Marcia Wieder : The Dream Coach
While aspects of you
encourage, “Go for your dreams,” simultaneously other parts threaten, “Don’t
you dare.” A cast of characters lives inside of you and at different times
you may receive conflicting or contradictory messages. If you are want to be
happy, successful, and fulfilled, consider putting your “dreamer” in the
director’s chair.
What are the voices inside of you saying? As you turn the volume up on the
voice of your dreamer and down on the voice of your doubter, you can
practice discernment allowing for greater clarity. To assist you in hearing
these voices, let’s set up a simple scenario. Picture something you want,
something that matters to you. Choose a personal or professional dream and
consider how these various parts of you might respond.
Dreamer – The dreamer inside says, “What if…” and is open to a creative
process without over-analyzing it. This is the part of you that imagines,
believes in possibilities, has hope, and seeks kindred spirits. Dreamers
talk about their ideas with intention, clarity, and passion. Great dreamers
get others excited about their vision. And most importantly, successful
dreamers take action to make their dreams a reality.
Doubter – This voice is often heard saying such things as, “I don’t think
this is a good idea.” The doubter provides concern touting, “But what if…”
and imagines the worst. If you crank the volume up it can even become
annihilating with accusations shouting things like, “Are you out of your
mind?” William Shakespeare said, “Our doubts are traitors.” Carlos Castaneda
said, “In order to experience the magic of life, you must banish the doubt.”
My favorite quote on this subject is in The Prophet where Kahlil Gibran
wrote, “Doubt is a feeling too lonely to know that Faith is its twin
brother.”
Realist – “Be realistic…”
Modulate the doubter down a notch or two and it becomes the essential voice
of the realist. This part wants to know, “What’s the plan?” including where
is the time and money coming from. However, in the early phase of dreaming,
you may not know. The challenge is not to allow the realist to immediately
turn into a doubter who might judge or obliterate your idea. Honor this
voice by (to the best of your ability) giving it the information it needs.
If you ignore or reject it, it will cleverly agitate or distract you. Being
realistic offers prudence and makes you do your homework but if you are
overly realistic or go to strategy too soon, you will most likely compromise
the dream and kill your passion.
Visionary – This voice says,
“Anything is possible so let’s dream big!” These are the leaders and people
we look up to and admire. They have learned the process of realizing their
dreams and embody what it means to be a big dreamer. Setbacks or failures do
not stop them. Simply put, a visionary has a vision and invites others to
join them. They are found in all walks of life and we are often so inspired
when they are in the presence of a true visionary that we sign up just to be
near them or part of what they’re doing.
A visionary is not defined by the size of the dream since dreams are
precious and come in all sizes, shapes and areas of life. If you were living
your dream life, how would it be different? What do you see yourself doing?
How many lives would you touch? What would you change? Who would you help if
you were truly living as a visionary?
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