Are your dreams still in a drawer?
When I worked with The Pacific Institute and facilitated workshops around the country, I remember speaking with so many baby boomers who told me that their dreams had been put in a drawer many years ago. They had been focused on their marriage, their children, their jobs – and the dreams just had to wait.
I fell into that trap myself. The good news, for me, is that I surround myself with people who help me to dream big and to keep those dreams uppermost in mind.
Before I travelled around the world (3x) in a private plane, I never even knew that kind of trip existed. That is one of the reasons you need to up-level the people you spend time with – and that is just one of the tips I have for you when we start talking about dreaming big.
So what does it take?
Here are the steps I take, on a regular basis, to ensure my dreams never get stuck in a drawer.
#1: WRITE DOWN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE PERFECT DAY.
If money, time and circumstances were no object – if failure was not an option – just exactly what would your description of the perfect day be? Take out a piece of paper and write that down. Make it clear, concise and add emotion words. Stop and read that, several times a day, and keep it in a place where you can see it often – perhaps on a bulletin board in your office, perhaps as the wallpaper on your computer, perhaps take a picture of it and carry it on your I-phone. Once this gets imprinted in your creative subconscious, let your mind go to work. You will be amazed!
TIP #2: BREAK DOWN THAT DESCRIPTION INTO GOALS
I take different pieces of that ‘perfect day’ description and break it down into specific goals. For example, a perfect day would include a fun fitness routine (such as I did daily in Palm Springs with my friend, Louise – we did the Jillian Michaels ‘Ripped in 30 Days” workout together – so much fun!). I now commit to a FUN workout each and every day. And what could be more fun than including this type of activity when you’re away with girlfriends??!
Travel is high on my priority list – I made a point of visiting the bookstore regularly and I read through magazines like Dream Islands, or 100 Places to Visit Before You Die. Get a really clear, high level, picture of what it is you want in your life.
During this past year, there were so many opportunities, on-line, for ‘virtual tours’ – of places like Rome, Paris, Venice, etc. – and there are also ‘virtual fitness challenges’ whereby you not only get a medal upon completion, but you get flags and other such items along the route. So much fun!
TIP #3: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO FIT THE DREAM
There are many people in life who just ‘settle’. Good enough is good enough. When you are a high-achiever and a big dreamer, these people are not right for you anymore. You need to surround yourself with people who think BIG, who dream BIG, who work BIG, who do BIG. You become the average of the 5 people you spend time with.
Who’s on your list?
Who stays?
Who must go?
It’s up to you.
KEEP IN MIND THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE!
And this is it! Want to live a life without regrets? Want to drive around in a Mercedes convertible in Palm Springs? Want to climb the mountains in Sedona and do yoga/meditation for a day?
Think about what you really want – and then make it happen. You have the power. It’s your life. This is NOT a dress rehearsal.
What are your BIG dreams and what are you prepared to do to make them come true?
Pat Mussieux is an internationally acclaimed speaker, award-winning business coach, former Radio and TV host, and author. Pat has won the STEVIE Award for Female Executive of the Year and Female Entrepreneur of the Year in Canada 4x!! Having transformed her life at age 57 and again at 68 has been a direct result of her expertise in the areas of mindset, marketing, and money. She is on a mission to help professionals get a grip on their health, wealth, and happiness. Pat is helping women to pivot and be proactive these days to create residual and leveraged income, so they can create the life of their dreams. Her mantra is it’s never too late and you’re never too old!
To learn more about Pat, visit www.patmussieux.com.