Page Nineteen

NINE KEY POINTS TO REALIZING YOUR DREAM

Focus on a big dream that includes others; By empowering others you will in turn become empowered

Start with whatever is in your heart right now, and trust your hunch — that invisible voice that breathes life into your vision. Someday your acorn of desire may become a full grown oak.

Increase your self-worth by trusting in the power greater than yourself.

Become passionate about your vision. Aim high, work hard, and think creatively, and the dream that others call impossible will be yours for the taking. They will eventually applaud you as you cross the finish line.

Tenaciously pursue your dream in the face of setbacks, even failures. Stay focused. Failure itself is never the tragedy; low aim is the tragedy.

Watch out for dream stealers. They come in the form of family and well-meaning friends. Just about anybody will say no to your idea, and you'll have numerous reasons for quitting along the way. It's always the finish — not the start — that counts.

Do something daily to nurture and support your dream. Remember, the dream isn't worth having unless you enjoy the journey.

Prepare yourself mentally.

Be persistent. A huge tree doesn't tumble with one swing of the axe. You've got to keep swinging. If you can dream it, you can have it.

The core of this teen book--a cheesy (literally) allegory about four characters navigating a maze in pursuit of happiness (cheese) with varying success--is identical to the cheese-quest story told in Johnson's grownup book. The only difference is that the opening and closing backstory that pads out Who Moved My Cheese? for Teens involves a group of teenagers kibbutzing in the cafeteria, not a group of adults attending their high school reunion.

TODAY STARTS ME!