When I read The Way of the Peaceful Warrior as a teenager I distinctly remember noticing its subtitle – “A Book that Changes Lives” – and thinking, “It did change my life!” Beyond the impression of the story itself, I recall just sitting in the awe of this – that reading a book can change your life forever. I never dreamed I would be part of writing something so life-changing.
Several years ago, Briana and I were having a conversation about how staying on track is one of the most important predictors of happiness and achievement. It doesn’t matter whether we want to establish a meditation practice and have a peaceful mind, build a business and generate ample income, develop positive thinking and experience more gratitude and happiness, heal old emotional wounds and repair damaged relationships, or get fit and feel energetic. Whatever change we hope to initiate, we’re much more likely to succeed at it if we have the ability to maintain a clear vision of where we’re headed, to actively align our thoughts and behaviors with this vision, and to regularly reflect, assess, and make course corrections.
At the time we had utilized a number of different tools to assist ourselves in staying on track, but it occurred to us that we’d be best served by something we made ourselves. Thus began the construction of a planner and workbook we called The Dreambook. We hoped others would find it helpful, but we were completely shocked when it caught on like wildfire and quickly became bigger than the rest of our business. What we’re most astonished and proud of are the many tangible ways in which people’s lives have changed through using the book. In fact, over the past few years, I have encountered the phrase “It changed my life” hundreds of times in messages from Dreambook users. It brings tears to my eyes.
Many Dreambook users have told us stories about how the book and community have been a powerful force in their recovery from severe illness. They’ve explained that the clarity they have around their goals and life purpose, as drawn forth by the exercises and tracking tools in the book, helped them to stay positive. And they say the book has been instrumental in helping them incorporate community and self-care into their lives.
One woman described how the goal-setting techniques in the book allowed her to achieve a goal of creating art and putting on an art show. Numerous members of the Dreambook community have used the goal-setting tools to write and publish books of their own. A musician who had long ago given up on the idea of making a living at music told us that, through using the Dreambook, he is now performing frequently and earning more than he did at his corporate job. Hundreds of users have written us to describe the stronger sense of community, the repaired relationships, the greater income, the spiritual connection, or the improved health the Dreambook has helped them achieve. Best of all (from our perspective) these folks report that they’re now prioritizing what they love, and they feel more happy and fulfilled than ever, and they’ve developed systems for keeping themselves on track with what really matters.
Every year we go through the book and make it better, and this process is largely informed by the feedback of our users. The 2021 book is the best yet!
I know I’ve said it so many times, but we feel utterly honored and blessed to be a part of helping so many people and to get to witness so many positive transformations. We’re tremendously inspired by everyone out there using the Dreambook to improve their lives and make the world a better place.
Thank you,
Peter & Briana
