Is this what I was dreaming of? The accidental life…
I’m embarking on a new journey and a new “body of work”, and I’d like to invite you to come along.
One of the things I have had a hard time NOT noticing is that a lot of us end up where we are in life without a plan, very unintentionally.
For a long time, my path was very random, I would seize opportunity when it showed itself. I would start a job, get promoted a bit, get promoted again, and then get unhappy and leave.
This was a trend and a mistake many companies make… Many companies take their top sales guys and turn them into sales managers… This is often the end of the road for the sales guy. The sales guy loved being in contact with the people, he loved selling, now he pushes papers around on his desk and screams at his sales guys. It’s a sill trend and if more managers thought ahead they would leave a good sales guy where he belongs… SELLING!
So I ended up looking in the help wanted ads (In those days Craig did not have a list of jobs for me!) I found another opportunity and started the cycle over again..
I realized one day that I was in this pattern and needed to create my life on purpose. Since the accidental life is so common I decided I would share my thoughts and help some of ya that realize… “Hey…. this is not where I want to be. I’m not happy and I’m ready to take the steps to find out what I am really supposed to be doing!”
Your first tip… You can be or do just about anything you want to do.
The questions is…
Should you be doing it?
Dare to Dream
Take an hour today and make up a list of what you really dream of being.
I know this may be a stretch for some of you as I have found, many of us have forgotten how to dream. Let go of who you are today.
Just imagine… “if money and time were no object what would really bring you joy and happiness”. It could be a physical thing like a new vacation home in Key West, maybe it’s a new profession… this will be different for everyone.
Have fun with this exercise. It’s a small step, but an important step to developing and planning to have an unreasonably wonderful, joyous life.
Please let me know what you are dreaming of in the comments below, Lets all get wild and crazy and dream today!
I’ll start off…
I dream of living, year round, in my wonderful home in Key West where I am inspired to work every day helping my Clients achieve every dream and goal they have! I know if I help they they will help me achieve my dreams!
John, I love what you have said here and I think it is so very pertinent to all of us, no matter where we find ourselves in life to take a moment and allow ourselves to dream and then to make that dream a reality. Problem is most people dont know where to begin and dreams are not always supported. I think your idea of helping peoples dreams come true is beautiful one.
“I” dream of living a life where my day and what I do with it are extensions of my true self. Where there is balance in what I give and what I receive. Where there is joy and laughter coming from my open home that is welcoming to all friends and family. Did I mention that my home is on a warm beach on the Mediterranean?
Berta
I love your dream! When your dreams are about becoming your “true self”, it’s almost infallible!
Thanks Berta, you’ve been a big help in me attaining my dreams. i truly appreciate you!
I love to dream and soon I am going back to school, a whole career change at 45 years old but I need more in my life. And my vacation home is on a Dude Ranch in beautiful Arizona
Congratulations Lisa! The best time to change your career is the second you realize that you are hanging on to the present one past it’s expiration date! Good for you and best of luck. If I can help ya please let me know!
My dream is that I make a difference in those people that I meet daily.. at work and personally. That I have balance in each day, time for me and time for my family. I am living in a place of warmth with sand and sea out my door, and I am with my loving husband.
Great Dream Cathy! I’m with ya except you can keep Billy. He’s too skinny for me!
You can never be where you want to be until you want to be where you are.
Schaeffer Cox
That’s true Derek… BUT… that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a life that you are not happy with. Some times being unhappy with where you are is just an indication that you are in the wrong place… and IF you didn’t end up there by design… Why not create a better place to be!
What Schaeffer means, at least my interpretation of what is is saying is that until we as individuals accept that we are “where we are” because we think ,believe or are told that we are happy to be there we can never be where we really want to be.
It’s about drawing a line under things and accepting you have got yourself into the position you are in and accepting that “as is” and then moving on from there to somewhere better which is what your blog post is highlighting.
What I do know is if you don’t allow yourself to dream you will never achieve anything for yourself.
Thanks for the comment Derek.
Yep! Accepting the responsibility for being where we are today is one of the fist BIG steps. Blaming other people may make you feel a little better for a few moments, but in the long haul… it’s NO way to get ahead!
Yes, you definitely need to dream. Sadly, I’ve found that a lot of us have forgotten how to dream. A lot of us accept where we are and just mark time instead of really living life!