It is rare that I base a blog on a single question. But the outpouring of response to my blog “Finding friends in a world of fans” got me thinking more deeply about the subject and I am sincerely curious about your response to the question at the end of this blog.

Bill Gothard, isolated four “Levels of Friendship”. 1. acquaintance, 2. casual friend, 3. close friend, and 4 intimate friend.

Here is how he loosely defined each level.

Are your dreams far away and undefined or within reach and rich with detail? I just spent a week with my youngest grandson, Tyler.  He is one of the most positive little people I have ever met.  His answer to almost everything is an enthusiastic “OKAY!”

“Want to climb a mountain?”

“OKAY!”

“Want to ride the four wheeler?”

“OKAY?”

There are some exceptions! I asked him if he wanted to get a flu shot and couldn’t find him for an hour.

Today as I read the comments on my last blog, “How to find friends in a world of fans,“ I came across this very special comment from my son in law Scott Fowler.  Scott once sang with “The Cathedrals” and now travels with his own very popular Southern Gospel group, “Legacy Five.”  Scott has more fans than a Tennessee deer has ticks. His comment is a tribute to the character of my daughter, Taryn and the quality of their love. I hope you enjoy the comment and the story.

Do you have friends or fans?

No matter what your occupation, this is a question that has a huge impact on your quality of life.  In order to answer that question you need to know difference between a fan and a friend.  Here are some hints.

Fans see you as networking potential ————— Friends see your potential
Fans love you for your performance ————-  A friend loves you for you.
Fans are fickle ————— Friends are forever.
Fans want  to see only your good side  ————–  A friend will protect your backside.
Fans demand that you entertain them —————– Friends just want your company.

Several years ago I came to the sad realization that I had almost no friends. I had thousands of fans, I had a successful career,  I had lots of stuff, but I had no real friends. I was a nomad.  I didn’t herd goats and pitch tents in the desert, but I walked through a desert of countless audiences, herding a dog and a pony and I never pitched my tent anywhere.  I had people all around me and I was still alone.  

Today I opened another e-mail like thousands I have received in the past from someone whose dream it is to establish a career as a speaker/comedian. Most of them ask the same basic question, “How do I get started?”

The dreamers are varied. Many are aspiring comedians or speakers, some are writers or musicians, and some are entrepreneurs. Others are athletes or people who have a unique life experience to share. By e-mailing me, all of them have taken the first step to achieving their dreams. They have asked the question, “how?” The world is full of dreamers, but few who are willing to identify and take action on the steps to make their dreams a reality. Check out these steps to making your dream a reality.