It began as a simple motto between friends. My best friend Asitha (who is referenced in the book) shared with me a quote he’d heard (see Impossible is Nothing – Adidas Campaign) and we’d repeat it to each other and ourselves when we needed a boost. That stuck with me.

In fact, I printed the quote in giant print and hung it on my bedroom wall in high school. It reminded me every day that I could do anything I dreamed. That no matter what, as long as I was standing, so long as the clock still said :01, I was still in the game.

That was over eight years ago. Eight years! The journey of this book, Anything is Possible really began over three years ago (and even before that when I first told myself that I wanted to write a book someday). Nathanael (one of my fearless editors and my very supportive boyfriend) asked me one day over three years ago, “What have you done today to achieve your dreams?” I answered, “Nothing.” And pardon the language, but that pissed me off. It was that moment that changed my path. I decided to do something about my dreams.

I first started with my speaking, leading workshops and keynote speeches and that turned into a desire to turn one of my keynotes into a book that would be a lasting guidebook for audiences and people who want to improve their lives.

I worked on the outline which had been in my head for years and had friends review it. Then I reviewed it some more. Then I did more research. Then I reviewed it some more. Then finally last December, I was sitting in a Starbucks, listening to Coldplay and pounding on the keyboard.

(flickr photo via cayusa)

Category: Books, Life, Personal Development | 2 Comments »
Tags: anything is possible, Books, dreams

Yeah, I’m ready for baseball season.

(Each Friday, I will post a recent photo.)

Category: Photos, Sports | No Comments »
Tags: baseball, Photos, Sports

This Week’s Lesson
No matter what – you will get through it.
-Judy O’s life lesson from Cedar Rapids, Iowa

Richard’s Thoughts…
How are your New Year’s Resolutions going? Some of mine are going okay and some of them are struggling. But it’s early! We’re only 35 days into what I have dubbed 2010: “Amazing Awaits”. That said, struggles will be a part of our lives, years, months, weeks and days whether we want them to be or not.

My book, Anything is Possible is due out in less than two weeks, but it wasn’t an easy process. In fact, there were many moments I thought it was going to crash and burn. I was ready to throw in the towel numerous times. I trashed a whole chapter. But I kept going. I kept writing and editing.

Our lives are full of tough moments and grand challenges. It’s how we respond in those moments that will determine the theme of our lives. Mike Shanahan once said, “Tough times don’t last – tough people do.” I believe that. I believe that if you remain strong, keep pushing through the rough moments and never lose site of your passions and values, good days are ahead. Keep your eyes on the stars and keep dreaming!

Category: Focus Your Life | No Comments »
Tags: attitude, football, strength, stress

*This post is the third in the Life-Debt Series. An inside look at living your life to its fullest.

It is said that ‘decisions are made by those who show up.’ Whoever said that must have showed up. What about you and your life? Are you showing up? Are you getting wet and going after your dreams? Are you lacing up your skates and flying down the ice?

Growing up in north Iowa, hockey is a huge sport in some of the larger high schools. I was lucky to go to a school that sponsored a team, so every Friday and Saturday night, I would be at the ice rink cheering on my friends. While watching, I privately dreamed I was in skates on the ice scoring a goal. I wished and wished and wished it would happen.

But it didn’t. Why? I didn’t have the skills, skates, pads, sticks or the willingness to learn how to even skate. But shortly after graduating, I’d mentioned to my friend Eric that I wanted to skate sometime, he arranged a pick-up game out at the rink after-hours. It was just a fun game where you score goals by hitting the puck to the post. It was the thrill of a lifetime.

I’d never laced up a pair of skates in my life and was scared when I stepped onto the ice that first night. But it was pure bliss. I skated and fell. I flew down the ice and couldn’t stop and slammed into the wall. I fell some more. But by the end of the game, I skated around the defenders and scored my first goal against the right post. It was fitting that I scored it falling down.

I finally decided to stop holding my life in the “I wish” or “One day I want to ‘blank’” category. I decided to show up. It’s my life; I should live it. Be there.

Where in your life are you not showing up?

(Flickr image via dnorman)

Category: Life, Personal Development, Sports, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tags: anything is possible, dreams, hockey, Life, life debt, Personal Development