Dearest friends,
Thank you for the many birthday greetings yesterday. I love birthdays even though getting older (62 now!) isn’t always fun, and I tend to get a little blue about it. On the one hand, I’m thankful for friends, loved ones and all of my family. On the other hand, it’s hard to accept the reality that the eternal clock never stops ticking.
I’ll be celebrating all month long (you know I love any excuse to celebrate!), but yesterday I chose to have some quiet time. I spent the day meditating and counting my blessings for this amazing journey that has brought me to the wonderful life I have today. I’ve been reading a wonderful book “Opening to Abundance: A 31-Day Process of Self-Discovery” by Charles Cresson Wood, and I’d like to share a few valuable questions from its pages that I think are very good reminders for us all:
1. Do you believe that your life could be different than it is right now? Do you have the courage to believe that your life can be what you want it to be? When I read these two questions, I realized that they apply not only to our personal lives but also to the wedding and event industry that we have chosen to make our profession. With enough courage and hard work, all of us can be successful both personally and professionally.
2. Imagine that you have an abundant amount of creative power at your disposal. Are you willing to believe that, with God’s help, you can use this creative power to overcome every hurdle and every limitation? This is another great reminder on those particularly challenging days when the weddings and events we’re working on are not going smoothly.
3. If you don’t get exactly what you want when you want it, does this mean you’ve failed? Can you still “win” if you get something else instead? This happened to me right here on this blog, actually. I never expected my blog to become an “industry” blog, but that is exactly what it has become. And it’s even better than what I imagined, because now I have this incredible group of wedding and event industry insiders — you! We get to vent together, teach each other, and share freely. I feel very lucky!
Thank you for reading my blog and going on this journey with me both on my birthday and every other day of the year. Your comments and letters are so inspiring and mean the world to me.
I would love to hear your answers to the questions from “Opening to Abundance.” What do you think? Please share your thoughts in the comments.
PREVIOUS
George Bernard Shaw once said: “You see things and say, ‘Why?’ But I dream things that never were and say, ‘Why not?’” That quote embodies how Preston Bailey approaches every event.
Brittany Cooper
May 4, 2011
I couldn’t agree with your post more! I might just pick up this book and add it to my reading list. In response to #1 and #2..everyone has the power to make their lives different or change things that they may not necessarily like. The human mind is a beautiful thing, and when given a challenge or adversity to overcome, somehow our minds always figure it out. Being driven and goal oriented can have numerous effects on anyone’s life, it’s just a matter of consistency and faithfulness to those goals that will determine the results you see.
As for #3, I’m always reminding myself of the detrimental effects of “instant gratification.” The most successful people in the world understand the harm that comes from instant gratification and truly know what it means to wait and be patient. If we are always quick to jump on the next “supposed” best thing, we miss out on the opportunity to look around and make educated decisions based on our knowledge. Researching never hurts, whether it be within the industry or within our personal lives. Take time to weigh all options, and when you’ve made your decisions, you’ll know it was the better choice for you.
G.
May 4, 2011
What did you want your blog to be?
Ara
May 4, 2011
Thanks for the daily words of inspiration to everyone that has choosen this career path.
Gloria Buckman Yankson
May 4, 2011
Happy birthday Preston. I’m on the road of self discovery myself. What a great reminder this is. I’ve always been a strong advocate for never saying never until the bones are rotten. Good things certainly come to those who work hard at it and never give up. Keep up the fantastic work Sir!
Angela
May 4, 2011
Your post is indeed food for thought…… It got me thinking about a lot of things. We love and appreciate you, your contribution to the industry and your unselfish sharing of wisdom with the whole world. You are a GEM. Thanks.
SONA MAMEDOVA
May 4, 2011
HAPPY BIRTHDAY PRESTON! I WISH YOU ALL THE BEST IN THE LIFE!
Julia Hewitt
May 4, 2011
Hi Preston,
I love what you have to say! In the past 8 years I have made seeing what I have from a place of being full instead of living in what may or may not be missing. it makes a huge difference to practice being happy and grateful. But it is completely our choice. There is no reason to wait till tomorrow or when you get somewhere cause what you have is here all ways and always. Hope you had a great birthday!!
Wendy
May 4, 2011
Happy Birthday! Sorry I missed it yesterday. but, better late than never, I guess.
Ellen Prague
May 4, 2011
Belated Birthday Wishes. Just remember, 10 years from now you’ll wish you were 62!
Sarah
May 4, 2011
Dear Preston,
That is a great attitude to have, and no doubt inspiring words. But HARD WORK and smart business practices are the most important part of being successful. Not everyone is supposed to be famously successful, but you can be a success with your own business without being well known. I’m confident that you do work hard Preston, and I realize you mention hard work and courage in your post, and I am going a bit farther in my message than what you are saying. But honestly, there are too many “enthusiastic” people in this industry who think The Secret or just wishing for success is all you need to make it happen, but they don’t put in a sincere effort and do a good job to DESERVE success. Frankly, there are some that don’t really have the talent or right business skills to even survive in the wedding/events industry, much less back up their dreams of success. When that is the case, it’s time to try another ambition. It is okay to fail sometimes. That is how we learn lessons in life. Preston, I cannot agree that just wishing or positive visualization will earn anyone success at the level where you are at. I’m sure smart financial planning and key strategic business practices were also instrumental to your success. You didn’t just wish all of this to happen and “poof” there it was. Sorry, but I’m getting a little tired of seeing Pollyanna messages like this from well known and successful people. Yes, it is important to believe in yourself, but guess what, here’s the secret: do good work and have great customer service and you’ll be successful. And be sure you are realistic about what success means to you and your business goals. We are all not meant to be Oprah or Preston. That’s just reality.
Yasmine Rosario
May 4, 2011
Wow! your blogs never stop amazing me. To answer the 2 questions; Do I believe my life can be different then it is right now? YES!
Do I have the courage to believe that my life can be what I want it to be? YES and NO. That is a struggle that I have been praying to over come. I know that the talent is with in me and what I am desiring my life to be like is livable. But when I have the moments of discouragement of: No one is interested any more, referrals not coming in as often as I would like, No time to start a business and raise a family, time going by and not putting the work into my DREAM.
Then I take the moment and realize every one must go through a journey to be where they need to be. To expand on their gifts, knowledge and experience. That I must continue to believe that my life can change at any moment and I must continue to PUSH ON and be ready for that MOMENT. For that moment will happen at any moment.
YOUR NAME
May 5, 2011
Success is a journey. There’s no one right way to be successful, nor are we on a straight path to success. We have to define (and keep redefining) what our own success is (or can/will be). And have the belief and faith that when we hit life’s little (or big) twists and turns– or crazy potholes – the journey is still moving forward.
If you don’t get exactly what you want when you want it, does this mean you’ve failed? Of course not. Think of Edison and his 10,000 ways not to make a light bulb.
YOUR NAME
May 5, 2011
P. S. Happy Belated Birthday!
Tiffanie Elliott
May 5, 2011
Preston,
I am in the process of buying an established wedding company. I am working on a contract right now to show my attorney. Can you share any insight of what you would recommend putting in a contract from experience? Thanks!
Maria Kirk
May 5, 2011
I firmly believe that everybody has the opportunity to make something of their life and get what they want from life. It saddens me when people are ‘stuck in a rut’ and can’t seem to get anything that they desire as I believe that they could do something really good with their life. I know exactly how they feel as (you wouldn’t know this now) but a few years ago I suffered with depression, agrophobia and terrible panic attacks, with a lot of effort on my part and some professional help I now own a successful planning company in the UK and have never looked back!
I know it’s difficult (I have been there) but if you want something bad enough… You can and will make it happen!
Modern Wedding
May 6, 2011
Happy Birthday Preston! You’re such an inspiration to us, both professionally and personally.
Sometimes when you don’t get exactly what you want, it can work out even better than you imagined. Sometimes the road unplanned for is the special journey — the one that takes you places you never thought you could go. Congratulations on all your success and we wish you many happy years to come. Thanks for the wonderful words of inspiration! xox
victoria
May 7, 2011
We did it Purple Reign Events in Miami, Fl. I want to thank you Preston Bailey. May God continue to use your creativity to inspire the world. I finally made the decision to get into event planning. I feel blessed and the creativity never stops.
Savannah (Pearls and Pages)
May 9, 2011
Preston, you’re just an inspiration. Simply put– inspiration! At 62 (so very hard to believe!) you are full of such wisdom, such kindness, and such experience, it’s simply inspiring. Thank you very much for this Blog. It is always such a joy for me to read through your posts on my “blog reading days.” Your’s is absolutely my favorite!
Your personal and professional experiences, shared here on your blog, really do help so many of us in the wedding and event industry, as well as just in the self-employment arena, and of course anyone who’s looking to better themselves and be inspiring to others, can benefit from your kind words and wisdom.
So happy to hear you’re celebrating all month long. As my Nana says, “It’s your b-day month, after all. Celebrate the whole month long!” And right we should! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag! When in Berlin…you and Theo must visit
And my answer to #2– absolutely! If you have the creative power at your finger tips and you are willing and have the faith and are open to letting God put you where you should be, even if you’re unsure of whether you should be there (must have faith!) then absolutely! You can overcome the hurdles and obstacles. It won’t be easy, but the best things in life aren’t ever easy or free 
Cheerio and xoxo
Savannah
The French Bouquet: Fabulous Wedding Florals in Tulsa, OK
http://www.thefrenchbouquettulsa.com/blog
thefloralist
May 10, 2011
62?!?!?!! holy smokes…. you couldn’t possibly be day over 40 (at least you don’t look it).
Anyway, I hope you had a happy birthday. I have several of your books but I just started reading your blog and it’s been extremely insightful and inspirational. Thank you
Stuart
August 5, 2011
Dear Preston
When starting out alone as an Event Planners are you expected to be creative force behind the event as well. If not how do you come up with the ideas for presenting the initial pitch,concept.
Great Blog
Thanks
Stuart