Last April I took a risk. I resigned from my job without much of a plan except a strong belief that I was going to be ok no matter what. While contemplating my move I mapped out a dream list of what I would need monetarily in order to survive fairly comfortably for the next six months.
To survive? Just six months? That's pretty small thinking, huh?
What happened in the weeks and months that followed the conception of my risky decision blew me away. My survival, ahem, dream list was smothered to smithereens. Not only had my goals been surpassed, but I was offered opportunities that I couldn't even imagine would come in a lifetime let alone within weeks of my resignation.
So here's what I learned. I was dreaming way too small. That financial survival list that included what kind of work I needed to do as an artist/designer to make sure I could pay my bills was too narrow-minded. Why was I dreaming in survival mode? That's not what dreaming is for. Why not think beyond my wildest dreams? Why not imagine changing the world and perhaps getting compensated to do so? What if I had thought to dream bigger then? What might the results be now?
The great thing about dreams is that it's never too late to make new ones or edit the ones we've already established. Dreams are supposed to be magical. It's not a time for us to think about how but simply think about what if.
So as I challenge myself I'd like to challenge you. No more safe dreams, the ones you've seen others accomplish or the ones you already know you can achieve. Try a powerful dream that blows your mind when you say it out loud, one that gives you goosebumps when you write it in your journal, or the one you have no idea how to make happen but just believe that it will. Those are the big dreams.
Then share them with people you trust and who wish you well.
But don't say all apprehensively, "Hey I'm thinking about maybe moving to Tunisia someday and opening up a bed and breakfast if this money comes through. What do you think? Crazy, right?"
You don't need permission or validation to pursue your dreams. Share with people who can add power and encouragement. Tell that friend who's most likely to say "what are you waiting for" when you tell her, "Girl, get ready because next year I'm moving to Tunisia to open up my award-winning eco-friendly bed and breakfast."
Then take action and make incremental goals (this is the how part), because like Denzel Washington said recently to a group of novice actors, "a dream without goals is just a dream."
So dream big. I can't wait to see/hear what happens for you.
