I believe we’re all dreamers, even if you don’t feel like one. Dreamers fall into two categories:
Here’s the thing about dreams: we often convince ourselves it’s “just a dream.” We keep it a secret in the back pocket of our hearts, or maybe confide in one person. Plans of action are rarely discussed. It goes nowhere, so our belief that “it’s just a dream” is confirmed.
I don’t know about you, but that, to me, is a bunch of shit.
This chapter is for those of you who keep your dreams to yourselves out of fear:
Most, if not all, red-blooded human beings have a dream. It may be small; it may be big and grandiose. Could be moving out of your hometown; could be world domination. It may be the same dream you’ve had since you were a kid, or your dream may change every month. There is no right or wrong way to dream. Just like your values, your dreams are yours. They are not up for ridicule or judgment from you or anyone else.
I’ve got some questions for you …
(I just lit a fire under you, didn’t I?)
Here’s a challenge for you: Tell five people about your secret dream. It’s important that those five people don’t stomp on your dream. (If they do, remember this: their negative crap about your dream has nothing to do with you or your dream. It’s 100 percent about their inability to have enough balls to even for one second think their dream can come true. It’s about their insecurities and fears; mixed in with some envy that you have the balls to articulate your dream.)
Enough about balls.
The thing about telling people about your big dream is that when you do, it becomes real. No, not like waving a magic wand and poof! it’s here, but saying it out loud gives it power. You’re committing to yourself, to another person, and to the Universe. You’re actually putting energy out there that creates feelings inside of you. And P.S. when you do tell someone about it, check how your body feels. Are you tingly? Did you feel a flip-flop in your stomach? If it scares the shit out of you, you’re really onto something. If you felt excited, that’s very telling. In fact, it’s your crystal ball answer to the question of “Should I do this?”
A couple more interesting things might happen when you talk about it.
If #2 happens (pun intended), this does not mean your dream sharing is over and it can go back to just living in your head. No, ma’am. It just means that you’re on to something really, really big. And I mean really big.
Because that’s the thing with inner critics. They get real pissed when you’re onto something big and exciting. So now you can use that as an indicator instead of a dream squasher. Think of it as your own internal barometer. When thinking about a dream and you get ridiculously scared, let that be your giant, green, flashing light saying THIS IS IT.
Another thing about sharing your dreams: You assume accountability. It’s similar to working with a life coach — you share your dreams, work through your fears, commit to action, and your coach holds you accountable. There’s no, “Sure, I’m really going to do this!” and then no one asks you about it again so you’re off the hook. Nope.
So when you tell your five people, tell them you’d like some accountability. Ask them to ask you about it again in a week, or a month.
Let me say one more thing about creating witnesses to your dreams and then taking action on it: In the grand scheme of this life, we’re all here for only a microsecond. Whether your last day is today or any day … at the end of your life how do you want to describe how it was?
Awesome?
Peaceful?
Kick-ass?
Fulfilling?
You get to choose.
Your dreams are your dreams. And if you keep them to yourself, you’re less likely to see them materialize. And in my humble opinion, that is one of the saddest things in the whole wide world.