Recently, I attended the 2004 BookExpo America in Chicago. At this event, there were literally thousands of people showing their books to literary agents, publishers and members of the general reading public. In fact, even former President Bill Clinton got into the act as he gave the keynote address (perhaps, not coincidentally, the former commander-in-chief has recently released his own book entitled "My Life").

The authors at the expo couldn't have been more different. Some were stars in the area of politics. Others were celebrities and famous authors. And still others were struggling authors looking for their first big break. Yet, regardless of their status in the publishing world, all of these authors had one thing in common. They were all in Chicago to do the one thing that is absolutely necessary for success. They were "strutting their stuff." In essence, they were saying to the literary world, "Here I am! Check me out!"

As simple as this seems, it's crucial for success. Very often, I meet people with big dreams. They want to be singers, actors, painters, comedians, you name it. And many of these people have the talent to make their dreams come true but they don't ever expose the world to their talents. The walls of their home are covered with brilliant masterpieces that they've painted but they've never taken their work to a gallery to be exhibited. They can sing like a bird but the only concerts they've ever given are to a bar of soap in the shower. They can be the life of the party for their friends but have never ventured down to the local comedy club to perform before an audience of strangers.

Mary Kay Ash once said, "Most people live and die with their music still unplayed. They never dare to try." Sadly, she was right. Many people seem to be waiting for their ship to come in. Yet, life doesn't work like that. You have to swim out into the currents of life to have your dream. No one is going to come knocking on your door and say, "Hi, I was just in the neighborhood and I was wondering if you have a screenplay that I can look at." Nor are they going to come calling for your acting, singing or dancing talent.

You have to bring your talents into the arena and strut your stuff. This means that you have to enter the poetry contest. You have to sing at amateur night. You have to audition for the play. In a word, you have to try. You can't make footprints in the sands of time by sitting on your butt and let's face it, who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time? I know that I don't. And if you're a regular reader of this newsletter, I know that you don't as well.

Therefore, it's time for you to bring your talents to the world. You do this by using every opportunity to do your thing. If you want to be a singer, sing everywhere. Sing in church. Sing at weddings. Sing at the county fair. Or if you want to be a writer, write for anyone. Write for the company newsletter. Write for the local Penny Saver. Simply find a way to share your talent whenever and wherever possible. Start small if you have to; just start somewhere. As Confucius once said, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." So start stepping!

While it can be uncomfortable to expose yourself to the criticism and ridicule of others, this discomfort pales in comparison to the pain of reaching the end of your life to realize that you only lived a tiny portion of it. The greatest pain in life is the pain of regret; knowing that you could have done more if you had only tried.

So, today, make up your mind that you're going to "strut your stuff." Share your talents with anybody and everybody who will let you. Be willing to risk the rejection and criticism of others for the rewards of living your dream. It's the only way to make the most of your dash.