Live Your Dreams
By Sherril Steele-Carlin
Everyone can live their dreams if they really work at it and make it their goal.
You're probably saying "sure, it sounds easy, but I have bills to pay, kids to feed, and would like to keep a roof over my head." Well, yes. Odds are, those of us reading this are not independently wealthy, of we wouldn't be reading. Of course, living your dreams isn't easy, but if it was, everyone would be doing it. You CAN live your dreams, and you can start right now.
Plan Your Future
First, you need to begin planning your future. You might not be able to start living your dreams tomorrow, but if you start planning today, they'll be one day closer than they were before, and you'll know what you have to do to make your dreams come true. Do you know what it is you'd love to do? If not, it's time to find out.
The Perfect Job
Perhaps you've always wanted to write, or grow organic vegetables, or work in the outdoors, or simply be your own boss. What do you need to do to accomplish your dream? First, sit down and make a list of your "dream" jobs. What do they have in common? What seems like a feasible and realistic job that you'd love to do? If you want to write, you might start like I did, by loving to read, and wanting to write my own stories. I started out taking classes at my local community college. They were affordable and taught me the basics of writing. The more classes I took, the more confidence I gained.
Think About Your Skills
So, begin by looking at your dream job, and thinking about what skills you already have, and what skills you'll need to make that dream come true. Decide what you can do NOW to begin to gain those skills you don't have. Sign up for a class, volunteer at your local nursery, read books about your career, or talk to people who work in your dream career to find out what they recommend. There, you've taken your first step on the way to living your dreams! Doesn't it feel good?
Make a List
Sit down and make a list of things you do well. Do you bake fantastic cakes? Write it down! Do you have a good eye for color and design? Are you great with people, or love animals and kids? Do you love to read, sew, quilt, or knit? Write down all these things you enjoy and do best. Not only can you take pride in what you do well, you could turn it into the job of your dreams! If you love to quilt, why not put together a class for your local community or craft shop? If you love animals, why not volunteer at your local animal shelter, or begin raising your own puppies or kittens for show or sale? Or how about your own pet sitting business, or dog walking business?
Discovery
As you begin to discover what you're good at, and what you enjoy, you'll also discover a little about what is inside you, and what your heart tells you to do. Listen to your heart, it knows you the very best of all. After you've made your list, begin to think about all the possibilties it offers. Brainstorn with friends and relatives who may even have other ideas. Ask them what they see as your strengths, and decide how you can build on them to create and live your dreams. There are many options open to you, but you have to be open to them. Now, start working on living your dreams!