DREAM STEALERS...

BEWARE!! THEY ARE EVERYWHERE

By Patricia Drain

Years ago I met someone who was my first KNOWN dream stealer.  I had just written my first book and was very protective of it.   I named it HIRE ME SECRETS OF JOB INTERVIEWING.  I didn’t know if it was well written or would be successful, but  that really didn’t matter to me at the time. The sole purpose was to help people  get  job offers.

I  owned  a Recruiting/Staffing firm in Phoenix Arizona. Every day it was my job to prepare our candidates to   interview with our client companies for  new career opportunities.  The book had all the ingredients necessary to show how to get in the game of interviewing, answer  questions that most of our clients  asked,  get the job offer, and make a decision.

I didn’t market the book or even tell anyone about it.  Why?? 

Because I was so afraid that someone, especially someone in the same business I was in, would see it and make fun of me for writing it.

Be careful what you focus on.

A couple of months after writing the book the dream stealer entered my office..  She picked  up my book and said very sarcastically  “You have got to be kidding ...YOU wrote a book?”

Embarrassed I said “yes, all I am trying to do is help our clients get a job and to also be aware that  interviewing is a  game so they shouldn’t take it personally”

In response she said   “I am also writing a book about interviewing.  At the present time it is all in my head.  It’s ok though because I have a mind like a computer.  All the chapters are compartmentalized, I even have a clear picture of my cover.    I must say however MY book  is MUCH thicker than yours and much “meatier”   In fact I noticed that  your  chapter on resumes is just a few pages, mine has over 100 pages so far.”

I don’t know what came over me but I saw her for what she was in that instant.  A DREAM STEALER, AN INTIMIDATOR, A BULLY.

I said   “You know the difference between your goal and mine???  She said “no what?”

“Your goal is still in your head.....I wrote mine down in the form of a book”

Sweet revenge.............Is her book done to date........NO!  Did my book get picked up by a major publisher because it was simple, easy to read, and could help thousands of people get a job?”   YES!

I tell you this story because I was reminded just weeks ago about all the dream stealers that have come into my life over the years.  It was on this trip down memory lane that I realized

Dream stealers are everywhere!!!  We must be aware and  prepared to run……… not walk away from them.  I knew I  had to share with others that dream stealers   come in all varieties. Teachers, friends, associates, even family members.  They might even tell you very good reasons why you should listen to them because it is “for your own good”

My last dream stealer was the force behind  this story.  Actually my last dream stealer I actually  PAID.  That’s right I paid him $1000 to TRY to steal one of my dreams.

It happened in Las Vegas…….

My partner Debbie and I signed up for his seminar, paid our money, got on a plane, checked into a hotel, took a cab to his event and proceeded to have a dream stealer tell us what we can’t, shouldn’t and couldn’t do.

When we decided to  walk out on his training session after identifying him as a dream stealer we asked for our money back. (something neither of us have ever done in our lives)  We were very uncomfortable with the situation but we promised each other that as soon as we got the money  we would both buy  items that would remind us of  future dream stealers.

 Debbie bought a small but perfect diamond that  would remind her not to let ANYONE take the “twinkle” out of her dreams.  My reminder  was the famous BOSE  ear phones that would  remind me NEVER  listen to ANYONE who tries to steal your dreams through intimidation or wrong information.

If either of these stories ring a bell for you or reminds you of any of the dream stealers that have been in your life so far, or are about to appear, get a reminder that works for you.  A reminder that will help you become aware  everyday

Then

GO FOR YOUR DREAMS

To learn more about Patricia Noel Drain  view her website at www.PatriciaDrain.com.

Patricia Noel Drain is the co-founder of MAXIMIZING SUCCESS, INC. For more information about the next event go to http://www.maximizingsuccess.com. Ms. Drain is an international author and speaker living in Arizona. Visit her online at http://www.patriciadrain.com