Bridging the gap between your reality and your dream

Most of us have dreams, whether it’s something lofty or down-to-earth. And much of the time, our reality is far different from that dream.

But there may be some ways that you can bridge that gap and bring at least a touch of your dream into your world now.

As we’ve talked about setting goals in the Ready, Aim series (click here for Part 1 and Part 2), it’s important to build at least one or two goals related to your dreams.

But I guess the first question to ask is, “you have identified your dreams, haven’t you?”

I think for many of us, the reality of family, work, financial and other obligations tends to obscure our dreams or cause them to fade. We may not allow ourselves to even consider them since there are so many other urgent issues vying for our attention. It feels selfish and we tend to put our dreams in the trunk while we travel along the road of the everyday.

But what if you allowed yourself to dream just a little? Would that make a difference in your quality of life?

My friend Lily Kreitinger wrote last week about “Do You Want To Be You?” in which she asks an important question of whether she should listen to her “self-talk” which tells her to focus on her duties as wife, mom and employee and suppress those things that give her joy, like blogging, teaching, or making jewelry. But she wouldn’t be happy ignoring those things that are her dreams. Would you?

I think there’s a way to bridge that gap between the things that we HAVE to do and the things that make us SOAR. If we don’t, we lose a piece of ourselves, and we are less invested in the things that we must do.

By indulging our dream even just a little bit, it makes us more valuable to the people we love and impact every day.

For me, I have discovered that writing is my passion, so I have started getting up a little earlier in the morning to allow myself time to write every day. Makes it much easier to face the challenges of the day when I have allowed myself a little time for me.

The trick is in finding the balance. Here are some steps to take to get you started:

• Identify your dream – for some of us, we are so outwardly focused on others that we’ve lost touch with what our dreams are. Spend some time with yourself, either journaling, meditating, mind mapping or just quietly thinking about the thing or things that truly light your fire. It might be writing, painting, scrapbooking, making jewelry, singing, speaking publicly, or any number of things. Pinpoint what it is and accept that. Proclaim to yourself your new identity.
• Share it with your family or close friends. Let those who are closest to you know that this is your passion and what makes you happy. Ask them to support you in exploring your dream.
• Find a way to indulge your dream at least every once in a while. Maybe look at your schedule and set aside a couple of hours on a weekend or evening to spend time alone pursuing your dream activity. Get up a little bit early a couple days a week. Carve out a little time for yourself.
• Don’t feel guilty. You have to take care of yourself before you can take care of others. You will be more content and less distracted if you have allowed yourself a little time.

While you may not be able to pursue your dream full-time, by allowing yourself even an hour or two each week or a couple of times a month, you are nurturing  an important part of yourself. You’ll become happier and more satisfied and your family and those close to you will see a change. It’s a win-win situation!

What is your dream, and how can you take a step toward it?

 

When mind and heart are full

I am still feeling the effects of conference afterglow. You’ve felt it right? That kind of “let’s go out and conquer the world and slay all my dragons” gung ho attitude at the same time as the “my brain is going to explode with all the new information” limpness.

First let me say that attending the EntreLeadership 1-Day event on Friday was pretty awesome. I have attended EntreLeadership before, but listening to amazing leadership information from Dave Ramsey, Chris LoCurto and Jon Acuff with my team refreshed me and reinforced the keys to being a good leader.

Coupled with that, I attended the Quitter Conference with Jon Acuff. That’s right – I spent two full days learning and being inspired.

At Quitter, we learned how to identify our dream, battle the fears that hold us back, and move toward living our dreams. What an amazing experience it was to meet people and ask “what is your dream?” instead of asking “what do you do?” as the opening question. Pretty powerful.

We explored building platforms, creating tribes, and developing a community. We compared notes on the negative voices in our heads telling us why we won’t succeed and received validation that pursuing our dreams will be fulfilling.

I am both exhausted and exhilarated by the confirmations, overwhelmed and excited about the possibilities, humbled and psyched at the new connections.

Now the challenge is to act on the things that I’ve learned, and not let them just sit on my desk in the workbooks. Instead of diving back into my world as it was, I need to quit making up excuses and get over the fear of pursuing my dream of writing. I need to make sure to stick with some of the habits I’ve already begun in order to carve out time to practice.  And I need to “choose to delight” both myself and you, my readers.

As Jon says, “A Quitter for me is someone who quits average. People who refuse to accept common and instead dare to live out the talents and gifts they’ve been given.”

So my question to you is – are you a Quitter? Will you dare to live out your dream?

 

Stretch your boundaries and leap out of your comfort zones

What have you done lately that helped you grow? Have you challenged yourself to do something outside your usual skill level?

I always admired people who were fearless, and constantly dared to try new things to follow their dreams. I wonder how many opportunities I’ve missed because I have been timid, reserved and stayed within my comfortable boundaries.

But that is changing now. Lately, I have been intentional about doing things that might be scary at first, but that help me improve, both physically and mentally. And may I say, the payoff has been incredible?

I have added longer runs that push my physical limits but are so exhilarating. In the process, I have lost weight and feel better about myself.

By commenting more on other blogs, I have discovered an online community that teaches new leadership and life skills every day.

Starting this blog was a giant step that has helped me rediscover my dream of writing.

In pursuing that dream, the most crucial step I’ve taken is to sign up for the Blog Topics Master Class with Chris Brogan. After only a few weeks, I’m learning about creating good habits and disciplines for writing, finding my voice, writing better headlines, and being more deliberate in choosing my topics.

Through a private Facebook group, those of us taking the class encourage each other and give feedback. That community of students adds another level of learning in addition to the material from Chris. The exercises, advice and community are invaluable!

Honestly, I never thought I’d be doing homework again, and getting so much out of it. And like with the running, I have gained more confidence and feel better about myself.

 

I am a writer!

There. I have said it. I AM A WRITER.

I am participating in the 15 Habits of Great Writers challenge at goinswriter.com and feel proud and relieved at my declaration for Day 1. I am a writer. I AM a writer. I am a WRITER.

When I graduated from college, my goal was to be a writer – a journalist, actually. But I got sidetracked doing other things, and lost sight of my goal. After awhile, I just decided that must not have been what I was meant to do.

But this year, I have been writing, and you know what? I enjoy it. In fact, I look forward to it. And I truly get excited when someone says they have read my work. And over the moon if it has somehow impacted someone.

It is scary to put myself out there, but also so satisfying when something  I have written touches someone else.

I don’t know where this will lead, but I look forward to finding my voice and becoming comfortable in the idea that yes, I am a writer.

What can you declare today?