Do you ever have the feeling that there´s more to life than what you are currently engaged in? Something that would give your life more meaning, something that would put your soul back into that empty back hole in your chest?
I love Facebook, and I'm often struck by how many posts are of the motivational "you can do it - if there is a pink sunset" type, to the point of becoming a desperate mantra..... and a year later I notice the same posts from the same people. It seems clear... an awful lot of people just don´t know what they want to do with their life.
Posts about... Carpe Diem, wishes about being happier, having more security and finding a purpose.... however, not many of them have any kind of specific dream they´re working on to develop into a solid plan of action.
If that sounds like you, then maybe these 5 steps can help you pinpoint your dream so you can start moving toward turning it into your reality.
Step 1: Have A Dream
More than anything else, Sapiens wants to be happy... and while practicing a positive state of mind is a great start in the right direction, there´s more to true happiness than having a positive mindset, and repeating motivating mantras. True happiness comes from engaging each and every day with activities, things and people that fill you with a sense of passion and excitement. So before you can even start thinking about how you´re going to transform your reality, you need to ask yourself: What gets my motor running? Then go get a brush and some paint from the tool shed and paint your answer on the kitchen wall! When you´re done, breathe, have a cup of tea.... and move on to the next step.
Step 2: Find Your Yoda
Believe me, there is no reason to reinvent the wheel when it comes to synthesizing your dream into reality. Once you find something that excites you, chances are someone, somewhere has already accomplished it and you can learn from their example. Read, ask, beg, borrow and steal... er ... maybe not steal... well ... you know what I mean. What you´re looking for is a Guru, a Muse... your Yoda ... who has seen that... done that...gathered wisdom, and can show you the way. Don't be shy.... don't go it alone... avoid pessimists... ask for help and insight.
Step 3: Focus For Victory
To be honest, regardless of what your dream is, if you want to monetize it to make a living, you are going to have to focus the dream on solving a problem of some sort for a great many people who are prepared to part with some mula to have it solved. When you find a problem to solve... and it's aligned with your dream... and apart from having the passion.... that fire in the belly.... you also have matching personality, knowledge and skills... then you are a go for victory....
Foot Note: If you cannot find any profitable alignment with your dream... make some Horlicks, go lie down.... and try for another dream...
Step 4: A Game Plan For Profit
A statement of intent painted on your kitchen wall is not a plan. No matter what your dream is, cobbling together a plan of action is the cornerstone of a successful enterprise . The best way to get a better understanding of what your dream entails, and the market forces at play, is to develop a solid plan. Putting that plan in writing and going over it every day will help you grasp the true impact its realization will have on your life and the life of those closest to you. A written plan also helps strengthen your commitment and helps make your dream appear both more practical and more readily achievable in your own mind.
Step 5: Link The Dream To Priorities And Actions
Even if you only have a vague idea about what your dream is, and a very loose plan for how you´re going to achieve it, taking action will help solidify the details as you move forward. Action helps you learn by experience, using trial-and-error to determine not only what you need to do but also the person you need to become to achieve your dreams. Sure, disappointment and failure may be part of the process, but taking consistent action towards achieving the goals you set is the ONLY way to learn, adjust, apply and succeed.
One final question before I go…
When it comes to living your dream, what do you think your greatest enemy is ?
NEVER GETTING STARTED.
And I don´t want that to happen to you.
So, get started working on the 5 steps I´ve shared with you here today. Once you know where you´re going and begin taking steps in the right direction, it´s only a matter of time before your dream really does become your reality!
Dawid van der Merwe's take on a piece written by Jan Marie Mueller
Jan Marie Mueller is founder of the inspirational blog ThinkBrilliantly and The Brilliance Community, a free Facebook group dedicated to empowering women to let their inner brilliance shine! Her mission is to help women everywhere shift the way they think about themselves, their world and those around them so they have the confidence to do, be and have what they want most in life!