My Dream

About two and a half years ago when I was bored out of my mind in my insurance manager's job (the story of my life being a square peg in a round hole), I dreamt of a way out of the bog that I was trapped in: in a country town on the other side of the world from vibrant Africa. I needed stimulation and challenge whereas my wife likes the peace and quiet of tranquil New Zealand, as well as being able to see her family after being out of the country for fourteen years. We often went on long walks along the magnificent beaches here in Gisborne, New Zealand wracking our brains.

How could I earn a living, as well as provide a lifestyle to see my family and friends on the other side of the world. All this takes plenty of "bucks", which is something I never had.

I started writing out of sheer boredom, but then I've always been frustrated in my job. Soon a plan began to develop in my imagination - there was indeed a solution to our "predicament". I've never written much since school compositions and occasional political letters to the editor of newspapers in South Africa, which greatly stirred the conservative insurance establishment. There were a number of vitriolic outbursts venting their anger at my perceived "unpatriotism". So how could I set up a business for myself and derive satisfaction, when I knew hardly anyone in an extremely conservative town on the other side of the world.

I visualized an end result of me being a successful writer, who could travel to promote my books. I could then visit my family and friends in Cape Town. This would be the perfect job for me (or so I thought). After all, I am always looking in the job vacancies just out of curiosity and I've yet to find the perfect match for me. Am I that peculiar?...

In addition, I hoped that the writing would provide an opening to set up my own business in either motivational talks or counselling people with problems (I've had lots of practice, not that that's a good guideline!). Helping people is what makes me happiest, so perhaps my books will lead me down this path. I try to picture the end result, although it's quite hard.

Those were some of my thoughts as Marie and I had our daily walks along the magnificent long and deserted Makorori beach up the coast from Gisborne.

I carried on working, while the germ of my dream started to flower. My heart was in my writing and not my work. I enjoyed writing and I was very happy doing it, although I didn't know whether I was any good at it. However, this attitude wasn't fair to my good employers and staff. Then one day I got so frustrated with my job doing nothing (although it was a very successful branch that I managed), that I couldn't take it any longer. In a moment of impulse I "chucked it all in". I think I would have been made redundant shortly afterwards anyway, as the company was continually going through down-phasing stages of restructuring. Anyway the deed was done, which caused me a lot of trauma and worry afterwards. But then that is usually the price of my impulsiveness!

Now I just HAD to make my dream work, because there was absolutely nothing else in my line of work here in Gisborne...and the town that I was living in was slowly dying... breathing it's last economic breaths. Thus I threw myself totally into my writing with a great passion. Now after the writing came the hardest part: finding a publisher. After countless rejections of my first work HOW TO SURVIVE THE NINETIES I eventually found an English publisher, Minerva Press who have been excellent (ha ha!). They are also publishing a number of my other works. Incidentally, I did not know the first thing about the book business when I started off two years ago, so it's been a great learning experience. At first I fired off manuscripts "here, there and everywhere", but since then I have targeted the country where I would like my books to be published.

Since I started off in my new "career" in less than a year, I am having four books published so far. I have written three others (not including this one). I am presently trying to find a UK agent which as I write, I think I might have done. I may also have found a South African agent. I work every day with a great enthusiasm; Marie has never seen me do things with so much enthusiasm. For the first time in my life I have found work that I love (find what you love and love what you do). I find the research absorbing, although I am not one of those studious learned types. I'm actually a people person (in case you are wondering).

I haven't included this chapter to "blow my own trumpet", but merely to show what can perhaps be done. If you can visualize it, the mind will show you how to do it. That is one of the great advantages of living in a slow tranquil country like New Zealand, especially in a small town out of the "rat race". It allows you to think clearly about your life: what you want out of it, your dreams and goals. Everyone has far more options than they may ever think, if you take responsibility (control) over your destiny. I really believe that! Over here I have singled-mindedly focussed on the path ahead. Daily I have taken the small steps in moving towards our family's ultimate goal: stability, security and to be of value through my writing. It has involved great personal sacrifices - emotional and financial, but I believe it will be worth it in the end (the "no pain, no gain" theory).

Luckily Marie is a very good registered nurse at the local private hospital. She is in charge of the recovery ward and supports the family financially. However, she is as "deaf as a doornail"( what's a doornail by the way?), so the books had better work before she gets put out to pasture. Otherwise we are really in the Poo! Glory or bankruptcy - will we make it in time? Read the next exciting instalment to find out...

I truly believe that if you want whatever it is badly enough, you can achieve your dream - no matter where you are or what your dream is. However, I'm nowhere there yet, although I believe I'm well on the way. I don't know for sure whether I'll ever achieve success - perhaps I never will. But no matter... I have dared to dream and been happy in giving "it a go", as I travel along my very individual journey down the "stream of life".

I haven't achieved my dream yet, so perhaps you can laugh at me. I often have doubts about my ability in achieving the goal of success. I've just taken the first steps, but I accept it is a long term plan. Daily I take small steps to move me closer and closer to my ultimate goal. I'm nothing special, but I am PERSISTENT and TOTALLY FOCUSSED. I eat and sleep my writing which I share only with my wife over here. I jot things down at the side of my bed, when I wake up with an idea and I work late at night and early mornings. I have found my passion and Marie is very happy for me...

I truly believe that I will get there in the end. If I don't it doesn't really matter - I have had great fun in trying. So far I have greatly enjoyed my new journey with my writing and I am happy.

As Ben Sweetland said so well: "Success lies not in the destination, but in the destination". I hope you too take pleasure in your journey and that you will achieve your dream.

Craig Lock

P.S: A lot has happened in my life since writing that article a few years ago. I am doing this entire venture on an absolute shoestring and supporting myself now that my marriage has ended. Hardly surprising with the financial stress we went through for so long. However, my techno geek associate, Bill and I are selling my books around the world from our New Zealand Enterprise site and six books have been published by two American electronic publishers. My articles on self development and following your dreams in life are appearing on-line and off-line in various publications and I’ve developed stragegic alliances with some talented and kind people around the globe. Who know’s where this is all heading... but who cares! We are having fun along the journey (even if there’s not too much money coming in at the moment) and I really feel I’m on the right path for me and fulfilling my mission in life (even if no-one else can understand it). If God (a Higher Power, the Spirit of the Universe, Life Force, or whatever you understand Him to be) has a plan for all of our lives for doing good (as I’m sure he has) for each one of us, He must have a great sense of humour with the way my life has unfolded. A final word...

If your heart tells you to do something (no matter what others may think), as the Nike ad says: JUST DO IT

About the Author






C.Lock@xtra.co.nz
http://www.celebrityhowto.com/CLock.html