Dream A Little Dream

Taking Steps To Realize Your Dream…

Far too many people live with the belief that dreams are what happen when you are sleeping. They might be under the presumption that dreams are for other people, as they move through life wondering what it would feel like to live theirs. They go about their daily lives without realizing that making a dream a reality is within the realm of possibility for all of us. Dreams are for the waking hours. They are made for living. We have compiled two dozen tips to help you turn that beautiful, smile-inducing, comfort-bringing vision of yours to life. We hope it inspires you along the way.

• Do some soul searching. Figure out what would genuinely make you happy. Once you figure out the “what” of it all, decide when, where it will happen, and, most importantly, why it means so much to you. Pay particular attention to the “why,” as it will be what you refer to again and again throughout the process.
• Set a goal. If you want to publish a book, open a restaurant or launch a nonprofit organization, take a long, hard look at how it will happen. What steps do you need to take to get there? Do your research. Knowing is half the battle.
• Write it down. Putting your dream on paper makes it tangible. It helps you work out the logistics and see what challenges you will have to work through along the journey. In much the same way that you can’t build a house without a proper foundation, you can’t build a new reality from a dream without a proper plan in place.
• Recognize that there will be challenges along the way. Do not let those defeat you. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

• Surround yourself with positive people. Keep company with those who believe in your dream and will be there to support it. Negative people are a drain on your energy. You will need every drop of yours to bring that dream to fruition.
• Be accountable for your actions. Get organized and set small, workable deadlines for yourself. Bite-sized pieces are best.
• It helps to have an accountability buddy. Have a friend or family member that will gently, kindly check on you throughout the process – one who can give you a loving nudge or a word of encouragement when you need it. Provide that same level of support to your accountability buddy.
• Understand that you will never work harder in your life than you will for yourself and your dream. Being your own boss means you will also be your most loyal employee.
• Be willing to adjust your sails. Dreams can change every now and then. Having to make an adjustment does not mean the dream is over. Some unexpected shifts can lead to major breakthroughs.
• Remember: slow but steady wins the race. Making your dream come true isn’t always a quick process. Time and experience are good teachers.
• The phrase “easy come, easy go” is accurate. If it seems too easy or too good to be true, it typically is. Be willing to put the hard work in.

• Keep an open mind and an open heart. Take the ups with gratitude and the downs with acceptance, a willingness to learn from the experience, and renewed determination.
• Learn from the experts. Listen to good advice from those willing to share their insight.
• Go with your gut. Your instincts are not likely to steer you wrong.
• Be bold. Sometimes, you will have to step out on a limb to live that dream. Do what you can to make educated decisions and create a safety net – but be willing to take a risk on yourself.
• Give yourself some grace when you make mistakes. There will be mistakes.
• Recognize that not everybody will understand your plan – and be OK with it. You can’t take everybody with you along the pathway to living your dream.
• Be willing to try new technology to make your dream a reality. This may involve seemingly endless periods of trial and error, taking a class or enlisting the help of other professionals along the way.
• If you focus on being the Jack of All Trades, you are likely to be the master of none. Start small. Stay focused on your goal. Don’t overextend yourself trying to do too many things at once. Add in new elements once you have mastered the basics.

• Do your own thing. Being the first to do something can be terrifying, stressful, and altogether exhilarating. Carve out your own path and watch others follow that blazed trail.
• Do not ask permission from others. You are living your dream and not anyone else’s.
• There will be moments that will test everything in you and make you feel like giving up on your dream. When you encounter those moments, give yourself a minute to regroup – then pick yourself up, dust yourself off and keep going.
• Not all opportunities will prove successful for you. What looks like a failure is just success in a different outfit.
• Believe in yourself against all odds. You have a dream to live. Stop at nothing to get it.