October 2008 - Featured Articles

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Douglas Vermeeren, Creator of The Opus - From Vision, To Plan, To Performance
By Garth Roberts

You have a wish, a need, or a desire that you can't seem to bring to fruition. Why? Maybe you don't have the tools or don't think you have the skills or maybe you're just afraid to try. Master achievers start with a vision, move to a plan and then go into performance. Those three steps are the basis for a new DVD called, The Opus. The Opus is designed to provide you with a variety of tools used by many top performers.

The Opus is an example of a desire fulfilled. Alberta filmmaker Doug Vermeeren had an idea as to how he could put some of his theories into practice. Doug is known as an achievement expert and has interviewed over 400 other top achievers in his search for success. While he talked to the other achievers an idea percolated in the back of his mind about doing a movie. He has a background in the film business and studied film writing in Los Angeles. It seemed a logical step to move into production.

The Opus is all about vision, plan, and performance. Over several months, Doug interviewed dozens of leaders throughout North America. From those interviews, he chose over 20 to appear in the DVD. The insight provided by the speakers is woven through a story of a young man with a dream.

As one of those chosen to appear in The Opus, I also had the opportunity to work with Doug and be part of his team in recording the interviews and in bringing the story of the young man to life. Meeting international experts who have their own viewpoints on vision, plan, and performance was an enlightening experience. From each person the production crew gained a new perspective on what it is to be a top achiever. When you listen to the likes of Debbie Allen, Bill Bartman, Dr. John DeMartini, and Bob Doyle you know you're going to gain insight into processes that will help you move forward. Think of the phenomenal success that Jack Canfield and Mark Victor Hansen have had with their "Chicken Soup for the Soul" enterprise and get a sense of the caliber of information you receive from The Opus.

Take a look at your own desires. Do you really have a strong vision of what the achieved desire looks like? Do you have a clear vision from which to build a plan? Only illogical people would try to build a house, a boat, or an award-winning garden without a vision or a plan. To take your desires to the next level you must have both. Speakers like Elisabeth Fayt, Morris "The Miracle Man "Goodman, and Willie Jolley provide insight into moving from vision to planning.

Performance doesn't happen without a vision and a plan. The Opus didn't happen without a great deal of planning and a professional team. We all know what an Alberta January can be like, especially when you have to work outside. For three of the coldest days last January, the production team brought the young man's story to life at Heritage Park in Calgary. The vision and the plan came together as period costumes, cars, and buildings served as a backdrop for the story of a young man coming to a new country with a dream. It's not an unrealistic dream. It's much like the dream many of you have. You want to achieve, build, grow or experience something wonderful in your life.

Frank Maguire, the co-founder of FEDEX, and LuAn Mitchell-Halter, Canada's #1 Female Entrepreneur for three successive years by Chatelaine and Profit Magazines, give their formulas for success. Maybe their formulas will work for you. Or even if they won't, their formulas will give you something to think about so you can develop your own unique plan for performance. As we worked in the cold and, sometimes, dark at Heritage Park to put The Opus together it became obvious the cast and crew were into the whole concept of vision, plan, and performance. This wasn't a high budget Hollywood production and egos never got in the way. Neither did negativity or any thoughts that this really can't be done. The laws of attraction were working and collectively we were attracting success. When you watch The Opus you will see enthusiasm, excitement, and a can-do attitude combined with a vision and plan that led to performance.

The participants in The Opus have incredibly diverse backgrounds. Their similarity is achievement. It is not achievement based on status and money, but achievement based on giving back to society and making a difference as you go along. Do a Google search on names like Dr. Sue Morter, Peggy O'Neill, Marci Shimoff, Dr. Joe Vitale, Marc LeBlanc, Dr Joe Rubino and Ed Rush and marvel at the differences in approach but the similarities in level of success. None of them are able to walk on water or do the impossible. They're human just like you and me.

Doug Vermeeren said when he started the project," I want people to recognize that they will be successful when their achievements allow them to give back to society. It's the legacy we leave behind that counts." The legacy of The Opus has to do with inspiration. Each time I watch it, I learn something new and get a new idea that I can adapt to my own vision, plan or performance. If you check out sites like YouTube and search The Opus Movie you'll discover that thousands of people around the world are being touched by the messages. Independent sites feature information about the DVD and the messages given by the participants. It doesn't matter if your inspiration comes from Ed Tate, Tammy Walsh, John Beal, Doug Vermeeren or Garth Roberts. It's what you do with the inspiration that makes the difference.

You can find out more information about The Opus at www.theopusmovie.com or attend a screening in Red Deer, AB at the Memorial Center on January 29, 2009. The chatter on the Internet on various websites and blogs can give you an insight into the impact The Opus is having on those who take time to view it. Remember, put your vision and plan in place. Next, move to performance and, if you need a little help, those who already made the trip are waiting to help you.

Garth Roberts is a speaker, trainer and participant in The Opus. To contact Garth visit his website at www.garthroberts.com