This year’s Sports Illustrated cover model has been named and guess who’s smiling? Yes, Danielle Herrington is smiling from the beach to the bank. She’s not the only one with a wide grin. So is Michael B. Jordan who got the chance to congratulate Herrington. So is Chloe Kim who won gold at the Olympics.

Jordan is also smiling as he gears up for the grand release of the Black Panther movie. He and his acting cohorts are excited that the movie is already breaking pre-sales box office records. Kim is getting her smiles on for being the first ever female American winner in the Olympic event of Snowboarding.

Jordan and Kim seem to have fans under a spell of excitement from seeing their dreams go big. Everywhere you go people are talking about the movie and about Kim’s performance. Not to mention that Jordan put on muscle-mass for the role and Kim’s achievement celebrates the American Dream.

Their success reminds us of how dreams can go big with a fresh sense of purpose and a refreshed surge of passion. Jordan has been steadily building his cred with acting roles in Fruitvale Station and Creed. Kim waited four years at representing the U.S. since she was too young to make the last Olympic team.

They’ve got us feeling like a nation under a dream that comes with its own storyline. Maybe that’s one reason why so many are looking forward to seeing the movie. Whether it’s about the story of rising to power or the power in their stories fans want to keep a winning feeling going or find their own groove.

The movie buzz isn’t just about action spots but also about the Black Panther Challenge. Celebrities and everyday people are pulling together to get as many kids to see the movie. They hope something rubs off that’s more than a spell. We learn from Jordan and Kim that going from small roles to tall goals means:

1. Leaving something behind.

The story behind their success is one of focus and perseverance. They kept at it even when things took a hit. But it’s also one of leaving something behind. Jordan left his hometown of Newark for the Tinseltown of Hollywood. Kim’s parents left South Korea so that she’d have opportunities beyond her wildest dreams.

2. Preparing for something ahead.

In leaving something behind, they were also preparing for something ahead. It’s sometimes said that luck is where preparation meets-up with opportunity. Sure they might have had some lucky breaks along the way. But preparing helped them leave their comfort zone in order to experience their mojo zone.

3. Taking skills to the next level.

During the waiting period between Olympics, Kim kept working on her game. She worked on some things to get her performance moving closer to perfection. Jordan has also been working on his skills as a Director through his own production company. Taking skills to the next level helps make us built to last.

4. Making the dream yours.

The Black Panther character first appeared in comic books in 1966. Kim first appeared on the Olympics radar in 2014. Here we are in 2018 and there’s a movie built around the character and an Olympic feat tied to Kim. Things take longer for some compared to others but making the dream yours is real.

These days some folks have more reasons to smile. Some are smiling about Sports Illustrated’s cover and inside pages. For Jordan it’s in upcoming roles already lined-up. Kim has lots of Olympic years ahead of her. When things get stressful they help us turn-up the happy seeing their dreams go big or go legend.

Tip: When things get stressful, successful people turn-up the happy with fresh purpose, refreshed passion and seeing dreams go big or go legend.

Talkback: Which character in the Black Panther movie could have its own spinoff some day?

Tracks: Ashanti ft Ja Rule – Happy – https://youtu.be/MrCsubL_OSQ

American Authors – Go Big or Go Home – https://youtu.be/dUZoK20_KYQ