So, there’s
this kid named Jack.
He’s seventeen years old. He loves musical theater. He sings. He dances. He acts. He’s a triple threat. He dreams about being on Broadway when he’s older.
Jack discovered a company called the Broadway Collective. They run a summer program in NYC—five days of master classes led by Broadway legends, plus tickets to Tony Award-winning shows, dinner with cast members, and lots more. Basically, an absolute dream for any young performing artist.
Jack really wanted to attend this summer program.
His parents told him, “We love you, and we support you, but if you’re serious about this… then you need to earn money for the tuition, airfare, and hotel by yourself.”
Oh, Jack was serious.
He started mowing lawns, babysitting, doing all kinds of jobs after school. He saved up. One dollar at a time. Little by little, his dream-fund grew… and grew.
It took about a year, but he did it. He earned the cash. He enrolled. He got himself to NYC. When he arrived, he walked into the
dance studio with fire in his eyes, looking like a tiger. He’d fought to be there. He made his dream happen.
Maybe you know someone just like Jack—someone who’s ferociously devoted to their goals. I think there’s a “Jack” inside every one of us. We all have that same power.
I once met a woman who
sold all the furniture in her living room so that she could attend a business conference and meet her lifelong hero.
I know several people who wake up at 5am so they can crush a weightlifting session at the gym before the rest of the world even wakes up.
I know someone who spent a whole summer
working on a fishery in Alaska, sloshing around in freezing water, knee deep in fish guts. Why? So she could save money—money that she re-invested into her art, producing a series of plays and one-woman shows.
This is how dreams are built. With deep love and passion. With tough choices and priorities and piggy banks that (usually) fill slowly over time. With persistence and determination and
sometimes, an old lawn mower that you borrowed from a friend. Whatever it takes.
What about you?
Will you mow a lawn for your dream?
Will you sell a couch for your dream?
Will you wake up at dawn for your dream?
Will you sweat for your dream? Make an effort for your dream? Show up for your dream? Take a risk for your dream? Endure a tiny bit of temporary discomfort for your dream?
Just like Jack, we all have a “lawn” (literal or metaphorical) that we need to mow—some type of step that needs
to completed in order to move closer, closer, closer to The Big Dream. Whatever your dream may be, and whatever your lawn may be…
Start mowing.
-Alex
PS. If you enjoyed
today's piece and you'd like to share it with a friend (or, share it on your blog, social media, whatever you're into) here's a link.
PPS. I've been making tons of music playlists lately! The vibe is: high energy, wake
up, let's go, get on your feet and dance. Great for an intense run, yoga session, or gym workout. Here they are: one, two, three, four, five, six. Enjoy! Or, if you're in the mood for something much more peaceful, here's some music I found on YouTube that's super mellow. And this is soothing and beautiful, too.
PPPS. Side note: If you're a
parent and you've got a kiddo at home who loves to sing, dance, act, perform... seriously, check out the Broadway Collective. Robert Hartwell is the founder—and a friend of mine. He's an incredible teacher who spreads positivity, confidence, and joy everywhere he goes. The Broadway Collective is on tour right now, visiting 12 cities. Robert and his crew are doing a
one-day performing arts workshop for students (ages 10-21) in each city. All experience levels: welcome. Check and see if they're coming to your town and enroll now.
PPPPS. Whatever you're working on these days... please don't forget to celebrate the tiny goals and tiny
victories. Every step counts. Every lawn. Every email. Every little act of bravery. Everything. You're doing a great job.