MAKE A DOWN PAYMENT ON YOUR DREAMS

The following questions really got me thinking about how I spend my resources on dreams:

• “Do a quick review of the money you spend each month: How much is spent on your children’s dreams? Your spouse’s dreams? The dreams of your extended family, friends, the world? How much is spent on yours?”

• “How can we harness Charles Dickens’ advice to make a down payment on our own dreams?”

• “If you do not currently generate paid income, are any funds in your household budget allocated to you? Are you comfortable with the arrangement you have?“

These power-questions come from the incredible book Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen when You Dare to Dream by Whitney Johnson.

Warning: Reading DARE, DREAM, DO will unleash your pent-up potential, feed your hungry dreams and dare you to do something about it.

Whitney is the co-founder of Clayton M. Christensen’s investment firm Rose Park Advisors–aka–the “Disruptive Innovation Fund.” (Clayton is the author of the legendary book The Innovator’s Dilemma.) She is also a former Institutional Investor-ranked sell-side analyst on Wall Street, a regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, Senior Advisor to the Tribeca Disruptive Innovation Awards, and a TEDx speaker. Whitney also generously did an amazing book review on The Power of Starting Something Stupid here.

About DARE, DREAM, DO, the Amazon blurb explains, “Johnson directs her attention to teaching women, in particular, a three-step model for personal advancement and happiness.” However, I found the stories, examples and principles apply not just to women, but directly to my life personally and to everyone universally. DARE, DREAM, DO is endorsed by both influential women and men including Brené Brown, Gretchen Rubin, Moira Forbes, Barbara Corcoran, Marcus Buckingham, Clayton Christensen and Kent Hatkoff.

I’m going to follow Whitney’s book review style and give you a taste of this amazing book through tweet-able quotes that I found inspiring.

WHITNEY JOHNSON-ISMS FROM DARE, DREAM, DO

“Dreaming is an inalienable right.” @johnsonwhitney

“The act of writing down our dreams allows us to own them and eventually act on them.” @johnsonwhitney

“When there’s something we want to accomplish, the power to achieve that dream often comes from facing our most wrenching sadness.” @johnsonwhitney

“In order to find another piece of who we are, we may need to discard a little bit of who we are right now.” @johnsonwhitney

“Be the hero of your story.” @johnsonwhitney

“Throw out your conventional planning, because dreaming is discovery-driven.” @johnsonwhitney

“Go ahead and date dreams, lots of them–you don’t need to commit to every dream you date.” @johnsonwhitney

“By taking on our challenges, we teach our children to take on theirs, and give them the ability to dream.” @johnsonwhitney

“It’s only when we move beyond what we know we can do and take a risk–or double-dog dare–that we can make our dreams happen.” @johnsonwhitney

“What one thing, one small thing, will you do to dream today?” @johnsonwhitney

BOOM!

THE POWER OF STARTING SOMETHING STUPID IS OFFICIALLY ON THE SHELVES!

“Perfect book for these uncertain times.” — Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media

“Today I have over 120 million YouTube views; it only seems like yesterday when people thought that following my dreams could only be a hobby. Fortunately, as Richie teaches, ‘stupid’ was the smartest thing I could do.” — Devin Graham, content creator for the YouTube channel devinsupertramp

Today is a day I’ve been dreaming of for a very long time. I can’t believe it’s finally here!!! It’s unreal, scary and thrilling—all at the same time.

Thank you to my beautiful wife Natalie—again and again (times a million plus infinity)—for all of her love and support over the past six (yes, six!) years as we’ve researched, written and poured our souls into this book project.

To YOU— Thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting this book and helping give legs to this movement.

Now. . .

LET’S CELEBRATE!

I have a couple of goodies / incentives for those of you who have bought (and are buying) the book for yourself, friends, family, coworkers and people who need a kick to start crushing fear, making dreams happen and living without regret!

“Once in a great while a new author bursts on the scene to light a fire under us. Richie Norton is that rare spark… Be smart: read The Power of Starting Something Stupid.” — Jack Canfield, New York Times bestselling author of The Success Principles, and cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series

NOTE: THE FOLLOWING OFFER IS GOOD FROM TUES MARCH 5, 2013 to SAT MARCH 9, 2013 AT 11:59pm HST

A GIFT FROM ME FOR BUYING BOOKS!

I’m going to make this simple: BUY BOOKS, GET COOL STUFF. Read on!

OPTION ONE: BUY AT LEAST ONE BOOK

THE DETAILS: If you buy one or more hardcover books of The Power of Starting Something Stupid (this offer does not apply to electronic versions, sorry), as a gift from me, you will receive an audio copy of Résumés Are Dead and What to Do About it!

TO QUALIFY FOR OPTION ONE:

1. Buy one or more copies of The Power of Starting Something Stupid
2. Share this post on social media
3. Like my new book’s fanpage
4. Receive an audio copy of Résumés Are Dead and What to Do About it (RAD)!

• To receive your gift, simply email your receipt of purchase to 1StupidBook@Gmail.com.

OPTION TWO: BUY ELEVEN BOOKS OR MORE

This is the one I’m REALLY excited about!

WHY: Before I explain WHAT I’m doing for those who choose this purchasing option, I’d like to explain WHY I’m doing it.

This book is more than words on paper; this is a manifesto for a movement.

This isn’t just a book. It’s so much more than that. It’s a call to action. It’s an invitation to all to stand up, get real and make great things happen in their professional and personal worlds—an invitation to create lives rich in genuine meaning and fulfillment, lives rich in authentic success. 

In the book, I discuss the power of S.T.A.R.T. (Serve, Thank, Ask, Receive and Trust). What I’m doing here is offering you the opportunity to experience the very real power of START in action—with collaboration and guidance along the way!

THE GOAL: I want to bring like-minded people together—people who want to live their lives on purpose. I’m looking for people, from all walks of business and life, who want to build connections, credibility and community. I’m looking for people who are willing to stop waiting and start doing—people who are ready and willing to crush fear, make dreams happen and live without regret.

THE DETAILS: If you buy 11 or more books (you can even purchase them with a group of 10 friends if you want—more on that below), in addition to the free RAD audio, you will have the opportunity to become a part of my Inner Circle (which I talk about in the book) as we embark on The 76-Day Challenge (also mentioned in the book) hand in hand. You will be invited to join an exclusive, private Facebook group where you, other members of the Inner Circle and myself can post, chat, coach, consult and discuss our projects together over the duration of the Power of Starting Something Stupid 76-Day Challenge. It’s going to be awesome!

Additionally, those who purchase 11 or more books will be invited to attend three live teleclasses (which will be recorded for those with scheduling conflicts) over the 76-day period. These telecasts are an opportunity for us to learn together, discuss and process principles in the book on a deeper and more personal level, and to encourage one another to get from where we are to where we truly want to be. This is a very rare opportunity.

TO QUALIFY FOR OPTION TWO: 

1. Buy 11 hardcover books or more (or get 10 friends + you to purchase the 11 copies) of The Power of Starting Something Stupid (this offer does not apply to electronic versions, sorry).
2. Share this post on social media.
3. Like my new book’s fanpage
4. You will receive an audio copy of Résumés Are Dead and What to Do About it (RAD), and have access to my Power of Starting Something Stupid Inner Circle to participate in the 76-Day challenge, and have access to three live Power of Starting Something Stupid telecasts over the 76 day period.

• To receive your gift, simply email your receipt of 11 purchases to 11StupidBooks@Gmail.com (if you are a group of 11, please submit ONE email and attach all 11 individual receipts).

QUESTIONS? ANSWERS.

Q. How does it work?

A. When you email your proof of purchase, I will respond with a link that will allow you to download the audio of R.A.D. If you are purchasing OPTION TWO, along with that email, you will receive a link to a contact form that will allow you to enter your (or your group’s) information to begin the challenge together and have access to the teleclasses.

Q. Do I have to buy all 11 books myself?

A. No. Buying 11 books yourself is the simplest way to get into the group. However, you can also gather 10 friends who have bought books and submit 1 email with all 11 receipts. NOTE: I don’t want 11 separate emails. I want one email from one leader of your 11-member (or more) group to email the receipts all in one email. From there I will send you a form to fill in the names and contact info of each member of your group.

Easiest for you: 1) someone buys 11 (or more) books, sends me the receipt and then gets a link to a form to put in the names and contact info of who they gave the books to so they can be a part of the group. Or, 2) you go ask your family, friends, coworkers and on social media and ask who else has bought a book (and especially encourage people to buy the book :-)) so they can be a part of your group.

Bam!

MORE QUESTIONS? Email me at Richie@RichieNorton.com (Please don’t email me at those other emails with any questions as we may not be able to respond.)

CAN’T WAIT TO MAKE SOMETHING STUPID HAPPEN WITH YOU!

MORE PRAISE

“I absolutely love this book. I love how it makes me feel. It energizes me, inspires me, and gives me confidence. It reminds each of us that all things are possible. . . .This book disrupts conventional thinking—in a smart way.” — Stephen M. R. Covey, New York Times and the #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of The Speed of Trust and coauthor of the #1 Amazon bestseller Smart Trust

“When I wrote The E-Myth Revisited, I wasn’t an author and I really wasn’t interested in business, but I had discovered something about business that nobody else seemed to see, or understand, and I decided to write a book about it. It came like a gift, a huge aha from out of nowhere, and I ran with it. Today, that ‘stupid’ idea (everybody told me it wouldn’t work!) has created the most successful book on small business ever written because of that one, great stupid idea. I thought I was just lucky. Richie just told me that I’m in really good company. Find out why stupid is now the New Smart. Read it, you’ll love it, you’ll find out why thinking stupid makes the best sense in the world.” — Michael Gerber, the world’s #1 small-business guru and author of the bestselling The E-Myth Revisited

“More than just a call to action. This book is a demand for it. One chapter in I felt an involuntary impulse to reexamine my life. Later chapters held my hand as inevitable considerations came up from that process. An important, compelling and authentic read.” — Joseph Grenny, New York Times bestselling coauthor of Crucial Conversations and Change Anything

Personal messages from readers to me and around social media:

“All I want to do is read my advanced copy of Richie Norton new biz book but I have kids to put to bed and lessons to prepare for school tomorrow… it’s better than Downton Abbey to me which is saying A LOT. Richie is brilliant and we share so many of the same beliefs about how to start and grow business that I’m beyond grateful that he’s taken the time to write this book. Chapters 1+2 are awesome so far!”

“OK..I couldn’t wait to tell you this until I finish.. THIS IS AMAZING STUFF. Gavin’s law has been in my heart for years and the pure truth that is coming off these pages is not only poignant but electrifying. Ok, I just had to say it.”

“Completely engulfed by Richie Richie Norton’s new book. So many great lessons only within a few pages of each other. One of my favorites so far: “It’s not the circumstances that we should feel threatened by, it’s the fear of the circumstances that poses the real threat.”"

“So far, chapter 8 is my favorite!! Still have 5 chapters to go, so that may change. But 8…man that got the ideas spinning for me.”

“I don’t think I’ve read a book that fast in a long time.  There were multiple parts that moved me to immediate action as well as long-term planning.  I have pages and pages of notes and I have greatly appreciated the multiple layers of inspiration it has provided me.  Thank you for taking the time to put these ideas down.”

“Thank you for this. I am taking my girls on a 3 month trek around the world and everyone is saying Im crazy for spending the money. This validates my gut feelings that this is my window to have these experiences with my kids before they leave my nest and have their own lives. If I wait till Im 65 they will be to busy with their own families. I totally agree with your post!”

Check out his stuff and hire him! He is professional and unreal talented.N

NEW WEBSITE AND MORE!

The Power of Starting Something Stupid launches tomorrow (March 5)! Woot woot! Thank you to all those that pre-ordered copies. It means the world. Here are some things I’ve had in the works which I can’t wait to unveil to you today! (Please share this infographic with your friends, family and foes.):

• Check out the NEW book website for The Power of Starting Something Stupid, read the Foreword by Stephen M. R. Covey and more!
• Get the book here.
• Download and print The Power of Starting Something Stupid Infographic PDF.
• Click here to subscribe: get bonuses and updates on The Power of Starting Something Stupid.

What is it about quotes that get people moving? I love them. To me, quotes are food—bites of knowledge that can fill our hungry souls. I’ve carefully collected these ten quotes to help inspire me to live a little better. I hope they inspire you too.

1. BELIEVE THE BEST OF YOURSELF

“You are what you believe yourself to be.” — PAULO COELHO

2. BE COMFORTABLE GROWING OLDER

“Know that you are the perfect age. Each year is special and precious, for you shall only live it once. Be comfortable with growing older.” — LOUISE HAY

3. OWN YOUR HAPPINESS

“Don’t waste a minute not being happy. If one window closes, run to the next window—or break down a door.” — BROOKE SHIELDS

4. MAKE WAY FOR POSITIVITY

“Just can’t live that negative way… make way for the positive day!” — BOB MARLEY

5. CELEBRATE!

“The more you praise and celebrate your life, the more there is in life to celebrate.” — OPRAH WINFREY

6. DO SOMETHING FOR SOMEONE ELSE

“You can’t live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you.” — JOHN WOODEN

7. SPEND YOUR TIME ON THE THINGS THAT MATTER

“Every moment you get is a gift. Spend it on things that matter. Don’t spend it by dwelling on unhappy things.” — UNKNOWN

8. RECOGNIZE YOUR BLESSINGS

“Look for the blessing in all situations.” — DR. WAYNE DYER

9. CHANGE YOUR THOUGHTS

“Change your thoughts and you change your world.” — NORMAN VINCENT PEALE

10. BE YOU

“Today you are you, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is youer than you.” — DR. SEUSS

*This offer is now over. Thanks.

I’m crazy.

And I need the support of a small army of people who are even crazier than me.

I’m putting together an Influencers Group to help me create a groundswell surrounding the launch my new book The Power of Starting Something Stupid. The release date is March 5th. I’ve spent six years putting this baby together, and now, I’m in search of a dream team of authentic, dedicated, positive and proactive wave makers to help me spread the word over these last few weeks before and after the book hits shelves on March 5.

It won’t be allllll fun and games (just mostly). I’m going to need a lot of help. It’s going to be work. There may be blood, sweat and tears. (Joke. Okay, half joke.). But, I promise you’ll get a glimpse into the other side of the book world and much more.

(Hat tip and deep gratitude to bestselling author Dan Pink for the following idea. Buy his new book To Sell is Human. I have it. I love it. You’ll love it.)

Here’s what I promise you if you join the Influencers Group:

• Advance reader’s edition (galley copy) of The Power of Starting Something Stupid. You’ll see the book before the rest of the world. A galley is a rare, pre-publication (a collector’s item if you will).
• Audio download of Résumés Are Dead and What to Do About It.
• Access to me (and the other influencers in the group) in an exclusive Facebook group during the period surrounding the launch. This group may just turn out to create mutually beneficial relationships that could last a lifetime. You never know.

Here’s what you promise me you’ll do if you join the Influencers Group:

• Share information about the book far and wide—leveraging your unique strengths and avenues of influence.
• Post a review of the book on Amazon.com on March 5, and encourage others to do the same when they read the book. (Under current FTC rules, you’ll need to disclose your participation in the group and your receipt of the galley.)
• Join the Influencers Group (link will be sent to you if accepted) on Facebook, and be an active participant and collaborator: sharing ideas together to help each other more effectively spread the word.

Important note: This offer is only available to US citizens. There’s limited space available, thus not everyone who applies will be accepted as part of the Influencer Group. A panel of qualified individuals will select the influencers for me. Don’t blame me or feel bad if you’re unable to participate. I still love you and am infinitely grateful for your support. :-)

Apply Now Here (Applications close on Wednesday, January 30 at 11:59 pm (PST))

*This offer is now over. Thanks.

Photo by Semuthutan

After reading this post about 10 Questions, be sure to check out an article I wrote that was published in the Deseret News paper: 10 Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick.

THINK ABOUT LAST YEAR

10. What do you need to leave behind?

9. What do you need to bring with you?

8. What did you avoid doing that you wish you’d done?

THINK ABOUT THE NEW YEAR

7. What will make you feel successful?

6. Why do you really want to accomplish those things?

5. How badly do you want it?

THINK ABOUT THE PRESENT

4. If you could only do one thing today to help you reach your goal(s), what would that be?

3. If there were only one person you could trust to hold you accountable to help you stay productive, who would that be?

2. If you could be anywhere today to be your most productive self (realistically), where would you be?

THINK ABOUT YOURSELF

1. Will you do the work?

###

To get the most out of this post, take a second to read 10 Ways to Make Your New Year’s Resolutions Stick.

DEFINING THE PROBLEM

What do you do when you feel like making a personal change is necessary to your overall happiness and well-being but there is no real pressure or urgency pressing you to make said change?

This is a  a conundrum we all wrestle with. We feel the undeniable need and/or desire to be doing something different in/with our lives, but simultaneously, we can’t bring ourselves to make the change (in many cases read: “sacrifice”) necessary to do it.

We may feel the need to change employment, but we don’t.
We may feel the need to start a specific project, but we don’t.
We may feel the need to pursue higher education, but we don’t
We may feel the need to heal a broken relationship, but we don’t.
We may feel the need to work to improve our spiritual lives, but we don’t.
We may feel the need to take steps toward a healthier physical or emotional life for ourselves and/or our family, but again, we don’t.
(This list could likely go on for eternity.)

It’s important to note that I’m not talking about mere whims and lusts. I’m talking about deep, honorable desires for the betterment of ourselves and/or the overall quality and satisfaction of our lives.

THE PROBLEM: WE DON’T HAVE TO CHANGE A THING

The desire for progression is innate, but the problem we face is that the actual act of progression is also a choice.

Without embracing our inherent need for progress, for positive growth and/or change, we’ll still go on living. Yes. But at what cost?

There is a very real danger present when we suppress our feelings to act on inspiration in exchange for the “safety” of the status quo. We risk sacrificing the opportunity to live a more fulfilling and purpose driven life. We risk sacrificing the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others. We risk sacrificing the beautiful blessing of finding a greater sense of meaning in our own lives.

In short, we run the very real risk living a life of regret.

REAL LIFE INSPIRATION: MEET THE KAISERS

Photo credit: The Blog Is Found

Our dear friends, Nate and Jaclyn Kaiser, recently acted in the face of fear, uncertainty and doubt and found the courage to make a big change.

In their own words:

sometimes without even noticing it the things we build up to stand upon end up caging us inside.

we built it all up and up…a too big for us home by the beach in southern california and a big studio we didn’t really need and never really went to. the more we built, the higher it all got, the less free we felt. it all seemed to make sense when we were building until we realized the toll it was taking. for some reason we kept building up when individually, as a couple, and as a family our heart’s desire was for a life lived more simply. . . we most definitely knew we were ready for a change.

so… we’ve sold our home, closed the doors to our physical studio (not our business, the image is found is still alive and well), and moved 80 miles east and 1 mile up to [a] small mountain town. . . . [we are] loving the fresh perspective our new home and town is providing. . . . we’re not sure what or where exactly the next chapter of our family’s story will be, but we’re fully committed to enjoying, growing and thriving where we are now.

Inspiring, right?!

Nate and Jaclyn didn’t have to make this change, nor were the circumstances of their lives ideal for such a monumental leap. On paper, everything in their lives pointed to staying right where they were, everything in their lives pointed to continuing to head in the exact direction they were headed.

The Kaisers are living out their dream, because they chose to.

And you can too.

Even though they knew it would require sacrifice (as important change always does)—Nate and Jaclyn had the strength to say “no” to the status quo, the willingness to listen to the deepest desires of their hearts, and the courage to ACT on and live out their intent.

What if we all exercised this same courage in our own individual lives?

3 WAYS TO MAKE CHANGE (ESPECIALLY WHEN IT’S “UNNECESSARY”)

1. Determine what will add value to your life

Photo by Paul Bica.

Think about it, what does a ship absolutely need to stay afloat? I’m not a mariner, so I can’t exactly say. . . but what I can tell you is that ships don’t absolutely need lighthouses—but they sure do help!

When it comes to acting on inspired ideas, it’s easy to trick ourselves into thinking we don’t really need to do them, but that’s like a ship ignoring the beacon of light on a rocky shore.

Just like a ship at sea, everything outside of our most basal human needs, isn’t a necessity to “keep us afloat.” Essentially, all we really need to sustain life is clean air to breathe, food to eat, water to drink and rest to sustain us. After the basics, everything else simply adds or detracts value to/from our lives.

Which begs the question: How much value do you want to get out of life?

You get out what you put in.  Approach your life with intent, courage, faith and hard work, and you’ll reap the beautiful value those sacrifices provide. That’s the way our strange world works.

C.S. Lewis explained this principle beautifully when he said,

“Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art…. It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.”

2. Swing the bat

Above photo by Mike Baird

Give your idea a chance. You’ll never hit a home run (or a base hit for that matter) if you don’t swing.

Take comfort in the words of Babe Ruth,

“Every strike brings me closer to the next home run.”

The thing about change is that, regardless of what we do (or don’t do, for that matter) the world is changing all around us. The good news is that as the world changes, new opportunities arise. In an ever changing world, opportunities come at you like balls from the pitcher’s mound—it might be a curve ball: swing anyway.

3. “The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones.”

Confucius said that.

Smart man.

Some “unnecessary” changes can feel like a looming mountain to climb.

But remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day—and your beautiful life of intent won’t be either.

What is one small, “unnecessary,” thing can you do today?

(Hint: As Confucius advised, simply start with that small stone that is right in front of you.)

“A room without books is like a body without a soul.” 

― Marcus Tullius Cicero

I LOVE BOOKS

However, they’re not easy to write. No sir.

Ernest Heminway once said, “There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed.” Robert Frost said, “No tears in the writer, no tears in the reader. No surprise in the writer, no surprise in the reader.” F. Scott Fitzgerald explained, “All good writing is swimming under water and holding your breath.”

Writing is a beast.

WHEN YOU HOLD A BOOK

When you hold a book, you hold a work of art. An artifact of someone’s ideas. Ideas which have been carefully crafted, honed and researched for over a year or two (six years in my case).

“I cannot live without books.” 

― Thomas Jefferson

When you look at a book, you are literally looking at something that someone (actually, probably an army of people if it’s traditionally published) slaved over, cried over, stressed over, poured over. You’re looking at something that took many sleepless nights and an ocean of courage to put into the world. Something someone took a chance on. Something someone was willing to take a risk for. Something someone felt so strongly about they left themselves vulnerable and exposed to critique and perhaps ridicule.

I don’t consider myself a good writer. I’ll leave that to Twain. However, trying to write has given me the greatest respect for writers.

Writing takes guts.

BLURB!

I haven’t revealed much yet about my new book The Power of Starting Something Stupid. So here’s a little something I’m really excited about. Before a book goes to press, you send out your manuscript to people you admire in hopes they’ll give you an endorsement–a blurb. It’s been thrilling to receive endorsements. In fact, they make my mom cry. (Hi, Mom!) Here’s one from one of my heroes Jack Canfield:

“Once in a great while a new author bursts on the scene to light a fire under us.  Richie Norton is that rare spark.  His certainty that the secret to success is to start something stupid is right on and will alter your future.  Thirty publishers thought Chicken Soup was stupid before it sold over 100 million copies.  This new book could not have come at a better time and Richie’s urgent and authentic style is readable, convincing and a compelling blueprint for success.  Be smart: read The Power of Starting Something Stupid.”

— Jack Canfield, New York Times Bestselling Author of The Success Principles, and cocreator of the Chicken Soup for the Soul® series

I’m humbled that Jack would give such a glowing blurb. My goal is that the book will be a source of inspiration for some of the coolest things you do in life and business. I hope The Power of Starting Somethings Stupid helps you to live a life of adventure. To turn those crazy ideas (dreams) inside your head into reality, help you influence the world for good and help your career / business thrive.

THE GALLEY 

(Cell phone picture of the digital version of the galley on my laptop.)

The book is at the “galley” stage. I’ve written it (YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!), with the help of my beautiful wife, Natalie.  A couple weeks ago the book was typeset at the publishing house. The fonts were chosen. The pages were numbered. The artwork and models were polished and placed. The cover art and dust jacket were refined. I received the digital copy and thanks to the hard work of my gracious publishing team at Shadow Mountain, the book looks gorgeous.

All I want to do now is curl up in my bed and finally get some sleep. But I can’t. I’m too excited. I can’t wait for you to read it. Actually. Not really. I can’t wait for you to read it and then go and do something you’ve always wanted because you feel inspired and armed with principles and tools to make stuff happen.

I wish I could just get the book in your hands right now! But alas, traditional publishing is a slow process. There are a million steps between the time the book goes from an idea, to selling the idea to a publisher, to writing the book (yes, I sold it before I wrote it), to being edited, to rewriting, to going to press to hitting the shelves. Perhaps I’ll write a post on the book process another day, but I digress…

A very limited run of galley copies have gone to press and are being sent out to the media for review. SO EXCITING!

Note: Galleys (or “uncorrected proofs”) are rare, privately released copies of the book. They are an expensive pre-publication—also known as an advance reading copy (ARC). The galley is unique because it may still contain errors. Also, changes will most likely be made after the galley is printed and before the book is finalized for retailer distribution.

Birthing a book is an interesting process to say the least.

Life.

It’s the most magnificent and fragile gift we’ve been given.

But it’s messy.

It’s filled with chaos, uncertainty and hard, hard work.

Sometimes it’s overwhelming, terrifying even.

And gosh is it short. . .

But it’s also beautiful.

Joyful.

A real gift if we only choose to approach it that way.

Life is our chance to love, learn and lean into the unknown.

It’s our chance to reach deep within. . .
and there we’ll find that what lies within us, is something far greater than we ever imagined could be.

It’s my prayer that we do the work to find, nurture and live out the very best within ourselves.

And it’s my prayer that we commit to letting go of the rest . . .

Above artwork by the amazing Meredith.

Click here to subscribe: get bonuses and updates on The Power of Starting Something Stupid.

Want to change the world?

Big change often starts with something simple—we all know this (and could likely provide a dozen valid examples at the drop of a hat). But what we don’t know, what we don’t always recognize, is that big change just as often starts with something “stupid.”

Case in point, Twitter?  What on Earth was/is stupider than Twitter? Yet I challenge you to name anything that has had as profound an impact on the world of social media (in the entire history of the Internet). Sure, it’s easy to look at the major micro blogging platform we now know as Twitter and immediately see the brilliance behind it—but at it’s inception? Do you think you would have seen the potential, the sheer genius? (If so, high five. You’re likely very far outside the norm.) The truth of the matter is that in the early days, nobody got it. Even some of Twitter’s own engineers weren’t convinced of it’s viability.

From the Wall Street Journal :

“’A lot of people thought it sounded stupid,’ Stone [co-founder of Twitter] said. ‘Even some of our engineers weren’t interested.’”

Nevertheless, they pressed on with their high and mighty (and fantastically grandiose) goal, “to change the world.” As in, their goal was literally to take this idea that everybody else said was stupid, and change the world.

Here’s what “twttr” looked like before it became Twitter.
Photo by Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Twitter.
Click on the link above to read the backstory in Jack’s own words.

WHAT’S YOUR STUPID IDEA?

For a myriad of reasons, many people stop themselves from setting big (aka: real) goals and dreaming big (again: real) dreams, and that’s simply not OK. It leads to living life always wondering “what if. . .?”

You’ve got to get your goals/dreams out of your head, and down onto paper where they belong. The journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step, isn’t that what they say? In the world of dreams and goals, the first step is putting a pen to paper . . . it’s how you really own what you want out of your life.

Don’t know how to begin? Here are a few simple scenarios to help you get started:

What would you do if. . .

• lack of time wasn’t an issue?
• lack of money wasn’t an issue?
• lack of education and experience weren’t issues?

Scribble down whatever idea(s) come immediately to mind, and there you go. These are likely some of the most significant goals/dreams of your life.  Soooooo, GET TO WORK. Begin where you are. Start small. You never know what might happen. You may just change your life and even the lives of countless people around you. At the very least, you’ll be offering yourself the ability to live your life without wondering, “What if . . .?”

UPDATES FROM RICHIENORTON.COM

—I have finally adopted Twitter (I can hear jaws dropping all over the world). I may have been slow to jump onboard, but I’ve posted more than 200 tweets chock-full of happy quotes, pictures and good news, to help myself, and whoever else sees them, stay inspired and make the most of each day. Twitter is more fun than a barrel of monkeys, well maaaaybe. . .a barrel of monkeys would be pretty fun, too! Either way, you can follow me here.

—My book The Power of Starting Something Stupid has been (the most challenging and) the most important project I’ve ever worked on. I’m thrilled with the way it’s coming together. I can’t wait to share more information with you soon! Stay tuned!