"When we accept tough jobs as a challenge to our ability and wade into them with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen." *-- Arland Gilbert

"The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen."  *-- Lee Iacocca

"Joy is what happens when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are."  *-- Marianne Williamson

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Nick is one of the most extraordinary people I have ever met.  He is a natural achiever, dynamic, passionate, accomplished and gifted.  Not only is he a self-made multi-millionaire but he is also happily married with four kids.  A powerful public speaker and inspirational boss, Nick was also sufficiently talented to have made the grade as a professional tennis player.

The reason his life took a different course is that Nick has always lover interior design.  Walking into an unfurnished room with Nick is an experience.  He can see curtains, cupboards, mirrors, light fittings, paintings and ornaments.  He can match wall paper that isn't there to carpets that haven't been laid.  He is a master of his craft.

The property boom of the eighties was good to Nick.  He earned enough to buy his first house and went into partnership with two other young bucks in the property industry.  Then came the crash.  Nick lost everything.  He lost his house, his car, his stereo.  He even had to resign from the tennis club.

More significant is what Nick did NOT lose.  He did not lose his ambition, his grit, his self-belief.  In order to support his wife and two baby girls, Nick took a job selling mobile phones.  He was, true to form, the best salesmen in the entire company.  As soon as he'd saved up enough commission, Nick took his family to Turkey on holiday.  It wasn't what they were used to.  Instead of five-star luxury and en suite chambermaids, this was self-catering and making your own beds.

One afternoon, Nick got up from the pool and strode back to their apartment.  Extracting a pen and sheet of paper from his case, Nick started to write.  Four hours later, Nick had compiled:

• A list of goals for the next 12 months.
• A list of goals for the next 3 years.
• A list of goals for the next 10 years.
• Why he deserved them.
• What he'd give back when he got them.
• What life would be like when he got them.
• A list of obstacles that would have to be overcome.
• A list of skills he would need to obtain.
• A list of every person he knew.

At dinner that night, Nick shared his vision with his wife.  Not all of it, just enough to receive the emotional support for the journey he was about to embark on.  Nick stuck to the plan and realized his aims well ahead of schedule.

Nick keeps that original plan on display in this office.  It reminds him of how far he has come.  It reminds him of what can be accomplished if you commit.  It reminds all who see it that, no matter how distant they may appear, their dreams are still within reach.

Written by:
Dare Take Your Life On and Win : Gary Leboff

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