Last week was the annual Dugan family vacation. Possibly the most anticipated week of every year. It's the one week that ensures enough crazy stories, good food, games, photos, wine, and smiles to make your head spin. With 22 crazy people in one big house, this year was no different. There were so many great moments (and great lines by William and John) that it is hard to pick a favorite.
The moment that stands out the most though, is a conversation with Uncle Tim and Aunt Izzie. Not only are they super cool and incredibly smart, driven and successful people, they are genuinely wonderful. We were talking about peaking in life and how those who peak in High School aren't the ones to envy. William then asked if I had peaked yet, to which I proudly and (hopefully) replied no. William then asked Aunt Izzie but before she had a chance to respond, the quick witted (and crazy) Uncle Tim said "June 30th 1990, Baby!" That's their anniversary and the smirk on his face was priceless. While that was obviously a landmark day for them both, it certainly can't be considered a peak. He then said that he doesn't think he's peaked yet either.... (Let me just say, that's either a bold faced lie or his peak is a freaking plateau and he'll be king of that mountain for a long time. Either that or he's jumping from peak to peak of a very long and very very tall mountain range.)
While the verdict is still out on whether he has truly peaked or not, the lesson didn't go unnoticed. As the most successful man I know, it's humbling to see that he has no plans to slow down. He is always striving to be better, to do more, and to fulfill his dreams. And not in a greedy power hungry way either. He's constantly striving because he's constantly chasing his dreams. And when he reaches one dream's goal, he just dreams bigger. And somehow he finds a way to fulfill that dream too. It's amazing, humbling, and inspiring all at the same time.
Of all the things he said to us that night, one of the things that resonated the most was the rule of 3. Whether you are a sophomore in college trying to make it through, or the CEO of a major company, the key to success is to pick three things and really finish them, he said. He then made each of us create just 3 goals for the year and made us promise to
a. be self-starters and strong self-finishers to see those goals through. - he promised that if we could teach ourselves to be strong self-starters and finishers, we would be more successful than most in whatever it is that we want to do.
b. write those goals down - "don't just plug them into your phones or whatever crazy technology you have...."
So, with the help of him and the boys, these are my three goals for the year. Here's to being the self starter and finisher who is brave enough to dream big and always keep dreaming bigger.
1. Get good grades. A 3.5 or better!
2. Get in shape Go to the gym at least 4 times a week!
3. Get a B.O.Y. and/or a J.O.B. (the Job was his idea and the boy mine - the discrepancy allowed for a joint goal 3 even though the two aren't related)
PS the three best William lines of the week:
"Is Nana making your breakfast, William?"
"Yep, that's why we're such great euchre partners - she does the cooking and I do the winning!"
William's example of a simile:
"Bikini's are just like barbed wire. Protect the goods without destroying the view."
On Uncle Tim's ordering a new, very fast, car:
"Well I guess I'll be seeing you Saturdays and every other Wednesday."
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