How to Chase Your Big Dreams And Not Quit

I got fired. A week ago today, my boss told me during our weekly phone call that the numbers weren't working. It hurt. Even if I had a sneaky suspicion that it was coming.

The past week has been filled with a few phone calls, sending out my resume, and lots of introspection and prayer. The biggest challenge has been the nagging question of, "will you go after something that fulfills your dreams, hopes, and calling? Or, will you just try to meet the immediate needs of yourself and your family?"

After watching this video from social media expert, VaynerMedia co-founder and CEO, Gary Vaynerchuk, I realized that those choices were not mutually exclusive. Please watch this video before moving on. Aaaaaaaand we're back.

How did this video merge my two questions?

One Is Greater Than Zero gave me perspective. In terms of this blog and everything I envision coming from it, I'm less than a year into this thing and have a long ways to go before I could hope to be at Gary's level.

In terms of a career, I just turned 27 and I truly believe that my best work is ahead of me. However, that doesn't mean I haven't accomplished anything to this point. I'm proud of the work I've done (that's my 1), but I know I can't rest on it. Only build upon it.

I definitely need to and want to provide for my beautiful wife and three amazing kids. However, providing for them doesn't mean that I have to or should give up on my dreams of building a company that makes a radically positive impact on people's lives.

So, it's more of a both/and situation instead of an either/or.

A shift in my perspective and expectations

Go back to Gary's first words about people thinking they're bigger than they really are. Lord knows I'm prone to that. I believe that I will be published in the Huffington Post, Entrepreneur Magazine, or The Good Men Project. But I must have humility and look for opportunities on websites that only have a couple hundred or even 19 readers.

Not being humble in that regard has hindered the growth I so passionately long for...

I have to, as Dave Ramsey says in his book "EntreLeadership", be willing to put in 20 years hard work and then be an overnight success.

Where to from here?

I'm slowly coming to the conclusion that I'm at my most effective when I'm hustling (something Gary constantly points to for success) and I'm at peace. It's a beautiful thing when the incredible passion God gave me meets clarity, focus and vision for the future. 99.9% of the time that happens when I'm helping people realize their own dreams and destiny's.

I certainly believe in the great Zig Ziglar quote, "if you're constantly helping people get what they want, you'll never have to worry about getting what you want."

My plan is to find a career or projects that I can really sink my teeth into. I love and believe in the power of presentation and marketing.

Something I've told people lately is that I'm passionate about taking what's in your heart and mind and putting into the hearts and minds of your audience. That could be your employees, customers, teammates, or even your family.

The ability we, as humans, have to communicate with one another is astonishing!

Even the Bible addresses this in the account of the Tower of Babel. "The Lord said, 'If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them.'" (Genesis 11:6 NIV)

So what does this mean for you?

A couple of things:

1. Success does not have to be defined as reaching the top of the mountain. Figuratively speaking. You don't have to be the CEO to reach high levels of success. Look for it in the everyday and in every situation. A great friend of mine teaches a class that uses the saying, "small victories lead to big wins" as a core principle.
2. Do not, under any circumstances, give up on that dream that lives inside of you! Maybe that dream burns red-hot and you may spontaneously combust. Maybe you've put it off for a long time and you need to stoke the fires a bit. Either way, pursue it one step at a time. The book of Psalms says that "hope deferred makes one sick." You have the power to make yourself better!

A unique request

Right now, I do not have job in the traditional sense. I did take on a marketing/social media project for a CrossFit gym last week. One project/client won't be enough to feed my family, but it is a step (a 1) in the right direction.

I would love to move more into the communication and marketing (spoken, written, social) space. Perhaps for a company. Perhaps for you.

So, my unique request is this... First, if you happen to know of a company (preferably a media, advertising, or branding company) that is looking to hire, please pass along my resume (attached below).

Second, I'm also looking to do freelance work for companies that are looking to improve their communications both internally and externally. This includes strategies for program creation, roll out, and follow up. I can give references.

Third, I will also help individuals who want to develop their presentation and public speaking skills. I've spoken in public to various size groups and with different media for 10+ years. I also have bachelor's degrees in both Speech Communication and Psychology. I can and will make you better, more dynamic, and more memorable... if you let me.

A call to action

So, if you know of an organization that you believe would be a good fit for me to speak to, either about employment or consulting, then please share my resume and shoot me an email using the button below. Tell me the name of the company, who I should speak to, and the best number to reach them.

If you are interested in hiring me for your organization or for personal coaching, then connect with me via the same email button below. Tell me your name/organization, when you're free to talk and a phone number to reach you, a brief description of the project you'd like to discuss.

I'm grateful for every one of you that read my stuff, subscribe, and connect with me on social media (if you haven't yet, you totally should!)! You're all helping me live a dream and I want this acorn to grow and my request is not for a hand out, but an opportunity for you to participate in someone else's dreams coming true. (see earlier Zig Ziglar quote)

I look forward to hearing from you!

What is your dream? How can I participate it in coming true?