The Leading Edge: I’ve Got Dreams To Remember
In his song, I’ve Got Dreams To Remember, late soul-singer Otis Redding, painfully croons about his lost love. At some point, Otis and his love were an item, but now, she’s moved on. Otis wails and begs for her to stay, but it is not to be. He knows that he can no longer have her; therefore, all that he has left is his dreams of the love they once shared.
Similar to Otis, I too, have dreams to remember. I always have. Now, I have dreams of equipping people all over the world to answer God’s call on their lives. I have dreams of inspiring and helping youths and adults learn how to become transformational leaders. But it wasn’t always this way.
Not too long ago, my dreams consisted of chasing after higher salaries in my corporate jobs. Before that, my dream was to graduate from college and graduate school and become wealthy. Well, at least I thought that was my dream. As it turned out, doing those things were neither my dream, nor my passion. Nevertheless, I pursued that dream like a cheetah chasing its prey. Which sounds pretty cool. Until you realize that I never caught what I was chasing.
Truthfully, I’m glad that I didn’t catch it. This is why, The Ownership Question: Is My Dream Really My Dream?, from John Maxwell’s book, Put Your Dream To the Test, is my favorite chapter. If I would have caught what I was passionately pursuing -lots and lots of money- I’d have been miserable! Because I was chasing it for all of the wrong reasons.
It wasn’t until many years later, after I’d obtained both my undergraduate and graduate degrees that I became willing to bet on myself. You see, education has a way of enlightening the eyes of your mind. That’s what it did for me. I came to the realization that working a steady, well-paying job was not for me. No, I’m not crazy. I’m called. Here’s a hint: so are you! And once I prayed and sought wise counsel about my next steps, I knew it was time for me to leave my job for good. Pun intended.
Once I had God’s permission and the backing of my family, it was time for me to bet on myself. After almost 20 years, Sept. 12, 2014 was my last day working in Corporate America. Woo hoo!!! It was time to spread my wings and fly away. This would have been even cooler if I’d have known where I was flying to! Regardless, I was ready to do my thing and build my legacy. But, I knew I couldn’t do it alone.
That’s why I joined The John Maxwell Team. Because of the expert training that I receive from our teaching faculty, now, I’m better equipped to serve even more people in my coaching, teaching, and speaking business, WordTalk Productions, in Columbus, Ohio. I have the pleasure and honor of helping people overcome their limiting beliefs, conquer their fears, and become high impact, transformational leaders in their jobs, businesses, communities, and schools.
I get to do this (and man, it is fun!!!), because just like Otis Redding, way back when my dream wasn’t really yet my dream, I had dreams to remember. I knew that God had plans for me. Even if I didn’t fully understand what they were just yet.
Maybe you’ve got a dream. Or maybe it’s been a long time since you’ve dreamed. If so, it’s time that you dreamed a new dream. It’s time for you to Put Your Dream to the Test. When you do, you just may discover that you’ve got dreams to remember.
Bio
Mr. Eric J. Watts, President of WordTalk Productions, LLC, a leadership development firm and an Executive Director with The John Maxwell Team. He is a Transformational Coach, Inspirational Teacher and Speaker, and Mentor. A formerly frustrated corporate employee, Eric helps people make positive shifts in their lives. He inspires them to identify and clarify who they are, find their passion, and fulfill their purpose.
Eric specializes in providing challenging leadership coaching, teaching, and development for individuals and organizations. He is known for his engaging, and unique teaching and speaking style where he connects with his audience in fun, and powerfully impactful ways.
Eric is an active mentor who enjoys investing into the lives of others. He teaches leadership, management, sales, ethics, courses at the undergraduate and graduate levels as an adjunct professor of business at Ohio Dominican University in Columbus, OH. He also serves the university as a leader on the Alumni Council.
Eric earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness and Applied Economics from The Ohio State University, and his Master of Science in Business Leadership and Management from Ohio Dominican University.
Eric resides in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Gina, their son Christian, and two crazy dogs.