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Reality Awaits


In our post, From Dream to…, we continued the journey we have embarked on to explore different dimensions of the realm of dream delivery.

It’s always good to have dreams, and it’s even better to let them see the light of reality.

We humans have been endowed with very special gifts. Two of those gifts are of inherent importance: Intention and attention.

The conscious human intention is attributed to awareness, something other species don’t have. In the animal kingdom, for example, efforts are solely driven by instinct. We, on the other hand, have the capacity to choose, and then act on our choices, sometimes clear of the influence of instinct.

For an intention to unfold, attention has to be on its side. We need to ‘see’ the way before us, and continuously align our advancement to our intentions. Otherwise, instinct takes charge, leading a way that is not necessarily the same one we set off to traverse. That’s what renders most intentions unrealized. A sure prescription for disappointment.

Our focused attention on the intention should be dynamic. As we keep the original vision clear, crisp and infused in the work we do, we consistently observe the activities, making sure they align and have a good potential of leading to our intention. Why a ‘good potential?’ Because the future is, by its very nature, uncertain. We need to keep our options open at all times in the face of the unpredictable.

No matter how big and far an intention seems, reaching the top of that mountain is simply a walk; one step at a time. As important as knowing our intention is figuring out what those ‘steps’ are.

Usually, at the beginning it might be difficult to know the steps and how they align to lead to the desired result. We need a good estimate of the main building blocks of the ‘project’ at hand. As we start taking action, more details unfold, helping us adjust our course.

Depending on the complexity of the undertaking, this might grow into a quite large web of interrelated activities. That’s where project management methods and tools would come in handy.

Pick the system that makes sense to you. As this may become a daily companion, try selecting something that is fun and exciting to use.

I use a tool called Quire. Simple and effective. You can start with a single idea, then grow it into a plan by breaking it down into smaller ideas gradually, nestling levels of complexity within each other, in a parent-child configuration. This helps you focus on one thing at a time without losing sight of the bigger context immediately above it, or all the way back to the original single idea.

At any given point in time, you can see what is due today, tomorrow, and later, as well as what is overdue from previous stages.

How can that lead to realizing a dream? What if we get swamped by the details and lose sight of what we really want to achieve?

It’s possible to get derailed, ending up in a perpetual cycle of to-do lists that do not seem to finish. A common reality of so many people all over the planet.

To effectively avoid that, we must have our attention on the intention at all times. For example, we can commit to weekly, monthly, and annual alignment reviews, making sure what we do on a daily basis does not sway our ship adrift from the destination.

In the next post we will conclude this series with an example that links the dots together, in a way that help streamline the implementation of the concept.

Stay tuned.

The Wealth Maker

Image Credit: Todd Quackenbush on Unsplash

 

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From Dream to…


We all wonder if our dreams are ‘legit,’ possible, or even ‘acceptable.’ And as we explored in our previous post, Dream or Reality? some of us dismiss a dream right in the cradle of first imagination, simply because it fails those random checks.

In that article, we established that believing a dream is possible represents the first step in realizing it. Then we moved to set intentions and stoped at the ‘how’ question.

Let’s continue our exploration together, delving deeper into recognizing and understanding the inner and outer dynamics of delivering a dream from concept to reality.

The way our universe works is simple and complex, at the same time. On the one hand, if we approach life like a feather in the wind, without a vision, we may very likely land somewhere we didn’t expect. On the other, if we do have a vision, but lack the will and the momentum to see it through to manifestation, we may live with frustration, and at times, guilt.

Starting from a clear intention sets the stage for asking: How can this intention be realized? At the first glance, it will most probably feel overwhelming, which is pretty natural. However, as we look closer and clarify the result we aim to reach, the means to that end start to reveal themselves. At this point, we don’t have to figure out all the details, but only a few to get started.

What are those details? that’s relative to the intention at hand. Usually the building blocks of a successful ‘project,’ if you will.

In other words, grinding down that original idea into as fine a detail as possible makes it more comprehensible. For example, writing and publishing a book may sound like a lot. When we break it down into things like exploring the desired topic, researching potential publishers, understanding the complexity of the work, identifying the main sections of the book, and so on. All of that would steer our focus to a more tangible state of understanding, and eventually ‘doing.’

In project management, every activity must have at least three attributes: Duration, budget, and owner/resources. This applies to any endeavour that sets out to bring an idea from concept to fruition.

It might be hard to accurately find out how long a task would take, or how much it would cost. That’s why it’s essential to keep breaking down ideas into the finest possible, achievable ‘ounces’ of work, each in its respective scope within the overall picture.

In our next post we will discuss how using project management principles and methods can help us realize a rather ‘big’ dream.

Stay tuned.

The Wealth Maker

Image credit: Photo by Alexandre Jaquetoni on Unsplash

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Dream or Reality?


We tend to dismiss fresh, wild ideas simply because they seem hard to realize or attain.

What appears impossible today, may very well become possible tomorrow. Technology is but one domain where this observation is quite valid. How about our own lives? We can all remember a time when we looked at a situation, a goal, an aspiration, and said: “Boy, that would be great, but it’s out of my reach, it’s impossible.” Then, a few years, days, or dreams later, we see someone else be, have, or do it.

Stretching applies to the soul as it does to the body. A worthy vision deserves our best, doesn’t it? And we all agree that our best is not where we are at this point. It lies in the open, unknown range before our eyes, our real sight.

I came across this quote by Hellen Keller while reading On Fire by John O’Realy: “The most pathetic person in this world is someone who has sight, but has no vision.” However, a vision that stays locked down in a notebook, or hung on a wall is only worth the page or the wall it’s written on.

How can we translate a dream into reality? This question is as old as time. Yet, the answer is ever new and unique to each and every one of us. What if we dare to ask: “What if?” Would new possibilities open up in our hearts and minds? That, my friend, is the first, and most crucial step in fulfilling a dream!

Now that we’ve established the belief that our dream is “possible,” it’s time to stretch into new parts of possibility. Unkown territories of thought and action. Regions we’ve never dared to step into so far. A lofty dream calls for a daring mission, uncomfortable undertakings. One is answering the question: “What is it that I really want?” We need to get down to some details, but not too much at this point.

When it comes to manifestation, one must be clear, and positive. Surprisingly enough, we manifest what we want as much as what we do not want! The dynamics are the same. The only difference is the ‘not’ factor:)

Clarity goes a long way to affect the quality of the results we get. That’s why it’s important to write down that which we really want. Chances are if you don’t write it, you won’t get it. How can we achieve something we never admit we want. It’s the inner chamber of thoughts and feelings that matters here, not the ‘world’ view of what we aim to manifest.

When we write something down, new brain pathways start to emerge, especially if we use a pen/pencil and paper. Our mids are sensitive to action as well as thoughts and emotions. The wording is very important, too. “I don’t want to fail” leads to different results than “I intend to succeed.” Here we start to see the effect of negative statements. An even better goal would look like: “I intend to get an A in math this semester.” While the first intention is positive, it’s rather vague for the mind to start working on. The second, however, points clearly to the target.

We will delve into the ‘how’ in the next post. In the meantime, see if you can write down one or two of your dreams following these guidelines. Would be awesome if you’d share what you’ve written so we’d work together on turning a goal into a realistic action plan. Please use the comment section if you feel comfortable sharing.

Stay tuned.

The Wealth Maker

Image Credit: Photo by Hello I’m Nik šŸŽž on Unsplash

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Have you tried?


We all have dreams. Some visual and crisp. Some vague.

Why dream? It’s in our nature. It’s part of being human.

Dreams have the power to manifest, only if we allow them to.

Let’s say a pressing need compels you to take some action. Once the dust settles, you catch your breath and think: How can I use this experience? How can I improve the situation so I wouldnā€™t have to take those actions, but something else?

Needs are powerful influencers. They demand responses, right now.

We can not change a situation that has reached that stage. However, we do have the choice to alter the course of life experiences before they get out of hand.

Here is an example.

It’s mid-July and the AC decides to take a vacation. Now that everyone around the house is in agony, you rush to the phone and ask for immediate help from a professional. Most of us have been there.

At that stage of the situation, we can’t sit back and say: Guys, let’s take it easy. How about some deep breathing?

That does not work.

Nonetheless, had we maintained the AC regularly, the instant of break down would not have occurred (yes, there is still a chance, but not as probable).

When we dream, whether consciously or unconsciously, we are in a realm beyond pressing needs. Rather, it is the realm of possibility. You see the difference? Attending to an emergency is usually driven by an immediate need. Dreaming, on the other hand, is seeing the fulfillment of inherent, but not urgent, needs that define who we are.

Most dreams die before they grasp a glimpse of light. Why? We discount them as simply ā€˜impossible,ā€™ without a second thought. We deny ourselves the possibility of a new adventure. The prospect of navigating uncharted parts of our inner and outer universes.

Have you tried? What if contemplating a wild gut feeling hides behind its apparent uncertainty the potential of reaching unthought of levels of fulfillment? How would we know unless we give it the benefit of the doubt?

We will continue exploring this topic in the coming posts. Itā€™s one of the most essential pillars of living a full life. Why? Without dreams, we drift from one emergency to another. We waste our most precious resources aimlessly. Thatā€™s absolutely not what we are here for.

Stay tuned.

The Wealth Maker

Image credit: Photo by Martin Sanchez on Unsplash