Visualizing the future is hard for me. I live in tasks, numbers and concrete ideas. I have discovered that some people live in their dreams. For them taking action to create them is a struggle. They get bored. If this describes you – this article is not for you. However, if you struggle to remember your dreams or just don’t take the time to dream – here are some things that I uncovered to help find the dreams that make life worth living.
Slow down. Life zooms by us. Turn off the TV, social media, podcasts and whatever else life is blasting at you. Make a cup of tea. Lay on the ground and watch the clouds. Close your eyes and listen to the world around you. Listen to your own thoughts. I like to play a game with myself – being one with nature. Try not to make a sound, breath, don’t move or glide. I find it challenging.
Live in the moment. Stop regretting the past. Quit panicking about the future. Put all you got into what you are doing at the moment, give it your best.
Rewrite your own story. We constantly talk to ourself. I say things to myself like; “Why did I do that? I will never get that done. That was dumb”. Be aware of the story that you are telling yourself. Stop the negative and replace it with – “you got this, do what you can, who says it won’t get done?”
If you could do anything, what would you do? Assume that you had all the money you needed, the time you needed, the skill, experience and knowledge you needed and whatever resource you needed to achieve it – what would you want to achieve? Take away all your limitations. Most of them are self-imposed to begin with. Write it down. When brainstorming right down everything, even the ridiculous. It could lead you into a new direction.
Take a risk and be you. I like to avoid conflict; I like to stay in the background. So, every time I send an email that steps out of my comfort zone, my gut tightens up. I still hit the send key, maybe a few seconds later but I do send it. Take the time to be genuinely you. My goal is to provide more value. Thus, at times I step out of the role of accountant. I have found that the little extra is positively received. Stop and listen to your intuition and take the risk of being you.
Explore the unknown. Routine kills creativity. Live the thrill of something new. Drive a different way to work. Write with your other hand. I routinely walk a certain route. The other day I did it backward. It made me think.
Pay attention to what you are excited. What happened today that you are the most proud of? What are you looking forward to? Each of us are different and each day we may have different answers.
We create each day. Each day is a combination of all the choices we make. Yes, we have taken on obligations such as being a parent, a spouse, an employee – but they were choices. I have 24 hours of time each day. I have one body and one mind at my disposal. I can make my dreams come true.
By Mary Guldan-Lindstrom CPA
