Let's talk about your dream: What is it - your greatest desire?

What are you doing about it?
If your answer is something like "nothing," "not much," or "not yet," why not let me help you get started?

The first step is probably easier than you might think. All you have to do is write down exactly what it is that you want, not in generalities but in specific terms, which requires answering three questions:

1. What exactly is it that I want? (the final outcome: your dream)
2. How much of it do I want? (the size, or magnitude of it; how big?)
3. By when? (by what precise date - day, month, year?)

This is one of those beautiful spring mornings when the world outside is fresh and green and anything seems possible.

It's final exam week at my university, and Saturday is graduation. Every year as I watch my students graduate, I marvel at their potential: what they have the capability of accomplishing over their lifetimes.

In fact, at some point near the end of each semester, I ask students to consider the question: "Which of you will achieve greatness?"

Of course, I also tell them that, in my opinion, greatness isn't about fame or fortune, but is defined by what they do with their lives; how they make a difference in even a small part of the world; or in the lives of others.

In that sense, it's been suggested that our lives should be measured by how many people truly mourn our passing. In his commencement address at Antioch College, in 1859, Horace Mann put it this way: "Be ashamed to die until you have won some victory for humanity."

It's never too late, you know. If not now, WHEN?

Another popular market for "If Not Now, When?" is retirees.

It's becoming increasingly obvious that when they retire, many people have no intention of sitting back in their rocking chairs. They have things they intend to do, now that they have the time; often things they've put off for years.

For some, retirement plans include a part-time job, as much for the activity as for money. For others, it's the opportunity to pursue a hobby, or a passion; or to pursue a long dreamed-of desire or destination; to devote more time volunteering for a favorite cause; or even a different job, a new career.

Whatever your path, retirement is no longer seen as being "put out to pasture," but as a new beginning. Charles Handy, in his fascinating book about change - "The Age of Unreason" - describes three stages in the lives of people living today: Learning, Working, and Living.

Each stage covers approximately a third of our lives, with the stage most relevant to this post being the third stage, Living. Why? Because it's about retirement, and what a great way to look at retirement: as the time of our lives when we can actually start living!

So as you move toward your future, and begin to think about your third stage, consider the words of the writer, George Eliot, "You're never too old to be what you might have been."

Another emerging market is young people, particularly those nearing graduation from high school or college.

These young people, often referred to as "Generation Y'ers", or the "Millenial Generation," are bright, perceptive, and interested, but also impatient. They want what the want, and they want it right now! As a result, they may not take the time to read just any book; not unless they feel it will be worth their time.

Because their reading is so selective, they may be more inclined to read a book recommended by someone they respect, and even more inclined to read it if it's a gift.

That's why this market seems to be emerging more through parents and grandparents, than through sales directly to young people. The parents and grandparents have enough life-experience to appreciate how valuable this book can be in helping their children avoid some of the pitfalls they, themselves, experienced.

And the electronic version of the book can be conveniently downloaded to the reader's technology of choice.

In my last post, I discussed one way I'm promoting this book: by word of mouth. Those who have read it recommend it to others, based on how it has helped them.

This has, so far, identified at least three markets. The first one, which I'll describe today, is career-changers.

Several months ago I received an email describing how one reader's dilemma about her future was resolved after reading one of the examples from the book. This particular example was an account of my decision to make a major career change late in life, and how much richer my life has been as a result.

This reader told me that not only had my example given her the encouragement to change direction in her life, but that she had several friends who were at similar turning points in their lives, and that she intended to purchase a copy for each of them.

That was the first of several similar testimonials, each expressing delight at being told that it's okay to change your life, no matter who you are or how old (or young) you might be.

As I was writing the book (If Not Now, When?) I didn't worry much about who might be its readers, its audience. I was writing it for myself; to get down on paper some of the things I had learned from life.

After it was published and I began thinking about how to promote it, I knew I'd have to focus my efforts in some way, so I selected a couple of likely target audiences and began promoting toward them.

But it hasn't worked out the way I thought it might. What has happened, and is happening, is that audiences seem to be developing on their own, through word of mouth, in ways it would have been difficult to predict. And that's making it more interesting and exciting for me.

So I'm changing my approach a bit. Instead of just focusing on certain audiences, I'm getting my book into as many hands as possible, and counting on word of mouth to spread it to the areas in which it is most welcome.

If you think you, or somebody you know, might want to take a look at it, let me know and I'll send you a promotional brochure. Or you can get a copy of the book from the publisher, by clicking bkorders@authorhouse.com , or by calling Authorhouse at 1-888-280-7715. It's available for $16.99 in paperback or you can download an electronic copy for only $3.95.

More about doing things for yourself.

Have you ever noticed that, whenever you accomplish something that's important to you, it makes you feel good? That's a natural reaction, because it increases your self-confidence; your self-esteem.

But, unfortunately, some people feel that doing something for themselves is selfish. If you're one of those, this blog is for you. I want to encourage you to look at it from a different point of view.

Because increased confidence and self-esteem aren't the only benefits of doing things for yourself. Perhaps even more valuable is the way it improves the way you relate to other people.

Think of it this way: when you feel good about yourself, you automatically treat others better which, in turn, makes them feel better about you. It's something like the "smile effect." Have you ever noticed that when you smile at someone else, they almost alway smile back? It's almost impossible not to.

Well, your attitude has much the same effect: those around you are affected by how you feel. When you're positive, it can make them more positive, but when you're negative it's likely to make them look at things more negatively.

For those reasons, a certain amount of "selfishness" may be the most unselfish thing you can do for those around you. But it doesn't just help them; making the most of your abilities and efforts can help you make the most of your own life.

So why not take some time, right now, to convince yourself that you should do that thing you've been putting off? And if you need any help, let me know.