One night, however, her husband, Wayne, sat her down and said, "Honey, I'm sorry, but you're not bringing in any income. We can't do anymore. We can't survive on just what I make."
That night, her heart broke and her mind too busy to let her sleep, she stared at the ceiling in their darkened bedroom. Debbie knew-with all the responsibilities of keeping up a house and taking four kids to sports, church, and scouts-that working 40 hours a week will leave her no time to write.
Sensing her despair, her husband woke up and asked, "What's wrong?"
"I really think I could've made it as a writer. I really do."
Wayne was silent for a long time, then sat up, turned on the light, and said, "All right, honey, go for it."
So Debbie returned to her dream and her typewriter on the kitchen table, pounding out pages after pages for another two and half years. Her family went without vacations, pinched pennies, and wore hand-me-downs.
But the sacrifice and the persistence finally paid off. After 5 years of struggling, Debbie sold her first book. Then another. And another. Until finally, today, Debbie has published more than 100books, many of which have become NEW YORK TIMES best-sellers and 3 of which have sold for movies. Over 60 million copies of her books in print, and she has millions of loyal fans.
And Wayne? All the sacrifice in support of his wife paid off handsomely. He got to retire at age 50 and now spends his time building an airplane in the basement of their 7,000-square-foot mansion.
Debbie's kids got a gift far more important than a few summer camps. As adults, they realized what Debbie gave them was far more important -permission and encouragement to pursue their own dreams.
Today, Debbie still has dreams she wants to fulfill-a television series based on her books, an Emmy Award, a number-one NEW YORK TIMES best-seller.
To accomplish them, she has a routine: she gets up every morning at 4.30, reads her Bible, and writes in her journal. By 6.00, she's swimming laps in the pool. And by 7.30, she's in her office answering mail. She writes between 10:00am and 4:00pm, producing three new books a year with discipline and perseverance.
What could you accomplish if you were to follow your heart, practice this much daily discipline, and never give up?...
Notice: " she had to do this for 5 years before she sold her first novel......hmmmm and just after 3months of discouragement I cry and lament and give up.........
Hmm what an inspiring story..I have learnt that following a routine is one of the most difficult things to do.. But it's the way to become the best in what you do....
I have passions and I have dreams....
Underneath are some of my dreams and passions. I intend to put them to work by pressing on daily....
I love to create things with my hands...
I love to crochet and knit,
I love to write
I love to create lovely creative things with my hands,
I love to teach, motivate and encourage people,
I love to sleep....
I love the media
My goals and aspirations: " that I can earn a living for what I love doing and become famous worldwide including sleeping....loll..maybe I can be a sleep therapist....What do you think? Teach people how to sleep, people who suffer from insomnia etc....
Please share your dreams and passions with me and let me know how you intend to accomplish them....
Remember determination and perseverance is the key..
Ciao
A very encouraging post for me personally. Came at the right time too. I just failed a $1,400 exam yesterday. My second attempt at it worse still in under 3 months. My 5 year old daughter who has to watch me go to work pretty much all weekend to study and come back late at night when she's already in bed, broke down and cried herself to sleep last night when she learned I had failed again. That was by far worse a feeling than knowing that this certification I've been pursuing for about 3 years now still remains elusive, I'm still going to spend time away from doing the stuff I'd rather be doing with family, and I got to figure out a way for coming up with that money all over again. Do I think it'll be worth it ? Oh yeah. The evidence is all around me. So I'll pick myself up off of the floor and start all over again & maybe give it another shot in 4 or 5 months. For now, I'm just going to chill out and detox my mind for any study.
ReplyDeleteFantastic ... I am so with you on this Phiri. Routines are the hardest thing to follow, tried and failed countless times myself, but routine means discipline and if we can discipline ourselves and focus ... The rest as they say, is history. I'm making a personal resolve to do just that. Thanks for this.
ReplyDelete@wendall Ok first can i just say youre a strong spirit and really inspired me.
ReplyDeleteWell i know i love to work around creativity ,art and fashion. I have been making cards and selling them for a year or so but i never thought much of the business potential, I want to do alot more in art,.I dont draw but i have a good eye and would love to curate.
Currently im workig on setting up a fashion market locally so i know that should be fun and earn me at the same time
Funny thing is i have nother part of me that just wants to be in an IDP camp working with refugees or something(( idid my degree in community psychology) I want a couple of things in my life and sometimes its confusing but il gt there
My dream is to me in the fashion world or artistic world one way or the other, how do I plan to reach them with hard work, determination, and God's blessing. let me just graduate from pharmacy school first! lol....
ReplyDelete@wendal i love your spirit and thumbs up for you. I am so impressed..never give up you will make it. when i read about successful people i realize that all of them had to strive and go through a lot before they were able to make it. keep it up.
ReplyDelete@Ladybird you can say that again about routines. but i have decided to follow mine beginning from monday next week...loll
@Mbabazi trust me you can do anything you set your heart to do..helping people is usually lovely when u have the passion and the money. maybe as you make money you set aside some for your charity and start little by little.
@Ag really what are you doing in pharmacy..loll... don't worry i know you will be a good fashionista....
thanks guys i really appreciate.
What a very inspiring story...
ReplyDeleteI think the discipline and believing in one's self really counts...
And I like that her husband supported her.
@ Rita yes really I love the fact that her husband was by her side..thats all we need aint it...someone just supporting us all the time
ReplyDeleteWhat an encouraging read. As you encourage others, I ask God that you too be encouraged and that he gives you the grace to pursue your dreams...with him helping you. Thank you for this. God bless :) P.S: Not so sure about the sleeping part though...but then, to each one is own dream (LOL)
ReplyDeleteVery encouraging and inspiring. Teaches me never to give up
ReplyDelete