Real Help on Any Dream

The number one way to experience shortcuts on any dream is to share your dream with others. And it’s how you share it that will make the difference. Be clear, passionate, and practice making specific requests. Above all else, make it easy for people to say yes.

While speaking at the Golden Door Spa, I decided to squeeze in a workout, so I headed over to the gym and on to the treadmill. With my short legs, a twelve-minute mile (on a good day) is more like walking, but nonetheless, I celebrated my effort.

I was soon joined by a tall, attractive woman whose legs were the length of my entire body. She proceeded to do something I’ve never seen anyone do on a treadmill. She sprinted. I did the only self respecting thing I knew to do. I turned off my machine and cheered her on.

“You go, girl!” I shouted. When she was done, I tossed her a towel and we laughed. “Who are you and where did you learn to run like that?” I asked.

“My name is Marty Evans,” she replied. “I’m a retired Rear Admiral for the Navy.”

“What do you do now?” I queried.

“I’m the National Director for the Girl Scouts of America,” she replied

When the door of opportunity opens, be prepared, even with what I respectfully call your “lingering dreams.” These are those great ideas that have been hanging around for a long time, but you haven’t done much or anything on them. They often start with “Someday, when I have more time and money, I’ll do this.”

Mine was, “Someday, I’ll start an inner city Dream Camp where kids will not only experience ropes courses and cookouts, but learn the important stills for realizing their dreams.”

The shortcut step is to ask for what you want and need. Here are two tips for success: 1) be specific, and 2) make it easy for people to say yes. If they say no, ask why. People often decline for two reasons: 1) Either you’re asking for too much, or 2) they don’t understand what you’re asking for.

“Marty, I teach people how to achieve their dreams and one of mine is to help kids.” Here’s the magic phrase that made it easy for her to say yes. “Would you be willing to explore having me do some work with the Girl Scouts?”

“Sure,” she replied with a warm smile. Now I can be found several times throughout the year sleeping in a tent. Teaching teenage girls is rich and profound and I have the privilege of doing it simply because I asked.