As the author of many books, including Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want, I Could Do Anything if I Only Knew What it Was, and Live the Life You Love, Barbara Sher has touched countless lives.

Through the written word, she has spurred people from all walks of life and from all age groups to focus on the personal passion within, and to use it as "fuel" to move toward living more fulfilling lives.

Sher also designed the program called Dare to Live Your Dream. This program helps people discover what they love to do. Once they learn what they love to do, they use that knowledge to build lives brimming with joy and passion.

Sher relates how she came upon her own path of success, and what young people can do to set themselves on course for a life that's rich and rewarding -- both in their careers and in their personal lives.

Q: Tell us how you came to write Wishcraft, as well as the other successful books that followed. When did you know what you really wanted to do with your life?

A: My first job in a field I enjoyed was running a talk group filled with ex-convicts for a city program. They were wonderful people, interesting to listen to, and they loved to learn. I invented a way to teach history -- and make them realize how smart they were -- by pretending that all the books and educational videos had disappeared and we had to re-create them, all of history, the best we could.

Q: Can you explain how you did this?

A: Each of them was given one sheet of paper and was asked to write anything and everything they knew about the past -- learned from their family histories, or the movies, or their hobbies, or any way at all -- on that sheet of paper, and we'd all see how much history we could re-create together.

Q: What was the reaction of the group

A: We had a great time. I realized I enjoyed working with groups of people and I had a talent for it, and so I designed lots of different things to do in groups. After a few years, I designed a 12-hour workshop that taught people how to create their own success teams.

It caught the attention of the newspapers, and when an article came out in the New York Times, I got calls from a number of agents asking me if I wanted to turn the workshop into a book. That became my first book, Wishcraft: How to Get What You Really Want.

That's how I got started.

Q: Sometimes it's difficult for young people to recognize their unique gifts and talents. What advice would you give to young people and their counsellors on how to discover these "gems" of unique talent?

A: First, make a list of everything you enjoy or are curious about. The slightest good feeling or curiosity might signal the presence of special abilities.

It takes a little effort to decipher these clues, so don't jump to any conclusions right away. Just have a lot of respect for that list. It's hard scientific data and should be treated as such.

Second, when you realize you like something -- like being with animals, for example -- the first thing to ask is "What do I love most about that?" Twenty people can like animals, but you'll find many different answers to that question among those 20 people.

Third, brainstorm with a group of friends to find out if anyone knows a career in which you'd be able to do the activities you love most. That will make you realize that there's a place in this world where your gifts are considered important.

Q: Out of all your books, which one do you think would be most helpful to high school students and career counsellors who are looking for ways to successfully guide young people into their future life path and career?

A: Probably Live the Life You Love, since I wrote that one with high school students in mind.

Q: You mentioned that there's been some talk of seeing your work in high schools -- particularly Wishcraft and Live the Life You Love. What would you like to see become a reality?

A: I'd like to see some interesting and enjoyable games that help high school kids make educated guesses about what they want to do after high school.

Q: In terms of self-esteem and encouragement, what are the most important things parents, teachers and counsellors need to tell students today? What are the special needs of students today, in your opinion?

A: That's two questions, but there's one answer for both. Everyone needs to respect young people more, to listen to them with real interest and curiosity, to allow them to give us ideas that make us think, help us grow. I can't think of anything that would be better for them.

Q: If there was one bit of crucial advice you would give students before they embark on life after high school or college, what would that be?

A: Find some kind of job that will help you learn and grow, and be willing to leave it when you stop learning and growing.