I don’t think it’s possible to overestimate the importance of dreams. Dreams start movements, change dynamics and give birth to new possibilities. Dreams that turn into reality are the glue that binds our hearts to fulfillment and accomplishment. They are the clouds that carry us beyond our perceived limitation and the key that unlocks our potential.
Dreams are a beautiful thing but they can be painful if they aren’t realized. Resisting the urge to make a dream a reality is like keeping an animal caged its entire life. It is only when we overcome insecurities and inadequacies that we can bring a dream to life and capture the sweet sense of achievement.
There are few things more fulfilling to me than bringing a dream from fantasy to reality. In order to accomplish this feat I’ve learned three key things that I’d like to share with you. Let’s dive into how to initiate a dream, take action, and overcome doubts and fears.
How to Dream Big
Beware the pesky pessimists in your head (and outside of it too) that will tempt you to play it small. Dreaming big requires that you create a judgement free zone in your mind for possibilities to run wild.
Many of us have become accustomed to censoring ourselves. We don’t entertain possibilities for fear of exiting our comfort zone and entering into the unknown. We shut down fantasies of the future for fear of failing. Our ambition is judged by harsh critics within our own mind and inside our inner circle of friends and family.
Before we know it the “some days” and “eventuallys” have become the weeds in the garden of our dreams that choked out the blooms of possibility that once grew tall and strong in the soil of hope and anticipation.
In order to dream and dream BIG we have to silence the internal and external forces in our hearts, minds and inner circle. We have to silence everything but our imagination and the voice of God. If I pursued every big dream I ever had I’d probably be bankrupt. But if I didn’t pursue any dream I’ve ever had I’d feel hollow.
Find some judgement free space to dream. Find a quiet secluded place to journal, get some fresh air on a walk, talk with a safe friend about the things that excite you or allocate some of your devotional time to dreaming with God. Not matter how you go about it just find some space to dream big.
Taking Action
Found some space to dream? Great, now on to the hard part. Taking action is considerably more difficult than letting dreams run wild in fantasy land. Taking action requires that you make those wild dreams a reality.
There are many ways to take action but I’ll only offer a few that I have found to be helpful. The first step in bringing a dream to reality for me has always been to tell someone else. Once the thoughts in my head have been expressed in words, I can’t take them back.
I find that I got so empassioned and excited about dreams I want make into reality that those I talk to about them have a habit of checking in. For example, when I told my husband I wanted to start a blog he started asking about what kind of posts I would write and when I would share them. His questions about the big dream forced me to consider logistics and put them into action. Which bring me to my next point.
Setting a date for when you will complete the actions necessary to bring your dream into reality is a sure fire way to make progress.
Silencing Doubt & Fear
You’ve let your dreams run wild in a judgment free zone, you’ve taken action, and now, you must learn the art of silencing the nemeses of your beautiful dream: doubt and fear.
I’ll readily admit that some days this will be easier than others. The most important thing to remember on those hard days is the truth. What is true, what can you control, and what is an ugly insecurity induced lie that is triggering you to doubt yourself and your beautiful dream?
Aking the questions above and considering your answer to them can quite literally silence fears and doubts running rampant in your mind.
Find friends, questions and other exercises to help ground you when you’re dream is teetering on the edge of life and death.
Dreaming Big
Your big dreams have the power to change lives. Let’s make a promise to one another to stop playing it small. Let’s resolve to dream, take action and wage wars against those pesky doubts and insecurities.
You with me?
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