The One Lesson Traveling the World Taught Me Chasing Dreams

There is an audio version below. 

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I was asked to attend a popular conference that happened this past weekend. I was told that if I wrote about the conference in some of the publications I write for, I could get in for free. I asked them about the opportunity to speak but was told all the slots were filled. I chose not to attend.

Saying No to that “opportunity” opened the door for me to speak in Madrid and Morocco instead. And, I got paid to speak–not to mention the $80,000 speaking contract Madrid and Morocco led to.

I didn’t feel good about how I was approached and felt relieved when I said NO. I’ve had several conferences like that in the past. They didn’t understand my worth.

Understanding Your Worth

Any opportunity to speak is fun and exciting, but don’t feel like you have to settle for only free events just because a conference may not understand what you bring to the table. It’s not their job to know, it’s YOUR job to understand that you’re worth more.

This isn’t to say that you should never speak for free. What I am saying is that if you do, have a clear purpose that aligns with a specific goal. Don’t listen to the voices that say you need to speak for free X number of times before you can get paid. Don’t accept less than you know you deserve. Don’t be afraid of going after the bigger opportunities.

The one lesson I’ve learned, and seen in a clearer way during this trip to Spain/Morocco, is to never settle and go after what you know you deserve. Don’t let your circumstances or negatives voices convince you that you can’t go after the bigger opportunities.

We’re quickly coming to the end of 2015. This was a year of realizations and growth for me. I did things that I would have never dreamed were possible. I know most reading this have witnessed what happened.

My hope is that you don’t just see what I post and think “good for him.” I hope, that, through my example, you see what can be possible for you, too.

If you take anything away from my content this year, take away that you can and should go bigger in 2016. The New Year brings new hope and another opportunity to accomplish major goals—including quitting a work situation you hate.

You know how important mindset is, so start there. Having a healthy mindset is how you begin to see what’s possible. Then, it’s time to create a plan. Right now, you should be planning the New Year.

I’m writing this post on a flight from Amsterdam to Los Angeles. I’m sitting in the Upper Deck of First Class on a KLM flight. The company that hired me to speak paid for what I’m guessing is an expensive seat. The crazy thing is Christian Bale (the actor famous for playing Batman in the Dark Knight series) is sitting right next to me. NO JOKE!

I’m soaking it all in, but I’m also working. I just got done planning all my content and promotions for 2016. I just laid out a roadmap for my business to hit multiple six-figures next year. I’m not resting on the contract I just signed—I’m taking the necessary steps to grow.

It Has to be YOU  

I can tell you this until I’m blue in the face, but you have to get it. YOU are the one that has to take action. You are the one who has to put in the work. You are the one who has to focus on what will help YOU and the kind of life you want to live.

I can help guide you. Whoever your heroes are online can help guide you, but you have to be the one that does the work. There’s no secret strategy or mystery that leads to success. This has to be your focused efforts.

Audio version:

What are you going to do differently in 2016?