Have you ever had a vision that was so powerful that it took over your life?

Glimpses into the future should not be ignored.

Visions are the spark.

Visions of your future are the illumination that can light your way to a better future. Pursuing a vision with all of your energy and taking risks is how you bring it to reality.

How often in life do you see a moment of clarity for your future that gets you so excited that you want to sprint there now? If you are young and have the good fortune to see that, then consider throwing all of your effort into that future. But ask yourself a few questions about that future before you begin.?

Where did the idea come from?

When I was in high school, I remember sitting with my guidance counselor talking about my future. I didn’t yet know what I wanted to do with my life. I remember reading through this little blue book of “careers” that fit in the palm of my hand. I saw “Architect”. I only remember it because at the time it was the highest paying job in that book. I saw myself in that role, and eventually touched on it in my career.

I wanted to play music, I had been playing guitar in one form or another since I was 9, so I really felt an infinity there. But I didn’t have a drive yet that would make that my career. As Harry Chapin said in one of his songs, “Music was my life, but not my livelihood.” My application to Berkeley School of Music in Boston was accepted, but I didn’t audition, I ended up moving first. I did attend the Eastern Suffolk School of Music for a semester, but I knew this wasn’t my future, just an interest.

What else was there? I remember in 5th grade, we had an author come to our school to do a book reading and talk about becoming a writer. I wrote an essay back and indicated at that time that I would like to be an author. But I wasn’t quite ready at that point. That thread has however stayed common throughout my life. I have always been a writer, and while I have only limited publications, that motivation has stayed with me.

But how do you get into a career?

When does the gun go off and you know “this is what I want to do with my life.”

I have to admit, I never heard that gun go off. But I DID in fact act as though it did. I took on things I knew to be small adventures, even though it didn’t serve a higher purpose yet. I saw the U.S. Army Drill Team in a tiny 10 second clip when I was 18 as I enlisted in the Army. That was a small lightning bolt moment. I decided right then and there, that I would pursue that goal.

First Goal: Drill Team

I made good on that goal, but it only happened because I took many risks. I said yes to a longer enlistment. I said yes to 11x or an “unassigned infantryman”, meaning the Army could decide what they wanted me to do. On one of my first 3 days in the army, not yet even off to Basic training, my cohort was being tested for aptitudes. On the same day, I was given the option to go to Monteray California to language school, or to the Presidential Honor Guard.?

Choices

I might have been better off with the language school, but that was not on my punch list for goals. The Drill Team, a part of the honor guard WAS.?

What I did during this cross roads to take my life in the direction I wanted to go, was to fixate on that goal, size up what it would take for me to get there, and then take the biggest chance I could to put myself in that role. My gut churned many times while I went through the processes once I made my decision, I knew it was going to require a LOT of me to take that chance. But I did it. I committed and recommitted and worked at it until I got where I wanted to go. In the end, I was selected for the Drill Team.?

Big goal or small one?

Was that my career? Hardly. But it was one stop along the way. It was proof that I could achieve a goal. It was the very first thing I ever did in my life to bring me to that place where the opportunity could become reality. I worked at it for two years before I got to that fateful day when I was selected. I was over the moon! This was the first time I had achieved some level of success.

Dedication

During the two years, it was everything I got out of bed for in the morning. It was all that I did. I was practicing for the job I didn’t even have yet for the entire two years. In my regular unit, we were issued M-14 rifles for ceremonial duties. The Drill Team used a different rifle, but it was close enough. I watched the team all the time. I practiced the drills with my M-14 every day. I practically broke it at one point, when I attempted a high throw. Eventually I fashioned a “staff” for practicing, that had the right curve and length, so I could strengthen my wrists.

Being fully alive

The time leading up to the test was electric. But it occurred while I maintained my “regular” duties, which were not being on the drill team. I did hundreds of funerals. Folded flags, did 21 gun salutes, marched in hundreds of parades. Went to the field and did “infantry” training. Pulled 24 hour CQ duties on a regular basis. Held down a part time job to pay for my car. But all of it was in pursuit of that goal.

So much of what went on in that period was intense and powerful.?

In the long run, didn’t stay on the drill team. But the passion that got me there was a lesson I kept. I used it to study to be accepted in Warrant Officer Flight School, to which I was accepted. But I didn’t go that route either, as I wasn’t as interested in it as other things.

But I do remember that discipline that got me there. The passion I gave to it. Even though it was a very brief moment in life, it was a gift. The gift was the understanding that while not every goal is going to be your life’s pursuit, you can throw yourself into it as though it were. In doing so, you gain a deep capability with every attempt.

What is your vision?

Have you experienced this yet in your life? If not, consider trying something you are passionate about?To quote Tony Robbins: Take massive action, big risks, and putting everything into it. This WILL change the direction of your life, if you aren’t on a path like this already.?

What are you waiting for? Go for it!