Transforming Dreams Into Reality for Young Adults What others are saying about the author and this book… “Sean is an outrageous young man with great strategies for life.” – Anthony Robbins, Best selling author of Unlimited Power ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “. . . Sean and his desire and genuine care for our youth exemplifies what TRUTH and HONOR are all about. He is a gem in the world of pebbles, and I strongly encourage all young people to not only read this book, but follow his advice. He is a role model and a great source of inspiration.” – Jeff Yalden, Marine of the Year and co-author of Lead Now…or Step Aside! ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “How YOUth Can Succeed! is a treasure that changes lives. I truly believe Sean Stephenson’s message is a fountain of inspiration for all those who want to succeed! Sean is the message that he brings, he motivates all of us to manifest our greatness.” – Les Brown, Best selling author of Live Your Dreams and It’s Not Over Until You Win ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “You are in for a real treat…Sean knows how to tickle the soul, maximize human potential, and create lasting success. Read this book and then take action!” – Patricia Fripp, (CSP, CPAE), Author of Get What You Want ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “…I was both impressed and astounded by his (Sean) exceptional remarks…a grace and brilliance far beyond his years.” – John “Dukes of Hazard” Schneider, Actor & Musician ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “I have known Sean Stephenson since 1996 and everything he has accomplished amazes me. I believe Sean is an outstanding communicator because he knows how to transform knowledge into power for everyone.” – U.S. Rep. William O. Lipinski, Illinois Third District “This book challenged me to grow and learn in ways I never thought possible. How YOUth Can Succeed! is a treasure for young adults and an educator’s dream.” – Kary Odiatu, Ms. Fitness Universe & author of Fit for the Love of It ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “In a lifetime of working with young people, I have not met anyone who exceeds Sean’s courage, dedication, and integrity. He is a young man America can be proud of, a leader who will make a difference.” – Major General Patrick H. Brady (USARET), Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “…We all have our challenges. Sean’s are obvious at first, but disappear as he engages you. He has something important to share with the rest of us with less obvious challenges.” – Rev. John P. Minouge, C.M., President, DePaul University ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “…Sean leaves an impression that cannot be erased or forgotten. He is a tremendous young man.” – Ronald Engel, Director of American Legion Boys Nation ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “Sean is a leader for our times and this book has his secrets.” – Tad Hargrave, the Global Youth Coach ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “…Sean is not only a wonderful model for young people today but also, I believe, a young leader of tomorrow.” – Richard D. Parker, Williams Professor of Law, Harvard Law School ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “I have never met a more thoughtful and considerate young man than Sean Stephenson. He is a perfect role model for every American teen.” – Daniel S. Wheeler, President of the Citizens Flag Alliance, Inc. ○ ○ ○ ○ ○ “Courage escorts him (Sean) everywhere he goes and inspiration is left everywhere he has been.” – Fr. Bill Stenzel, Pastor of Saint Francis Xavier Transforming Dreams Into Reality for Young Adults Sean C. Stephenson SCS Publishing LaGrange, IL How YOUth Can Succeed! Transforming Dreams Into Reality for Young Adults Copyright © 2001 by Sean C. Stephenson Published by: SCS Publishing LaGrange, Illinois All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system without written permission from SCS Publishing, except for the inclusion of quotations in a review. First edition Front cover photo compliments of S. Stephenson Back cover photo compliments of Premier Boys State / American Legion Cover design by Ad Graphics, Inc., Tulsa, Oklahoma Printed in the United States of America Stephenson, Sean C. How youth can succeed! : transforming dreams into reality for young adults / Sean C. Stephenson. — 1st ed. p. cm. LCCN: 00-191696 ISBN: 0-9703381-0-4 1. Success. 2. Self-actualization (Psychology). 3. Life skills. I. Title. BJ1611.2.S84 2000 158.1’083 QB100-500145 W A R N I N G : Reading this book may cause several of the following severe side effects… • Extremely strong self-confidence! • Academic enhancement! • Uncontrollable urges to improve! • The ability to take charge of your destiny! • Sore smiling muscles! • Zero tolerance for procrastination! • Surges of intense gratitude! • The destruction of doubt! • Lasting change! ABOUT THE AUTHOR S ean Clinch Stephenson’s appearance, accomplishments, attitude, and physical ability are not typical for a young adult. When he was born, the doctors told his parents, he wouldn’t even survive the first night. Now, over two decades later, Sean is traveling across the nation working with leaders ranging from student government presidents to the President of the United States. While in high school, Sean entertained television audiences by producing, directing, and writing award- winning talk shows, soap operas, dating games, and political interviews. Prior to his current involvement in the field of personal development, Sean’s focus was government. Being elected out of 1,000 boys to the office of governor (at Illinois Boys State) was an experience that sparked his political curiosity. Following his election to governor, Sean was appointed by the American Legion to represent Illinois in the elite youth organization, Boys Nation, an honor reserved for only 96 individuals out of 38,000. During his education in political science at DePaul University, Sean spent his summers working with the highest officials in the nation’s capital. While working for his mentor, Congressman William O. Lipinski, on Capitol Hill, Sean learned about democracy up close and personal. After his experience with Congress, Sean moved on to the executive branch. During his stay at the White House, Sean assisted the President, Vice President, and Cabinet Secretaries as an intern for the Office of Cabinet Affairs. Although politics remains in his heart, Sean’s true allegiance is to inspirational speaking and writing. At an early age, Sean realized his calling was to help people overcome their obstacles and maximize their lives. By the time he was twenty, he had addressed numerous schools, business, hospitals, foundations, and government agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and the United States Senate on two occasions. As the CEO of his own company, Sean is touching the lives of thousands ranging in age from kindergartners to corporate executives. Sean attributes his own success to both emotional and physical mastery. Sean shares his fitness passion in a series of workout tapes called “NO EXCUSES.” The purpose of this series is to motivate both the able and disabled community to make fitness an everyday priority. Sean most definitely has far surpassed societies’ expectations of a physically-challenged youth. This is because everyday he defies the odds of his rare bone disorder, Osteogenesis Imperfecta, which has stunted his growth, caused his bones to be brittle (fracturing over 200 times), and limited his mobility to a wheelchair. Visit Sean online at: www.seanstephenson.com. DEDICATION To all those individuals who are committed to improving the world: May you recognize that first you need to improve yourself. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Thank you, Mom, Dad, Heidi, and my extended family, you are the reason I survived my voyage to the Kingdom of Success.