Breathe...

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You're ready to pursue your dream and a million things are going through your head.  You start working on something then get distracted and jump on the next task that you think needs done now.  A few minutes later or a day you' back to the original or you've moved off and onto something totally different. 

B R E A T H E!!!

It is natural to be excited about pursuing your dream!  You never want to lose that passion.  When however you are overwhelmed, disorganized or maybe even scattered your dream could be over before you even start.

B R E A T H E!!!

Life is a journey and pursing our dreams is all part of the trip. This isn't a race and you don't score points for how fast you can move.  Sure there is something to be said about getting a product to market in record time... but that is not what I'm talking about here.  If we are to accomplish our dreams then we need to go about it in a manner that assures us that we're covering all the bases needed to succeed.

B R E A T H E!!!

I have started many a project from a knee jerk reaction.  Remember "Good Happens?"  That was a product line that I jumped on without really thinking it through.  Jack designed a logo, shirts & bags were ordered, money spent.  What was missing was any idea on how to market, sell and handle the logistics of having a product line.  I ended up spending twice what I'd planned and in the end gave most of the products away. 

When we have a dream we need to take the time to make a plan.  This is where taking a breath comes in!  We need to take the time to think it through and set ourselves up for success!

If the goal involves a business... then there needs to be a business plan.  If you want to live in a certain town or neighborhood then you need a plan on how to find a place to live, have the funds to buy or rent, moving expenses and the usual transition detail such as forwarding mail, notifying friends and family and setting up the utilities.  Can you imagine moving and not knowing where you were going to live. (Ok some free spirits can do that well.  I'm not one of them!)

When you are ready to leap forward into your dream make sure to take the two Simple Steps:

• B R E A T H E
• P L A N

... in that order!  When you do you'll be on the journey toward achieving your dream and that feels fabulous!

When All Doesn't Go Right...

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Despite our best efforts we're going to hit roadblocks.  The proverbial one step forward, two steps back can be can be frustrating.  Usually when all doesn't go as we'd planned, or hoped, it means that all wasn't as it needed to be.  When this happens there are two very important things to consider:

First, when you are not obtaining the results that you'd hoped for it's time to use the step back to look at the situation from a distance.  We get so close to our dreams that we can't see the issues that need to be addressed.  It is then that we need to take the Simple Step of becoming an observer rather than a participant.

This might not be the easiest Simple Step... but it will yield you a more objective view of the situation.  If you were observing a friend going through this what would you tell them?  Of course you'd be encouraging... however you'd want them to succeed so you'd tell them what you see is occurring. Remember that every lesson you learn makes you better!  Try this a few times and notice how much better prepared to move forward.

Second, when we see our efforts falling short we tend to isolate ourselves as if our failure defined us as a person.  We are embarrassed, sometimes humiliated, or just feel bad about ourselves.  This is however not the time that we should be backing away from everyone who has been encouraging and supporting us all along!  Those folks who have been there for you aren't going to think less of you because something didn't work out the way you planned. 

This Simple Step is easy.  Talk to your friends and family about what happened, tell them how you feel and what you're planning to do next.  If you don't exactly know what your next step is let them know that you're regrouping, reassessing and re-energizing because it's your dream and you're going to find another way.  When you share the good and the not so good you'll realize that whatever happened is just a pothole in the journey... and everyone negotiates around those!

"I didn't fail the test, I just found 100 ways to do it wrong." 
— Benjamin Franklin

In the end it is about learning and sharing our experiences.  We get stronger... and those who witness our journey are inspired by it.  And that feels great!

On a personal note... At Simple Steps... Real Change we have literally thousands of people who come into our lives.  They stay awhile however when they experience a time when something negative happens in their lives,  they back away.  We don't judge our friends and are here to support and encourage each other.

With love to all, Cheryl