Dreaming Bigger... is Now the Time?

First a quote; "Throw your dream into space like a kite, and you do not know what it will bring back, a new life, a new friend, a new love, or a new country." – Anais Nin

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Good morning and happy Monday. I hope this morning missive finds you and yours both safe and healthy.

Dreams and leaders often have much in common. Often, they are born under similar sets of circumstances. Metaphorically, both are frequently born in the darkest of places and environments. Reflecting on many great leaders in history, almost all overcame significant challenges, both personal and political. They rose above their histories and led people through, and out of, very difficult times and circumstances. Think Churchill, Mandela, Marie Curie, Lincoln, Martin Luther King, Jr., Margaret Thatcher, and Helen Keller, just to name a few. Individuals, in many ways, ordinary people with humble beginnings doing extraordinary things.

Dreams of a better future are often born in dark places as well. Children raised in poverty, abusive or dysfunctional families, substance abuse, disease and even prison cells, the list of trials and tribulations is long. Somewhere I heard the expression, “Only in the darkness, can you see the stars.”

 “For many people struggling to make it through trying and troubling circumstances, dreams of a better future are not a form of escapism, but a life raft.” – Dr. Mardy

This week, I invite you to reflect on your dreams. Where did those dreams take root? Or perhaps, what is preventing those dreams from taking root now? Were your dreams born on the dark side of life, or perhaps of your own aspirations to become the person you desire to be in the future. The person yet to be, the yet dormant leader inside just waiting for the time to rise and shine?

Most of us know about the generation of people born between 1905 and 1925; what has been called the “Greatest Generation.” An entire generation of people who grew up during the Great Depression, victoriously survived WWII and went on to build one of the greatest economies in the free world. That generation lived through, survived, and thrived in circumstances at least as difficult as we face today, many would describe as worse.

In this country, we have been “at war” with this pandemic for less than three months, five months if you take a global perspective. For comparison purposes, historians believe 16 million Americans fought in WWII which raged on for six years across the globe. More than 400,000 Americans are believed to have given their lives to fight for the freedom many of us take for granted today.

This generation, those of us living today, has an opportunity to leverage the difficult times we face, not only as a country, but as an entire planet. For your consideration now, during this COVID-19 pandemic, I suggest we are not dreaming big enough as a society. From my perspective, we seem to be “rolling around in the muck” while pointing fingers, playing politics, feeding fear, driving divisiveness, and fanning the flames of animosity.

For the first time in modern history, our planet is facing a global enemy. As human beings, and as global citizens, we have something in common. In addition to a common enemy, we also have dreams for our children and our children’s children (our grandchildren and great grandchildren). We have a wonderful opportunity, right now, to change how we perceive and interact with the world, to connect, to save and share resources, to innovate, collaborate and create new solutions that might serve generations to come.

Right now, as you read these words, we have millions of reasons to think beyond borders and geopolitical philosophies. As the world population continues to expand and resources continue to be consumed at an alarming rate, we need to begin a serious dialogue about the planet we will be leaving behind for future generations. We need to have bigger dreams!

I have always loved John Lennon’s lyrics, “Imagine there’s no countries, it isn’t hard to do… nothing to kill or die for. You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. I hope someday you’ll join us, and the world will be as one.”

Albert Einstein said, “We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when we created them.” We can choose to think differently about the problems we face as a world population. This pandemic could and should be the impetus for new dialogues, new thinking, and new paradigms by lots of people in lots of places.

I can only imagine how proud our grandparents’ generation might have been to know their offspring held their generation in such high regard and esteem. This causes me to ponder what adjectives future generations might use to describe our generation when history is written. I’m dreaming about adjectives like enlightened, transformational, wise, peace-seeking… maybe even “big dreamers.” We will leave behind a legacy. The question becomes, "What will our legacy be?"

“Sometimes, it falls upon a generation to be great. You can be that great generation. Let your greatness blossom.” – Nelson Mandela

Let’s dream bigger! If not now, when? 

Everyone can make a difference, and everyone should try. Be your best self this week.

Have a great week. Stay safe. Be well. Wash your hands. Keep your distance. Keep pedaling!

Bryan Yager

208.376.1701

 "Expanding Your Capacity for Success”

Free 30-Minute Leadership Webinar Series Announced Below

Do you know someone who might benefit from this weekly leadership minute? If so, please feel free to pass along the subscription link below:

Click here to sign up for my weekly leadership message entitled Monday Morning Minute.

Bonus Quotes:

• “A man must dream a long time in order to act with grandeur, and dreaming is nursed in darkness.” – William Makepeace Thackeray
• I say to you today, my friends, so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream. I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” – Martin Luther King, Jr.
• "I learned this, at least, by my experiment; that if one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours." – Henry David Thoreau
• "It isn't a calamity to die with dreams unfulfilled, but it is a calamity not to dream." – Benjamin E Mays
• “You can start changing our world for the better daily, no matter how small the action.” – Nelson Mandela
• “When it rains look for rainbows, when it’s dark look for stars.” – Unknown

Free Leadership Webinar Series

Free 30-minute Leadership Webinars Short * Impactful * Timely!

What is in it for you?

The free webinars I have offered over the last couple of weeks have been well received and many have asked me to make these workshops available more than just once a week. This is in response to those requests. Following is a schedule of webinars through the end of April. Short, to the point, and hopefully, helpful to you as a leader during these difficult times.

My personal request of you:

This is my effort to help others and make a positive difference in the world. My desire is to help each of us think more deeply about our leadership responsibilities as family & community members, neighbors, colleagues and organizational leaders during this difficult time. My only ask is that you “pay it forward” in any way you’re able.

While our team would be grateful if you could offer a donation of any size to help us support restaurants while simultaneously feeding the hungry and homeless. If you’re not able to contribute financially at this time, no problem, there are many ways to support others! Choose what is best for you, the people you touch, the resources you have, where you live and work. 

Making Sense of it All! (30 minutes) New!

Who would have imagined as we returned from the holidays in early January that our entire worlds, both public and private, would be so different and out of whack less than 60 days later? None of this chaos seems to make any sense. Yet, each day, we must move ahead, we must find a way to “make sense” of our lives and next steps. We must find our way forward. Together, we’ll explore ideas on this topic.

Making Sense – Tuesday, April 21, 2020; 8:58 am MDT/10:58 am EDT - Registration Required; Limited to 100 participants

No Land in Sight – Leading People in Times of Change; New!

Two-Part Series (30 minutes)

No Land in Sight focuses on four primary leadership responsibilities in times of change. The ideas are simple, practical and actionable, not theoretical or academic. Everyone regardless of position or level will benefit from this message. This presentation is ideal for people who have the responsibility or opportunity to lead others through change of any kind. This has been one of my most popular presentations over the years. Certainly, appropriate now. 

Registration Required; Click your preferred date to register. Limited to 100 participants per webinar.

• Part 1 – Thursday, April 23, 2020; 5:58 pm MDT/7:58 pm EDT
• Part 1 – Monday, April 27, 2020; 1:58 pm MDT/3:58 pm EDT
• Part 2 – Thursday, April 30, 2020; 4:58 pm MDT/6:58 pm EDT
• Part 2 – Monday, May 4, 2020; 1:58 pm MDT/3:58 pm EDT

Managing Stress in Stressful Times (30 minutes)

Are you experiencing more stress than ever before? You are not alone, most of us are. That is normal during these difficult times. During our short time together, we will share, and discuss, a simple paradigm shift, enabling you to:

• reduce stress
• Increase your effectiveness
• accomplish more

Registration Required; Click your preferred date to register. Limited to 100 participants per webinar.

• Managing Stress – Monday, April 20, 2020; 1:58 pm MDT/3:58 pm EDT
• Managing Stress – Friday, April 24, 2020; 1:58 pm MDT/3:58 pm EDT

How are you? (30 minutes)

Learn about the normal, natural, and predictable stages of emotional transition during times of stress and grief. Most of us are grieving at some level, even if it is the loss of our routines, stability and predictability. The grieving process is something we must go through at our own pace. We simply can’t “get over it,” no matter how badly we desire to do just that. We will highlight leader behavior for each of these phases.

Registration Required; Click your preferred date to register. Limited to 100 participants per webinar.

• How Are You? Tuesday, April 21, 2020; 12:58 pm MDT/2:58 pm EDT
• How Are You? – Friday, April 24, 2020; 8:58 am MDT/10:58 am EDT

Just want to help us support restaurants & feed the homeless and hungry, please click on picture:

Sincerely,

Bryan Yager

“Expanding Your Capacity for Success”

Do you know someone who might benefit from this weekly leadership minute? If so, please feel free to pass along the subscription link below:

• Click here to sign up for my weekly leadership message entitled Monday Morning Minute.