More Praise for

LIFE LESSONS
“This wonderful book will inspire you to set bigger goals
than ever before, and motivate you to take continuous action
until you succeed.”
BRIAN TRACY, AUTHOR OF
NO EXCUSES : THE POWER OF SELF -DISCIPLINE

“Brian Bartes has written a wonderful book that every child

who aspires to a better life must own. His guide to successful
living is exactly what we adults also need to inspire ourselves
to be our children’s best role models.”
CHERIE CARTER-S COTT, P H.D., AUTHOR OF
I F L IFE IS A GAME, THESE ARE THE RULES

“Life Lessons is loaded with solid wisdom and practical advice

with great stories that illustrate the teachings. We can all
benefit from learning, or being reminded of, the proven prin-
ciples of living a balanced, authentic and happy life. Brian
Bartes covers the bases well with a clear, easy-to-understand
and friendly style. You’re going to love it!”
M ICHAEL E. A NGIER, FOUNDER OF SUCCESSNET.ORG
AUTHOR OF 101 BEST WAYS TO BE YOUR BEST
AND 101 BEST WAYS TO GET A HEAD

“If you want to achieve your potential fast, then get this book!
Brian makes it easy with his unique blueprint for creating
the life you want.”
STEPHANIE FRANK, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR,
THE ACCIDENTAL M ILLIONAIRE
WWW. STEPHANIEFRANK.COM
“Life Lessons is a valuable addition to my success library at
home. It is packed with good advice and illustrations that
will educate and inspire readers of all ages. Give it a care-
ful read.”
PAT WILLIAMS, SR. VICE-P RESIDENT, O RLANDO M AGIC,
AUTHOR OF EXTREME FOCUS

“Brian Bartes writes about the tremendously important

lessons in life. His insightful book will inspire anyone who
wants to succeed in every area of life, and achieve their
dreams.”
CHRIS WIDENER, AUTHOR OF L EADERSHIP RULES
WWW.CHRISWIDENER .COM

“I’ve read over 1,437 books on creating more success in your

life. Brian Bartes’s new book, Life Lessons, is a valuable guide
on how to create an outstanding life. I love the inspirational
stories in every chapter and the simple to understand and
apply action exercises. If you want to create more happiness,
success and fun in your life, then read this book. And if you
want your children to have the best life possible, give them
a copy as well.”
GRAHAM MCGREGOR, SALES AND M ARKETING CONSULTANT
AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
WWW.E ASYBUSINESS SUCCESS.COM

“Every great thought leader throughout history has taught

us that wisdom is learning from other people’s experiences,
as well as our own, in order to handle those road bumps
with less stress and greater ease. How awesome that Brian
Bartes did this with his book, Life Lessons! What a great gift
for anyone you love. What a great gift for yourself!! What a
powerful message for all of us!!”
DONNA K RECH, ENTREPRENEUR, SPEAKER, AND AUTHOR
WWW.DONNAKRECH.COM
“Brian Bartes beautifully combines two of my favorite things
in Life Lessons—real life examples, and stories interwoven
with practical and relevant lessons on creating a life that
emulates your dreams. Continuing in his usual style Brian
provides a fantastic read for those of us who are young, or
just young at heart.”
K IRSTY D UNPHEY, AUTHOR OF R ETIRED AT 27—
I F I C AN DO IT, A NYONE C AN
WWW.KIRSTYDUNPHEY.COM

“I believe in Brian Bartes and his new book, Life Lessons. There
is no better time than NOW to apply Brian’s simple genius.”
FRANK MC K INNEY, 5X BESTSELLING AUTHOR, INCLUDING THE TAP
WWW.FRANK- MCKINNEY.COM

“Brian picked the most important lessons in life, focusing

on the ones that make it truly great. Anyone can learn a lot
from his guidance and insights.”
M ICHAEL SLIWINSKI, FOUNDER OF NOZBE ;
EDITOR, PRODUCTIVE ! M AGAZINE

“The best gift a parent can give their child is to help them
discover what their unique gift or talent is, and then guide
them towards using that gift to benefit humanity. Giving
your child Life Lessons by Brian Bartes is the perfect way to
accomplish this.”
ERIN A. KURT, B.ED. AUTHOR OF JUGGLING FAMILY L IFE :
A STEP -BY-STEP TO STRESS -FREE PARENTING

“Brian Bartes’s masterpiece, Life Lessons: A Guide to Creating

and Living Your Best Life, is a must-read for everyone. It is a
refreshing reminder that work, vision, and execution still
produce success even in challenging times. Life Lessons is a
powerful resource that will help change your life.”
LES BROWN, WORLD R ENOWNED MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
“The principles Brian Bartes shares in Life Lessons will change
your life. These easy to understand lessons will put you on
the right track to living a successful life.”
M ICHELLE P RINCE, BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
OF WINNING IN L IFE NOW

“Life Lessons has the power to change the life of any reader
who implements its inspirational and practical suggestions.
Chock full of inspirational quotes, real life examples, practi-
cal suggestions and helpful summaries, Brian’s new book
presents his insightful blueprint for a successful life!”
CLARITY NEWHOUSE, AUTHOR OF A SUNNY NOTE
WWW.ASUNNYNOTE .COM

“Bravo! Every now and again I read a book that forever

impacts my future. Life Lessons: A Guide to Creating and
Living Your Best Life is one of those books. Read and study
this book and not only will you achieve your destiny, but
you will also soar in life!”
PATRICK SNOW, I NTERNATIONAL BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
OF C REATING YOUR O WN DESTINY
WWW.PATRICKSNOW.COM

“Brian gets it! Start now getting the life you want now with
Brian’s ideas. Life is too short not to!”
GREG H ATCHER, CEO OF THE H ATCHER AGENCY
AUTHOR, 55 STEPS TO OUTRAGEOUS SERVICE

“I love books that inspire and motivate people in a positive

way, and Life Lessons is one of those books.”
D R. K EVIN LEMAN, AUTHOR OF THE BIRTH ORDER BOOK
AND H AVE A NEW YOU BY FRIDAY
“Life Lessons: A Guide to Creating and Living Your Best Life is
an important book to read both for you and your children.
In today’s world we need important principles for success,
and this book will help you to move in the direction of your
dreams and make a positive impact in the world. Truth is, we
need positive influences to give us the hope and inspiration
to be our best. I highly recommend Brian’s book.”
LEE M ILTEER, AUTHOR OF SUCCESS IS A N I NSIDE JOB
AND SPIRITUAL POWER TOOLS
WWW.MILTEER .COM

“Life Lessons is a powerful book that can help you achieve

your goals in life. Read what Brian Bartes has to say because
it can change your life . . . starting today!”
ROBERT STUBERG, AUTHOR OF THE 12 L IFE SECRETS

“Brian Bartes presents a proven, easy-to-follow formula for

achieving the ‘GOOD LIFE,’ whatever that may mean to
you. Read, reread, digest, and practice the techniques that
Brian shares in these great Life Lessons and you will Create
and Live Your Best Life!”
ED FOREMAN
U. S. CONGRESSMAN, RTD.
(TEXAS AND NEW M EXICO)
SPEAKER, AUTHOR, ENTREPRENEUR

“If you’re looking for a great book on how to live your life,
you don’t have to look any further. I strongly encourage you
to read Life Lessons.”
P EGGY MCCOLL, NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING AUTHOR
WWW.DESTINIES.COM

“Life Lessons provides a simple, powerful plan for living a

full and successful life.”
M ARK SANBORN, AUTHOR OF THE FRED FACTOR AND
YOU DON ’T NEED A TITLE TO BE A L EADER
“Brian Bartes’s new book, Life Lessons, will inspire a genera-
tion of young people to dream big and follow his excellent
principles on how to succeed in life. A valuable tool that
will have a great influence for all who read and follow his
wisdom.”
WYLAND, PREMIER OCEAN ARTIST

“Finally, Brian Bartes reveals his keys to success. If you want

to make your dreams come true, then read Life Lessons!”
M ARCIA WIEDER, CEO/FOUNDER, D REAM UNIVERSITY

“Timeless lessons can be taught in new, powerful ways.

Brian Bartes does this and more. Read his book and create
value for your entire family.”
ROBERT WHITE, EXECUTIVE COACH AND
AUTHOR OF L IVING AN EXTRAORDINARY L IFE

“Life Lessons is filled with inspirational stories, quotes, and

strategies for successful living. Read it today, and give a copy
to the teenagers and young adults in your life!”
M AC A NDERSON
FOUNDER OF SIMPLE TRUTHS AND SUCCESSORIES

“If you’re ready to live your best life, then read, absorb and
use the principles in this book. Brian is giving you a road
map for success!”
JAMES M ALINCHAK, FEATURED ON
ABC’S H IT TV SHOW, “SECRET M ILLIONAIRE”
FOUNDER, WWW.BIGMONEY SPEAKER.COM

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 Other Books by Brian Bartes:
Coach Yourself to Success

LifeExcellence Treasury of Quotes

Peace of Mind For You And Your Loved Ones

Co-Authored Books:
Success Simplified

Building an Extraordinary Business

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Copyright © 2011 by Brian E. Bartes

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,

distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including
photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods,
without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the
case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other
noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Legacy Publishing Group

P.O. Box 700424
Plymouth, MI 48170
Tel: (734) 254-9970
Fax: (734) 254-9973
www.legacypublishers.com

Ordering Information
Special discounts are available on quantity purchases by corpora-
tions, associations, and others. For details, contact the publisher at
the address above, or via email at [email protected].

Design by 1106 Design, Phoenix, Arizona

Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication
(Provided by Quality Books, Inc.)

Bartes, Brian E.
Life lessons : a guide to creating and living your
best life / Brian E. Bartes.
p. cm.
ISBN-13: 978-0-9-776773-2-0
ISBN-10: 0-9776773-2-X

1. Success. 2. Conduct of life. I. Title.

BF637.S8B37 2011 158.1

QBI11-600085
With thanks to everyone who has positively impacted
my life. Especially my children—Andy, Abby, Carly,
and Caleb—who are my greatest contribution to the
world. I hope I have made as much of a difference
in their lives as they have made in mine.
!"#$%#$&
Foreword by Joan Lunden xv
Acknowledgments xix
Introduction xxi

Section I – LIFE LESSONS

Chapter 1 – Dream Big Dreams 3
Chapter 2 – Always Believe In Yourself 17
Chapter 3 – Develop A Winning Attitude 31
Chapter 4 – Live A Values-Based Life 45
Chapter 5 – Strive To Do Your Best 59
Chapter 6 – Develop Success Habits, And
Practice Them Daily 79
Chapter 7 – Achieve Financial Independence 115
Chapter 8 – Use Adversity To Propel You
Forward 147
Chapter 9 – Surround Yourself With Success 163
Chapter 10 – Never Stop Learning 177

xiii
 Life Lessons

Chapter 11 – Realize That The Best Things In

Life Aren’t Things 191
Chapter 12 – Make A Difference 205
Chapter 13 – Learn To Be Happy With What
You Have 227
Chapter 14 – Make Each Day Your
Masterpiece 241

Section II – FINAL THOUGHTS

How Will You Fill Your Blank Page? 255

Section III – RESOURCES

Free Gift 259
Suggested Reading 261
About the Author 263
Values List 265

xiv
'"(%)"(*
When Brian Bartes asked me to write the foreword to this
book, I was both honored and excited. I often speak to audi-
ences about success, making the most of your life, finding
balance and giving back, and have written a number of
best sellers with these messages. So Brian and I clearly
speak the same language. As I read the manuscript for
Life Lessons, I realized the application of the lessons Brian
shares, combined with enthusiasm and a positive attitude,
have made all the difference in my career, and in my life.
My career in TV journalism began in the ’70s—a
time when there were only a handful of women on news
programs. As a senior in college, still contemplating what
to do with my life, a family friend said television stations
were being pressured by the FCC to put women on their
newscasts. I called the News Director, and was soon
working as a full-time intern.
As I look back on my career, making that call was
the most important thing I did, and it’s a key trait in most
successful people I’ve interviewed. They don’t wait for

xv
 Life Lessons

good things to happen, they seize opportunities and they

make their own success! If you wait around for something
great to happen, you could wait a lifetime.
I approached that first job with enthusiasm, a “key
ingredient” in turning an opportunity into a success
story. I got a lot of people coffee during that time, but I
also made myself so valuable in the newsroom that when
bigger opportunities came along, I was well positioned
to take advantage of them. You have to be willing to say
yes to opportunities, to venture out of your comfort zone
and take some risks. Over time, the opportunities I said
yes to would include local assignments as a weather girl,
consumer reporter, news anchor and street reporter, and
eventually co-host of Good Morning America.
People often ask me, “What was the hardest part
of doing Good Morning America for 20 years?” I think
the biggest challenge was to consistently project—day
in and day out—a positive attitude and an exuberance
for the day no matter what was happening in my life. I
knew that my enthusiasm and my attitude was the first
thing the viewer would be exposed to, even prior to the
information I had to deliver.
A positive attitude has a tremendous impact on oth-
ers, but it also has a powerful impact on you. The most
important opinion you can possibly have is the one you
have of yourself, and the most important things you say

xvi
 Foreword

all day long are those things you say to yourself. I truly
believe that my positive attitude and my enthusiasm for
life have been key elements in helping me get to the top
of my profession and making it enjoyable along the way.
Brian is very excited to share Life Lessons with you.
There is always such a need for inspiration in this world
of ours, and you will be inspired by the lessons he shares.
You will find amazing, real-life stories of those who
dared to dream big and stay the course, despite doubters
or adversity. I trust that you will enjoy and benefit from
reading this book, just as I did, and I hope you will use
it to create and live your best life.
Interestingly, much of my success today revolves
around health, home and family. All those “little stories”
that I learned in my early days have helped shape every
area of my life. I hope they have that same effect on you.

JOAN LUNDEN
Television journalist, best-selling author,
motivational speaker, and entrepreneur

xvii
+!,#")-%*./%#$&
It has been said that one learns something the best by teach-
ing it. The research, writing, and editing of this book has
enabled me to learn anew the life lessons contained herein.
I am eternally grateful for everyone whose efforts
have enabled me to share this book with you:
All my mentors—including Jim Bonahoom, John
Maxwell, Jim Rohn, and Brian Tracy—for teaching me
their best lessons about business and life.
Dawn Dugan, who labored throughout the project,
and without whom this book would not have been written.
My special friends who reviewed the book—Beth
Anctil, Marti Cowman, Dave Dahlin, Cheryl Geesey, Amy
Gillard, Michael Miller, and Bob Smith. They read what I
thought was a pretty good book already, and constantly
challenged me to improve it. Life Lessons is better because
of their involvement.
Allyson Aabram, Suzi Deal, Michele DeFilippo, Kris
Dulapa, and Ronda Rawlins, for their help at various
stages of the project.

xix
 Life Lessons

Joan Lunden, for believing in the project, and for her

Foreword to this book.
And last, but not least, my wife Heidi, for her patience
and support while I worked on the book, and her helpful
suggestions along the way.

xx
0 #$("*1!$0"#
I have studied success my entire adult life. In the last 25
years, I have read hundreds of books and articles about
people who have achieved greatness as inventors, art-
ists, scientists, businesspeople, entertainers, and athletes.
I have personally met and learned from Super Bowl
champions, Olympic athletes, billionaire businessmen,
Hollywood actors, and others who have reached the
pinnacle of their professions.
My models for success aren’t limited to people whose
names you would recognize, because many of life’s great-
est inspirations are neither rich nor famous. They are
seemingly ordinary people who are have achieved great
personal success in their marriages, or as parents, or
serving others in a variety of ways. I continue to observe
and learn how people create success, in every area of life.
Everyone loves a good secret, and I am constantly on
the lookout for “secrets to success.” I suspect that you, too,
would enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to learn these
“secrets.” The fact is, while infomercials, magazines, and

xxi
 Life Lessons

marketing campaigns would have us believe otherwise,

there are no secrets to success. If you’re looking for a magic
pill—something that can be quickly obtained and easily
applied in order to create immediate success—you won’t
find it here. Or anywhere.
What I can offer you is this: While there are no “secrets
to success,” there are certain immutable principles—“life
lessons” if you will. This book is a compilation of those
principles. By learning and applying the lessons contained
in this book, you will greatly increase your likelihood of
achieving success, however you define it.
Life Lessons is written for two groups of people. The
first group is children, who are the future of the world.
This book started out as a way to gather in one place
the most important lessons I wanted my own children
to learn. I hope you will be inspired to give this book to
your children, and to the high school and college gradu-
ates in your life—that they will learn, embrace and apply
these lessons, and that their lives will be better for having
done so.
As much as Life Lessons started out as a book for
young people, I realize that it also provides an oppor-
tunity for adults to learn these important principles
for success. It is never too early to start learning these
lessons, and it is never too late to begin applying them
in your own life.

xxii
 Introduction

As you read Life Lessons, I hope it will move you to

create greater success in your life, and that your actions
will make a positive impact in the world.

BRIAN BARTES

xxiii
 … ‰
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… ‰
()*+,$-%.

*(%+/ 230. 2*(%+/&

Cherish your visions and your dreams,
as they are the children of your soul—the
blueprints of your ultimate achievements.
—NAPOLEON H ILL

… ‰
+2!%--245"#%2&+-%&/+#2&0#.&2"4%(+
It was March 17, 2007. Simon Cowell’s new show, Britain’s
Got Talent, was holding auditions at the Wales Millennium
Centre in Cardiff, Wales. Paul Potts, a 36-year-old cell
phone salesman, strolled awkwardly onto the stage.
He stepped in front of the microphone, and stood
nervously in the cheap suit he had just purchased for
the audition. His appearance was further diminished by
the sight of a chipped tooth, which was damaged in a
childhood accident.

3
 Life Lessons

When he announced to the judges that he was going

to sing opera, their eyes rolled in disbelief. Based on what
they had seen so far, the judges and audience undoubt-
edly thought Potts was about to make a fool of himself.
In fact, even Potts seemed to doubt his ability. After all,
his only experience had been singing in the school and
church choirs when he was younger. Later, he would
state that being bullied in
The great thing in this school probably had an
world is not so much influence on his lack of
where we stand as in what self-confidence.
direction we are moving. Then the tenor from
—Oliver Wendell Holmes south Wales opened his
mouth, and started to sing.
Just 10 seconds into Giacomo Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma,”
everyone knew they were listening to something quite
extraordinary. Within 20 seconds, the audience of 2,000
began cheering loudly. By the end of the performance,
many in the audience (and one of the judges) had been
brought to tears by the amazing performance they had just
witnessed. Potts received a standing ovation.
“Simply magical,” said Simon Cowell. “Incredible,”
agreed fellow judge Piers Morgan. The third judge,
Amanda Holden, was moved to tears, and said his voice
had left her covered in goosebumps. “We were not expect-
ing that,” said Cowell.

4
 Dream Big Dreams

Potts went on to win Britain’s Got Talent, and per-

formed later that year at the Royal Variety Performance, in
front of Queen Elizabeth.
“By day, I sell mobile phones,” said Paul Potts. “My
dream is to spend my life doing what I feel that I was
born to do . . . to sing opera.”

+230--0"#2&%(60#.&2"'2!50!,%#2&"14
Mark Victor Hansen and Jack Canfield already had suc-
cessful careers when their first Chicken Soup for the Soul
book was published in 1983. Part of their early success
in selling and professional speaking was due to the
inspirational and motivational stories they would tell. By
the time they gathered the collection of 101 stories that
would comprise their first book, Hansen and Canfield had
already created big dreams
for Chicken Soup for the Soul. As long as you’re going
Their initial dream was to be thinking anyway,
to sell 150,000 copies the first THINK BIG.
year and 1 million copies the —Donald Trump
second year. They hoped to
create a book that would make a huge difference in the
world. But they far surpassed that dream. Before long, they
had dozens of titles, and had sold over 50 million books.
Rather than resting on their laurels, they decided to
create a bigger dream. They are now on a mission to sell

5
 Life Lessons

one billion Chicken Soup for the Soul books. So far, there are
almost 200 Chicken Soup titles with more than 112 million
books sold in more than 40 languages!
Hansen and Canfield wrote in Chicken Soup for the
Soul: Living Your Dreams: “We have learned that as soon
as you commit to a big dream and really go after it, not
only will your creative mind come up with big ideas to
make it happen, you will also start attracting the people
you need in your life to make your dream come true.”

0$2+ --23%.+#2)0$52+2/"1&%
Walter Elias Disney grew up on a family farm in Marceline,
Missouri. As a young boy, he loved to draw. Though money
was tight and the chores needed to be done, his mother
and older brother encouraged Walt to pursue his passion.
After studying art and photography in high school, he
took night classes at the Chicago Art Institute.
Walt’s dream was to become an animator and create
a cartoon character that he would be remembered by. He
based the character on a pet mouse he had while work-
ing in Kansas City. Walt named the mouse “Mortimer,”
but his wife thought the name didn’t suit the mouse’s
character. Walt renamed the character “Mickey Mouse.”
Today the name “Walt Disney” is synonymous with
cutting-edge animation, award-winning entertainment,
and quintessential theme parks. But back then Disney

6
 Dream Big Dreams

was turned down for jobs and told he lacked talent. Since
others wouldn’t hire him, Walt started his own company.
It soon went bankrupt. With only $20 in his pocket, Walt
headed to Hollywood to pur-
sue his dreams. All our dreams can
The rest is history. Walt come true, if we have the
Disney went on to become one courage to pursue them.
of the largest influences in 20th —Walt Disney
century entertainment, and one
of the most prolific and well-known producers in the
world. Disney dared to do what other animators didn’t,
and as a result became one of the industry’s most important
innovators.
Walt Disney proved that the largest dreams have no
boundaries or timelines, and have the ability to positively
impact others long after the dreamer is gone.
And it all started with a mouse . . . and a dream.

… ‰
It Starts With a Dream
If you ever want to learn about the concept of “dreaming
big dreams,” talk to a child. For children, no dream seems
too big. When asked what they want to be when they
grow up, kids say things like “I want to be a fireman,” or
“I want to be a doctor,” or “I’m going to be an astronaut!”

7
 Life Lessons

When you talk to children about what they want to

do, their responses have no boundaries. “I want to build
the world’s tallest skyscraper.” “I want to eat ice cream
on the moon.” “I want to dig to China!”
Kids grow up with heroes all around them. Some
heroes play sports such as basketball, football, and golf.
Others are “superheroes,” whose powers are limitless,
and who appear larger than
Dreams come a size too big life on movie screens and
so we can grow into them. in comic books. Even “ordi-
—Author unknown nary” people are viewed as
heroes by children whose
parents, teachers, and other mentors have made a positive
impact on their lives.
Children possess a beautiful innocence about the
world. A refreshing naiveté of what is truly possible.
Of course, our child-like perception of the world
changes as we grow older. Those with good intentions
start to “protect” us from the harsh realities of our world
today. At first, they explain that our dreams might not come
true. They mean well as they prepare us for the possibility
of failure, and soften the blow of inevitable defeat.
As children grow up, they are advised by those
around them to forego goals and dreams that get labeled
as “unrealistic” at best, or “impossible” at worst. They are
encouraged to pursue a more conservative life path than

8
 Dream Big Dreams

the one described in their dreams. “Settle down and find a

job,” they are advised. “Preferably something dependable,
with a regular paycheck and health insurance.”
All the while, the unsupportive messages seep into
their subconscious. They are reinforced by experiences
which tend to support the idea that dreaming big dreams
is a path to disappointment.
Eventually, most people let their dreams die. They
are consoled by others who have traveled down a similar
road. Their dreams for the future get tucked into the past,
together with their Lego® toys and their astronaut uniform.

Hold Onto Your Dreams

Your dreams are seeds that grow and take on a life of
their own. They inspire you to take the actions necessary
to make them come true. The more you dream, the more
you are inspired. The more inspired you are, the more
actions you take. This continues, until one morning you
wake up to find that your dream has come true.
Everything great that has ever been accomplished
started with a dream. Here are a few examples:

• Katie Couric dreamed of becoming a news anchor. She

held onto her dream, even after being pulled off the air
by a CNN executive who told her she had no future.
After co-hosting the Today Show for 15 years, Couric

9
 Life Lessons

became the first solo female news anchor for a major

network’s nightly news. She also became the high-
est paid news anchor at the time, earning a reported
$15 million per year.

• Jim Carrey dreamed of being a successful Hollywood

movie star. Long before he was famous, Carrey wrote a
check to himself for $10 million. On the memo line, he
wrote “For Services Rendered.” He carried the check in
his wallet for years, occasionally pulling it out to remind
himself of his dream. Carrey’s dream eventually came
true, making him one of the highest-paid entertainers
in the movie business.

• Mary Kay Ash “envisioned a company in which any

woman could become just as successful as she wanted
to be. The doors would be wide open to opportunity
for women who were willing to pay the price and had
the courage to dream.” Although Ash sold only $1.50
in products at her first beauty show, she never lost sight
of her commitment to making life better for women.
Today, Mary Kay® is one of the world leaders in the
beauty care industry. More importantly, the company
continues to inspire, enrich, and empower women to
achieve their potential and bring their dreams to life.

10
 Dream Big Dreams

What do all of these people have in common? They

dreamed big dreams, and they held onto those dreams
until they came true. This is a characteristic common in
all great achievement. David McClelland, a Harvard psy-
chologist who has studied high achievers, has concluded
that people who are successful have one thing in common:
they are constantly dream-
ing about how to achieve Go confidently in the
their goals. direction of your dreams.
Take a few minutes Live the life you have imaged.
right now to define your —Henry David Thoreau
dream. Think about what
life would be like if you accomplished it. If you don’t know
where to begin, start by asking yourself these questions:

• If you could be, do, or have anything in the world, what

would you want?
• What would you attempt to do if you knew you could
not fail?

Commit to Your Dream

In his well-known book on success, Oh, The Places You’ll Go,
Dr. Seuss introduces something he calls “The Waiting Place.”
This is the place where many people become stuck. They
don’t have the courage to pursue their dream, because they
are afraid of failing. They know they need to do something,

11
 Life Lessons

but fear and indecision keeps them stuck in neutral. Deep

down they think their dreams are unrealistic or silly, or
they just don’t think they have
The future belongs to it in them to do what it takes
those who believe in the to succeed.
beauty of their dreams. How do you get out of the
—Eleanor Roosevelt waiting place? By fully com-
mitting to the pursuit of your
dreams. Once you have defined your dream, you must
decide that you are going to go for it, and that nothing is
going to stop you.

Create an Action Plan

In order to accomplish your dreams, you must develop
a step-by-step plan for getting from where you are to
where you want to be. Write down everything that will
have to happen to make your dream a reality. Here are
some things to consider:

• A timeframe. How long will it take to realize your

dream?
• Action steps. What has to be done, and when will you
complete each step?
• Resources. How will you accomplish each step? Who
else needs to be involved? What support structures
will need to be in place?

12
 Dream Big Dreams

• Measurement. The old adage, “what gets measured, gets

done” is true. How will you evaluate your progress?

This is the point at which many people put all of

this information “in a box” to be taken out at a “more
convenient time.“ Don’t be one of those people because,
for most of them, that time never comes. Instead of put-
ting this information away, act on it right now. You may
have to move outside your comfort zone to take the first
few steps, and it’s quite likely you’ll encounter challenges.
Climb over them, go around them, dig under them, or
knock them down.
Remember, everyone who accomplished their dreams
started right where you are today. If you continue to take
action in the direction of your ideal life, you’ll eventually
realize your dreams.

Encourage Others to Dream Big, Too

It’s so easy for people to let their dreams die. It happens
all the time, for a variety of reasons. Dreams are easily
dismissed by those around us, which can cause people
to let their dreams go.
Don’t add to this phenomenon. Don’t be a naysayer,
someone who dampens the dreams of those around
you. Instead, encourage others to dream big, too. Talk
to those around you about their goals and aspirations.

13
 Life Lessons

Ask them questions, listen to their responses, and pro-

vide the kind of support that will inspire them in the
pursuit of their dream. Your encouragement will not
only help them, but it will
The only place where your inspire you, as well.
dream becomes impossible Here are a few famous
is in your own thinking. people whose encourage-
—Robert H. Schuller ment by others made all the
difference in their success:

• Marine life artist Wyland was encouraged by his first-

grade teacher, who told him he could be a great artist.
• Ray Charles was encouraged by a local pianist named
Wylie Pitman to pursue his dream of playing the piano,
despite the fact he was blind.
• Babe Ruth was an orphan who was encouraged by the
orphanage priest to pursue professional baseball.

Where would we be as a society if these people had

not been encouraged by others? When a dream goes
unfulfilled, it’s a huge loss not only for the dreamer, but
for those around them, and perhaps even for the world.

What Is Your Dream?

Neil Armstrong dreamed of landing on the moon. Thomas
Edison dreamed of creating a simple and inexpensive

14
 Dream Big Dreams

source of light. The Wright brothers dreamed of flying

a powered machine. Bill Gates dreamed about a com-
puter on every desk and
in every home. When you want something,
What is your big all the universe conspires in
dream . . . and what will helping you to achieve it.
you do today to make it —Paulo Coelho
come true?

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15
 '(%%2.0'$7
As a token of my appreciation for reading this book, I
would like to send you a free Life Lessons coffee mug. All
you need to do is send five personal letters, faxes, or emails
to people who know and respect you, recommending
they buy and read this book. (A sample letter appears on
the following page for your convenience.) Then, send me
copies of the five letters, along with your own comments
about this book. I’ll send you a coffee mug as a gift. Send
everything to Brian Bartes, c/o Life Lessons Coffee Mug,
PO Box 700424, Plymouth, Michigan 48170. Sorry, but the
offer expires December 31, 2012.

259
 Life Lessons

Sample Letter
From: __________________________

Dear: _______________:

I just finished one of the BEST books on suc-

cess I have ever read, and I thought you would
want to know about it. It’s a great book for anyone
who wants to improve his or her life. It’s going to
change my life in a positive way, and I bet you’ll
want to read it, too.
The book is called Life Lessons: A Guide to
Creating and Living Your Best Life, by Brian Bartes.
You can order it directly from the Life Lessons
website, at www.lifelessonsthebook.com.
You can thank me later. Get the book now!!

Sincerely,

_______________________________

260
 You can contact Brian Bartes at:

Brian Bartes
PO Box 700424
Plymouth, MI 48170
(734) 254-9970
[email protected]

If you would like to set up a speaking engagement for

Brian Bartes, please contact him at the above number, or
via email.

Brian Bartes works with a very limited number of coach-

ing clients. To inquire about coaching opportunities with
Brian, please contact him directly at the above number
or email address.
… ‰
FOR ADDITIONAL COPIES OF

LIFE LESSONS
A GUIDE TO CREATING AND LIVING YOUR BEST LIFE

www.lifelessonsthebook.com

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 www.treasuryofquotes.com

British politician, novelist and essayist Benjamin Disraeli

wrote, “The wisdom of the wise and the experience of the
ages are perpetuated by quotations.”

LifeExcellence Treasury of Quotes condenses into one small

book a lifetime of such wisdom. The quotes contained in
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Short enough to be read in one sitting, the 128-page

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 Praise for
LifeExcellence
TREASURY OF
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I love that I have a book that I can go to and find a quote
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