Marcia Wieder's article, "Creating Dream Relationships" online at www.thinkholistic.com, declares, "The shortcut step for achieving any dream is share your dreams with others. We build powerful relationships with others by expressing our dream clearly so they understand what it is, and passionately, so they are excited about what we are doing. And then, take the crucial step of inviting them to join you… Become masterful at [inclusion]. [Inclusion], unlike sales, is your ability to share your ideas in such a way that the listener wants to be part of what you are doing."

Wieder speaks of a simple four-step process. First, establish rapport. This creates a connection that puts people at ease and will lend itself to developing trust. Second, build value. Do this by asking questions, being genuinely interested, and "meeting" them where they are. Third, overcome objections or obstacles. This could be as simple as a phone call to discuss the issue with other experts in the field. Finally, secure an agreement. This could be to meet, have a follow-up call, or signing on the dotted line. Inclusion is by far the most essential tool for building your team and great relationships because you can use it in every area of your life. Imagine how your life might change if you could talk to anyone, anytime about your dreams (or theirs) in a way that was transformational.

A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step, and implementing your business plan starts with some serious mental exploration. Take the time to answer each of the following questions on a piece of paper. Keith Varnum, in his article 11 Questions To Kickstart Your Dream (2004), offers the following:

1. Get clued into your true joy. What activities turned you on as a child? What are your hobbies now? When your goals are aligned with your soul purpose, synchronicity kicks in to guide you to your target. When you intuit and own your unique essence and calling, assistance will flow to you from every earthly and heavenly source.


2. Is this your dream, or someone else's? Are your goals your own choice, or what others think you should strive for? Do you want to look back in your old age and wish you had followed your passion? Will you regret having "played it safe?" Is it selfish to go after your own dream? What joy can you give to others if you haven't given it to yourself first? You have a divine right to listen to your heart. You have a social obligation to follow your dream. Only then can you fulfill your destiny and make the earthly contribution you were born to make.


3. Do you really, really want this dream? Do you bound out of bed every morning to pursue your vision? Or is it a lukewarm dream you chase because it sounds meaningful? Only the Real McCoy will generate enough energy to manifest itself in the world.


4. Are you settling for less than? Are you resigned to accepting less than your full share of love, health and success this lifetime? Have you compromised and sacrificed your dream to death? Anything short of living your true passions will never make you happy. Do you want to arrive at the Pearly Gates with the regret of not marrying that one captivating person, starting that fun business, or seeing that exotic part of the world you always wanted to visit?


5. Is your dream actually just a means to some other dream? Is your goal the ultimate end in itself, or merely a limited means to that end? Isn't it really the new car itself you want, rather than the money to buy the new car? More to the core, isn't it really a renewed sense of self-worth you desire, rather than the new car or house to impress the family and neighbors? And isn't it really happiness you want, rather than the picture-perfect mate, job, or body? Focus on the experience you want to create, not the physical form that may or may not bring you that experience.


6. What will you feel like when you reach your dream? Personal passion fuels a vision. Dive into the thrill and exhilaration of the feeling of living your dream. Every moment you can, drink in the joy of having your goal. The Hawaiian Kahuna say, "Where your creative attention flows, so flows your life." Is your daily attention feeding your dream? Do you know where your creative excitement is flowing? It's high time you manifested your aspirations. Dynamic, satisfying creations are nurtured with love and care as a flower in a garden.


7. How will you benefit from getting your dream? Get specific about the benefits you'll receive from achieving your vision. Write down these pros so they will sink in as motivators. What exactly would happen if you made a lot of money doing something you love? How would you approach your life differently if you allowed people to love and support you? What would you do with more vitality and health?


8. What steps can you take today toward your dream? Don't defer your dream. Set up supports and systems around you to instantly translate your intentions into action. Jump on every opportunity that is in line with your purpose and vision. Keep the momentum going. No matter how hectic life gets, pledge to take at least one action a day. Even the smallest actions—jotting down a new idea, reading a single page, or making one phone call—can start to add up. Are there smaller projects that lead to your larger dream that can give you pleasure in the meantime? If the dream is to run a marathon, train for a local fun-run first. Find a way to measure your progress. Track those little wins by writing in a journal or telling a friend.


9. Are you telling yourself: "I can't have my dream?" Most people don't believe they can live their dream. Either their belief system has them believing they can't make a living doing what they love, or they feel they don't deserve their dream. To avoid the pain of feeling they can't have their dream, people often keep their dream so buried they can't remember they ever had a dream. Everyone has a dream! And everyone is destined to fulfill that purpose. Why wait?


10. Are you afraid of getting your dream? Statistically, more heart attacks occur when "good" things happen, than when "bad" things happen! Getting your dream is life-threatening! Of course, realizing your dream is only threatening to your old experience of yourself and your life, you know, the one that's boring, or paining you to death! Change is scary. Find a way to move the energy of fear. The only way to avoid feeling fear is to avoid living altogether! What fears might come up if your dream is manifested?


11. Do you really need to accomplish your dream? Do you really need to achieve your goals to be happy? Enter the "hootless state" where you no longer give a hoot if the exact "picture" of your dream comes true. Without the interference of the ego's push, pressure and micro-managing, you have a much better chance of being in the right vibration, or space, to attract real happiness. When you relax your grip on the exact way your future "has" to unfold, you give the Universe more flexibility in how it can fulfill your wishes. And on a higher plane, what if our true task here on Earth is simply to be who we already are in our essential nature, with or without manifesting our specific goals? What if the essence of who we are is enough?

Career Assessment Questions:
What would you like people to say about your business?
Three attributes of your business of which you're most and least proud of?
What is working well and not well?
Changes you would like to see?

Ideal Career Description
How many hours per week do you want to work?
Do you want associates?
What type of atmosphere do you want?
How much do you want the net profit to be annually?
How much money do you want for your salary after taxes?
What type of clients do you want?
Which professions could provide referrals?
Describe your ideal office in detail, style, décor?
Do you want multiple locations?

Examples of Career intentions
My career supports myself and others in being happy and healthy.
My career is a joyous expression of who I am.
I am innovative and successful in my career.
My career is a source of joy and prosperity.
My career is fulfilling and provides me with the income that I desire.

Next: Goal Setting >>