Are You a Spectator or Are You a Participant?

About 10 years ago, I had a dream where I was playing in a football game. The first strange thing about the dream was that I was playing offense and defense at the same time. As I looked up from my defensive end position, I looked up to my right … up into the stands. What I saw startled me even more because I was looking back at myself. How could I be in three places all at the same time? At that moment, I heard a James Earl Jones type of voice ask, “Are you a spectator or are you a participant?”  As the play was about to start, I looked back at the line of scrimmage. I then heard the voice ask again, “Are you a spectator or are you a participant?” Then the voice added this statement, “The choice is yours.”  There was something comforting and frightening about the phrase “the choice is yours.” I knew that choosing either choice, I would be accepted by the voice.

This dream really disturbed me because I had come to a major crossroad in my professional life. I had produced workshops and had spoken to many groups for the last 20 years, but never had I produced my personal program. I knew the voice in the dream was right. It was my choice, and the choice was to be a participant or to be a spectator. Either decision had its own element of risk. As a spectator, I was not as visible and the risk was seemingly low. The risk however, was that by being a spectator I would never realize my personal vision. If I chose to be a participant, it seemed that my risk would be extremely higher. I would be visible and would be open to possible ridicule and embarrassment. I knew though that only by being a participant would I ever embrace my vision.

Within three weeks, I had designed, produced and delivered my first full day workshop entitled “Financial Magic.” Since that first workshop, I have had many opportunities to ask myself  “Am I a participant or am I a spectator?” This one question has allowed me to open many doors that have taken me towards my vision.

Recently, I had the dream again. It reminded me to consistently ask myself “Am I a spectator or am I a participant?”  So why am I sharing this dream with you? Because I want to encourage you to live life with as few regrets as possible. My suggestion then is to do three things.

First, ask yourself the question “Are you a participant or are you a spectator of your vision?”

Second, embrace your fears. Fear is normal in life. It’s your reaction to fear that will determine your outcomes. Fear can immobilize or it can motivate us forward.

Third, launch! No matter how you answered the first question, you still have to show up.

My encouragement to you is to take these three steps. They are simple and quick and I know you will appreciate the results.