If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!
"I have heard it said that the first ingredient of success is to dream a great dream." John A. Appleman
How often do you dream or aspire? What do you dream of? Why do people struggle to act upon their dreams? Is it fear of failure, insecurity in their abilities or chalk it up to wishful thinking that holds them back? These are questions that my clients ask me all the time. In return I offer, "Isn't it amazing how people only dream of greatness?"
I have never heard of anyone dreaming of failure or aspiring to be unsuccessful. Failure does not play any part in dreaming. It is the dreamer that instills failure, not the dream. I have read of many very successful dreamers that failed numerous times before they experienced success. The difference is that failure was not going to end their dreams only motivate them to dream bigger.
Many of you fail to seek your purpose in life and you should. You dream and then follow it up with a list of all the reasons why the dream is unachievable. You fill your life with excuses and "I can't." Many great companies were conceived from a dream, nurtured in a garage or basement and grew to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Why not you? Why not your dream? The only true limits you experience in life are those you create or those you allow others to impose upon you. If you can dream it, you can do it!
"Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness, and in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity. That is the work of the moment." Amy Carmichael quoted in: Tim Hansel, Holy Sweat, 1987, Word Books Publisher, p. 130.
Dreaming is the easy part. Acting on the dream is harder. Recognize that a dream is a journey. On the simplest level, it takes commitment, time, desire, and courage. But rarely is something great easily realized.
In Bruce Wilkinson's book, "The DreamGiver," he tells the story of a man named Anybody. Anybody has a great dream, but struggles to break free of his comfort zone and push toward his dream. One afternoon he draws the courage and begins to tell others of his dream. They laugh at him, tell him to stop being foolish and forget about his dreams. "Stop kidding yourself, you can't do it," they would remind him. These "dream bullies" make every effort to push him back to mediocrity. Do not get caught in this trap. I am here today to tell you that you CAN do it.
How do I know that this is possible? I have done it. A few years ago, I decided that I was going to step out in faith, believe in myself and God's purpose for my life. I was going to follow my dream. I was in a similar place as "Anybody." I was comfortable but unhappy. I, too, dreamed a greater dream.
When I came to the realization that I wanted more out of life, I created a motivational phrase to keep me going when I felt challenged. "If you can dream it, you can do it!" I made it my life's mission statement. No longer was I going to stand in the way of my dreams or was I going to let anyone else either.
Many people questioned my decisions and looking back now I recognize why; my dreams impacted them. I challenged their comfort zones. They feared my success because of the implications that it had on their lives. They worried that they would lose their partner in pity or were so locked into mediocrity and their comfort zones that it was impossible for them to imagine my success. They viewed the process or decision with great skepticism. Today, my dream is evolving, but the dream is still very much alive. Has it been easy? No. Has it been rewarding? Yes. Will someday I realize my dream? Definitely.
I am here today to challenge you to reach for your dream. Do not be afraid to dream. If you can dream it, you can do it! Many of the people that impacted history came from humble beginnings. We can easily look to the Bible to discover humble greatness. Moses immediately comes to mind. He stuttered and God chose him to speak to Pharaoh. He felt inadequate and unable to achieve the greatness God had laid before him. God often chooses ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things.
He said to God, "Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh, and that I should bring the children of Israel?" Exodus 3:11. Later in Exodus 4:10, he said, "I am not eloquent, neither before or since you have spoken to me, but I am slow of speech and slow of tongue." Simply, please do not take me out of my comfort zone. I appreciate you thinking of me, but this might be a little bigger than I can handle. He failed to see the dream because he was focused on the obstacles.
What about David. When his great army cowered before the giant Goliath, he stood up, grabbed his dream of freedom and through a stone in the direction of greatness. He later became a great King. What if that monumental day, he chose not to pick up the stone?
Where would the world be if they had chosen to turn away from a dream? What would have become of them if they chose to listen to all of the reasons "why not," instead of "why not me?" Where will you be when you realize what might have been?
What stone might you throw that could change your life? Get focused and make a commitment. Integrate your dreams into your daily life. Many coaches promote goal setting, as do I. I encourage my clients to list their goals and strategically place them in areas where they can be frequently reminded of the goals. I created a wristband with the embossed phrase; Dream It ? Do It. I look at it all the time. It reminds me of the mission and helps keep things in perspective. If you would like to learn more about the "Dream It ? Do It" wristband, visit my website.
"Those who lose dreaming are lost." Unknown
Dreaming is recognizing and embracing the potential for greatness and seeking it in all areas of your life. Believe in your dreams and your ability to accomplish them. Keep your dreams in front of you. Never forget, if you can dream it, you can do it!
Copyright Anthony Mullins
Elite Coaching Alliance 2005
Anthony Mullins is the President and Coach for The Elite Coaching Alliance. He specializes in personal, and leadership, christian based coaching. He is based in Atlanta, Georgia and is a highly sought after speaker and facilitator. He is also the author of an upcoming e-book "Finding Fulfillment in an Unfulfilling World". He can be contacted by phone at 770.587.3545 or by visiting his website http://www.elitecoachingalliance.com
 Google News Updated : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 08:08:09 GMT Google Chrome Reflects A Desktop In Decline - InformationWeek
InformationWeek - After 10 years as a company, Google is making the Chrome browser key to the coming of age of cloud computing, or software as a service. Mozilla releases second Firefox 3.1 alpha Mozilla updates Firefox 3.1 with Alpha 2 build Publ.Date : Sat, 06 Sep 2008 21:46:03 GMT EA's big bet on Spore - San Jose Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News - By Steve Johnson In unveiling their much-anticipated and long-delayed video game "Spore" in North America today, executives at Electronic Arts hope to counter critics who have faulted the Redwood City company for becoming fat and happy in recent years ... In the Beginning, Finally Sims creator hopes to soar with Spore Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:07:31 GMT Couric getting a kick out of Web freedom - Chicago Tribune
Chicago Tribune - By Matea Gold | Tribune Newspapers NEW YORK—Katie Couric was listening to Declan McCullagh, CNet's chief political correspondent, explain Barack Obama's and John McCain's stances on Net neutrality. Survivors Enjoy Watching 'Stand Up To Cancer' Katie Couric teams with rival anchors to 'Stand Up to Cancer' Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:04:17 GMT In the neighborhood of a title once again - Boston Globe
Boston Globe - By Bud Collins Or should I say Herr Roger, as he is addressed in his hometown, Basel. He does better in this sector, the Flushing section of the New York borough of Queens, than he ever did in Switzerland, and Roger Federer says he feels "a little bit ... Video: Federer Beats Djokovic to Reach US Open Final Federer Storms Into Final Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:28:11 GMT Evans KOs Liddell at UFC 88 - FOXSports.com FOXSports.com - by Elias Cepeda, InsideFighting.com Rashad Evans shot himself straight to the top of the long list of challengers in the UFC's light heavyweight division with a devastating knockout win over the sport of MMA's top name and former champion, ... Rashad Evans knocks out Chuck Liddell Liddell in need of a fresh approach Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 06:18:30 GMT Hurricane Ike Strengthens to Category 4, Raises Fears From ... - FOXNews
FOXNews - Sept. 6: This satellite image taken at 3:45 pm EDT shows a swirl of clouds north of Hispaniola associated with Hurricane Ike. Sept. Video: 'Dangerous' Ike Aims for Turks and Caicos Ike hits Turks and Caicos islands as Category 4 hurricane with ... Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 05:13:03 GMT Tracing TV's bloodlines - Cape Cod Times
Cape Cod Times - By CAPE COD TIMES Vampires are big business, whether dominating the best-seller list in Stephenie Meyer's "Twilight" series of books for three years or starring in an endless stream of movies that portray the mysterious bloodsuckers as scary, ... 'True Blood': Undead On Arrival 'True Blood' offers edgy inspection of tolerance Publ.Date : Sun, 07 Sep 2008 07:14:40 GMT Get Paid for Surveys |
PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts,
Websites, and more... When Paul first arrived in Corinth in the middle of... Read More You know, whenever you are going to make a major... Read More "There's so many roads that seem, To lead down to... Read More One of the few things that are constant in this... Read More Here are five feelings we all experience in changing times.... Read More The president of a large North Eastern company, doing business... Read More Most of us plan to find the love of our... Read More The other day I was on my way home, and... Read More Life and evolution is the dynamics of energy in which... Read More Persistence will carve you as a leader in your industry.... Read More As a life coach, I often hear people say they... Read More You've probably heard the phrase, "Idle hands are the devil's... Read More Most people have no idea where their money goes. They... Read More Want to hear about a simple & effective motivation technique?... Read More I think each one of us has had the experience... Read More Inside of every one of us is the desire to... Read More Spring cleaning is a great motivator. Why confine it to... Read More Whatever happened to all the dreams? The wants, the desires,... Read More Do you have a dream? Or do you just have... Read More Want to know how to run your brain and be... Read More If procrastination is holding you back in life, these 4... Read More ...it is in this whole process of meeting and solving... Read More How many times have you made excuses for putting off... Read More Which of the following "explanations" have you heard (or used!)... Read More 1.2.3.4.5.Well, to be frank, there are no great reasons to... Read More
Adsense
websites
Christian Gladiators? Athletics as a Metaphor for the Christian Lifestyle
Back to Boot Camp
Motivation: 3 Suggestions for Living a Life of Purpose, On Purpose
Change 101: How to Handle the Changes that Come Your Way
Resistance Is Natural - but Not Helpful - in Times of Change
At A Dead End? Look Deeply Into My Eyes!
By Planning and Exerting Effort, You Can Change Things For The Better
Lights are Off and No One is Home
Intelligence & Energy
Persistence
Why You Dont Ned Motivation
Why Idle Hands Create Stagnation in Our Lives
Get Off Your Butt and Create Your Financial Future?Now!
A Simple Motivation Technique For Massive Success
Motivation: The Power of Opportunity
Avoid This Tendency And Youll Press Beyond Your Limits!
Motivation By Spring Cleaning
Whatever Happened to You?
Change Your Life, Release Fear, and Create What you Really Want
How to Tune In Your Brain and Feel Motivated in Minutes
How to Overcome Procrastination in 4 Simple Steps
Motivation - The 4 Most Potent Ways To Awaken Your Enthusiasm
If Not Now, When?
Explanations?... or Excuses?
The Top Five Great Reasons to Delay Pursuing Your Dream
Affordable and Reliable Web Hosting Starting at $4.49/Month
Stick With the Winners
Here is an interesting quotation from Stephen Walsh."We're building up... Read More
Pushing Through Your Comfort Zone
Our greatest growth in life comes from pushing through our... Read More
Are You Suffering from the Autopilot Dilemma?
An epidemic is occurring all around you, and there is... Read More
Break And Move Beyond The Length Of The Chains
"Never let fear, procrastination or the longing for approval from... Read More
Planting Seeds of Action
Recently, I was driving past a local nursery and saw... Read More
Knowledge Or Action
It's been said that knowledge is power. While that's true... Read More
Are You IFFY?
Many people say that working for themselves or working on... Read More
Mastering Emotions: Taking Your Life To The Next Level
Hello,How is your day coming along? Better, I am sure,... Read More
Have A Crack!
For everyone the New Year is now in full swing.... Read More
A Turning Point
19 years ago, I was a young working mother at... Read More
Is Fear Killing Your Dreams?
"You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More
Are Millionaires and PhDs Really Smarter? The Answer May Surprise You!
I've had a vast array of job experiences. While in... Read More
Starting Over
I worked hard for the past 17 years. I felt... Read More
The Missing Piece
Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More
Self-Motivation for Trainers
THE PSYCHOLOGY OF SELF-MOTIVATION FOR TRAINERS: Lack of self-motivation is... Read More
Lights are Off and No One is Home
The other day I was on my way home, and... Read More
Fear of Failure
The fear of failure is more deadly than failure itself.... Read More
What Gets Your Ass Out Of Bed?
Beep. Beep. Beep. 5:51 am. The alarm is once again... Read More
Are Your Dreams A Day Late And A Dollar Short?
One of the greatest challenges facing our ever intensive quest... Read More
Success Through The Power Of Daily Action
Daily actions to achieve your goals means daily progress and... Read More
Testy Horses and the Art of Speed Waiting
"What are you waiting for?" said Nelson, looking at me... Read More
Discover the Hidden Power of Self Motivation
Many studies have been done to research the effects of... Read More
Are You a Self-Saboteur?
Take this questionnaire to get clear on what you may... Read More
Trust Your Intuition!
How many times have you been faced with a decision... Read More
Head First: 6 Simple, Must-Do Steps to Achieving Extraordinary Results!
What important goal have you set for yourself? What is... Read More
Motivation |