Design Your Dream
Do you ever feel stuck? Maybe a little like you’re in your own version of Bill Murray’s Groundhog Day? Waking up to the same thing again and again and again and again…. and again. It’s fitting I’m writing this post today, on 2/2/2022, Groundhog Day. And, honesty, I started this post unaware that today is the literal holiday of feeling stuck. Serendipitous I suppose.
About a year ago I felt pretty stuck. I loved my job and most things in my life but wanted more. I like stability but crave new experiences. I always want to do my best but know I will fail. I feel lucky but also want more and am (almost) never satisfied. I have had so many wonderful experiences in my life that have taught me about perseverance, dedication, and pressing on the face of uncertainty or doubt. Feeling frozen in the moment, unable to make a decision or take a step forward is a temporary state; you must keep going.
The irony is, placing one foot in front of the other is the only thing to do, the only option you have. And it doesn’t matter if you make a mistake, or a misstep, or fail terribly. The point is that you have to take a step to survive. Being present (where your feet are) is important. Lifesaving. You must stretch and grow as you move through the quicksand, pressing your mind and body to a limit you did not think was possible. It is there that the learning occurs and your growth happens. Growth doesn’t happen if you sink down in the quicksand, or stay stuck in the mud. Centering and calming your mind to the point of awareness that your feet are sinking is the only thing to do. You just need to take that one small step forward to survive, and maybe even thrive.
I recently decided to start this side business because I was craving a creative outlet centered on my values and desire to leave the world a little more beautiful. I have been thinking about it a lot, dreaming for over a year. But, that was as far as it went. Up until now, that is. Just a beautiful dream. A place to let my thoughts run free and imagine the possibilities.
One step in front of another was instead, one dream in front of another. And dreams don’t always come true. To bring them earth side, you have to put pen to paper. Begin. One foot in front of the other. So, that’s what I’m doing now. A few, incremental steps I took to get here are below. Maybe they will inspire and guide you? Who knows? Everyone’s journey is different. I hope you can take pieces of mine to inspire your own forward progress.
Begin with your dream. What do you want to create?
An essential step to creating or expanding something you love is to imagine and dream uninhibited.
Put pen to paper and design. Channel positive and creative energy when you have it.
Do you know that feeling when positive energy flows your way? It is an amazing feeling, leading to generative and exciting thoughts, dreams, and ideas. This is your generative place. It could be brought on by an experience, a person, a book, a beautiful vista or any number of things. When you feel your energy shift to that place of creation and possibility, it’s a great time to take action and design your dream. Use the passion and lightness in your mind to write things down and create. Lean into your energy and take that leap to create a tangible design!
Refine your design, make a plan, and share it with your community
Test, iterate, make mistakes, and grow. Once you’ve designed your plan, created a business model or decided on your mission, go for it! Take your plans and build community connections. Offer your services to trusted friends, colleagues and community leaders for their valuable feedback. You’ll find that your dream has power, and that others value your ideas and want to support you.
Watch your dream grow
Once you’ve taken the steps to dream, design and test, your dream will be launched. Watch it grow, expand, and fill your soul.
