“All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them.” – Walt Disney

Given the limitations and colossal demands of modern day living, the mere idea of achieving an unconventional Dream may seem grandiose, hyperbolic and unrealistic to the average person. As an incorrigible dreamer, I know this from firsthand experience.

Growing up, I’ve invariably been cautioned by my family and peers about my unfounded idealism and the high expectations that I had for my life. Perhaps there was a trace of naiveté in my youthful reveries but what others didn’t know was that I was willing to put in the work needed to make them a reality.

Despite the discouraging words of my naysayers, I was able accomplish several significant feats that were at one point out of reach. The gratification I experienced did not emerge just from proving others wrong but from the wisdom that I assimilated along the way. I was gradually understanding the subtle nuances and the blueprint of the dream manifestation process, which I was eager to share with others.

What I’ve learned is that, unlike what most people believe, it is not as simple and smooth as it appears to be. We live in an age of instant gratification where people are prone to magical thinking. The media’s tendency to only highlight the glamorous aspect of success deludes people into believing that the celebrities and CEOs we see in magazines and on TV are individuals blessed with luck and good fortune.

The mainstream media seldom mentions the back-story of these venerated figures who we see on front covers and headlines. Based on what I have uncovered in my personal research, I have consistently seen that in almost every single narrative of success is a person who had to labor tirelessly while enduring the nitty-gritty of a mundane daily existence and the uncertainty of their ultimate destiny.

The lack of ideal conditions did not deter them from carving out the time and space that were crucial to their success. J. K. Rowling was an unemployed single mother who sat in cafés and worked assiduously on the Harry Potter novels. Jim Carrey had to support himself as a janitor while doing small gigs in local comedy clubs. Ralph Lauren worked as a store clerk before he envisioned and built his fashion empire.

This implies that when it comes to attaining your dreams, your chances for triumphant victory comes down to your ability to prioritize, organize and discipline yourself. This is the golden trifecta that will propel you forward in a meaningful direction. It’s unbridled force and a relentless commitment towards mastery that will assist you in your efforts to swim upstream against the harsh currents of reality.

Success will come to those who are both dreamers and doers. Those who are willing to devote themselves to a deep process and get their hands dirty if needed. While this may sound simple in theory, the application is not, because we have to make it happen within the context of the reality of our lives.

There could be a zillion things that are competing for your attention such as your job, family, friends and household chores. You may feel that it is a waste of time to indulge in childish fantasies about a pipe dream that has no guarantee to materialize in your life. So the natural tendency is to let it fall by the wayside and focus on what’s in the forefront of your mind that requires your immediate attention.

But the only reason it seems frivolous and beyond reach to us is because deep down we are intimidated by the sacrifices, risk and diligence that such a weighty undertaking necessitates. It’s not that our wants are impractical but that we haven’t taken the time to seriously ponder on how it can be actualized. We get daunted by the appearance of the whole elephant instead of viewing it by each body part.

To release our inhibitions, we have to be willing to suspend our disbelief and adopt a child-like sense of openness about the possibilities for our life. Author and speaker, Deepak Chopra, once said that we would not have a specific desire if it didn’t have the potential to manifest in our reality. Our dreams are akin to soul seeds, which can sprout only if we are willing to nourish it with the ingredients it needs.

So all we have to do to sustain those dreams is take small, steady and often brave steps. We can make it doable by breaking down the whole process into manageable, bite-sized pieces, which we can commit to on a daily basis. Here are some guidelines for organizing a life that’s conducive towards your dreams:

1. Be clear on what you want to manifest: In our busy and fast-paced world, it is becoming increasingly more challenging to stay connected to our inner realm. The people who are confused about what they want in their life typically fall into someone else’s plan or follow a traditional and safe path that doesn’t satiate them. It is essential that we carve out some quiet time away from the hustle and bustle so that we can tune in and connect with the truth of who we are. It’s during this private time that you can engage in self-exploration and reflect on what you really want in your life. If you would like more guidance on this step, I recommend that you download my free e-book on manifesting dreams.
2. Create a realistic strategy: When envisioning our futures, it serves us to omit any limitations and be daring in our vision, but we do need to consider them when we begin devising a strategy to bring that vision down to earth. We need to ensure that it fits into the context of our current circumstances and that it does not throw the other areas of our life off-balance. For example, say you’re a single mother working a 9-5 job, raising a child and managing your household – you would have to take all your duties and tasks into consideration when figuring out how you can pursue another college degree. You would have to think about the costs, time and energy required to get through the program and verify if it can conveniently fit into the mould of your present lifestyle.
3. Prioritize and commit: After gaining clarity on the roadmap that you will follow, the next step is to prioritize and commit to doing the things you need to do to execute your plan. This is probably where most people get stumped because it is emotionally laden and is dependent on the strength of our willpower and our character. We can only feel truly committed if our spirit is fueled by passion and a burning desire to achieve our dreams – it is the only force that can propel us into action and keep us on the path, no matter what kind of obstacles we encounter along the way. I suggest that you take out your calendar or planner and schedule non-negotiable time to work on your action plan.
4. Stay inspired: Self-motivated people are rare to come by. Most people can easily lose steam if they don’t receive some form of encouragement and appraisal during their pursuit. You don’t have to be a lone wolf on your journey towards success and it behooves you to seek partners who could be a sounding board and your personal cheerleader. You can speak with a mentor, coach, a supportive friend, or even join a support/mastermind group. Some activities that you can engage in on your own include creating a vision board, reciting affirmations, reading inspiring books, engaging in creative endeavors, and rewarding yourself every time you achieve a mini-milestone.

Like a sailor navigating your boat in a wide and expansive ocean, you might not be able to see the shorelines of your dream destination just yet, but if you adjust your sails and work with the winds of fate, you’ll find that your cumulative efforts and decisions will eventually get you to that promising land of opportunity and glory.

Have faith and keep going. If you’re driven by good intentions, I promise that you will not regret it.

All my best on your journey,

Seline

Question for you: What are some initial steps that you’re willing to take (and commit to) for organizing your life around your dream?

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The post A Simple Approach to Organizing Your Life Around Your Dreams appeared first on The Dream Catcher.