This was a book written by a husband and wife who have started many businesses together including Blanchard and Blanchard gourmet foods. I had never heard of them before, like usual. But I did really enjoy this book more than I anticipated. I read it in one night.
“…we’ve identified four checkpoints in life that help us connect our dreams with reality…the Big 4: PASSION, PEOPLE, ENVIRONMENT, and MONEY…”
These are the Big 4 checkpoints that Bob and Mel use to make decisions not only on their dreams or work, but life in general. I like this formula it seems to encompass everything. They say money should always come last. You need to make sure you have the other points in place first. Which makes sense. When you want something bad enough you will find a way to make it happen. Money isn’t the why, it is the how.
“Feelings have been–and always will be–the bedrock of our lives. Time and again we’ve faced potentially life-changing decisions that seemed to offer overwhelming advantages and decided against them. Why? The more logical choices simply didn’t feel right. Recognizing the value in every experience and checking your dreams for practicality are crucial ingredients for making a life you love, but you must also learn to trust your feelings.”
Feelings are everything! Which is funny because I give you all a hard time for being so emotional. However, feelings are very different from emotions. Feelings come from your senses and your nervous system and are computed in your logical brain. While emotions come from your limbic system and are computed in your reptilian brain. Things need to feel right with your sense and your critical logical brain.
“To live a life you love is more than just putting in time, earning money, and coexisting with people. It is to live with a life you passion, significance, and meaning.”
Logotherapy remember? Viktor Frankl seemed to explain what everyone knows, but didn’t have the words for. To find meaning and purpose is the key to living a happy/good life. People figure it out after a lifetime of hit and miss. But Bob and Mel seem to have figured it out early on in their lives and implemented this philosophy over and over. Even giving up opportunities that other people would die for.
“Has there ever been something you’d love to do, but couldn’t quite put all the pieces together to make it happen?…That happens to us all the time.”
Just because the answer does not appear with ease, does not mean it is not possible. It just means it is not easy. If good things were easy everyone would do them. Life is meant to be easy and put us at ease. But there are some things in life worth struggling for and working hard. Which often just means thinking outside the box in ways others do not.
“…choose a rich life over an expensive lifestyle…”
Being rich is not the same thing as having a lot of money. Money cannot buy happiness. Yes, it can get you on a beach in a bikini. But it will never be able to soothe the demons you have on the inside. In order to be rich, you have to battle your demons and win. Not just make friends with the monsters under your bed, but you need to banish them. You need to make your peace with them. This is what rich is. Because when you are not constantly battling your demons and dealing with monsters, you can create the life of your dreams in reality. I like to say “Sweet dreams of realities to come”. You have to battle your demons and win. Otherwise your whole life will be a war.
I would recommend and suggest this book for everyone, but especially people who are struggling with creating a business or doing anything outside of the box. Life is meant to be lived. And if you really want to live your life you have to throw out the cookie cutters that people try to make you fit into. Stop living for others and life for yourself and your own happiness. Living for your own happiness is surprisingly the hardest thing I have ever done in life. Maybe it is easier for you? But never stop trying to make your dreams reality. Because that is when the demons and monsters have conquered you. And remember who cares if you look weird or unusual if you are living your dreams. Would you rather look like everyone else and be miserable? Misery loves company. Spend more time alone.
If there was ever a quote to describe me that would be it! “Misery loves company. Spend more time alone.” Pure Gold!