must say however MY book is MUCH thicker than yours and much
"meatier" In fact, I noticed that your chapter on resumes is
just a few pages, mine has over 100 pages so far."
I don't know what came over me but I saw her for what she was in
that instant. A DREAM STEALER, AN INTIMIDATOR, A BULLY.
"You know the difference between your goal and mine???" I said.
"No what?" She replied.
"Your goal is still in your head.....I wrote mine down in the
form of a book."
Sweet revenge.............Is her book done to date........NO! Did
my book get picked up by a major publisher because it was simple,
easy to read, and could help thousands of people get a job?
YES!
I tell you this story because I was reminded just weeks ago about
all the Dream Stealers (tm) that have come into my life over the
years. It was on this trip down memory lane that I realized
Dream Stealers (tm) are everywhere!!! We must be aware and
prepared to run... not walk away from them. I knew I had to
share with others that Dream Stealers (tm) come in all varieties.
Teachers, friends, associates, even family members. They might
even tell you very good reasons why you should listen to them
because it is "for your own good".
My last dream stealer was the force behind this story. Actually
my last dream stealer I actually PAID. That's right I paid him
$1000 to TRY to steal one of my dreams.
It happened in Las Vegas...
My partner Debbie and I signed up for his seminar, paid our
money, got on a plane, checked into a hotel, took a cab to his
event and proceeded to have a dream stealer tell us what we
can't, shouldn't and couldn't do.
When we decided to walk out on his training session after
identifying him as a dream stealer we asked for our money back.
(something neither of us have ever done in our lives.) We were
very uncomfortable with the situation but we promised each other
that as soon as we got the money we would both buy items that
would remind us of future Dream Stealers (tm).
Debbie bought a small but perfect diamond that would remind her
not to let ANYONE take the "twinkle" out of her dreams. My
reminder was the famous BOSE ear phones that would remind me
NEVER listen to ANYONE who tries to steal your dreams through
intimidation or wrong information.
If either of these stories rings a bell for you or reminds you
of any of the Dream Stealers (tm) that have been in your life so
far, or are about to appear, get a reminder that works for you.
A reminder that will help you become aware... everyday.
Then
GO FOR YOUR DREAMS
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