When I was in my teens, I started to think seriously about where I wanted my life to go. Like many young people I had visions of doing something significant. I also knew that most people abandon their dreams. So I promised myself that I would never give up trying, no matter what difficulties might come.

And the difficult times did come—some of them more painful than I could have imagined. But I kept my promise. I've never given up. I've been blown out of the sky several times, but I've always been able to put things back together and lumber down the runway to bluer skies.

My greatest fear had always been that I might reach the end of my life and feel that I hadn't fulfilled my purpose—that I hadn't made a lasting difference in the world. I no longer have this fear, but I'm still driven to make the most of my talents, my experiences and my resources.

During my 30 years of personal development research, I've seen many people—good people, hard-working people, talented people—not experience the success they deserved.

They weren't failing, they were just no longer willing to go for the best that's within them. They had good intentions, but somewhere along the line they got disheartened and gave up on themselves—they let their dreams slip away.

It was out of my commitment and this concern, as well as my own failings, that I started my company. What I strive to do with my writing and with this network is to coach people to be their best—personally and professionally. No professional athlete would consider competing without a coach. And yet, few people have a coach for the game of life.

Coaches challenge and motivate the player. A good coach will help the athlete develop a game plan and create accountability for following that plan.

And we all need a game plan—a plan for a balanced, value-driven, principle-centered life. I believe that happiness is a result of continually striving toward worthwhile objectives while also enjoying and appreciating what is here and now. It's a paradoxical balance struck between what I call "inspirational dissatisfaction" and contentment.

By investing the time and energy to get clear on our values and life purpose, by defining and articulating what we really want from all areas of our life, and then consistently acting on our objectives, we will live a successful life.

This kind of work isn't easy. It requires deep thinking and honest soul-searching. It's not something you do in an afternoon. It demands constant focus and attention. Unless you're the architect of your life, you're at the affect of everything and everyone you encounter. It's something with which we all need help.

My passion is helping people discover, develop and fulfill their dreams. In the process, I fulfill my own.

I take great joy in supporting people and organizations to consistently create excellence. To participate in the development and realization of a dream is, for me, to walk on holy ground. By living our dreams, we give birth to things that never would have been, but more importantly, we become more of who we are in the process.