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Suffering from Success, Memoirs of A Dreamer
Photo Credit: deviantArt
It’s been a long time since I’ve discussed, anything relating to dreams or being a dreamer. Last night while in deep thought, the words Suffering from Success, Memoirs of A Dreamer dropped into my spirit. Now I wouldn’t be right if I didn’t tell you, that I’ve watched Memoirs of A Geisha like seven hundred times.
I haven’t watched that movie in a couple of years though. So it was kind of odd that I’m about to use the story line. The subject matter and concept was breeding ground for this title. Now ya’ll know I’m about to dispel myths today, right? It wouldn’t be me if I didn’t get you to thinking about the heart of the matter. You can’t happy your way into success. I am going to show you how success comes with many character building circumstance and situations that most won’t share.
Suffering from Success, Memoirs of A Dreamer
Listen I come bearing real news, real good news. There are many Suffering from Success. Then you have those who want the prize, but rarely want to go through the trials and tribulations that comes with it. This means you may be met with resistance and imitators, attempting to rob the vision of those who have a dream, a vision or Kingdom assignment.
The road to your destiny can be a lonely time. You will often be left in unfamiliar environments. The powerful thing about a dreamer is you can adapt, and your survival skills kick in. The same happened with Sayuri. She was now in a house where Geisha’s lived. She admired and dreamed of being free, and walking among the elite.
When it was her time to taste the fruits of success, along came the characters. You will also be met with role players like the ones I am about to discuss. Allow this post to help you discern those that will come along during your triumph to success. Use this as an opportunity to strengthen your character, build your confidence and open your senses.
Suffering from Success Memoirs of a Dreamer
Sayuri – The Dreamer
Life can start out rough for dreamers. Keep your faith, and remember there’s purpose in the pain. Nothing that comes easy lasts, and nothing worth having comes without a fight. As much as we want to assume that our dreams will come without work or adversity, it’s just not true. Just know that in the end you WIN!
Hatsumomo – The Mentor
Many believe that you are to choose your mentor or coach. In all reality, it’s the other way around. Your mentor is special because they will see something in you that others won’t. They’ll take a risk on you, and have the keen discernment to know your dream even when you haven’t fully disclosed it to them. They will be the one making the choice to invest in you. That’s another story for another day.
Characteristics of a good mentor can be the following:
- They have been through something similar to you, and have overcome.
- They will come and confirm your dream, not try to change it to meet the standards of normality.
- They will fight alongside with you during the journey.
- They will stand when you are weak, and strengthen you through prayer and encouragement.
- They will challenge you out of your comfort zone.
- They will not be “YES” men/women.
- They will know the route you need to take and not take the easy way out.
These are just a few of the traits of a mentor or what I like to call a midwife. They will be in the birthing room with you when you push out your dream/vision.
Mameha – The Adversary
You will always encounter someone who is afraid of your success. Funny thing is, you may not have problems with this person. In the movie Sayuri started out admiring and looking up to Mameha. Instead of feeling honored by the presence of Sayuri, Mameha felt threatened. Allow this type of person to confirm that you have what it takes. The threat wouldn’t come if there wasn’t something inside of you, that caused her fear of losing her own identity. Mameha was successful at the top of her game and doing the dagum thang.
There was not need to feel that way about Sayuri, but she did.
When you face this kind of adversary do the following:
- Kill them with kindness.
- Continue with your training.
- Stay focused, as that person will attempt to send you distractions.
- Stay humble, as this adversary will also attempt to humiliate you.
- Never stop believing.
This is just the foundation needed to build your dream upon. During this time, you will acquire the necessary skills, endurance and tenacity required to live your dream.
Pumpkin – The Side Kick
Everyone has the fence riding side kick. Pumpkin was weak and needed consistent reassurance. She started out as a friend of Sayuri’s. But when the fire came, she quickly jumped ship. She became Mameha’s flunky and was used as a pawn to hurt Sayuri. This is the distraction I spoke about earlier. Because most dreamers are loving, it can be hard to see someone treated as a mere mole in a game.
Here’s how to handle the side kick:
- Stay cordial. Your character will teach this person how to fight fire with faith.
- Allow this person to watch you climb your mountain to success. They in turn will become the witness to how God works in your life. Kinda like free publicity. They’re important to the cause.
Side kicks don’t really hate you. They hate themselves for not being strong enough to live and fulfill their own dreams.
Memoirs of a Dreamer
Character and Role Players
Nobu – The Imposter
There are so many opportunities that will come that may look like it’s the gateway to your dream. Nobu wanted Sayuri bad, and was willing to pay a high price to have her. Sayuri was aware that this was not the dream she had in mind, but entertained Nobu. Saddened by the thought of not being able to have her dream, she never expected he would be the road that lead her to her dream.
Don’t be discouraged when you have to take opportunities that don’t fit your dream. These are chances to be re-assured of what you want. This time will enlightened you to all the things you don’t want in your life.
This is down time when your discernment is sharpened. You get to see each character for who they really are. It’s training ground.
Chairman – Your Dream
Nobu lead Sayuri right to the Chairman. Since Sayuri was entertaining Nobu, it put her in the position to be noticed by the Chairman. What seemed like a bad situation, actually turned out to be the path that introduced her to her dream. The Chairman was everything she wanted. Everything she had dreamed about. When things got really bad it was the Chairman who saved her.
What can we learn here about your dream?
Just when you are all out of time, out of faith and out of patience, your dream shows up. You’ve encountered just about every bump in the road. You may have even thought you would never see your dream manifest. Just at the right time you’ll see that which you had the faith to believe.
Here is what the characters, circumstance and situation prepares you for:
- Your dream when it arrives
- Your discernment to recognize it
- Your tenacity to wait for it
- Your trust with your mentor
- Your character to maintain it
- Your patience to keep believing know matter what
I know this may have been a long post. I might have lost some along the way. But I believe, that whomever got the message is well on their way to seeing their dream come true. Don’t shoot the messenger. I’m just the writer of Suffering from Success, Memoirs of A Dreamer. I’d love to know what you were able to get from this story below.
About the Author:
Maisha Guy, Los Angeles native and bluegrass Kentucky transplant, is no stranger to overcoming adversity and turning tragedy into triumph.
Maisha rose from the challenges of her early life and is now the CEO of
Generation Next Marketing and a Certified Business Analyst. She has built an empowering organization to expose and promote Kingdom Businesses worldwide.
Want to stay in the loop and receive more of my crazy stories? Great join me here.
Seven Things Generation Next Can Teach Us about Leadership
Seven Things Generation Next Can Teach Us about Leadership
I have been thinking quite a bit about “youth leadership” and what that means for the 
businesses that want to impact them. My recent posts as a guest on the Women Speaker Association’s #SpeakerChat this past Tuesday, I discussed influence and impact. One of the most common challenges that “leadership” presents is how to actually influence this generation. I see many businesses just riding the waves of following the crowd, being redundant in their leadership tactics. Or they start sounding like every other coach, business or ministry, without any sort of solid model for leading this generation of future leaders. No new young adults are joining your email list because you haven’t set yourself apart, or given them something different to consider. This is especially difficult when you are coming from what you were taught, instead of what you have experienced. So how can you learn to lead this generation into success and significance, when you don’t know any other way? Here are seven suggestions to get you thinking………Think about these new ideals and see if you can incorporate them into your leadership strategy. Notice how all the focus is on leading the youth to significance which in turn produces success.
1. Be Flexible
Times are changing. With that come new methods, technology and systems that this generation is using to learn from, experience and put into action.
2. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work
Communicate with individuals by talking to them instead of at them. Cultivate a team environment, where you are seen as a team leader. For example, give incentives for reaching certain goals or benchmarks.
3. Promote Action
Every direction should end with taking action. This generation believes in learning and doing. Live interaction and engagement is important.
4. Leaders Build Other Leaders
It is true that to become a great leader, you must first learn to become a great follower. This generation is all about setting trends and being unique. Giving them the encouragement to lead in their gifts is always a great model for significance.
5. Engage More than Usual
This generation believes in engaging with others. Whether it’s through social networks or in person meetings, they value interaction.
6. Give Space
I really think this is the best trait you can give as a leader. This generation values their personal space. This allows time and opportunity to think out, try out and live out what has been given as a directive or lesson. Leading by allowing individuals the space to think things through, holds them accountable.
7. Give Feedback
Learning to give more feedback or what you can call constructive criticism. Give plenty of compliments to balance the feedback.
Seven Things Generation Next Can Teach Us about Leadership. What has worked for you as a leader? Share in the comments and let’s grow this list.
3 Ways to Influence the Youth to Impact Your Business
It’s no secret that I am passionate about our youth. I’m even more excited to see so many businesses impacting them in a positive light. If you’re not among the numbers flocking to tap into the buying power of this generation, you are missing out. These 3 ways to influence the youth and impact your business will be key. More than $200 billion will be spent in the next five years by youth and young adults. Not only are they a force to be acknowledged, they deserve to be influenced by you. The reward is bigger than a dollar. The impact cultivates a community of leaders equipped, and prepared for the marketplace.
Here are 3 ways to influence the youth and impact your business:
1. Your Net
There’s an old saying, “you can’t clean a fish you can’t catch.” Before developing programs and products to serve this generation, evaluate your net. Whatever your method is on the interNet, your Network, its ability to attract the youth is important. Determine whether your method of socializing is working for them. Most youth are using the new social Networks. While you’re still trying to learn marketing on Facebook and Twitter, they’ve moved on to Snapchat, Instagram and Vine. Knowing where to cast your net is the first step to influence the youth and build your business.
2. Learn Heart Marketing
Authenticity breeds respect. This generation of youth can smell fake miles away. All the fluff and technical jargon gets lost, when a youth is looking for the heart of the matter. So how does a coach, speaker or life changer attract a youth to their business? I’m glad you asked. By showing your scars, you show them that you’re real. Your life’s experiences have given you credibility to solve certain issues or problems. Develop a series of talk sessions. Conversation pieces get them engaged in who you are as an individual.
Your business will become a Rock Star in their eyes, and their loyalty will remain true your brand to the end. This helps you build a stronger brand and increase profits. Why? Because their referrals, and word of mouth will mean more to their peers, than any advertising you can do on your own. This generation is loyal. The repeat business, referrals and co-signing overtime elevates your business revenue.
3. Focus on the dream, Not the dollar
Don’t always make it about the money. They’ll move on faster than you can count to three. If they are seen as a number, instead of a human being, you’ve blown it. Build a community that cultivates communication. Ask questions, call and or write, even after the business has stopped. This generation is all about relationships. That’s why social media is so important. It makes relationship building and communication simple.
These 3 ways to influence the youth and impact your business is valuable in reaching a new audience. Not to mention the trial and error. What are some ways you use to influence and impact youth?
Success and Significance – A Purpose Driven Business
Want to know to make your business significant in the marketplace?
I recently interviewed Charles Wyatt Johnson, Author and Empowerment Specialist and Katrina Sawa, The Jump Start Your Business Coach.
This interview was such an inspiration. Listen below to find out how to build Success and Significance – A Purpose Driven Business in 2014.
CLICK TO LISTEN NOW!
If you found this interview helpful, please like and share with someone who may benefit.
To Your Success and Significance,
Utilizing a Team to Grow Your Business with Melanie Benson Strick (Podcast)
As a business owner or entrepreneur, you overall success will be dependent on the team you build. Melanie reveals how Utilizing a Team to Grow Your Business can help you focus on the things you are passionate about.
Utilizing a Team to Grow Your Business my Interview with Melanie Benson Strick [Podcast]
This interview was so powerful that I had to take notes. I am sharing with you some key points that I received from her interview.
- Get It Off Your Plate
The more less you have on your plate, the more you can focus on doing what you love. Melanie’s motto is, “If someone can do it better than you, get it off your plate.” Now this is not to say you are not capable of doing the same tasks, but if someone can do it faster and cheaper then it makes more sense.
2. Get Out of Overwhelm
Overwhelm, as Melanie describes it is, “an innovative strategy that we use when too many things come at us.” I like that, because it’s true. We tend to figure the more opportunities we have, the better we will become in our business financially.
3. Simple & Order
Two tips Melanie describes as, “Doing the right things in the right order, to get the right results.”
4. Reward Results over Ideas
More coaches get excited about the idea instead of the result. I asked Melanie what her response would be to a creative Entrepreneur that has some great ideas.
Here is what she would ask them:
What is the value?
How much time?
What is the opportunity cost?
So if you are thinking of starting a new venture or project, answering those questions will give you some insight as to whether you should proceed.
There was so much value provided in this interview, these are just a few of the notes I was able to jot down.
Did you have an AHA moment after listening? If you did, list it below.
Melanie has agreed to come back on the show in 2014, but until then feel free to reach out to her and let her know you were listening.
Resources:
The Power of the Virtual Team Ebook – It’s a power-packed 67-page e-book guaranteed to kick-start your team-building process and get you into the 80-20 zone—where 20% of your efforts generate 80% of your results.
The Empowered B.O.S.S. Network – weekly podcast providing business owners and entrepreneurs with tips and strategies to increase their revenue and build their businesses.
Get Out of Overwhelm – A Step-By-Step Formula For Getting Out Of Overwhelm… So You can Enjoy A Small Business that Automatically Generates Six to Seven Figures without Sacrificing Your Life!
Leading From Within
This quote sparked something inside of my spirit. Why? Because the world would have us to believe that failure is the end all, no more, it’s over mentality. Clearly every significant success story starts with the story of first failing.
This is the most recent word I received in my spirit. “Leading From Within”, a specific call to you from your spiritual guide. Your authentic relationship with your Father in heaven. He wants you to trust all that was instilled in you from the beginning of time.
Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart. Jeremiah 1:5
Leading From Within
You are born a winner, but it takes life’s experience to teach you some very important lessons. These specific trials you will need to take your vision/dream to the next level of manifestation. Tomorrow on the Empowered B.O.S.S. Network Radio Show, I will discuss some key tips and techniques to help you lead from within your inner spirit.
Trust Your Gut
You are divinely equipped with the strength and courage to build a significant business, ministry or nonprofit. That which God imparted to you as your personal responsibility, is embedded in your genetic makeup. If you are anything like me, you sleep and breathe that Kingdom vision. It can keep you up at night at times.
Two weeks ago the EBN radio guest Jim Palmer, talked about business owners having the guts to start a business. It takes fearlessness to risk everything for your business.Well it’s time to trust your gut.
Become Inaccessible
When you are anointed with a vision, a purpose for the Kingdom being to accessible is dangerous. Yes I would say dangerous because of dream killers, but you already know that.
Here I’m talking about dangerous because having too many distractions, keeps you from hearing directions and instructions from the Holy Spirit. Often your spirit is your GPS to implementing key strategies for your business. But when you are consistently bombarded with the thoughts and advice of others outside of your mentor or divinely appointed coach, you can become confused and stagnant.
Trusting Your Sight (Spiritual Eyes)
Where were you when you first received the vision? Do you remember what you were doing at the moment God enlightened you to your purpose?
I remember I was already working with a nonprofit organization when I was first unctioned about my purpose. Funny thing though, I never imagined I would have a desire to work with those that were helping young people. Disadvantaged and at-risk youth and young adults, just like I was at some point in my life. I was drawn to what had caused me some pain in my past. Without even realizing it, I was already positioned to my dream. To be a change agent for young adults, who had a desire to become more than statistics predicted.
Yes, you will too be given INSIGHT to where your business will be most needed, and in the end more profitable. “What you see is what you get” Believe and you shall have what you see. Trust your insight.
What an amazing confirmation that you have exactly what you need. As Les Brown says, “You have greatness in YOU”. And my favorite Social Media mentor Sandi Krakowski says, “Be More”.
Start there and watch God move you into your desired manifestation of your vision. When we move from victim to victor, in knowing that trials and struggles come to increase our character, build our strength and drive our purpose. #BlessGod
Leading From Within
Tomorrow I will discuss Leading From Within (Part -1) on the Empowered B.O.S.S. Network Radio Show. In the discussion you will learn how important it is for your business to lead from your inner strengths, and not your weaknesses. 
I hope you enjoyed this post on “Leading From Within”, please like, share and comment. Many blessings and significance to you.
Facilitating Your Dreams 