This is it! The final day of the 100 day stretch to test out a dream. Today I received a little surprise in my inbox: 2 opt-ins for a email list I’m trying to create to provide consulting advice for those seeking dreams of their own. It’s a project I’ve been working very hard to create. I’ve spent many weeks learning about the software needed to provide the marketing and auto-responses that are required in order run an effective career consulting business, and I’ve have many hiccups along the way (a lot of them technical glitches).
But today some positive results came in the form of those opt-ins. It doesn’t mean instant success, of course. I have many more weeks of testing ahead to see if I can get the system up and running to the point where I can have a paying customer base that will provide enough sales to justify the new business. But it’s a much needed positive start. I will work as hard as I can in the remaining time I’ve allotted to carry forward my own dreams.
It’s important to note that the work done on career consulting will pay dividends for the writing and photography dream because the software system can be easily converted to book or print sales. In other words, the opt-in emails of tomorrow will serve as a form of cross marketing, providing separate streams of income from customers that are treated well. I’ve got a lot of work ahead of me to make this possible, but I know it can be accomplished if I remain open to new ideas and I continue to learn new techniques.
One thing is for certain: The decision to spend time and money on dream is the best decision one can make. Too often people only think of their dreams and never take the steps required to making them a reality. The dream remains just that–a dream. If I could give one piece of career advice to anyone it would be to stop making excuses for not going after their true goals. You can find the money. You can find the time. You can learn anything you need to learn to make that dream a success. It won’t be easy, perhaps, but it can be done if you commit yourself to it 100%.
And that, above all, is what these 100 days taught me.
Best to you and your dreams,
-Vincent Lowry