So, there's this kid named Jack.
Jack is seventeen years old. He loves musical theater. He sings. He dances. He acts. He’s a triple threat. He dreams about being on Broadway when he’s older.
Jack discovered a summer program in NYC—masterclasses led by Broadway legends, tickets to Tony Award-winning shows, dinner with cast members, and more. A dream-come-true for any young performing artist.
Jack really wanted to attend this summer program.
His parents told him, “We love you, we support you, but if you’re serious about this…then you need to earn money for the tuition, airfare, and hotel by yourself.”
Oh, Jack was serious.
He started mowing lawns, babysitting, doing all kinds of jobs after school. He saved up. One dollar at a time. Little by little, his dream-fund grew…and grew.
It took about a year, but he did it. He earned the cash. He got himself to NYC.
When he arrived, he walked into the dance studio with fire in his eyes, looking like a tiger. He’d fought to be there. He made his dream happen.
Maybe you know someone just like Jack—someone who’s ferociously devoted to their goals. I think there’s a “Jack” inside every one of us. We all have that same power.
I know someone who spent a whole summer working on a fishery in Alaska, sloshing around in freezing water, knee deep in fish guts. Why? So she could save money—money that she re-invested into her art, producing a series of plays and one-woman shows.
I know people who wake up at 5 am so they can workout, write, meditate, or devote time to an important project before the rest of the world wakes up.
I've seen my older brother, Ben, grab his saxophone and practice in a concrete underground parking lot. On that day, he couldn't find a proper rehearsal space and figured, "This lot will do." It was either "play in the lot" or "skip practicing"—and skipping wasn't an option.
This is how dreams get built. With deep love and passion. With clear priorities. With persistence, determination, and sometimes, an old lawn mower that you borrowed from a friend. Whatever it takes.
What about you?
Will you mow a lawn for your dream? Will you wake up at dawn for your dream? Will you set a boundary to protect your dream? Take a risk for your dream? Get up and try again for your dream?
We can make excuses. Or we can make progress.
Just like Jack, we all have a “lawn” (literal or metaphorical) that we need to mow—some type of step that needs to completed in order to move closer to The Big Dream.
We can mow those lawns—and we can do it with hope, a full heart, and gratitude for the opportunity to move forward.
Let's start mowing.
-Alex
PS. I originally wrote this story back in 2018 and updated it for today. It’s a true story. Jack is a real person. My hut (heart + gut) told me that somebody out there needed to hear this story...again...today.
PPS. Would you like to feel more confident when telling stories aloud? Recommendation: go take a masterclass with my friend Robert Hartwell. Robert is a Broadway artist, Oprah Winfrey Network television host, and unbelievable teacher. He will help you strengthen your public speaking and storytelling skills.
If you sometimes feel shaky, nervous, awkward, or not fully prepared when you are doing a podcast appearance, delivering an important Zoom presentation, speaking onstage, having a conversation with a potential client or investor, or trying to tell an inspirational story, work with Robert. He will get you all sorted out.
PPPPS. What is your dream? And, what is the next step you need to take in order to move forward? It might be doing a side-hustle to save money. It might be saying "no" to a request in order to protect your time. It might be asking for help. What's your next move?