‘Act Like a Success’ Book Notes and Reader Commentary (part 6 of 6)

How many times do we read stories of ‘first loves’ becoming true love? We hear about high-school sweethearts who became lifetime partners. But there’re those who ditched their first love for their true love later in life. Steve Harvey believes the right dream comes with the right love connection.

His recent TV special gave a snapshot of some significant ‘dates’ on his rise to the big times. Harvey shared how he didn’t make it past his junior year in college. He dropped out and went to sell insurance. Because of his physical height, he thought his ticket to success would have been playing ball in the NBA.

They say passion is doing something you love. Many of us pursue careers that are ‘first loves.’ But we later find out success that fulfills is more than the luck of the draw. Some might say it’s the draw of love around our gift. This way our ‘true love’ achievements lead to success experiences at greater heights.

As with any romantic relationship there’s a love dimension. That means there’s something eye-catching, heart-grabbing or more deeply and mutually felt. This is also true with having the right dream. The trick is figuring out whether the draw of our dream is about a love to compete, to create or to connect.

It’s safe to say that most pro athletes have a love to compete. Their juices get going as the drive to win gets flowing. Even though Harvey’s dreams didn’t take him to the basketball court, he’s still showing the gamesmanship of a winner. His talk show Emmy award and NY Times Bestsellers speak for themselves.

There’s creative genius waiting to be unleashed by our dreams. This could mean taking something from nothing to becoming many things. Harvey describes his gift as taking-in information and turning it into many things. He’s taken his comedic ‘first love’ and gifting into unchartered territory of higher earnings.

Harvey doesn’t mince words about his true love. Beyond the Creator who’s the ‘shot caller’ in his life, he also gives props to his wife. Maybe the draw of our dream is about a love to connect. That’s why social media and networking are valuable parts of building dreams. They feed-off connecting and collaborating.

Whether as first love or true love Harvey says “never be afraid to reinvent yourself.” He’s had to shift gears personally and professionally. His success is less about being self-made and more about a love connection. Plus, it helps to have the right dream with the right love starting out from an ‘audience of one.’

Footnote: The love in our passion is the draw to our careers. The love in our gift is the draw to our dreams. Put them together and we get to experience success at greater heights.