Can I get personal with you for a minute?
From the moment I first saw the Monkees on TV as a kid (if you don’t know who that is, ask your mom), I knew that I wanted to be a singer. As soon as I could, I learned to play guitar and began writing songs. In my late teens and early twenties, I took every opportunity to perform whenever and wherever I could. To pay the bills, I worked a slew of odd jobs, taught guitar lessons at a local music store, and played more $50 gigs than I can count.
So, there I was, chasing the dream, giving it all I had. And then my singing voice blew out. Acid reflux burned my vocal chords and the dream was over. It felt like the end of the world to me back then. I couldn’t possibly envision any sort of career that would mean as much to me as being a musician.
Fast forward 25 years or so and today, I’m one of the most popular humorous speakers in the entire country. Just about every week, I get to travel all over the country, meeting and speaking to the most amazing people. I can’t imagine any better way to make a living.
It took me a long time to realize losing my singing voice was one of the best things that could’ve happened to me. It forced me to develop parts of myself that I never even knew existed.
If I could write a letter to my younger self, I’d tell myself that no matter what has happened, no matter how bad it looks, the sun will shine tomorrow. Another opportunity will present itself. And the next one might even be better than anything you have dreamed before.
I would tell myself that there is more to you than you can see right now. You have more potential and have greater gifts than you think. Don’t limit yourself to the present. One day, if you continue to develop yourself and apply the Seven Powers of Success, you will look back and be amazed at what you have accomplished.
And I would say the exact same thing to anyone else going through a rough patch.
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