I was spending a little quite time thinking about why I started my business , and while I have many personal reasons for doing what I do and would love to share with you the benefits of being in control of your life, time and finances – now is not the time for it. So let me tell you about a little book I found hiding amongst amongst the 100’s or self help and personal development books on my bookshelf, being a thin small book I decided to quickly sit down and read it. It was the title of the book that caught my attention and found it very appropriate a good refection as to why many people decide to begin their business.
GET OFF YOUR DUFF AND MAKE YOUR OWN %@#! CHEESE, by Sean Roach. 
The message was a simple one and easily relates to many lives. It’s the story of two young rats who don’t just adjust to change, they make change happen. They start out with a dream to own their own cheese factory and to make their very own special cheese, to do this this they decide to find J.O.B and subsequently start work at a cheese factory to learn as much as they can about the art of making cheese.
Over time they become complacent and they start to enjoy the comforts, the perks and the benefits of having a job.. mmm.. sound familiar. ( sound something like our comfort zone )
They fall into a routine and they start losing sight of their goals and dreams.
When the company they work for announces that they are being taken over by a larger company, and the workforce is being downsized, the two rats aren’t worried – after all they are experts on change ( Oh! come on now, I know some of you can relate to this )
Things don’t work out quite as well as they expected and both rats are out of work and can’t find any work in any other cheese factory. Reading this I was reminded how often when working a J.O.B, we are at the mercy of someone else, how easy it becomes to fall into a comfort zone, earn a salary, live beyond your means and expect this all to stay this way forever, Welcome to the real world my friends!
We all know in our hearts that we are in for some turbulent economic times, business’ are closing, companies are downsizing, living expenses are increasing and savings are decreasing, yet we do nothing…. Back to the story ( psst .. it does has a happy ending ) A friend takes them to a place – a forest, called the Forest of Hidden Potential, at the entrance of the forest of hidden potential is a signed post, bold stating the word DARE Their friend explains that the word D.A.R.E. is an acronym for DREAMS they had forgotten, and as they had failed to take ACTION , never REALISED their full potential and lacked EXCITEMENT for life.
They warily enter the forest and get to meet up with wise old owl who helps them to understand and how to apply D.A.R.E explaining that they had never ( nor you or I ) really lost their potential .
How great is that? Reaching your full potential might be different for each person, some might just want to be the best employee that they could ever be, while others seek to live their full potential building a business, supporting their children,or being the best, wife, mother, husband possible.
The key to reaching your full potential is to be proactive in your lives instead of reacting to things as they come to you, taking control of your life and sharing with others. Each one reaches his or her full potential by waking each morning with a Dream. They take Action each day to achieve their dream, thus Realising their true potential. And best of all they are Excited about living a greater life.
I sat for a while longer just letting this information sink in and realised that by making choices like working from home in my business, I chose to D.A.R.E each day. Are you D.A.R.E.ing each day? Have a go at it and let me know how you go.
To your abundant success.
Great Post Brenda, Love the D.A.R.E approach. If we live by that every day we can each anything!
Thanks Nathan. The skies the limit – ( not ) higher and higher we go – why limit ourselves?
Thanks for visiting.
love this Brenda…just what I needed :)0 thanks
what a great post! and love the story in the book you read (and the title!) LOL. THank you so much for sharing these thoughts! I appreciate you!
Hey Tara, It’s people like you who make me want to write more. Thanks for lovely comment and yes – great Title.
Hi Brenda.. thanks for this.. I am focused on acceptance at the moment..which is similar conceptually to what you are outlining here. I am trying to be more aware of the untapped potential within (or the Dream that comes to me each day) and act on that rather than look externally. I have noticed a definite shift in my sense of peace. The title also reminded me of a great little book I have called: ‘Who Moved The Cheese’. Thanks.
My pleasure Juli – yes, who moved my cheese , great little book 🙂 Actually taught me alot about embracing change.
Brenda, this was a great post. Self-responsibility jumps out at me here – and knowing that in order to follow a dream, we must accept adversity along the way and that’s okay, despite what ANYONE says! Thanks, Keryn 🙂
Staying ‘comfortable’ is such a trap that so many of us fall into – until something serious happens which forces us to change! Yes, most people, like the rats in your story – generally take the easy path and let their dreams and aspirations fade away. Those of us who DARE to take action face adversity and negativity along the way, but how great does it feel when you are able to live your life on your terms!!! Love this post Brenda, thanks so much. :))
Hey Brenda,
Awesome post. Very inspirational. I love the D.A.R.E. concept. Everybody deserves to have dreams and to dare to dream and then it’s MASSIVE ACTION Time. 🙂 Zaneta
Brenda i also love this dare approach! This was very interesting!
Bluesman signin’ off
Excellent advice, Brenda. Thanks for posting it.
Hey Brenda Great post. I love the story about the rats and really love the D.A.R.E. thing I got write that one down.. Thanks for sharing
Brenda,
Thanks for sharing. Definitely having a J.O.B. puts you in a comfort zone, I can’t stand having someone tell me what to do all the time and how much money I can make. These are great principles. Thanks for sharing. It was very inspiring and motivating.
Good post Brenda. Let’s take some massive action to live the dream!
Love the DARE, yuuup v inspirational. Love this post :).