 A few weeks ago I hired someone to trim some dead branches from a very large oak tree in my backyard. To my surprise, the tree trimmer lived next door to me when I was growing up and we had not seen each other since I was about 16 years old. After chatting for a few minutes, he took a look at our beautiful log home on Black Creek, and our new swimming pool and said “Jim, you are really living the American Dream”. I thought about it for a moment, and said “You’re right, and it all started with a poster”. Let me explain. First, that statement is not totally correct, because the truth is Peggy and I have experienced success in different forms throughout most of our adult lives. Peggy spent many years as an extremely successful executive at Computer Power, Inc. For my part, I’m pretty good with computers (actually REALLY good), so I was very successful both in the technology arena and business development area at ALLTEL Information Services. But, if you’re looking at the most visible and impactful lifestyle changes we’ve done in the last 10 years, they DID start with a poster. A few years ago while attending a conference; we did a group exercise to clearly visualize living the life you wanted to live 5, 10, even 20 years down the road. Part of the exercise was getting clear on a few big goals. Two of my big goals were to a) become a dad - b)build a log home. Now at the time, Peggy and I were living in a small 1300 s.f. home, and had no kids after 15 years of marriage. It’s funny how things happen. This conference also introduced me to some new friends, Bob and Nola Moon, who are the ones responsible for introducing me to this business. So at the same time I was establishing some BIG goals, I was also introduced to a BIG opportunity. They ended up working very well together. You cannot underestimate the power of a clear goal! Within a YEAR, I was a dad. Peggy and I adopted Jacob Valentin when he was just under 2 years old. After 15 years without kids, this was a HUGE lifestyle change and the 1300 s.f. house got a LOT smaller - Which helped provide motivation for the 2nd goal. We made a poster of our DREAM log home too, and looked at it every day. And within 3 years, our log home construction was underway. Clear Goals, Good Luck, and a LOT of hard work has enabled us to meet many goals that others just dream about. Peggy was able to leave work and focus on being a new full time mom from day 1 (One of her BIG Goals). I was also able to leave corporate America and work in the networking business full time. Although I sometimes miss those steady corporate paychecks every 2 weeks, it would be almost impossible to go back to the corporate rat race after having a totally flexible schedule for the past 4 years. While my log home was being constructed, I was able to be onsite during construction every day. This was not only FUN for me, but allowed us to really craft a home of our dreams. This year I was able to do it again. We added a new swimming pool, and I was able to spend the days watching it go from a hole in the ground to a backyard oasis, while spending the nights keeping the business moving forward. I’ve never seen a “get rich quick” opportunity. If they truly existed, then we would have a lot more rich people around us. But, I have seen lots of “get rich if you work” opportunities if you don’t mind hard work and perseverance. Networking is hard work. I’ve worked more nights and weekends at VitaLife than I’d ever work in corporate America. But I’m working for myself and my family, instead of someone else, and that’s made all the difference. If you have a dream, then we have an opportunity for you. Get clear on your goals, make a poster, look at it every day, and make a commitment to make it real. Join us on your journey, and the life you dream of can start with a poster too. Click to meet more builders |