Have you ever had a feeling that turned into a thought and then the thought turned into an obsession? Have you ever fallen in love, done something on a whim or followed your instinct?
Have you ever wondered what you would do, who you would meet, where you would go, if you knew you could not fail? Napoleon Hill, in 1937, wrote, “Thoughts are things”, powerful things, when mixed with determination of purpose, persistence and a burning desire; translate into rich objects and other materials.
Combine that thought with the old adage “The person who thinks of something usually passes for someone who does something!” and you will begin to find your butkus, your true passion in life.
He had done something and now, almost by accident, he was in the middle of a whirlwind. The dream funnel dropped me off at the corner office at One NFL Way, Mt. Laurel, New Jersey: it was NFL Films.
“Is this real? Why am I here?”
“Is that who I think it is?”
“Is it what I think it is?”
Surely I would wake up from this dream. I had to do it! This really couldn’t be happening.
The corner office was that of Steve Sabol, the NFL legend. And no, it wasn’t a dream. We were arm in arm, while his staff took the celebration photo.
Years before, many decades in fact, he had been a soccer-loving kid in British Columbia, Canada. I loved playing football and watching the NFL on TV, especially the high-profile movies. That’s where I first heard Steve Sabol’s voice and heartfelt presence. His movies sparked my imagination. I loved the poetic slow-motion visuals, thunderous music, and captivating stories. As a fan, everything about NFL Films was larger than life.
Being a fan of something is one thing, but how the hell did I get here in this office, with this man? Luck maybe, heaven sent it for sure, but it sure as hell wasn’t by accident!
During a moment of unplanned frustration, I wrote a letter on a whim, then thought about it for a day and didn’t send it. I have rarely wavered in my life, but I sat on my letter for a week debating the pros and cons of sending it. Then one day I read again a familiar statement: “When you have a good idea, do it right away!” I went to the post office and quickly mailed my letter.
A few weeks later a return postcard appeared with a stamp from Bruno Nagurski of NFL Films. The plain white cardstock paper had the NFL Films logo and a handwritten note:
BETO-
THANK YOU FOR THE DVD AND YOUR KIND WORDS ABOUT NFL MOVIES!
IF WE HAVE ANOTHER DICK BUTKUS TV SPECIAL, AND ONE IS IN THE PLANNING STAGES RIGHT NOW, WE WILL DEFINITELY INCLUDE HIS WORK AND HIS STORY.
BEST STEVE
Eleven months later, almost to this day, my story won the 2008 Emmy Award for Outstanding Feature Film. With only desire and self-confidence I had unconsciously followed Napoleon Hill’s teachings “thoughts are things”, powerful things.
Learn to follow your dreams, be persistent with a determined desire. To take action. When you do, you will find the thing, the inner part that is uniquely yours. What you already know, right now, is the key that will unlock your dreams and desires.
Your dreams can’t win you an Emmy Award, an Academy Award, or any kind of award, but when you act, they will be answered. Stop thinking and start doing; Become your own fan and you will find your unstoppable self!
