This may startle you: Dreaming big dreams does not mean you must be perfect, work your fingers to the bone or be incredibly lucky in life.
Too many people believe in order to go after their dream, they must take monumental steps, change everything in their life and completely ignore their family and friends . . . and more.
Yes, sometimes big dreamers have done these things.
But I am here to tell you it doesn’t have to be that way. It isn’t necessary to implode your life to be happily working your dream.
In fact, healthy dreaming shouldn’t hurt other people – especially you. Dreaming big dreams should expand your life – enrich it – make it bigger – better – and more interesting.
The key to begin living your dream is to use your talents, skills and knowledge in creative ways, with the right perspective and some small action steps.
But sometimes we get stuck at the beginning. We get stuck at hello.
We overwhelm our dreams with “What do I really want, where do I start, how do I figure this out on my own?” thoughts which can send our dreams into hiding for years on end.
We’ll say things like, “I’ll think about it when the boys graduate from high school,” or “I don’t have the time right now to start anything new!” or “I’ll try it when I retire . . . then I’ll have the time.”
You know, my father said this stuff too and he was dead at the age of 49. There never was a retirement for him to enjoy his dreams.
What if your time is limited too?
Do you ever think about that?
I believe we are all put on this earth to do something so well that no one else can do this thing we are driven to do. The world is calling out to you to do this thing that only you can do – it is calling for you to step up to the plate, take a swing and share your gifts.
Do you hear it?
Instead of sharing your gifts – your dream – you think too much about your problems – instead of enjoying the possibility of your dream.
You neglect to tell yourself, “It’s possible.”
Because it is possible dammit.
Problems? You have them? Everyone has them. But they’re a poor excuse for not living your dream.
Why?
Because, the first steps to your dream don’t have to be big ones – they can be tiny – like a hiccup. They can be like stepping up to bat at a 4-year-old tball game.
The first steps can be as simple as reading a book, attending a lecture, or making a phone call.
But you won’t know this unless you take time to explore the possibility of your dream coming true.
To begin dreaming there are just 3 simple first steps. They are -
1. Knowing what you want.
Knowing what you want, and understanding what you love is the first crucial part in going after your dream.
2. Understanding your motivation.
Understanding your motivations and using them to your advantage can take you far on your dream path. Your motivations may not be all sweet and gentle – they can be anger, fear, embarrassment – and this is okay. Just as long as you understand how they motivate you. Motivations should not be labeled good or bad. Understanding your motivations give you the advantage when dreaming.
3. Knowledge of how to break your dream down into small bites.
You need to learn “Chunking“. Chunking is an effective way to break your dream down into easy, manageable steps. Chunking can also be used to clear your blocks to your dream and work through your own resistance.
When you are ready to take action toward your dream, walking yourself through these three steps sets your dream in motion. All you need a notepad and a calendar.
It is really that simple.
I have just sent my ebook on finding your dreams out for editing. It will walk you through these three steps in greater detail and more. There are exercises to help you identify your dream; recognize your motivations (even if it’s anger) and help you break down the barriers keeping you from chasing your dream.
The ebook will be available this fall here on this 8 Women dream website.
In the meantime, start by clearing up any clutter in your life. Fix anything bugging you (drawers that don’t close right, walls that need painting, faucets that keep dripping, etc). Write down the fears you are using to hold you back from your dream.
You will notice when you write your fears they lose their power.
We have all been where you are at. But I know your dream is calling you.
Because I hear it too.
Leave a comment and share your dreams.
Catherine’s dream is to make 8 Women Dream the premier online publication for women looking to change their lives. She is a published author, known for her humorous speeches on finding your dream life and blogging for fun and profit. Catherine also writes about her life as a mom at the blog, A Week in the Life of A Redhead and several online marketing publications. She would also like to be invited to speak at TED about her observations on people chasing their big dreams. Catherine posts on Sunday evenings and fills in when needed. Join me on Google+
This content is published under the Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported license.
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The ‘not knowing” how to chunk can be a big one for me. Thank you! I’m ready to read that EBook! xo Rem
and the photo of Boonie – Awesome!
She was determined to be in the photo so I took it as some sort of sign – with her thinking – “hey see steps people – simple!”
Cath
I was searching for how to get published, and found your website. Great Blog! This blog is very inspirational. You make me believe that my dream can come true. What a gift of a website! Ron
You are right on today. How many times have I timidly told a friend about a little dream thinking they’d blow milk out their nose laughing, when what they actually do is encourage me…
You gotta say it out loud. You might be surprised when nobody laughs. Even more surprised when they offer to help.
Ron,
I want you to consider focusing less on publication and more on writing the one thing you can write better than anyone else. Then the publishing will follow. that’s how I sold 19 consecutive freelance articles in my first year of writing. Write about the one thing you know so well that you don’t even consider it an area of expertise or potential money maker. Write what you know and have fun doing it.
Great advice Rayne. You have helped me so much with my writing and your advice works for blogging too!
I think people’s dreams are wonderful and what a great place the world would be if everyone pursued what it is that feeds their heart!
OK the steps might be simple but you have to actually take them!
So true Gary!
Hey! I recognize that dog! She seems to have the same face everywhere. Nice post and the photo works well with it.
Great post. Can’t wait to read the next ones :)