On Sunday evening, millions of people tuned in to watch the season finale of Survivor: All-Stars; just as millions tuned in to the season finale of The Apprentice and just as millions will tune in to the season finale of American Idol in two weeks. The simple truth of the matter is that Americans have gone reality TV wild. But why? After all, isn't the purpose of television to escape reality?

I believe that these shows enjoy phenomenal success because they allow Americans access to something that we all wish for but few people have - the opportunity to make our dreams come true. All of the successful reality shows have one thing in common - the pursuit of a dream. And whether that dream is to win a million dollars, get a dream job, earn a recording contract, open a successful restaurant or even marry a millionaire, we anxiously tune in each week to see if our favorites will make their dreams come true.

I will admit that this can be great fun but the real fun in life comes from being the star of your own reality show. And that's exactly what happens when you start making the most of your dash. You become the star of your own reality show. It may be Who Wants to Write a Screenplay? Or it may be Entrepreneurial Island. Or maybe it's The Amazing Parenting Race. The specifics of your dream are not so important. What is important is that you go from being a spectator in the lives of others to being a participant in the life of the most amazing person on the planet - YOU.

And by using the DASH Principles, you have the opportunity to make your show a hit. Sure, it may never garner a weekly audience of millions (although it might). Nor is it likely to land you a spot on the cover of People Magazine or get you a guest spot on the CBS Morning Show (although, once again, it might). However, being the star of your own reality show could net you the ultimate prize in life - the knowledge that you made an impact on the people in your world.

And the best part is that not only do you get to be the star of your show but you're also the director. You don't have to sit around waiting for someone to assign you the task of eating bugs, selling lemonade in a snowstorm or singing disco classics. You get to decide how to pursue your dream in your own way - the way that gives you the greatest opportunity for success. In short, you get to play the game of life on your terms.

That being said, please don't get the impression that winning will be a piece of cake. Just like the contestants on American Idol, you'll have to face the words of harsh critics, unknown obstacles and a fickle public. Just like the castaways on Survivor, you'll have to deal with fatigue, lack of resources and worst, deceit and broken alliances. These things are not just a part of reality TV; they are a part of our everyday reality. Yet, when you arm yourself with determination, a positive mental attitude, successful habits and the ability to achieve happiness during the journey, you provide yourself with all of the immunity you will ever need from the "slings and arrows of outrageous fortune."

As someone who spends his days on the set of his own reality TV show (I call it "DASHing Places"), I can tell you that being part of the action is far more enjoyable than living vicariously through others. Remember, success is not a spectator's sport. You can only win if you get in the game. Yet, once you do, your life will never be the same. So take this message as your cue: Lights, Camera - now, take Action!

"It is not the critic who counts, not the one who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who's actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes up short again and again, who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion and spends himself in a worthy cause; who best knows at the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly; so that this place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt