Comments on: The Five Ps: Breaking Down Big Dreams Into Little Steps http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/ Financial talk for the rest of us Sat, 16 Feb 2013 01:14:45 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.5.1 By: Sara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-909662 Sara Sun, 02 May 2010 11:34:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-909662 I really like this post. One of your comments mentioned starting a musical instrument late in life. Well, I started the violin at 45. I have a wonderful teacher, and while I may never play professoinally – have no desire too, actually, I have a great new career I am attending grad school for now – but I have a joyful hobby I hope to continue for the rest of my life. With a part-time job, grad school and two kids and a recent divorce, my time is tight. However I do “snowflake” my time on the violin – Sometimes my practice is 15 minutes when I get up and another 15 minutes at night. I am also snowflaking my physical fitness. I take a yoga break in an unused office with my lunch break at work. I do 20 push-ups before I jump in the shower in the AM, etc. It really does work. I try not to “snowflake” my time with my kids, though!!! They need the whole deal!

]]> By: Lara http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-487200 Lara Tue, 20 Jan 2009 18:41:23 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-487200 Hi, I’m generally inspired by your articles and people’s comments. I either want to implement ideas I’ve read about or I say “I already do that”. As far as goal posting and positive ideas, thank you! It seems we have to search harder for positive things/information whereas the negative one’s are shoved and yelled at us. Thank you for spreading your positive attitude!

]]> By: lee http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-272821 lee Fri, 09 May 2008 15:46:09 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-272821 Thank you so, so much for this post.

]]> By: Murali http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-268565 Murali Tue, 06 May 2008 04:36:08 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-268565 The entire piece was Inspiring and great. I think each one of us ought to think and act in the way that our heart leads to and not just follow what life offers.

]]> By: KellyKelly http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-263283 KellyKelly Sat, 03 May 2008 14:08:14 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-263283 MARGARET (#41),

Your post is the best. Thanks for all the wisdom in it.

I have a similar way of looking at things. I make money in my arts career (writing) but am very involved in animal volunteering, and am planning to merge that with a third major passion I have.

Oh, the good life is SO not solely about the money! If you die tomorrow, you will die a “winner” in my opinion, because you found ways to do all the stuff you wanted to do. Well the major stuff (music, animals, and now helping DV victims).

Only in the past five years or so have I really “got it” that life is not a dress rehearsal. I can’t put off the things that I love until 1) retirement or 2) until I pay off my debt or 3) unti I am not so busy or 4) until the house or yard or basement or yard or xyz is “finished.”

I’ve seen person after person just drop dead — car accident, aneurysm, cancer. People in their 30s and 40s.

I make less now than I did in the past, but my life is better. However, I am always looking for ways to increase my income … but I’m very hesitant to do that at the expense of my “full” life.

Thanks for your post.

]]> By: Curtis http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-260447 Curtis Thu, 01 May 2008 23:29:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-260447 I’d like to second the request (comment #29) for what writing “practice” means. “writing on a lot of different topics” is less specific than the technique drills you recommend for Brad. I’m a writer (of academic articles) and a triathlete. Following similar principles to your five P’s I have had improved a lot as a triathlon and have achieved some goals that I wouldn’t have believed were possible for me five years ago. When it comes to writing I think I’ve got the passion, persistence, patience, and to some extent, the participation; your article inspired me to work on my practice, which right now is the equivalent of a lot of basketball scrimmages, i.e., just trying to write a lot. What are the drills you find useful?
Thanks in advance

]]> By: Hunter Valley Accommodation http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-260409 Hunter Valley Accommodation Thu, 01 May 2008 22:53:12 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-260409 This reminds me of a quote: “How do you eat an elephant? One bight at a time”. Unfortunately, I don’t remember who wrote it – maybe someone else does?

Thank you for another great article.

]]> By: Jeff R http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-258799 Jeff R Thu, 01 May 2008 02:42:11 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-258799 I would like to add my voice to the choir of those who find the Simple Dollar a daily inspiration. It is one of the first things I read each morning when I first sit down with my cup of coffee and review my emails.

I would be interested to know how much time it now takes (approximately) to write the 1,000 words each day.

I wrote professionally for three years for a medium-sized newspaper in a NJ suburb and found it a challenge to compose an EXCELLENT once-a-week article. Thanks for all the good thoughts.

]]> By: Jen http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-258526 Jen Wed, 30 Apr 2008 21:49:37 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-258526 @Margaret: fostering DV pets was a GREAT idea!

]]> By: Mol http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-258043 Mol Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:51:47 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-258043 Really inspirational article Trent, but I find my body too exhausted to do anything but lay in bed by the time I get home from work and the gym and take care of cooking and cleaning, and I do get a good ammount of sleep (generally 8-10 hours) do you have any suggestions for those of us who have the desire to work towards our passions, but don’t even feel physically capable of doing so? I have a feeling ‘baby steps’ will likely be the answer. Keep up the great work! =)

]]> By: Bethany http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257990 Bethany Wed, 30 Apr 2008 16:13:05 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257990 Trent,

Thank you. Thank you for sharing the behind-the-scenes of how to got where you are. If you have been writing 1,000 words every day for nearly two decades, then in no sense is this blog a “overnight success” – which it has seemed to me to be for you to quit your “day job” after only blogging a couple years.

I just wrote a somewhat similar piece on my blog about the importance of not giving up while we wait for our dreams. And I just put in my two weeks notice to work part-time so I can focus more on freelance work and writing. It’s scary, but I don’t want to end my life with a lot of excuses.

Bravo. Thanks for the inspiration.

]]> By: sandspiral http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257958 sandspiral Wed, 30 Apr 2008 15:53:01 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257958 To Andy in comment #10–I just finished a good book called “The Renaissance Soul: Life Design for People with Too Many Passions to Pick Just One” by Margaret Lobenstine. Sounds like you’re a “Renaissance Soul” just like me, and I found a lot of helpful material to think over in the book.

And Trent, I agree–one of your best posts I’ve read yet!

]]> By: Margaret http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257592 Margaret Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:57:15 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257592 I’m adding my voice to those who think this is the best Simple Dollar column. I’m going to forward it to my music students, and to others who might need a pep talk (some days, me). I wanted to say to !wanda and Michael that it’s not true what you believe about professional musicians. Some excellent professionals on my instrument didn’t start until 10 or 12. I didn’t start until I was 9, and have an active, successful performing career in a symphony and beyond. I’ve taught music for many years, and one thing I’ve noticed is that the people who start later almost always DO catch up to the ones who started earlier. By the time they reach high school, the starting age has become a non-issue. For both early and late starters, the predictors of success are active curiosity and a mongoose-like attitude to the learning process, passion, persistence, and maybe a lack of fear (although a teacher, and the learning process itself, can help you overcome fear). My best student, who is very good indeed, started at age 11. It’s true that it’s much harder to reach a very high level of proficiency once you reach adulthood, but I believe that this is mostly due to the necessary time spent on other things that compete for your time. And most importantly, aside from all this–I do think you missed the point. Following your passion will have rewards in and of itself. It doesn’t always matter whether you end up making your career in your chosen field. You’ll feel fulfilled just by having followed the path outlined in Trent’s column, and your whole life will change. Although I went to a music conservatory, I was torn between that and becoming a veterinarian. For almost 30 years now, I’ve been maintaining a large pack of dogs and cats (not the same ones, of course!), all but one of them rescued. I’m proud of the fact that they live to grand old age in comfort and happiness. As a survivor of domestic violence, I’ve been wondering what I could do to help more animals and other women, and just last week I had an “Aha!” moment, and offered my services to Alternatives for Battered Women as a foster mother for pets of women and kids who had to enter shelters for an extended period. I feel every bit as good about this as I do about my highly satisfying career in music. I suppose you could ask, “Fine, but that’s volunteerism–where does the dollar come in?”, and that’s true. But I’ve been able to merge my two loves by presenting concerts that have raised thousands of dollars for our local humane society. I think it’s a wonderful thing to follow where your passions lead, although you can’t always see the end of the path. Take that first step! You won’t regret it.

]]> By: Lenore http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257537 Lenore Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:20:42 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257537 So Trent, when are you going to share one of your short stories on the blog? I bet you have at least one with financial themes. If not, maybe you could write a fictionalized account of your own childhood conditioning toward commercialism and adult struggle against overspending. That would be very interesting, edifying and likely to resonate with many of your readers.

]]> By: Christine http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257516 Christine Wed, 30 Apr 2008 11:11:07 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257516 Thank you, simply thank you. Have a wonderful day!

]]> By: Jules http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257322 Jules Wed, 30 Apr 2008 07:49:21 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257322 ‘Tis awesomeness, indeed. Though you should also add: don’t be surprised if your passion isn’t what you thought it was.

I always thought my passion was for writing. I’m good at it (well, I think so, anyway, and the people on Helium keep voting my articles into the top 5 slots, for whatever that’s worth), and I like it–but it’s not something I can do consistently. It’s not something that absorbs me, body and soul, the way baking does. So far, baking is only a hobby, but I suspect it will grow–especially if I can find a bakery willing to take me on as an apprentice.

]]> By: christianPF http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257174 christianPF Wed, 30 Apr 2008 03:04:20 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257174 Trent,
I, like a few others, are astounded at the amount you write. That is like a 4 page essay every day of your life!! I used to dread writing essays in school, and it would take me a week to write something that long!! I should have started the same habit back when I was 12, it would have made college quite a bit easier!!

]]> By: DrFunZ http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257139 DrFunZ Wed, 30 Apr 2008 02:04:22 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257139 Wonderful post!! Inspiring! (I must say, I am getting a bit bored with 13th installation of book discussion. Sorry – no kids, and I only need to read once that the world is poised to make consumers of us all starting at a very early age, so beware!) Perhaps you can keep the book discussions to about 4 or 5, leaving time for these more practical pieces.

]]> By: RubiaLala http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257024 RubiaLala Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:07:51 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257024 I am sure you have done the math, but the second I read that you had been writing at least 1,000 words a day for 17 years I had to calculate the total. That means you have written a minimum of 6,205,000 words. That’s a lot.

Thanks for the encouraging post. I really liked it.

]]> By: Andy http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257020 Andy Tue, 29 Apr 2008 23:03:25 +0000 http://www.thesimpledollar.com/2008/04/29/the-five-ps-breaking-down-big-dreams-into-little-steps/#comment-257020 Trent, this was a STELLAR article. Judging by the comments (for the most part) it appears that you have inspired a lot of readers to dust off their old hobbies and passions and maybe just give them another shot.

Great job on the pictures, too. I think they really add a lot of powerfulness (is that even a word? This is why I am not a professional writer…LOL) to the post!

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