When I was a teenager I was talking to an old man in a pub in England and he asked me where I’d just been.

As I told him that I’d just got back from a wonderful holiday in Morocco he said something that really made me stop and think.

His exact words were “I wish I could have done that when I was a child.”

I’ll never forget those words, words that spoke of lost opportunities, of regret about the things that could have been done if only…

Well, I really felt sorry for that man but I was grateful to him too. For inadvertently he had given me the best advice I’d ever heard.

You see as I sat and spoke to him, and listened to him lament his life, I made a vow to myself that I would never be like him in my old age, rueing the things I wished I could have done.

I vowed to take whatever opportunities life presented me and help others when I could…

That’s why I jumped at the opportunity to go live in South Africa twenty one years ago and then three and a half years ago China where I live now.

It’s been a fantastic education experiencing every facet of life in these wonderful countries and I’d never have missed it for the world.

But what about you, will you truly be able to look back when you retire and say that you’ve done everything you wished you could?

Too many people fail to live their life, they waste so many opportunities that are presented to them and end up lamenting those they missed.

Don’t be like them, whatever your dream is, it’s only a step away… Take the first step and your journey has begun.

I’d love to hear stories from you about your first steps and how you’re living your dreams so post a reply below.

To your success, Always!

Stuart