Do You Snooze and Lose?

Something very interesting happened yesterday. I took it as a great reminder for myself, and an opportunity to teach a valuable lesson to my preschooler.

A few years ago (maybe 3 or 4 years), a friend of mine was telling me about an idea he had for a children's book.

I thought it was a great idea -- it was about a yawn that starts out innocently enough, and then travels from person to person.

Recently, I asked him if he had done anything with it. He said no, he had given up on that dream.

Yesterday, I was at Sam's Club and I always browse through the children's book section to see what's new.

Can you guess what I saw?

I saw a children's book about yawns...how they travel from person to person (only in this book, it was from animal to animal). It was an adorable book, but it was NOT written by my friend.

Some guy in England published the book in 2006. It was now making its first U.S. edition in 2007.

Too bad my friend won't get any of the blessings that come with publishing a successful children's book -- but then again, he didn't take the steps necessary to fulfill his dream.

Have you ever had a wonderful idea, done nothing about it, and then seen your idea for sale on TV or elsewhere?

If you're like me, your first reaction was probably: "Hey! That guy STOLE my idea!"

But the fact of the matter is that THAT GUY took action, and YOU did not. HE was commmitted to the fulfillment of his vision. You were not.

Kind of a tough pill to swallow, but completely true.

I took this opportunity to teach my 3 1/2 year old a lesson about taking action on her own great ideas. She then informed me that she had a great idea, one that involved her and ice cream. That's OK, I know the lesson was sinking in.

QoD:

What great idea have YOU had lately that you're not taking action on? What 3 steps could you take TODAY to move you closer toward fulfilling your vision for this idea?

Just go for it!