Spending time in the company of others who are forward-thinking can have a powerful impact on our ultimate success.
One of my favorite reminders of this comes from Stewart Emery who wrote, "If you were a willow tree living by a riverside, the environmental conditions would support your evolution toward becoming a self-actualized willow tree.
"If, on the other hand, you were a willow tree and you were planted in the desert, the chances of your making it as a self-actualized willow tree would be virtually nil."
Emery goes on to point out that the same is true for us. However, you and I have the creative intelligence to plant ourselves in an environment that will support our growth.
Comedian Martin Short once wrote a wonderful essay in Time magazine about the turning point in his life. He had moved to Los Angeles, but was adrift. On the day that his own doubts and fears were the strongest, someone invited him to go to an improv show. To be polite, Short accepted, although he didn't want to go.
He writes, "That show changed my life.The actors were improvising and my mind was going with them. For the first time, I realized that I could channel the way I could be funny at a party into my onstage role. But before that evening, I had never put the pieces together. I had never seen my potential."
Want to see more of your dreams come true? It might be easier than you think. Here's the one that can make the biggest impact: transplant yourself into a dreambuilding environment as often as possible.
Gather with others who are motivated and proactive. Make idea gathering your favorite hobby. Listen to inspiring speakers and read eloquent authors who have taken a higher path. Share ideas with forward-thinking people. Refuse to believe that you aren't a good investment.
Do so and discover that when you regularly show up for your dreams, they'll start showing up for you.
Rolla, MO
