Page 7 - Life Coaching Today January 2021

What is your definition of peace? What is your definition of success?
I used to think that success could create any result you wanted in life. Being able to do whatever you want, wherever you want, as much as you want. But, ten years ago, I changed that to success is fulfilling your soul's purpose. Suppose we go back to the idea that we each have a sense of the need to fulfill the need to be: an artist, a great chef, a mother that raises two healthy kids, to start a business, to the right a wrong in the world like a social justice issue you take on, a great teacher in a school, etc. I know a lot of readers are entrepreneurs. Entrepreneurs figure out how to solve a problem in the world and get paid for it.
Whether you're creating fashion, finding a cure for a disease, bringing a product to people, doing coaching and therapy, whatever it is, if you're doing that entirely, then you are fulfilling your purpose and can be successful. I mentioned my children. None of them is wealthy in doing what they do, but they are all delighted. One is a hip-hop singer, and he has a studio in his condo, and he's making music all the time, and he's also a DJ. Another one is a drummer of a band, and another one is a singer, and my stepdaughter is also a singer and an artist, and they're always making music, performing, etc., and they love what they do.
Whether or not they ever reach the status of Billy Joel or a Lady Gaga is not essential. It's they're having fun doing it, and they're fulfilling their purpose. If individuals are doing what they enjoy and are being fulfilled by what they are doing, they are successful.
What type of legacy do you wish to leave?
Two legacies. One of the books is over 200 chicken for the soul books now and sold over 500 million copies worldwide. So I'm thrilled with the impact that it has made in opening people's hearts and helping them believe that everything is possible, helping them connect with people with love, and overcoming the obstacles that usually stop them from achieving their goals. Also, the work I do with the success principles of trainers.
We now have over 3000 certified trainers in 170 countries globally, so that's very fulfilling for me. Now, I'm throwing out huge numbers, and it could be intimidating for some people. The fact is it's taking me years and years to reach those numbers for the first chicken soup for the soul book was turned down by 144 publishers then when it was finally published, it took 14 months before we made the bestseller list, but once we did, we climbed up to #1 in the New York Times and stayed there for three years.
Eventually, we had seven books on the New York times list, but each one of those books took us about a year to write, so after several years, we started writing 4 to 5 books a year by working with co-authors, and then eventually, we end up to 200. It took us 15 years to get to that level, and so we just worked at it and keep working and keep working and keep visualizing and keep being observers and keep responding to the feedback. I think you can leave a great legacy.
Finally, we started developing a curriculum for schools, teaching success principles. I desire to see the staff taught while in school, so we use podcasts, webinars, and seminars. Those are the legacies I want to leave.
What is the one dream for yourself you most look forward to having come true?
I have a book I am currently working on about choosing love rather than fear of being misguiding you in your life. It's a book that I sometimes don't work on because sometimes the topic overwhelms me, sometimes I'm just too busy doing delivery of interviews and things like that. Still, I am looking forward to finishing that book, and also, we have a goal to have a million trainers by the year 2030 teaching our work.
If there's one thing you could change about the world, what would it be?
I would say if I could snap my finger and everybody would change. Everybody would be feeding each other with love and respect, and acceptance. We could stop trying to convince everyone of who they are is wrong. We should do it our way. We'd love everyone to have their own beliefs, their religious beliefs, their political beliefs, and we still love and respect them and can move far, far away from that. If everyone will follow their heart and do what's in their heart and get over their wounds, which leads people angry for what they think they want and need, and we wouldn't have racism.
We wouldn't have the classism that we have right now. People would be much more generous and kind and compassionate and responsible for themselves and each other. I would like to see people fulfilled in their own heart's desires such that they can allow everyone else to be who they are and let them pursue the fulfillment of their heart's desires.