"When your dreams are of some world that never was or of some world that never will be and you are happy again, then you will have given up."

Never never never give up. Very few people would argue with that statement. But giving up can be sneaky - it doesn't just happen. And that's what the quote means. It happens when your dreams don't come true, when you have been disappointed again and again, when that sale you were relying on so much didn't happen, when you start to trim back your goals, and start to let short term failure effect your energy and commitment and question your own ability and worthiness. Giving up can be masked by activity - actions taken that keep you busy, but when you analyze their value and are honest about it - you realize all that busyness doesn't amount to much. Giving up can be masked by dreams that don't mesh with reality – as in the book.

One of our greatest strengths as human beings is our flexibility - but it can be a weakness as well. When we flex to cope with failure, oftentimes we step back, not forward - and we do it without realizing it. And over time, we allow ourselves to accept much less than we had a right to expect.

There is the story of the entrepreneur that was failing, and he decided to take a day off and go fly fishing. He had the good fortune to hook a very large trout. His gear was designed for much smaller fish, so he very carefully played the fish, using just enough pressure to keep the fish irritated and moving until it finally lay, exhausted, in the water. He revived it and let it swim away. And then he realized - he was just like that fish - constantly irritated and annoyed and moved by small things, and they were exhausting him, and making him give up. He decided right then and there to stop letting the little things wear him down. He left the stream, he went to work on the few big things that would rescue his business, and he prospered.

Giving up comes in many disguises - check to see if you have your priorities and goals and actions in line with your dreams. Are you working to meet your goals, or are you using your dreams to avoid reality? It's an easy trap to fall into.

The good news is that you can release yourself from your trap - the secret is first knowing you're in it - that's where goals are so very important. Then take action to achieve the important things - and forget about all the little stuff that will always try to pull you down.

Start today - act on your important dreams – let the other stuff go – make your dreams be of where you will be – and feel accomplishment and progress – and be happy again.