Are you living the life of your dreams?
Do you wake up excited for the day…every day?
Not many of us are there. Too many people settle for living a mediocre life that leaves their dreams buried and forgotten.
Life got in the way
In April of this year I grabbed my long forgotten dream and took a strong hold of it. Ever since I was a child in elementary school I dreamed of writing and publishing fiction but after I graduated college, got a job and got married I grew up and away from my dream.
I hadn’t taken any writing classes in college or even high school so I thought that my life was taking a different course. Since I had written in my childhood any thoughts that I had about writing the idea seemed somewhat “childish” even though obviously it’s not childish. I had even gotten away from reading fiction.
It was something that I thought would never happen so I stopped thinking about it for years. I spent hours trying to find something to do for myself. Friends suggested classes, clubs, and the like. None of it sounded like “the” thing that would meet my “me time” need.
The dream resurfaced
Then after entirely too long I rediscovered my dream. I started writing fiction again! I took some time deciding on an idea for my book and then I started writing. I was very rusty but it came back quickly and soon I was having fun and I was getting into a groove.
Everything started working out as I started pursuing my dream!
- Some bloggers that I follow started The Self Publishing Podcast which has been such a help to me. Actually in tomorrow’s podcast they are going to answer a question that I asked them! (Here is the now-live link to the podcast.)
- I won a brand new laptop!!
- I found an amazing graphic artist for my cover who is new to book covers (but not graphic art) and it’s been wonderful to work with him!
- I discovered Jeff Goins‘ blog on writing and applied to be on the launch team for his latest book, Wrecked. I was so excited to be chosen and I have learned so much from that experience and met some other amazing writers too!
Living the dream
In this very thrilling ride of pursuing my dream I’ve learned that two things are needed to bring our dreams to life. I’m sure there are plenty of other ingredients but these two are crucial and necessary.
Change and Sacrifice
If we are not living our dreams then we need make changes in life in order to live a different life. If we want the excitement and joy of living a life in pursuit of a dream serious change must be made!
We will need to give up things that are holding us back. Do you sleep as late as possible every morning and then relax in front of the television as soon as your day is over? Do you keep up on all of the shows and see every movie that comes out?
Here’s a secret: people who are pursuing their dreams aren’t doing any of that. They are waking up early, staying up late and working on their dream every spare moment that they can find.
Dreams require sacrifice! People who are living comfortable and easy lives are not living a life of excitement. Pursuing your dream is extremely exciting!
When I first read Jeff Goins’ challenge to get up two hours early and start writing I couldn’t believe it. I thought that I was getting up early enough. I had a boat load of excuses and probably didn’t even comment on that post. No way was I going to get up earlier, not even for my dream.
Time went on and I became increasingly frustrated with my efforts to write like I wanted to. Eventually I came to the conclusion that if I really wanted to be a successful author I was going to have to sacrifice something. I saw that getting up earlier was the only thing that I had to sacrifice. Was I willing to give up some sleep? I was already feeling desperately underslept.
You know what??
I now get up earlier, hit snooze less, and I have MORE energy! I don’t even need my morning cup of coffee until later in the morning than I did when I was getting up later! I’m more excited and it seeps into other areas of my life.
I’m a happier person getting up before 5am to write! Currently I’m getting up at 4:45 and my goal is to keep getting up earlier until I’m getting up by 4:15. Craziness!
Are you living a life pursuing your dreams? What have you given up? If you’re not living the life of your dreams, what do you think that you need to give up? What’s holding you back? Why?
To Your Success!!
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Thank you for reading! I'm Stacy, the owner of this blog. You can learn more about me here.
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Motivational post Stacy!
Oh yes…don’t all of us have dreams, though few of us are really able to pursue and achieve those dreams. We do get caught up with life and other things. Sometimes it’s the family, kids, social media, television as you mentioned, or just about anything that keeps us from really getting down to doing what we should be doing.
I had also read Jeff post about waking up 2 hours early than you normally do, but it seemed like a far cry for me too, because I though waking up at 5 a.m. was early enough. But just as he mentioned, if you really want to write and keep other things at bay, you need to choose a time when you aren’t really involved in anything. No kids, no family, no social media, no emails, nothing – just write. And yes, his words do work because those 2 extra hours that you give yourself are the most productive ones, where a major part of your writing is done.
I totally agree that when we change our thoughts and way to work, as well as make sacrifices to pursue our dreams – things do happen. We need to make sacrifices if we want to achieve anything, and am glad that things are working wonderfully for you. I guess when you gradually change your ways, just as you have to wake up a little earlier than usual, you feel as if you have accomplished something because you can use that time productively – isn’t it? I haven’t really tried getting up that early except on some occasions and have seen the difference it’s made to my work.
Thanks for sharing and reminding all of us how important it is for us to change ourselves if we want to pursue our dreams.
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Stacy Claflin Reply:
September 12th, 2012 at 9:50 pm
Thank you, Harleena!
I think that taking it slowly has been key in getting up earlier. I take it 5 minutes every day or two. It really is amazing how much more energy that I have when I get up and write, the early morning productivity is a great emotional boost!
One thing that I’ve discovered is that as soon as I open up my web browser that my writing for the day is done. I get so distracted by emails, facebook, pinterest, etc. that I just don’t get back to my writing. Or if I do then I keep going back to the internet.
Thanks for stopping by!
Stacy
Stacy Claflin invites you to read… How To Give Up Your Prestigious Job Title & Money, Face Your Fear Of The Unknown, And Make A Huge Imprint In This World
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Harleena Singh Reply:
September 13th, 2012 at 2:43 am
I ditto what you said about getting distracted as soon as the web browser is opened, which is what keeps us from being productive and writing. One thing leads to another and we often try to end everything once we are online, without really realizing the precious and productive time spent. And being humans, we do get tired without really achieving our goal for the day.
The only thing that really works is sitting to write away from your normal routine or taking out those extra hours for work. Of course, those who manage to stay away from the social media do wonderfully well. But very few of us are like that.
Harleena Singh invites you to read… Are You Ready for Being a Grandparent
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i agree
there gotta be a price for every dream.
if we want the dream badly then we must be willing to pay the price
thanks
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Very inspiring, thanks for making your journey completely relatable! With two little kids, and only a couple of months of living sleep-deprivation-free (after 3 years of raising infants), I’m still shifting and juggling and trying out what works best for me. I don’t have it down yet! I wrote a book (great!) but just barely started a blog (hello, learning curve), so I have to write, and educate myself a lot AND do social media. Ahh, the life of a self-pub’d writer!
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Use as many resources as you need, following all the tips above, and keep taking action every day. we will get there
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success have their measures and take some sacrifice. so ready for it and pay it to achieve your goals.
Have some patience and become passionate.
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There’s such great energy in an idea that you finally give credence to. It’s like the idea has a life of its own but won’t energize you until you acknowledge it and pursue it. Then, since you love it, it will love you back and reward you with enthusiasm and strength you totally forgot you had.
Pretty awesome, isn’t it?
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Great share , your blog always delivers some interesting and good message to us , likewise even this post is great to read , i find some in your article . Keep going on with your dreams
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Beautiful post and great advice about pursuing your dreams, I personally think far too many people are doing a job just because they have to or for the money and nothing else. How happy everyone would be if they were doing the job they love, something that was their passion, like you they’d be getting up before 5am to start work.
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Hello Stacy
Early to get early to rise,make a man health wealthy and wise.I tried to live my life according to this principle.
Stacy you are on the way of progress that must be eternal.
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Your dream has power that is why it is changing into reality.True passions always have success.
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Hey Stacy , I think that in this world only a few people dare to live his/ her dream but the 2 things you mentioned in the above article are really helpful in living our dream.
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Change and sacrife are major points to success. And I would add persistence to the list because you will always face obstacles. With that said you need to learn how to manage frustration in order to move on and keep trying.
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Hi Stacy,
This is truly an inspiring story! As a kid every human beings has dreams. But most of them just forget about it and go with the life as it comes. They don’t sit back and think about them. This is truly amazing how you went back to pursue the dreams.
Annetta
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Getting up at 4.45 am is the stuff of crazy people but I really admire your dedication for setting goals and hitting them. It’s always inspiring to read about such things and I really need to start waking up early as I find I do more work in the mornings.
How did you get over that initial fogginess that waking up early surely gave you? Or did you find it quite easy?
Jamie invites you to read… You Are NOT Your Job
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Very inspirational! So many of us experience the same unfulfilled kind of feelings that you did – just not being able to find that deep personal satisfaction. While often we choose to fill this void with unhealthy habits (both mental and physical), you’ve liberated yourself by deciding to pursue your dream. Congratulations and best wishes on all of your endeavors!
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Great share, Stacy. We all have dreams but a few work towards achieving them. I had a few dreams too, but never could got hold of them. This post is so inspirational and glad you worked towards your dreams.
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Hi, Stacy! I think I can say that I’m doing exactly what I wanted with my life, but the results are not those that I thought would be. I guess I overrated things, but I’m ok with that and I do my best to improve things. I wouldn’t give up at anything, it would mean doing something I don’t like.
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It is impossible in life to fulfill a dream without sacrifice.After getting desired results it is very necessary to be very consistent with work to get the pinnacle of the dream.
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Stacy, great post on living your dreams! I’m definitely not there, and I would like to say I’m actively working on it, but I know I could probably work harder. I already get up at 4:30 to be able to get to the gym and get to work by 7am. After work, it’s time with my kid and getting dinner on the table. After all that, I do my best to crank out as much content as I possibly can for my website, but it just never seems like enough. And by the time I get to bed, it’s 11pm, and up super early the following morning. I can only keep up a schedule like that for a few days in a row before I am completely sleep deprived and fear for my life while I’m driving ha! I sacrifice a lot. I’m just not sure how to sacrifice more to get to where I want (need!) to be.
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Change and sacrifice are undoubtedly the two most important things to bring our dreams to life. If many of us don’t accomplish our dreams is either we fear change or are not willing to sacrifice. Everything in life demands something or the other at each step. A little step toward the dream is important and the satisfaction it gives is worth every sacrifice.
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Our ability to change and make sacrifices definitely stems from our desire to fulfill our dreams and take hold of our aspirations. Every day is another opportunity to make a difference, improve and learn as we make our way to the top. Thanks for the inspiring share!
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It has always been my dream to be financially independent and successful but I guess I was a little too vague
When we aspire for something, we must be specific! Thanks for the share!
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Just saw a very ap’ropo motivational image about change by Charles Darwin:“It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is the most adaptable to change.” I truly believe this. When we are open to change we are open to the possibilities.
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Hello Stacy,
An awakening post. Most of us have stopped dreaming and have been living mechanically accepting destiny. As someone truly said, we should ‘Dare to Dream’.
Regards,
Sanjib
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Hi Stacy,
What an inspiring post this is!! We all dream of making something big in life which is apart from the league. But the daily chores in terms of family and job, evades us from even thinking about the beautiful dream that we have woven for ourselves. It takes a lot of pain to make that beautiful dream, a beautiful reality. This post has given me a thought to ponder upon. Thanks for the share.
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Stacey,
Change and sacrifice are such key points for living the dream. They’re important to mention because so many of us don’t want to change and, ACK, who wants to sacrifice!
But like you’ve experienced yourself, making that attempt and seeing the results is exciting, and that gives us energy and motivation to move forward.
Blessings,
Liz
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Beautiful, Thanks so much for sharing!
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Awesome, I love the thoughts thanks.
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Dedicated To
MARTIN LUTHER KING
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so even though we face the difficulties of today and tomorrow, I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: “We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men are created equal.”
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today.
Regards
Manjinder
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