Here Are Some Specific Ways To Keep The Faith You Have In Yourself Alive And Kicking: * Refuse to let friends push their agenda on you. Only I know whats possible in my life; my friends dont know what Im ultimately capable o doing. This project is an example. It has always been a dream of mine to write a book. You are holding my dream in your hands! With a little ambition and self-sacrifice, you can go a long way.

* Know that not everyone will be supportive of your ideas and plans. Why is it that everyone doesnt rally behind us to help us materialize our dreams? I am as bewildered as you are on that question Here is what I do know: dont let doubters stop you; let them become one of the motivating factors to help propel you toward your ambitions.

* Conquer your own doubts. When I was considering becoming a motivational speaker, I had to affirm to myself over and over that I could succeed. I mustered all my courage to take action, and I went fo my dream in spite of my fears, doubts, and concerns about what others were thinking about me.

* Realize that success takes time. When Christopher Columbus was sailing on the seas, his crew continually asked him to give up. Each time they went to Christopher, he pulled out his binoculars and looked for something to convince his boat mates that land and their success were close. One morning he finally screamed from the top of his lungs when he saw some birds. Why? The birds were evidence that there was land ahead What about you? Are you close to getting your breakthrough? How much time, energy, and money have you invested in your endeavor so far?

To keep your dream alive, your faith in yourself must burn deep within you. I think of this burning belief as the lighthouse that guides you to your destination. When opportunity presents itself like fuel to a fire, it is the passion that ignites your most stunning accomplishments, your most magical moments. I could never have become who I am today without that burning faith in myself. I could never have escaped my village. I would have died young, just as everyone thought. Stay True To Yourself A few years ago when I was new to the speaking industry, I learned that I needed a demo video to promote myself to corporate clients. I didnt have the money to hire a video production company, so I had to come up with a creative way to get the video made. Heres what happened. I was working as a doorman for the Renaissance Waverly Hotel in Atlanta, Georgia. Thats how I got to know the general manager, Herman Gammiter, and the director of catering, Mary Jo Ferrazza. Mr. Gammiter is such an exceptional man. He heard my No Condition is Permanent! presentation at the Vinnings Rotary Club, of which he is a very active member. He was impressed. Next thing I know, he went and asked the human resources director to have me speak to all the hotel employees. You may not know Mr. Gammiter, but that says a lot about who he is. Wouldnt you be glad if your boss supported your deepest dreams and aspirations? I bet you would be more productive at work, too. After hearing me speak at the hotel, Mary Jo became a big fan. She was crazy about me and was convinced that I had enough talent to make it in the speaking arena. She saw the best in me and she took every opportunity to point it out to me and to others. I was certainly moved by the way she embraced my dream. So, I went to both Herman and to Mary Jo with a win-win deal. I asked them to provide me with the food, room, and drinks needed to host a speakers showcase. In return, the speakers would provide training in sales, customer service, and management techniques for the hotel. Next, the other speakers and I each chipped in the money required to d a two-camera video shoot. Then we invited anybody and everybody as an audience, as we needed warm bodies to respond to our presentations.