I have always loved back-to-school energy. I was a keener when I was young and loved everything about this time of year: new clothes, new teachers and yes, new school supplies!
The energy of starting fresh was a high, and I couldn’t wait to get back and get going.
I’m an adult now, and guess what? Not much has changed!
What if we had access to that kind of energy more consistently in life?
What if that energy could fuel our dreams?
A is for Allow
Allow yourself to be excited, to dream big, to imagine and ask for what you want.
Give yourself permission.
New dreams and adventures are exciting – let yourself feel it!
Everything around us suggests that we look away from our dreams, while encouraging us to be realistic:
“Settle down”
“Who do you think you are?”
“What’s the big deal?”
“That’ll never happen”
Parents, teachers, society, religion – suppressing us with their good intentions, not realizing the damage taking place below the surface to our self confidence and self expression.
Just for a moment, allow yourself to dream…
Action: In your mind’s eye imagine a film and it’s playing a day in future. What would you see, hear and feel were your dream to come alive? Notice the energy in your body and feel it fully. Replay this film when the going gets tough or you need a jolt of inspiration. Allow yourself to feel these life-giving feelings!
“It’s the possibility of having a dream come true that makes life interesting.” – Paulo Coelho
B is for Being
Everything starts with who you’re being; the rest – your thoughts, actions, behaviours – follow. Watch a child come alive with an idea; they are unstoppable and anything is possible.
Now look at yourself.
Who are you being when you think of your dream?
Are you inspired, excited, hopeful? Or scared, anxious and doubtful?
You should know by now that your ever present lizard brain is lurking:
“What if this doesn’t work?”
“Who am I kidding?”
“I don’t have what it takes”
The lizard brain is relentless and so should YOU be about your dream. Who can you BE when it starts whispering those “play it safe” kind of thoughts?
Action: Notice your emotion (doubtful, fearful, anxious, etc.). Then physically turn yourself around so that you’re facing the opposite direction and ask yourself, “What’s the opposite of what I was just feeling?” Let yourself hang out there for awhile!
“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis
C is for Create
Children are always creating; it’s a natural state of being. They imagine, day dream, build worlds out of boxes and they do it without the over-thinking, navel gazing we do as adults.
Get back to the joy of creating.
What might happen if you let your thoughts run wild? Release them from the prison of your mind and get them down on paper!
Action: Get yourself a blank piece of paper and some crayons (I’m serious). Think about what you want, then let it all out on paper. Draw, write, colour outside the lines; brainstorm your most outrageous, most longed for dream.
Now that you’ve reacquainted yourself with your dream, what if we could take it and create a game plan for the next 3 months?
A game plan that would take your dream from a someday-maybe-but-not-now idea to bite-size, manageable actions that inspire you and fuel your next steps.
Is this possible?
Yes. A loud resounding YES!
Typically clients work with me for 6 months, but I’ve been so lit up and inspired myself lately that anything is possible – including YOU taking action in an area of life that’s important to you.
Over to you:
- Allow yourself to dream: Are you clear on what you want and willing to feel excited about it?
- Be bigger than you know yourself to be: Do what it what it takes for your dream to come alive.
- Create and express yourself: Let it out! You have no idea what amazing gift is waiting to be unleashed on the world!
I agree with your sentiment about how exciting the beginning of school always was. I have a dream and I love to create. It’s the B that’s getting in my way. I have some lizard brain thoughts I need to stop.
Kim,
That lil lizard brain just doesn’t give up! Try the exercise looking for the opposite feeling. another tip is to ask What if questions, ie: What if you really could do what you want? What if it really did work out? that’ll start to shift the feelings pretty quickly!
I agree with your sentiment about how exciting the beginning of school always was. I have a dream and I love to create. It’s the B that’s getting in my way. I have some lizard brain thoughts I need to stop.
Kim,
That lil lizard brain just doesn’t give up! Try the exercise looking for the opposite feeling. another tip is to ask What if questions, ie: What if you really could do what you want? What if it really did work out? that’ll start to shift the feelings pretty quickly!
I love the notion of allowing us to “dream big.” I have a tendency to tell Big Roo to settle down but instead should encourage his excitement! Thanks for the reminder!
Awesome Melissa! Dreaming big is where the juice is.
I love the notion of allowing us to “dream big.” I have a tendency to tell Big Roo to settle down but instead should encourage his excitement! Thanks for the reminder!
Awesome Melissa! Dreaming big is where the juice is.
I definitely have the dream but like Kim stated, it is the B that gets me. The fear of failure or the fear of success, I’m not really sure what it is…maybe the unknown. To actually do it means to risk all, to step out of the comfort zone. I’m the type that has basically made myself into a hermit, my dream means to actually get out there amongst the living.
What might happen if you focused more on your dream and less on the fear? The key is to keep bringing it back down to one, small baby step. It’s otherwise easy for the dream to become an overwhelming issue to deal with – it’s no wonder we don’t take action then!
What’s one small action you could take that would breathe a little life into your dream?
I definitely have the dream but like Kim stated, it is the B that gets me. The fear of failure or the fear of success, I’m not really sure what it is…maybe the unknown. To actually do it means to risk all, to step out of the comfort zone. I’m the type that has basically made myself into a hermit, my dream means to actually get out there amongst the living.
What might happen if you focused more on your dream and less on the fear? The key is to keep bringing it back down to one, small baby step. It’s otherwise easy for the dream to become an overwhelming issue to deal with – it’s no wonder we don’t take action then!
What’s one small action you could take that would breathe a little life into your dream?