Remember a long time ago, I posted about an experience I had on the freeway? Someone was right in my tail on an open freeway when they could have easily gone around me. I likened it to letting other people get in your way of living your dreams.
The problem we encounter is that sometimes we’re not exactly sure what our dreams are. When we’ve been stuck behind someone else for a long time, we can stop dreaming. I mean, if there’s someone holding us back and stopping our progression, what\’s the point of dreaming?
Dreams are our often our first step to feeling empowered. Start with a small dream. It doesn’t have to be something big like going back to school or starting a new job. Is there something you’ve seen recently and you’ve thought, “That would be cool!” Maybe a museum or nature center. What about waterfall hunting on the weekend with the kids? Maybe going camping? Maybe even that’s too big. Maybe even just getting to the park once a week is enough.
What do for need to do to make this dream happen? Break it down like any goal.
First, what are the steps. Where is that new outdoor museum? How much is the entrance fee? Where’s your nearest waterfall hike? Does a friend have a favorite park you’ve never been to?
Next, make sure you have a clear vision of exactly what you want. Spend a little time doing some visualizations of what things will look like. Imagine yourself researching the best local hike, and loading the kids into the car and driving up to the mountain. Imagine the sights and sounds you’ll experience. Be realistic. Imagine yourself dragging your youngest up the hard part as he whines. Imagine what snack you’re going to stop and eat. Imagine the feeling of success as you reach the top.
These visualizations may seem a little silly, but it’s easier to complete an action if you’ve seen yourself doing it before.
The last important step is to put that activity on the calendar. If you use a paper calendar, write it down. If you use a digital calendar, make an appointment. I’ve you tend to be a bit extra like me and use both, put it in both places. That time is now sacred. Nothing but fire, flood, or blood will stop you from going.
The morning of, put your plan into action. Get up on time. Get everyone ready, and get out of the door. Even if it is just a small dream like getting to the park, it will feel good to accomplish something you’ve dreamed about. It will bring a sense of accomplishment; if you’ve been feeling stifled or powerless in any way, it will feel wonderful!
Sometimes it is easy to take that momentum and move forward. You make another plan, and another, and when you have bad days you fight through them. Sometimes it’s not so easy. Sometimes that day is exhausting and it takes a while for you to have the energy to plan again. But the more you do, the easier it is. Momentum will carry you forward.
What dreams do you have? How are you going to accomplish them? Can I help?
