Following Your Passions Down A Different Path

by Healthy Wealthy nWise

Debra Poneman always wanted to make a difference in the lives of people she met. She founded “Yes to Success” to help people create true success and prosperity, enjoy deep and lasting happiness, and realize their biggest dreams. She went from hosting seminars of 10 participants to hosting seminars with thousands of participants in a very short time.

After appearing regularly on various radio and television talks shows, Debra began negotiations for her very own talk show. It seemed, on the outside at least, that she was on top of the world. She was successful beyond her wildest dreams, but she wasn’t fulfilled. Something was missing.

When her first child was born, Debra saw first-hand that passions can change in an instant. She decided to leave the rat race and join the world of stay at home moms. Some people might say she threw her career out the window. Debra Poneman didn’t see it that way, though.

Debra joined many other stay at home moms by joining a company called Melaleuca. It’s a business tailored to fit the needs of busy moms by allowing them to work on their own schedule. This way, Debra was able to exchange lonely nights in a hotel for cuddly nights with her children.

It was one of her children who helped her transition back into the success she once knew. Debra always had a passion for helping people. Specifically, she always wanted to write an inspirational book. One night, her son asked her to sit and watch a talent show with him on television. That was her turning point.

Debra wasn’t particularly interested in watching a talent show, but she loved spending quality time with her kids, so of course she said yes. What she saw wasn’t just any old talent show. It was the first season of the highly successful reality TV phenomenon, American Idol. In no time, she was hooked.

Marci Shimoff, a dear friend of Debra’s, had fallen in love with the show as well. Marci had already written successful inspirational books, including a couple of titles in the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. One night while discussing the show, they both realized what they wanted to do: write a Chicken Soup book called “Chicken Soup for the American Idol Soul.”

American Idol contestants know all about living the dream, picking yourself up when you fall, and never giving up. That’s exactly what Debra had always done, and it was exactly what she wanted to express to others. She didn’t give up on her dreams just because she became a mother.

Through her inspirational book that told the stories of several of the American Idol contestants, Debra was able to show the world how average people can live out above-average dreams. Be the best teacher, banker, singer, or garbage collector you can be, regardless of what the Simon Cowell’s of the world have to say about it!

Tags: Motivation