If you had a million dollars, what would you do with it. Why wait? Why not get that million dollars, and live out your dream? Here’s a story to inspire you.
WHAT I WOULD DO IF I HAD A MILLION DOLLARS?
This story proves the truth of that old saying, “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” It was told to the author by the beloved educator and clergyman, the late Frank W. Gunsaulus, who began his preaching career in the stockyards region of South Chicago.
Learn By Doing
While Dr. Gunsaulus was going through college, he observed many defects in the American educational system, defects which he believed he could correct if he were the head of a college. His deepest desire was to become the head of an educational institution where young men and women would be taught to “learn by doing.”
He made up his mind to organize a new college where he could carry out his ideas without being handicapped by orthodox methods of education.
He needed a million dollars to put the project across! Where was he to lay his hands on so large a sum of money? That was the question that absorbed most of this ambitious young preacher’s thought.
But he couldn’t seem to make any progress.
You Set Your Limits
Every night he took that thought to bed with him. He got up with it in the morning. He took it with him everywhere he went. He turned it over and over in his mind until it became a consuming obsession with him. A million dollars is a lot of money. Even more so in his time. He recognized that fact, but he also recognized the truth that the only limitation is that which one sets up in one’s own mind.
Being a philosopher as well as a preacher, Dr. Gunsaulus recognized, as do all who succeed in life, that definiteness of purpose is the starting point from which a person must begin. He recognized, too, that definiteness of purpose takes on animation, life, and power when backed by a burning desire to translate that purpose into its material equivalent.
Stepping Stones
The story, of course, goes on, but what we know already is that this man, dedicated to his purpose, has already figured out two of the key principles to success and wealth. Will he discover more and reach his goals? Tune in next time… 
Sean Rasmussen
Success Communicator
Aussie Internet Marketer © 2004 – 2009
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
G’day Sean,
That’s a great post. In answer to your question about what to do with a million dollars:-
1 Payoff our 2 sons mortgages
G’day again Sean,
Answer to the $1 000 000 question:-
1 Payoff our 2 sons mortgages
2 Spoil my wife with extravagant gifts
3 Buy a 1.3 acre block in Tallebudgera I’ve been looking at for years, and,
4 Build my all steel house with Besser block Studio for my Grand Piano
5 Invest More
Cheers
Harry
So generous of you Harry. Cheering you on…
.-= Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..Taking the leap to work for yourself =-.
Sounds like a great plan Harry
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Motivational Music =-.
I agree with the girls, Harry. It’s a great plan! Go for it!
Hi Sean, Dr Gunsaulus had a definiteness of purpose to become head of the educational institution where young men and woman were taught to “learning by doing”. He needed one million dollars to make it a reality. What can he do to get the money?
It’s about asking the right questions. Gunsaulus has yet to ask the right questions.
.-= Lina Nguyen´s last blog ..Green businesses in South Africa =-.
Not only the right question but in the right place(s). Or come up with the right imaginative idea.
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Motivational Music =-.
Hi Sean,
So, Dr Gunsaulus has a definite of purpose and a burning desire to make it happen. I think he’s missing faith. I think he needs to believe with all his heart that his desire will become a reality.
Dr.Gunsaulus is right, we ourselves set our limits. And he had all the ingredients – burning desire, definiteness of purpose and being totally consumed, day and night, by the will to take the right action. I am sure he achieved whatever he wanted
.-= Renee´s last blog ..Motivational Music =-.
Hello Sean,
Great Question – “what would I do with a Million Dollars?” – I would love to travel, and combine my passion of helping others. I would love to go overseas and help to build schools/houses where there are no buildings or services for third world towns. Where There’s Will, there is always a way!! I believe that with faith, trust, belief and love anyone’s dreams can and will come true. Dr. Gunsaulus was a man wiser than his time – he knew without a doubt that the money would be provided and his dream would become a realty. That trust and faith is within us all
Cheers
Lisa
.-= Lisa Wood´s last blog ..Listening To My Boys Needs =-.
Dwelling on what you don’t have only wastes time and gives you more of what you don’t want. I’m sure he finally realized this and got up one morning to earn the first $1 on his way to the million.
If I had a million dollars I would own my own business and donate more to charity. I’d home school my son but give him much experience in social situations so he could grow in all aspects of life.
I don’t want to focus on why I don’t do it now, I’m realizing that I’m on my way to doing it.
.-= Sarah Butland´s last blog ..You Are the Reason I Know It Will Happen =-.
Hi Sean
Doctor Gunsaulus knew that “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” . He had the determination, he had the definiteness of purpose, was he taking action? He needs to take massive action now to make his dream a reality.
He needed the animation, the brainstorming, and a plan to set the project in motion.
Hi Elly,
Dr Gunsaulus was an incredibly determined man. If we can harness the power of this in our own life; we too will be successful. We need to make this a philosophy to live by. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
We can do anything we set our mind to.
.-= Jazz Salinger´s last blog ..Sean Rasmussen – Aussie Internet Marketer Making a Difference =-.