Is Your Dream Really Worth It? Discover Your Passion, Purpose, and Plan may be viewed as a “self-help” book. But it is much more than that because it does not aim to help by preaching grandiose ideas. Instead, it provides real actions for people to practice as they read, evaluating and dissecting every word to determine whether or not it is for her or him.
Is Your Dream Really Worth It? Can best be described as a transformational journey where this book is asking you to be most vulnerable in identifying the barriers in your life that are holding you back from going after your goals and aspirations.
This book is introduced by the famous, Tom Pinnock, Author of You Can Be Rich By Thursday, top distributor for Reliv International, and one of the top distributors in the Multi-Level Marketing Profession. He shares in his introduction, “The truth is we need more dreamers in the world like Tony. People who are willing to get out of their comfort zone, dream big, love much, and make a positive difference in the world. Throughout the following pages, you will find step by step plans that will not only help you identify your dreams, but they will also show you how to put those dreams to work so that your glorious visions can become a reality.”
This is exactly what this book demonstrates. A STEP by STEP plan to make our visions become a reality. I was very adamant about not writing just another “self-help “book but rather I wanted to create an experience, one that would compel readers to finally take action in the lives. I believe it’s not enough to read about personal development hacks, or how to achieve your dreams. We have to take the first step, and Is Your Dream Really Worth It? Is truly the companion that everyone needs for their journey no matter what stage you are in your life.
It was through soul searching, supportive mentors, family, and pure grit that I wasn’t going to allow anything to get between me and sharing my gifts with the world. In a way what I share throughout this book are things that I have done in my own personal life that at 25 years of age is quite remarkable. However, all these successes I’ve had thus far didn’t come easily. I did all the hard work for the readers of this book by consolidating my knowledge of transformation and action into this book.
I strongly believe that the reader is ultimately the one who gets to decide if their dream is really worth it. But, I am going to do my best to fight for your dreams on their behalf. It’s my gift to the world and it’s the readers turn to receive it.
Excerpt:
Chapter 2: Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
“Move out of your comfort zone. You can only grow if you are willing to feel awkward and uncomfortable when you try something new”
—Brian Tracy
If I were to ask you, “Are you living your purpose?” would you be able to confidently answer “Yes!”?
It’s easy to allow complacency to rob you of your joy. You stay in the same job, hang around the same group of folks, eat the same food, listen to the same music, and your life becomes a constant replay of the same story.
Deep down, you hunger for more, but because you don’t want to step off the edge into a place of uncertainty and discomfort, you keep your feet firmly planted on the ground. Perhaps you have family members or friends who tell you, “Don’t take that job.” “You can’t succeed in that business.” “Don’t take risks.”
What if you could see your life five years from now, and because of the risks you took, you were provided with opportunities you couldn’t fathom? If you stay where you are, is it going to help you become the person you want to be?
This is where we get honest with ourselves. Nothing’s going to change unless we first step outside our comfort zones and ask if this is really where we want to be, and who we want to be. The first step is always the hardest, but once you take it, there’s no going back.
Everyone has a purpose, even if they don’t see it right now. Everyone has a dream – something they want to be working towards, or something they want to put into the world. Take a look at where you are today. It took a leap of faith to get this far, didn’t it? To become even greater is going to require the same amount of awkwardness and discomfort. In order to change, you’re going to have to step outside your comfort zone. If you don’t, you’ll fall into old habits and patterns because you’re scared. It’s okay to be scared, but the world (and your soul) needs you to take action anyway.
I can’t tell you what you’re capable of. I can only paint the vision of what’s possible. In order to
create your legacy, we’re going to start by looking at the stories we tell ourselves. Once we identify why we’ve been holding ourselves back from our dreams, we’ll be able to start moving forward towards greater fulfillment, greater purpose, and greater joy.
“You have a gift that others are waiting to hear. Find it. Define it. Understand it” – Tony Shavers III
Author, youth activist, and dream go-getter, Tony Shavers III continues to be a defining voice in finding success within identity. His spirit, inspiration, and life experience has led him on a journey of self-discovery where time and time again he has practiced his passion and gift in life — helping others. And with the release of his newly published book Is Your Dream Really Worth It? Discover Your Passion, Purpose, and Plan, he shares the same chance at success with the world.
From a young age, Tony has had a gift in making a real difference in people’s lives. His power comes from being a voice for those who have none. He found that he had real power in what he said and did and knew he needed to share it with the world.
Tony’s good works and achievements continue to prove that when one puts their mind to something, they can do anything. In 2015, Tony received the Community Justice Award from Community Works West for his exceptional dedication to support children of incarcerated parents, as well as for his continued commitment to make higher education accessible to youth everywhere.
As the founder of The Shavers Family Foundation, he has garnered a means to award scholarships to deserving high school seniors taking the initiative to reach higher and do better through a college education. These great works are a testament to where he started to where he is today.
Tony Shavers III graduated high school from Oakland School for the Arts (Class of 2010) where he studied Literary Arts and received his Bachelors of Arts degree at California State University, East Bay. His deep passion for philanthropy has landed him at KIPP Bay Area Schools, UC Berkeley, Haas School of Business, Board of Directors for Community Works West and now San Jose State University where he serves as a Leadership Annual Giving Officer.
Tony Shavers III enjoys spending time with family, friends, and volunteering his time with nonprofit organizations. He is excited about this journey and can’t wait to see where this road takes him over the next several years! His dream was worth it and he wants to help you discover yours!
Get to Know Tony Shavers III:
Can you recall an early experience where you learned that language has power?
It was in the 4th grade when I discovered the power of language! I wrote my first poem about farm animals and global warming! I still have these poems til this very day! No way would I go back and read them though, they are horrible!
Does writing energize or exhaust you?
Writing definitely energizes me! I find so much joy in writing as it has really become a way for me to escape into a world that I get to create.
What is your favorite childhood book?
My favorite book is: Where the Wild Things Are! BEST BOOK EVER!
What is the first book that you made you cry?
The first book that made me cry was Kindred by Octavia E. Butler
How did publishing for your first book change your process of writing?
I enrolled in Chandler Bolt’s Self-Publishing School and it literally walked me step by step on how to self-publish. Best money I could’ve ever spent. It was super fun to do a Mind Mapping Tool. I literally turned my house into my personal notepad!
What if your favorite book to listen to via audible?
The Dream Giver by Bruce Wilkerson. A must read and listen to. This book will motivate you to bring value to the world like nobody’s business.
Do you think someone could be a writer if they don’t feel emotions strongly?
Absolutely! I believe we all have a story inside of us and guess what…. It’s OURS! No one can tell OUR story better than we can! Grab your pen and get writing!