When we were young, we had dreams and expectations. We imagined things, we kept thinking about what we wanted to be, what we wanted to do, what made us proud and happy and what we would become.

But then, apparently, we had to grow up and “face life” - the system passed down from our parents took over, we bought into it and surely, at some point, we became jaded about ever experiencing a life of balance, time-freedom, and flexibility.

Some of you reading this will either say, “yeah, that’s the story of my life,” or “well, I hate not living my dream, but gotta pay the bills like everybody else.”

Well, even if you don’t fall into one of these two modes of thinking, you still know many people who think about their work lives, take a big sigh, and say “If I had to do it over…”

Well, look, let me be frank here:

Now is the time to make your life a “Do Over.”

Let me paraphrase a conversation I had with an ex co-worker back in 2002 (note: this was when I was a Sales Consultant for a thriving Dot Com company during the day):

Ex Co-worker: “ya know, I have to admit, over the past year or so, all these reality T.V. shows have been sucking me in like a good soap opera.”

Me: (being somewhat sarcastic): “almost like there’s an invisible Hulk-like hand grabbing you by the throat, holding you against the wall while its other hand pushes the T.V. remote for you.”

Ex Co-worker: “well, it’s not like I’m feeling guilty (he was) for watching so much trash; it’s just that after work, watching all these knowledge-based shows relaxes me.”

Me: “What type of knowledge are you gaining from, say, Fear Factor or Survivor?”

Ex Co-worker: “I’ve learned to never eat a Pigs Uterus and how to build a fire with rocks.”

Me: “hey, good stuff indeed. With that kind of education, you may become the next ‘Joe Millionaire.’

Ex Co-worker: (laughing): “we’ll, it might take two lifetimes for me to become any kind of Millionaire.”

Me: “why do you say that?”

Ex Co-worker: “come on Barry, you and I both weren’t born with a Silver Spoon in our mouths nor do we have the time, energy, or resources to be at such a lofty place.”

Me: “Well, that may be a good reality for you, but don’t lump me in such a limited place. You know, since we’re on this subject, I just wrote an article about this mindset. I’ll send you an email with the URL.”

Ex Co-worker: “Article? I didn’t know you write. But, really, what does this do to your bank account? Who reads this stuff?”

Me: “All good questions, regardless of how jaded they are. But, for now just read it and get back with me.”

[10 minutes later]

Ex Co-worker: “Barry, I see how you weaved some type of informational product into your story about knowing ‘Joe Millionaire” but, seriously, who really buys that stuff?”

Man … sometimes I wonder if T.V kills brain cells.

I won’t go into detail about my answer to my co-worker — how I explained the concept of copywriting, relationship marketing online, ezines, inside-out peak-performance concepts, affiliate marketing, etc. — but I will say this is just one typical example of the type of conversation you will have with somebody who’s been mind-numbed into thinking there’s just no other way than “going through the motions” and letting life come to them, versus them being in control of life and what it brings.

If you know of somebody like this, please be sure to let them know that life gives them not what they want, but what they’ll fight for internally, and everyday is a new chance. It’s never too late to be what your dreams insist you be, in other words.

Or, take this lesson from Rob Casey, one of my subscibers and a risk-taking entrepreneur who wrote this in a recent Men’s magazine to the editor:

“For 15 years I’ve been a freelance photographer and kayaking teacher. It’s interesting to hear friends who have 9-to-5 careers discuss dream jobs. Many aren’t risk-takers; they’re afraid to lose benefits or regular paychecks. They talk about three-day weekends months in advance.

Their view reminds me of a scene from About Schmidt, in which Jack Nicholson watches the clock hit 5 PM so he can retire after 40 years of not missing a day of work. I reassure my friends that I have benefits. I get paid regularly, and I get three-day weekends anytime I want. At first, being self-employed might be tough, but once you get your system down you can do what you want, when you want, and get paid for doing something you love. You have to take that risk or you’ll regret it the rest of your life. Get out there and do it. Follow your passion. The money will come and, more importantly, so will your freedom.”

Amen Rob !

And, for those of you reading this who need a boost in “wealth confidence” before you take the full-leap into self-employment, listen to our fascinating interview with ex-Billionaire and current multi-million earner Bill Bartmann. The content on this $10 CD will tell you how it’s possible to fail (and fail considerably) while still earning millions. Get it here while it’s still available for ordering.