Are you prepared to turn life's obstacles into opportunities--and make them your own? Will this be the year when everything falls into place--just the way you envision it?

If you are like most of us, you spend countless hours encouraging your colleagues, staff, family and friends to develop the skills to clarify, set, and achieve their goals.

But what about YOU? What about your OWN personal and professional development? How often do YOU take the time to focus on YOUR hopes and dreams, goals and aspirations? The best way to make certain that you are satisfied and productive in your life and your career is to check in with yourself from time to time to identify what you are most passionate about.

Ask yourself these questions: What do I want to do right now, so that I don't regret not doing it twenty years from now? What excites me so much that I can't wait to jump out of bed in the morning to start my day?

Some people have trouble with this process. Many need someone to hold them accountable for planning their future. And, we have been trained from an early age that it is selfish to think about ourselves first. We always put the other person's needs before our own. It is not selfish to identify and focus on the things that make YOU happy. In fact, it is essential if you are to be effective in helping others achieve their goals.

Recognizing that many people need that accountability, and need "permission" to step away from the hustle and bustle of daily life to focus on their own dreams and goals, we created an innovative program--Mental Massage(R)--that combines guided visualization and re-energizing massage in a transformational workshop setting designed to help people clarify and set their goals, reduce stress, and enhance their mind/body balance.

And we practice what we preach. We are living, breathing proof that dreams DO come true. We are not superheroes. We don't possess any superhuman powers. We are just a couple of ordinary guys--no different from you--who have lived into our dreams. What we have achieved--individually and as a team--demonstrates that even the most ordinary people CAN achieve extraordinary things...IF we have the courage to change, seize the opportunities that are right in front of us every day, and persevere until we reach our goal--no matter the obstacles.

When we met three years ago, we made an instant connection--we knew that fate had brought us together, we just didn't know why. We became best friends, professional colleagues, and mentors for each other. And, perhaps, most important, we became running buddies. Jared had been a runner all his life. At age 57, Tom has never run a mile in his life. But Jared coached me, helping me to find my "inner runner"--and that literally transformed my life!

It was during an early morning run that the concept for Mental Massage was born. Jared suggested that we combine Tom's guided visualization exercise with his therapeutic neck/shoulder massage for a program for a business networking group. At first, Tom said, "Huh? How is that going to work? I don't think so." He failed to recognize the opportunity that was staring him in the face. But the more Tom thought about it, the more sense it made. The response we received from the 60 members of that networking group was overwhelming. We knew we had discovered something VERY powerful. Within weeks, we had developed a full-blown, 2 hour, interactive workshop, designed a website and marketing materials--and booked our first programs. The rest, as they say, is history!

By living into our own dreams first, we ultimately created something that has made a difference in the lives of hundreds of people. And that, we believe, is the best way to change the world--one-by-one, person-to-person. We guide people to create the blueprint for their own success. Now, you may think it is selfish to put your own hopes and dreams, goals and aspirations ahead of the next person's. But, if we don't nourish ourselves, we cannot help anyone else. Think of it this way: when you are on an airplane, waiting to take off, what does the flight attendant say during the safety drill? If the oxygen mask drops down, put it on yourself FIRST. If you don't have that flow of life-sustaining oxygen going into yourself, you will not be able to help the next person.

Take the time every day to do something for yourself that is soul-satisfying and that nurtures your aspirations. It might be meditating, listening to music, taking a walk, gardening. Whatever it is, take time for yourself EVERY day--even if it is only 15 minutes.

That's our philosophy. We share a passion for helping our clients achieve more productive, harmonious, and balanced lives. By joining forces, we continue to live into our dreams as we guide others into theirs...with vision, courage, determination, and passion!

Author's Bio: 

Tom Ingrassia is a motivational speaker, success coach, author and musicologist. He is president and CEO at The MotivAct Group. Jared Chrudimsky is a licensed massage therapist and owner of Revitalize Massage Therapy, in Worcester, MA. He was recently named one of Worcester Business Journal's "40 Under Forty" business leaders for 2013.
Tom and Jared of the authors of "One Door Closes: Overcoming Adversity By Following Your Dreams" (Wyatt-Mackenzie Publishing).