Do you find yourself caught in the rut of daily life? Is it as if life has become so routine it seems you run on auto pilot? This quick exercise is a great first step in rediscovering your hopes, dreams, and passions.
I remember when I was little, one of the things I dreamed of being when I grew up was a dolphin trainer. Though I didn’t live by the coast, have any experience with dolphins, or know a dolphin trainer, I knew I liked dolphins and thought it would be fun to swim with them everyday. I also thought it would be cool to be Barbie, live in my Barbie dreamhouse and drive the white Porshe I pushed around every time I played. I had some serious decisions to make.
Eventually, I grew up and settled on a “real job” of middle school teacher. I loved being in the classroom with my students, but there were many elements of teaching in public school I did not enjoy. After 10 years, I found myself burnt out and knew I couldn’t stay my entire career in the field.
Stuck
When my son was born, stay-at-home motherhood was a welcome change. I knew I would eventually go back to work, but I didn’t want to go back to the classroom, and I had no idea what I could do next. My identity was so deeply rooted in “classroom teacher” that I couldn’t see other possibilities. I was stuck.
I went on stuck for some time. Sadly, I believed that when the time came, I would go back to a job I was familiar with and live out the rest of my days in a career I didn’t really enjoy anymore. It made me sad to think my best days, when I woke up with joy and excitement for what the day may bring, may have been behind me.
But then a mentor helped me see the possibilities again. Quite simply, she challenged me to grab a journal and a pen and write down 100 things I’d like to do, see, or be in my lifetime. She instructed me to dream as big as I could. To put all limitations aside; if anything was possible, what would I do?
Daring to Dream Again
It was the first time in decades I dreamed. And it made me wonder, when did I stop dreaming? Why did I stop dreaming? Certainly, I had goals…finish college, get a job, get married, etc., but these were more the expected progression of adulthood milestones instead of the audacious dreams I dreamed as a child. The dreams that if I told them to others they would more or less laugh in my face.
So what happened? Well, this exercise had 3 major effects on me. First, it filled me with hope. It opened my eyes to all the potential and possibility surrounding me. It also made me question myself and my beliefs. Who’s to say the stuff on my list wasn’t possible? Me? Second, it brought clarity to what I value. I was able to see common themes in the items on my list. Family and experiencing life together came up many times, helping others, learning new skills. These are all things I value. Finally, it spurred further thought and exploration as to what those next steps, career-wise, could be for me.
Will You Dare to Dream Again?
So let me ask you, have you stopped dreaming big audacious dreams? Have you stopped believing anything is possible like you did when you were a kid? I encourage you to start dreaming again and see where it leads you.
I challenge you to grab a journal and a pen and take off the limits. If anything was possible, what do you want to do? What do you want to have? What do you want to be or become? Write down as many things as you can think of. The sky is the limit!
Happy dreaming!
Looking for more?
Renew your mind to the endless possibilities of your dreams.
Grow a little bit everyday to take you closer to your dreams.