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It was July 1991 and I was sitting at the dining room table in my parents house. I had read a bit about goal setting and the power of writing goals down. For a few years I had been thinking about working for myself. I opened a page in my diary and wrote my goal In April 1992 I will have my own business.

Had I any idea what the business would be? Not particularly but because I worked in computers it would quite likely be in that industry. Had I any idea about how to run a business? Very, very little. Would most people think it was a great idea and tell me – what a great idea Sean, go for it!” Very unlikely (in 1992 it was very difficult to get any type of a job in Ireland!). I was more likely to be told cop on to yourself and stay with what pays the bills! So I only told a few people.

Of course once I set my goal the universe responded and I came across a programme called The Entrepreneurs Programme in Shannon, the West of Ireland. They were only accepting 23 people for the course and I was told hundreds were applying. I decided I must get on this programme. I drove down to Limerick on a freezing winters day in my 1968 beetle which had no heating and did one of the best interviews of my life. I got on the course.

It was now November 1991 and it was nearing decision time on whether to leave full-time employment. Did this decision frighten me  absolutely – I had been unemployed before and had to leave Ireland to get a job. So my rational mind was telling me  Sean you’re nuts!

For a week or two I was in that state of indecision which as I’m sure you’re aware uses up so much energy and really is not an empowering place to be  the will I, won’t I state of mind. So where did I find the courage to make my decision?

I found a book in my Dad’s library entitled How to overcome nervous tension and speak well in public by Alfred Tack, an old book, full of wisdom. In it I found the following quote about courage by a guy called Sydney Smith (I’ve edited it slightly):

A great deal of talent is lost in the world for want of a little courage. Every day sends to their graves obscure people whom timidity prevented from making a first effort; who if they could have been induced to begin, would in all probability have gone great lengths in the career of fame. The fact is, to do anything in the world worth doing, we must not stand back shivering and thinking of the cold and danger but JUMP IN and scramble through as well we can.  

It will not do to be perpetually calculating risks and adjusting nice chances. You see a person can wait, and doubt and consult their brother and particular friends until one day they find they have lost so much time in consulting cousins and friends that they have no more time to follow their advice and Live their dream!

The universe didn’t need to tell me anything else. The very next day I resigned from my job. Three months later, on April 22nd 1992, my first business The Open Training Consultancy Ltd was formed.

Now is self employment a route for everyone. Not necessarily, it’s a choice. However no matter what route we choose everyone has talent and everyone has dreams and if your talents and dreams aren’t coming true doing what you’re doing then do something about it.

It’s sixteen years since I made that decision. Were there times since when I’ve considered returning to fulltime employment, absolutely. Were there many rejections along the way, thousands! Did I make mistakes along the way, yes thousands! Has money been rolling in ever since  absolutely not  there’s been affluent times and some seriously tight times. But has it helped me realise the truth about myself and the magic that life really offers us?

ABSOLUTELY! And as we have been told for the past couple of thousand years  The Truth will set you free!

Let not another day pass when you don’t at least contemplate your talents and your dreams. What has your inner voice been whispering to you for years? What are you itching to do with your life? As the all too familiar Chinese saying says  journey of a thousand miles begins with the first step. Decide to take a step today.

• get a piece of blank paper
• think of a goal you’d like to achieve
• give it a date.
• totally suspend your disbelief about what’s possible. Write your goal down and feel as if its already true.
• invest a few minutes every day reading the goal and feeling AS IF its already true.
• when the universe responds to help you on your way, have the courage to seize that opportunity.

And May Your Most Fulfilling Dreams come true.

With best wishes

Sean M Kelly
www.seanmkelly.com

P.S. FREE “Live Your Dream” Coaching Session – I’m in the Angel Shop, Dun Laoighre shopping center, Dublin, this weekend Saturday 8th September, from 2pm to 4.30pm. I’m offering a FREE 15 minute coaching session to the first 6 people to email the words “Live Your Dream coaching session” to info@seanmkelly.com 

P.S: FREE Telephone “Live Your Dream” Coaching session – for this week only I’m offering a 15 minute FREE telephone “Live Your Dream” coaching session to the first 6 who email the words “telephone Live Your Dream coaching session” to info@seanmkelly.com Once I have 6 people we’ll schedule a time for you to call me for your free telephone  coaching session.