in this issue

Marcia's Dream Notes

The Myth of 
Prerequisites

Dream Quote

Dear Marcia

Big Dreamers Share

Introducing the
Great American
Dream Challenge!

My Dream Coach News

 dream quote

"For a long time it had seemed to me that life was about to begin. But there was always some obstacle in the way, something to be gotten through first, some unfinished business, time still to be served, a debt to be paid. Then life would begin. At last it dawned on me that these obstacles were my life." 

-- Alfred D Souza

dear marcia

My dream is to become a successful coach, author, and speaker, and I am facing the dilemma of going back to work full-time because my family needs a certain level of income or starting my practice.

In just a couple of days since making this request for clarity and funding, an amazing and interesting opportunity has arisen for very lucrative part-time consulting work, which would give me (potentially) both the income I need as well as the time, flexibility, and space to continue my coach training and practice building. In addition, the learning that I could get from the work for this client, the direct training the client could offer me, as well as the contacts, could all be invaluable to my coaching practice -- the best of all possible worlds!

The client suggested that we base my compensation on a percentage of his business. In theory this sounds great, b/c as he grows I become more lucrative. In the short-term, however, this could be dangerous, as I could put in a lot of upfront time that goes uncompensated or undercompensated.

Am I crazy to consider a percentage, or should I consider a flat fee, retainer, hourly, or some other format?

As a MBA in Marketing and as a freelance marketing consultant for the past four years, I can command an hourly rate of $85-$100. If you were my client, what do you think this service would be worth? I would be doing all the marketing -- what would you pay to grow your business by a ten-fold increase?

Thank you, 
Michelle H

Dear Michelle,

Good for you for asking for help. The simple answer is commissions usually range from 10-30% depending on how much work is done, who generates the lead, what kind of margins are available and more.

But my real question for you is this. Is this work aligned with your vision? Will it bring you closer to your dream? I do think training is valuable, but sometimes we'll take a job for the money and it consumes us or takes us off track. That is the important question. Of course you need to pay your bills. Explore what you can do now to begin to earn money speaking, coaching and writing.

Warmly,
Marcia

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 (c) 2004 Marcia Wieder.  
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Dear Big Dreamer,

In last month's newsletter, I said that this month, I'd be writing about Shortcuts, and the Myth of Prerequisites. But as I got into writing the article, I realized that there were really two distinct articles, and that somehow, I'd fallen into creating a prerequisite for myself that said I should write about them both at the same time before I went on to write some of what I want to share with you this fall. How fun that I get to experience my own lessons!

This is no coincidence. As I work on my own dreams, I've had to slow down and learn to really listen to the messages I get, figuring out which ones are real, good, true, and serve me and my dreams, and which ones are false, fear-based, and keep me stuck.

My want for you this month is that you take the time to listen -- to decide which messages are really meant for you, and which ones are those "spinning endless mischief on the surface." You can tell the difference, and noticing it could be all you need to get into action around your dream!

Warmly,

Marcia

Some prerequisites are real. For instance, it's true that you do have to go to medical school and graduate before you can become a doctor. If the prerequisites are real, create a project out of them and look at the strategies and tactics you need to take to move past the prerequisites and into the doing.

Most prerequisites, though, are myths, or flat-out lies you tell yourself. It's actually rare that you have to do or have A before you can have or do B. You don't have to lose ten pounds before you achieve your dream and learn to scuba dive. Love yourself and your dream enough to go do it now! You don't have to save oodles of money before you have children. Just do it, and raise them with love, living within your means. You don't have to be able to run a six-minute mile before you sign up for the 3K race for your favorite charity. Walk if you have to, but get involved!

Don't let "shoulds", a falsehood or fear, keep you from what you most want. Examine the prerequisites you believe you have to take care of, acknowledge the fear that put them in place, and then realize that you can skip right over them and get on with the joy of living your dream!

Resources you can use:

Book:  Embracing Your Inner Critic : Turning Self-Criticism into a Creative Asset, by Hal Stone, Sidra Stone 

Book:  The Dark Side of the Light Chasers: Reclaiming Your Power, Creativity, Brilliance, and Dreams by Debbie Ford 
 
Workshop: The Shadow Process

Big Dreamers Share

• Ann has been booked in place of Donald Trump speaking at a national radio executives annual conference in July! He was to speak on *You're Fired - Now What?* but can't due to filming the Apprentice....board members in Chicago saw 2 articles on Ann's IGFP (IGotFiredParty.com) in the Chicago Tribune and called to book her. Her goal is to re-launch a speaking business and help get the word of moving on after job loss to those who need it.

• Betsy offers news-you-can-use to live lighter on the planet, tips, trends and terrific examples of people and programs that are making an environmental difference through her radio feature, EcoTalk on KCBS and AirAmerica Radio. Her take is its not about "saving the planet" (it will survive) but about preserving a quality of life that ensures clean air, water and uncontaminated food for our kids and generations to come. She shared that her goal once was to be the "Martha Stewart of garbage" (a limitless resource for ideas to reduce, reuse, recycle) but she was never an apt role model for Betsy, who says she's no domestic diva and never buys stocks! Since her strength seems to be informing and inspiring others to view "our environment" in a more personal and spiritual way, her new dream is to be the Green Oprah! Learn more here: www.ecotalk.net and www.dontbefueled.org

• Susan shared that she's going to appear in a movie starring Diane Lane and Christopher Plummer. It's about a single woman looking for love, and Susan will play herself as a singles coach (www.susanpage.com), conducting a women's group.

Do you have a dream come true that you want to share?  Please send it to: marcia@mydreamcoach.com so we can all celebrate in your success!

Great American Dream Challenge

Announcing the Great American Dream Challenge!

"The American Dream" was first referenced in the book, The Epic of America, where James Truslow Adams wrote, "Here life should be better and richer and fuller for everyone, with opportunity for each according to ability or achievement."    

Life changed dramatically for us all on Sept. 11, 2001. Even now, life feels uncertain and many have lost hope entirely. Some say this is not a time to dream. I say there's never been a more important time. Without vision, companies and countries fall, and without our personal dreams, hopes and aspirations, life can become meaningless.

For this reason, I've created the Great American Dream Challenge.  The Challenge is simple, yet powerful. Pick a dream -- (at least one), small or large, personal or professional -- that matters to you.  Make the commitment to achieve it (or a portion of it) by September 11, an essential day to demonstrate that we are still a nation of dreamers.  On that day, members of My Dream Circle will come together at a live event in San Francisco to demonstrate that we are still hopeful, and we are still dreaming. We will celebrate our success and create new dreams for the year ahead!

To join the Challenge, set 9/11 as the date for you to accomplish something important. Get started today by going to www.MyDreamCoach.com and posting your dream; you'll be automatically entered in a drawing to win a set which includes my book and tapes, "Making Your Dreams Come True". Let us know you're still dreaming, and we'll let your dreams and the dreams of others send a message to the world!

We'll update you monthly on what's happening, and we sincerely hope you'll tell your friends, family, and colleagues about the Challenge, and urge them to get involved!

My Dream Coach News

We love sharing your dreams and achievements, and we want to share ours with you, too!  Here's what's happening in our world this month:

• Marcia launches the Great American Dream Challenge in her most recent San Francisco Chronicle article. Read the article here.
  
  
• HerPlanet.com names Marcia "Extraordinary Woman of the Week!" Read the fabulous interview they did with her, here, and learn Marcia's two secrets for having a joyful, fulfilling life; find out what happens on a Passion Quest; and discover what kind of "junkie" Marcia really is!
  
  
• Overheard in My Dream Circle: 
  Joel Garfinkle, on ""Love Your Work: The Secrets To Unlocking Our Gifts And Potential At Work" • David Dibble, on "A New Mindset for Transformation" • Susan RoAnn, on “Secrets of Savvy Networking” • Janet Manchester, on "Discover Your Leadership Power" • My Dream Circle members are supporting each other with the Great American Dream Challenge; some of the dreams being worked on are: running a first marathon, publishing a book, losing weight, creating a firm financial foundation, and creating a coaching program for Oprah!

- Coming next month - 
Shortcuts on the Path to Your Dreams!