This is the boldest title I’ve ever given a blog post; and that’s because what I’m about to share with you, is real. You can make your dreams a reality, with hard work and a process.
First, I want to tell you that I’m not one of those people that has dreams and keeps them to herself. Now, that’s being selfish.
Whenever I think of something that I want to achieve, both personally and professionally, I quickly start sharing it with the world.
I begin with my husband and kids. Over dinner. By talking about it. I call this “painting the picture.”
Then another day. And another. I just don’t stop bringing my dreams up.
I begin to ask, “what would our life look like if we did this?” And, “how would it feel if we did that?” And pushing further, “how fun would it be to do XYZ?”
This is what I call “outlining my dream.”
But I don’t end up there. Over time, the “what would it be like” turns into “this is what we’re going to do when…” and this very statement, is HOW you make your dreams come to fruition.
This is what we’re going to do when ________. Now it’s real.
You begin to talk about what it is going to be like. What living out your dream feels like. And then, the conversation turns into mapping out the steps needed to get there.
Of course, this isn’t a linear thing.
The best part is that you can talk about many things. Discuss personal dreams/goals; they can be family adventures, how you’re going to get out of debt, how you are regaining your health…
MINDSET. It’s so powerful.
“But Laura, how do you then actually get to do the things? How do your dreams come true?” -Oh, my friend, I thought you’d never ask.
I believe I have the power within to get everything I want -the things I’m meant to have in my life. And so do YOU.
This is not about getting rich by winning the lottery. This is about living a rich life you create by experiences.
You see, your life is like one of those adult coloring books. The pictures are outlines of our goals and dreams. We get to choose which picture to color first and which colors to fill the lines with.
Some pictures are never finished. Some pictures we don’t like and aren’t meant to be colored. And that’s ok. And sometimes, if you’re adventurous enough, you work on a few pictures at once!
Some take longer to get finished. While others are not meant to be started at all. Heck, you can even have several books!
Two years ago, I told my husband “one day, I will rent a house in Park City, Utah, for six weeks and experience what it’s like to live in the snow, to work remotely, to teach our kids, and ski in the afternoons whenever possible.”
We live in New Orleans. As different from Park City as you get. Couldn’t be more opposite actually.
But I started to talk about it. I drew the outlines. I shared my dream family trip with everyone I met that was from Utah or lived near it.
For the last six years, I’ve taken my boys skiing in Park City for a few days and then came home. “This isn’t the year. It’s not the right time -yet.”
But, I kept sharing my dream with our ski instructors, people I met at a cookie shop in Midway UT, and with a woman I met at a conference a year ago -from whose parents we’re renting out the house in Utah.
We saved money. My husband and I talked about how we’d travel there. How we’d homeschool our kids, and how we’d divide our time so we both could get our work done.
I even found house sitters to take care of our home and our diabetic cat this way.
I shared my dream with anyone that would listen as if it was already real. With each conversation, I colored the lines some more.
“I’m filling in the picture -I’d tell myself.”
Putting it out there, and doing the work will turn your dreams into tangible goals, into small steps, into your new reality.
The key word there are… “doing the work.”
I know this to be true because that’s the story of my life.
Everything I’ve done in my life has stemmed from an idea. A dream that started conversations that created goals that I broke down into smaller steps, leading to achievements.
Today, I am writing this post from our temporary home outside of Park City. I’m here. My family is here. Living out that one dream.
Now, it’s your turn to achieve your dreams. Big and small. They are all important.
So today, I want to ask you one thing.
What’s that one dream you’d love to achieve but haven’t quite dared to talk about it and start making it a reality? Leave a comment below and share it with me!
Vicki
I’d love to live somewhat off grid in a nice quiet area surrounded by woods. Have a nice garden area, be self sufficient and just live a quiet, peaceful life. It’s a big dream because you need money, which I lack. First goal is to get out of debt. And in the meantime enjoy where I am and not let life pass by wishing for that dream. Then I think, what if that dream happens and I don’t like it? I guess I need to be open to wherever God takes me and what He has in store for me.
Laura Fuentes
So well said, Vicki!
Karrie
Starting my own business. Laura, you were all the encouragement I needed. Family meals first thanks you!!!
Laura Fuentes
Hurray Karrie! Best of luck! The hard work is worth it.
Cindie
My husband was in the military so our family lived 6 years in Italy but we moved back in 1992 and have wanted to go back to visit ever since. Our children are gone and we want to begin traveling more again. This year we are starting with a trip to Italy and Romania. I’m thinking of starting a blog about our travels once we go.
Laura Fuentes
Do it Cindie!
Heather
I so badly want to blog about our farm and I’m actually going to make my first post very soon. I just got our website updated onto WordPress and I’m going to start the blog right away. I’ll send you the website address when it’s up! I’m still tweaking a few pictures.
Laura Fuentes
I’d love to follow your farming adventures, Heather! My biggest advice is to “just get started” you can make it pretty and perfect it later. You can totally do it.
Sabrina D Giesler
Hello Laura. You are an amazing inspiration and I appreciate this new post.
Like yourself, I actively speak of and work towards my goals; I look to many like yourself who have been successful in your areas of expertise as motivation, as well as for ideas and advice when given.
My current endeavor is that of gaining recognition as a yoga instructor. I began my classes last week actually.
I’ll complete my training at the end of March, and then I’ll be moving to Murray UT. Funny/Karmic that you would write this post now, when I have followed you for around four or five years, am from the Four Corners region (Colorado), and am going in such a similar direction!
Good luck to you and your family in your newest adventure! Perhaps there will be an event or something you host while you’re in Utah; I would try mightily to attend❣
Laura Fuentes
I’m so thrilled for you and your new direction! I know you’re going to help so many people gracefully regain their health, get centered, and vitality through yoga. I know this because I started yoga a year ago and it has helped me so much! We’re here for 6 weeks and while I don’t have a “meet up” yet, I plan on coming back next year. Yoga is definitely a practice I see here and people are into, so I know you’ll be wildly successful (in the spirit kind of way too.). Keep me posted!
Michele
I would love for my tiny Printable Business to just be a part-time business that I can use to just contribute to the family finances. I love graphic design and creating invites and games because I know those things are being used for family or friend celebrations. It is not easy trying to be everything when you are just starting out and you are my age. My kids are grown and gone and I want something for myself.
Laura Fuentes
Hi Michele! I just checked out your site. It’s so cute! Love it. I know it’s not easy “being everything” but the great news is that you eventually learn how to do everything and when you grow and hire help, you’ll know exactly what they should be doing.