Dreaming Out Loud

Since attending the World Domination Summit 2014 last month (recap here), I’ve come to realize that being a dreamer, or an idealist, is not enough in the world if there is no action, no intentional effort to turn the things you want in life into a reality. One of my favorite speakers and stories from the

summit came from Jadah Sellner, an amazing entrepreneur and community leader who built a huge brand and community around healthy, green smoothies. I’ll share her amazing story later from WDS 2014 (when they publish her talk) but there were two main takeaways that I think about often:

1. “Dream Out Loud” – Talk to people about what your dreams and passions are. When you do, you actually learn if it’s possible or not. You take action to make it happen. You find others with similar interests. Things start to happen.

2. “Take Imperfect Action” – I like the way she phrased this. It literally means to start and don’t worry about having it all together. Our biggest hinderance in life is usually the fear that prevents us from doing anything. You can’t accomplish anything that you don’t start.

That being said, I thought I would dream out loud for today and share with you something I’ve been thinking about doing for a couple of years now: I want to write a book.

I want to write a book for high schoolers, college students, and young adults about…life (and for anyone else who would read it).

Basically, I just want to share life lessons that I’ve learned from the 31 years of experience of life that I’ve had. I’m worried about our up-and-coming generations. I feel called to debunk myths about the so called “game of life” that many feel so compelled to follow and yet feel horribly inadequate when they don’t live up to made-up societal standards of what many believe someone’s life should be like.

I want to write a book in the hopes that someone will read it and think, “Wow, I’m not a failure, a mistake, or unworthy,” because I’ve felt all of those things. I want someone to read it and know they have the potential to do amazing things with the life they’ve been given. I’m writing this book as if I was going back in time to tell the Jedd that was stupid, naive, and lost that you’ll learn some cool things that will help you, give you focus, and help you to become happy with who you are and give you the confidence to be the person you want to be.

Why me?

I’ve been thinking about writing this book for a couple of years now and always come up with this question, “Why me?” and I’ve always been able to answer it with “why not?” I’m not in any record books. I haven’t won a gold medal, nor achieved any national or international fame. I don’t have even a slightly significant following on Instagram or Twitter.

But that’s why I feel compelled to share some life lessons I’ve learned because I’m wonderfully average. I feel that I can relate to a lot of people who question their identity, self-worth, and big life decisions. I’m finally in a place in my life where I’m happy with who I am, comfortable in my own skin, and it only took 31 years to figure some of that stuff out (it’s a work in progress).

So What’s Next?

First off, I’m putting myself and this idea out into the world. There’s a good chance that I’m not meant to write a book, but I can’t decide that until I try. So…the first thing I’m going to do is to try a blog series called, “Life Lessons of a 30 Year Old Nothing.” I’m going to post  some life lessons I’ve learned in my life once a week.

I Need Your Help.

Every time I post, would you tell me what you think? Give me honest feedback. Share the post (if you like it) with others, especially the target community of youth and young adults I am writing for (or whomever you think it would help). Help me figure out if this is what I’m meant to do. I’m “dreaming out loud” and “taking imperfect action.” Thanks for journeying with me and here’s to whatever happen’s next.

-J