Victoria's comments

I agree - and when you ask people their opinion of your dream, you'll get it! Bad idea.

Karen Thorndike was the first woman to successfully sail around the world ALONE in a 36 foot yacht. She was 50 years old when she decided to do this.

When she asked people their opinion of her dream she was told: "You're crazy" "Why would you ever want to do that?" "You've never done it before." "It's too dangerous" blah blah blah.

And then she said she changed her QUESTION. Instead of asking people their opinion, she asked them how they could help her achieve her dreams.

She walked into a navigation store, stood before a man at the counter and said, "I'm sailing around the world alone in a 36 foot sailboat. What is the best navigation equipment for my trip?"

She said the response was completely different. No more opinions. The man went to work on helping her get what she needed to reach her dreams. (and she went to to become the first woman to circumvent the globe alone in a sailboat)

All dreams deserve respect. It's how we ask others to participate in our dreams that will get us further down the road, or discourage us.

Thanks for writing! Vicky

Thanks Allen for your insight and opinion. Valuable for this discussion and another perspective.

I do find people with little insight - but they're not the ones I coach (for fee). Not all people seek insight.

This artist of which I spoke was not a client but a young man who has accomplished extraordinary things in his life - and as with many people, not aware of exactly how that happened.

The people I coach in Rwanda (the poorest and most fragile) do not see risk in their choices - they see survival. And yet they have risked for a greater good. And I realize it's not always about the goals. It's sometimes just about their life or existence.

Coaching leaders, CEOs and entreprenuers while working in Rwanda has given me this perspective.

I sincerely appreciate your thoughts especially as they pertain to business people. Vicky

Thanks Hsuan-Hua, I belive we're in agreement here.

That's why I call it calculated risk - with awareness, or not. My discussion with my artist friend reminded me (and him) that while he didn't think he had taken risks to this point, it was risk that allowed him to achieve his goals and that self awareness was empowering for him.

And you're right - whether others perceived it as such, knew it, or acknowledged it.

I appreciate your comments. Vicky

thanks for your comments Thomas.

I don't necessarily agree that people are weak in following their dreams.

Often they don't know the steps to overcome their internal obstacles (limiting beliefs exchanged for empowering beliefs) and external obstacles (traded for strategies).

Life and dreams are good days and bad days. I believe a coach is one of the great ways to really decide what you want (big shocker there!)

A great book for dealing with limiting beliefs that stop you from taking risks is Taming Your Gremlin - A Guide to enjoying Yourself by Richard D. Carson. (111 pages WITH drawings!!!)

thanks again for writing - Vic

Hi Helen - yes, I am a Rotarian and also have the chance to attend Rotary in Rwanda. I love Rotary and what that great organization and all that is being accomplished locally and internationally. I do speak in Seattle on occasion and will let you know. thanks so much for writing - and I love the great work you're doing in Seattle. Vicky

Thanks Vicki - I appreciate your thoughts on this - we must believe in what we can do and then we can really go and it.

On a much sillier note, the first time I came to Klamath Falls to testify in a case, I arrived the night before the trial and after settling in decided to look around town. I walked up to the desk at the Motel and asked where I could find the Falls! The look on the teenager's face was priceless. WHO KNEW there were no falls in Klamath Falls!

I sure made her look smart! Have a great day and thanks for writing. Vicky

Hi Pam, thanks for your comments. I've written an article on my profile you might enjoy. I never cease to be amazed by what others are capable of. I just met with a woman who thought she was crazy because she sees herself building a school....feels the sun on her legs....can see the vision clearly. And then she finds the organization I co-founded, Itafari, and that we're building a school in Rwanda. And she said she thought she was crazy. I told her, "if you're crazy, I'm certifiable!" Here's to reaching for the big dreams. I hope you have many. Warmly, Vicky

Thanks for the greeting Nikhil - I look forward to reading more about your thoughts in your articles - I'm going to go to that part of Biznik and comment on your stuttering article...and please feel free to review my article at my profile and give me any of your thoughts.

Warmly, Vicky