Casablanca Brunch, S3, Defining Success, Helping Others Dream Big

"Seven Steps to Success
1) Commit to growing daily.
2) Value the process more than events.
3) Don't wait for inspiration.
4) Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity.
5) Dream big.
6) Plan your priorities.
7) Give up to go up."
— John C. Maxwell

Good morning from the courtyard. I woke up early, made my wife laugh, made coffee, grabbed my laptop, and here I sit looking at a couple of palm trees and a statue of a bulldog. My wife is in bed. She likes to sleep in a little later than I; this is our last full day in Florida before returning home.

Another great day yesterday, our routine did not change; we went to the beach for an hour, walked home, got our bag, and headed to Casablanca for brunch. We had a couple of Mimesoas and a light breakfast before walking to Cousins's house. We spend the afternoon in the pool listening to Fleetwood Mac and making each other laugh.

We returned home and showered, enjoyed each other's company before walking to S 3, our second favorite restaurant on the beach. Cousin was set to join us, but he opted to stay home. So, my wife and I enjoyed a lovely evening together. We left there and watched a little of The Ohio State football game. I sat next to a fan and asked where he lived, and he shared "Columbus." I told him I work with an insurance company in Columbus; he said which one; I shared Encova, and he said I spent 40 years there before retirement. So, we knew some of the same people; insert a reference to Dinsey World ride with boats and a snappy song.

When on the beach, I have been taking some time and just being. Not doing anything for ten or so minutes, I read a chapter in a book recommended by my son-in-law—the book "The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success" by Deepak Chopra. I encourage you to download it or buy it at your local book store.

He defines success as the continued expansion of happiness and the progressive realization of worthy goals. I like the definition and might begin using it when mentoring others. He does point out that in some minds, success must come at the expense of others, but true success puts us "in harmony with nature and create with care-freeness, joy, and love."

Material possessions are often the thing one view as becoming successful. Still, it also should include good health, energy, and enthusiasm for life, fulfilling relationships, creative freedom, emotional and psychological stability and a sense of well-being, and peace of mind.

Failure to nurture the seeds of divinity inside us will lead to a lack of fulfillment. Therefore, I often write about something bigger than myself. I believe there is a Creator. The Creator gave every being a sense of right and wrong, a moral compass that helps guide us through life. When we fail, we learn and try not to make the same mistake again in this life.

He shares the following "All of creation, everything that exists in the physical world, is the result of the unmanifest transforming into the manifest. Everything we behold comes from the unknown. Our physical body, the physical universe – anything and everything that we can perceive through our senses – Is the transformation of the unmanifest, unknown, and invisible into the manifest, known, and visible.

I believe that if you can dream it, you can do it. But, unfortunately, I think my fellow humans often don't dream big enough. For example, in 2013, I took my two kids to Colorado for vacation; during that week, my life changed. As I sat in Boulder Creek looking at a mountain, I decided to figure out a way to live in Colorado.

There were a couple of issues with this dream; my wife and I had just completed a major remodel project on a home in downtown Indianapolis. In addition, our company was based in Indiana, and all my clients were mainly in the Midwest. Finally, my wife was not a fan of snow or cold, so she was not on board when I shared my vision. Nevertheless, I hatched a plan to show her the beauty and wonderment of Colorado. 

The first big break of my residing part-time in Colordao came when I scored a speaking gig for 90 independent agents. I then spent some time working on a plan to teach at a local university; I would teach a class once a week traveling back and forth from our Indy home; that idea fizzled, and I had to develop a new plan.

I convinced my wife to allow me to visit Colorado once a month for seven days; I would fly in on Sunday, work until Wednesday, she would join me, and we would work together until the weekend, hang out and then fly home. We would use Air B and B's and see if we could launch a division of our company 1187 miles from our main office. Her comment, "How are you going to do this when you don't know anyone in Colorado?"  I said, "I know, Dot?"

Dot Miller was the executive director of the local insurance association. She allowed me to speak, and I called her and asked for a referral to an accountant. I would rent office space from them and officially launch our western presence. Bob Zarlingo and I did a deal where I would rent a closet from his firm for $2400 for a year. Of course, I had to keep my expenses low, but I had confidence I could make it happen.

Bob shared he had a road map, was doing the same thing in Phoenix, had built a successful firm in Denver, and now was launching in his favorite place, shared "I'll help you." So I arrived at my Air B and B on the first day of 2016; I called my new friend and said, "What's my first move?" He said there is a meeting tomorrow at 7:00, he said to be there. So the next day, I got in my rental car and attended a Colorado Trusted Advisors meeting. I got five business cards and found an insurance agency to buy from those connections.

Today I live on top of a mountain in our dream home. We live there eight months a year and spend four months in Indiana. When not in Indiana, we Air B and B are home, netting an excellent return. This weekend is the national championship, and we are looking at $8,000 for Friday and Saturday. If we rent our home, we will stay with our daughter and son-in-law for two days and use some excess funds to help those in need.

I have another plan; I have found a community in Mexico outside of Mexico City, a community of artists and musicians. I will visit with my wife and a few friends and see if it might be our southern home. We would spend a couple of months there, and then Air B and B the house when not in Mexico, allowing us to cover the cost of the home. 

I'm very blessed to live the life I live. I am married to the most beautiful woman in the world; we have a fantastic family and more friends than we can count. I plan to keep dreaming and helping others dream big; I believe there are no limitations in life, only those we construct in our minds. So, what is your big dream, what can you imagine, and what is the first step you will take to make your dream a reality? So many of us have climbed the mountain and are now willing to offer our hands and hearts to help others find success.

"Seven Steps to Success
1) Commit to growing daily.
2) Value the process more than events.
3) Don't wait for inspiration.
4) Be willing to sacrifice pleasure for opportunity.
5) Dream big.
6) Plan your priorities.
7) Give up to go up."
— John C. Maxwell