7 Steps to Creating Your Dream Life
““Create the life you want to live” – T.A. Garcia”
I ran across this quote a few years ago, and in that moment I decided to actively pursue the life that I wanted instead of allowing life to just “happen” to me. I spent countless hours becoming more self-aware, analyzing my thoughts and behaviors. I began to create cozy spaces in my home, and magical places in my garden. I started investing in relationships and became very intentional about who/what I allowed onto my calendar.
The process, full of it’s ups and downs, is well worth it! Here are a few tips to get you started on creating the life you want to live.
Choose What Matters Most - Step one is to decide what matters most at the end of the day. What do you want to be remembered for? Who in your life deserves most of your time and attention? Is there something you’ve always wanted to do but are afraid to try or are too over-committed to do so? Answering these questions early on will make the whole process much smoother.
“No” is the new “yes” - Before saying “yes” to all of the things, pause and decide if this is something you WANT to do or something you feel obligated to do. Remember, when you say “yes” to something, you will have to say “no” to many other things that are happening in that same moment in time. Ask yourself, does this align with my priorities?
(Side note: Have you ever stopped to analyze all of the people/things you have allowed to lord over your life? The answer may shock you!)
There’s a BIG difference between “not being able” and “not being taught”. – As we get older, we tend to stick with what we know and just assume we’re not good at the other things. Take some time to learn about things you are interested in and give them another go. Turns out I love gardening and I can make a pretty good meal without burning the house down. Is there something you’ve always wanted to do? I dare you to try again!
Don’t let one person’s opinion crush your dreams! – I have always loved to dance, but could never afford dance lessons. In college, I took a dance class as an extra-curricular and the instructor told me I would never make it as a dancer! A few years later I landed a job as an entertainer at Disney and went on to work at a dinner theater and for a traveling production company as a singer & dancer. Perhaps the instructor was having a bad day, or maybe there was something about me she didn’t like; Regardless, I went on to prove her opinion wrong. Keep trying, perfecting your craft and leave the haters in the past.
Not everyone deserves a place at your table – This may seem a little harsh, but it’s the reality. We don’t have the bandwidth to entertain everyone we come in contact with and some people are just there for the taking. Yet, there are those in our lives who love us unconditionally and always have our best interest in mind. These rare few are not afraid to share hard truths, celebrate with us, and walk alongside us through our valleys. They should be nurtured, treasured ,and loved.
But…
Pay close attention to the people who don’t clap when you win. – There are the people in our lives that we should keep at an arm’s length. Over the years we may have developed a relationship with them, walked through some tough stuff together; But do they clap when we win?
Whether it be driven by jealousy or a belief that we are undeserving, we need to limit our interactions with such people. Pay attention to how you feel when you spend time with them; Are you drained or encouraged? Over time people change. Make sure you are not entertaining the enemy.
If you strive to fit in, you will never stand out. – Often we settle for what the world tells us to be, but we were created for SO MUCH MORE. Each of us, with our unique experiences and talents, has something special to offer the world. Don’t stop searching until you find it!
It’s never too late to start. Today can be a spring board to the life you desire.
“If you don’t like the road you’re walking, start paving another one. - Dolly Parton”