I’ve developed 6 Steps to Live Your Dream because a friend and I were recently discussing how fear can choke out your hopes. Dreams only become reality when you mix in a bit of practicality. And there is always fear.
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Is there something you want to do but you’re too afraid? Your list of worries and what could happen is just getting longer? The “what ifs” haunt your sleep? Yeah, me too.
Fear is normal. Fear is sometimes even healthy. Fear helps us to be cautious and weigh the outcomes of an action. Fear is a type of inner boundary.
But is fear keeping you from potentially making your most cherished hopes reality?
Step 1. Name your dream.
When I lived in Austria, I wanted to visit other countries. I was scared, though, because I’ve heard the stories of young women traveling alone. It’s a real and sometimes crippling fear.
Is your dream illegal? If not, what’s keeping you from pursuing it? If it’s fear, why? What’s practical about that fear? What can you do today to start preparing to make your dream into a reality?
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Step 2. Plan your dream.
I decided that I wanted to travel despite my fears so I wrote a short list of countries I wanted to visit. Then, I started to research safety for single women.
How can you plan your dream? Would writing a list help make the steps to your dream more manageable? Should you write reminders in your planner or online calendar to keep you accountable?
Step 3. Invest in your dream.
Once I chose my first travel destination (Paris!), I purchased my transportation tickets and accommodation (I love airbnb). I knew that if I didn’t set the dates in stone by putting down the money that I wouldn’t go. I’d procrastinate, and allow fear to tie me up.
Where can you put your money so you follow through on your own dream? Does that mean booking an appointment somewhere? Or setting aside time for your dream?
Step 4. Live your dream.
When I arrived in Paris, fear and exhilaration kept me breathless. I need to admit that I went to my airbnb flat and took a nap because I was so overwhelmed and my courage had cost so much energy. But when I woke up, I was still in Paris. And it was time to explore.
What can you do to accept yourself as you live your dream? Is there a moment where you need to be kind to yourself or should you push yourself harder? What will help you be brave?
Step 5. Structure your dream.
I knew that while in Paris that I had to see the Eiffel Tower and I wanted to eat one of those adorable sandwich cookies. But I also didn’t want to rush from attraction to museum and back again. Once again, I prioritized.
What will you regret if you don’t make it a part of your dream? What will help to reach your expectations for your trip or your dream? How can you plan your time and resources so you do what you truly want?
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Step 6. Learn from your dream.
When I returned to my Austrian home from Paris, I realized that Paris was not as scary as my fears told me. I also suddenly knew that I was capable and able to care for myself on my own in a foreign country. Not everyone was out to get me. Most were just living their lives as I lived mine. I share more in depth about Paris in Awakening in Paris.
What did you learn from making your dream a reality? Did you learn something about who you are? Did you learn what you won’t do next time? What did you learn about fear?
Yes, it can be so hard to make dreams into a reality (also depends on the type of dream), but don’t ever allow your fear to hold you back from something like traveling or whatever else is on your mind.
My biggest regrets are the moments where fear overpowered courage.
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