Dream and Be Driven

Dee Blick August 21, 2011 Uncategorized 16 Comments

'I'm trying to daydream but my mind keeps wandering.'

I am a huge advocate of the compelling power of daydreaming. Finding a comfortable space in which you can drift into superstardom without those all encroaching ‘what ifs’ blotting your landscape. I don’t know about you but when I daydream I visualise myself in a place where I want to be even if attaining that coveted place entails a huge amount of effort and overcoming of obstacles. I’d like to share with you how one of my dreams has recently become a reality in the hope that it inspires you to dream big and be driven to achieve that dream.

As you may know I have recently written my second book. It took over a year to write and on many occasions it was daydreaming about it reaching the top spot in the bestsellers that kept me going. One of my dreams was that my professional body, The Chartered Institute of Marketing, would not only stock my book in their bookshop, they would also make it their book of the month. My first book had been rejected by CIM so I knew that if this dream was to become a reality it would entail some hard work on my part! And so I contacted CIM on several occasions, only to emerge with nothing. Undeterred, I managed to get through to the decision maker and instead of selling my book  I simply asked him to check out the status of my book on Amazon and to read the reviews. This worked and I was asked to submit my book for due consideration. Even after sending the book I had to nudge the process along with some friendly but focused e-mails and phone messages until I received the news that the CIM bookshop was going to stock my book. Now, you may think that I would be happy with this outcome but I wanted more! And so I sent an e-mail to the bookshop manager, enquiring whether they would consider recommending my book as their book of the month.

And do you know what?

Last week I received a phone call from the manager of the bookshop telling me that he loved my book and it was going to be their book of the month, which means that it will be promoted to 43,000 CIM members worldwide. A large order was placed with my publisher on the very same day that I visited the Croydon branch of Waterstones only to find that my book was their number 1 business favourite.

The older I get the more I realise that dreams are powerful indeed. They drive and motivate us in our darkest and indeed our brightest moments. But if we want those dreams to become a reality, we have to put in the hard yards and back ourselves every step of the way.

Don’t take no for an answer if you just know in your heart and head that a yes is just round the corner…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*

You may use these HTML tags and attributes: <a href="" title=""> <abbr title=""> <acronym title=""> <b> <blockquote cite=""> <cite> <code> <del datetime=""> <em> <i> <q cite=""> <strike> <strong>

Comments

  1. Thea Bredie says:
    August 21, 2011 at 10:29 am

    Love your blog Dee. As usual, well-written and thought-provoking, encouraging others to go for THEIR dreams. Jolly well done, thank you:)

    Reply
  2. Sally Taylor says:
    August 21, 2011 at 10:34 am

    Dee, this is an absolutely fabulous piece of motivational writing. Thank you. Sally x

    Reply
  3. Heather Bestel says:
    August 21, 2011 at 10:53 am

    Dee,
    I was cheering you on all the way as I read your post. Phew! Thank goodness you didn’t give up. So many people would have given in. Thank you for showing us what’s really possible when we’ve got a dream. You always ‘walk you talk’ – an inspiration!!!
    Heather xx

    Reply
  4. Nicky Kriel says:
    August 21, 2011 at 12:55 pm

    I love seeing dreams come true and you deserve it for all the hard work you put into your dreams. I think, Dee, that you have found the right balance of dreaming and taking actions to making those dreams a reality.

    Reply
  5. Sara Westall@msn.com says:
    August 22, 2011 at 6:05 am

    Well done Dee, your enthusiasm is amazing, and is what inspired me so much when I first met you back in March at microbiz. Then, going back to another blog of yours, where you mentioned good customer service and making people feel that they are important, I sent you a follow up email to say hello and thank you for your seminar, and you remembered me, all I had said as I left the room that day was, “hello dee, I’m Sarah, just starting a business in brownies, loved what you said” – and you remembered me!!! well, that sealed the deal for me, with you and all that you believe in. You just know what is right is this industry. And regards to the dreaming, your so totally true. I think it is also partly connected to the subconscious too, and PMA, if you believe that strongly, it will eventually happen. I am very much, if I can’t go through, I will go roy dm over or under to get to where I want to be, with hard work and determination. The daydreaming bit is the bit which allows you to sit still and calm for 5 mins but still enthuse about your passion.

    Reply
    • Sara Westall@msn.com says:
      August 22, 2011 at 6:07 am

      And there I go again, hitting the ‘send’ button before proof reading, apologies for the typing errors.

      Reply
      • dee blick says:
        August 22, 2011 at 10:59 am

        Hi Sarah thank you for such a lovely and full comment. Of course I remember you! I never forget a smiling face and the determined glint in a person’s eye to succeed! Good on you, Dee x

        Reply
  6. David Wike says:
    August 22, 2011 at 8:37 am

    It is important to remember that dreams only come true if you turn daydreaming into action as you say Dee. Most of us probably fail to realise that doors may be ajar and a good hard push can open them wide. A friend of mine wrote a book on management. He is an ardent Manchester United supporter and an admirer of Sir Alex Ferguson. He called Old Trafford and asked to speak to Fergie’s PA and was duly connected. He explained about his soon to be published book and enquired whether the great man might be interested in reading it. The PA said she thought he would so to send a copy to her.

    A short while later Trevor received a letter of thanks signed by Sir Alex and commenting that he’d found the book interesting. Emboldened be this, Trevor approached the PA again and asked if there was any possibility that Alex might endorse his book. And as they say, the rest is history! The seemingly impossible may not be that impossible if you are prepared to try.

    Well done Dee. And feel free to ask me to endorse your next book!

    Reply
    • dee blick says:
      August 22, 2011 at 11:02 am

      Rest assured I will. I do so wish we lived nearer as I know I would find in you such a funny and entertaining companion for chit chats and coffee. We will have to make do with twitter,blogs and the occasional meetup. Loved this story David, absolutely loved it, thank you. Dee

      Reply
  7. Sophie Brooks says:
    August 22, 2011 at 8:49 am

    Very motivational Dee, and many congratulations! Thank you

    Reply
    • dee blick says:
      August 22, 2011 at 11:02 am

      And I have just read a rather wonderful review of my book on amazon from you Sophie so the thanks are all mine, Dee.

      Reply
  8. Julie Williamson says:
    August 22, 2011 at 11:20 pm

    Never a truer word Dee, well done and very many congratulations.

    Reply