Starting that Dream/Goal & Staying on Board
“It Begins with a Whisper, a Desire, Followed by a Dream, a Goal, a Plan and Finally Action”
Do you have a consistent dream or daydream about something. Maybe when you’re driving and zone out you go to this place, or when you’re sitting still this vision or dream pops up. I call it the whisper, the soul inside of you nudging you to listen. It can be as simple as a vision of your toes in the sand in a beautiful beach or perhaps you are driving a convertible with the top down. Listen whatever it is, pay attention and nurture it. Maybe at this time that trip to faraway exotic beach will have to wait but why not drive to a local beach to fuel a plan for that dream. Or how about renting a convertible for the weekend and zip around town or visit a beach town. When you feel the feeling, it drives you towards obtaining the real deal. But in the meantime, enjoy the moments getting there.
Mine was seeing owning a beautiful piece of land to build on. Last month I began my “casita” on a ten-acre piece of land in Baja California, Mexico, less than one-hour from Ensenada. I’m actually here now, inside my 26-foot toy travel trailer typing this blog on my laptop. At 57 years old I told myself if not now WHEN and began construction one month ago?
First it was my goal to own land and a home to enjoy near nature and eventually build a retreat center. I wake up to the mixed feelings of fear and excitement every day. On the one hand I ask myself what am I doing in the middle of almost nowhere building a home, alone, as a single woman, in a foreign country? The other side says, you have a beautiful property, this is a powerful move towards your dream. I look at each stage of the house build, and it encourages me and excites me. Getting here to this point took over a year. I purchased very raw land, water and electricity had to be brought in. I then purchased a 26-foot used trailer so that I would have a place to stay during my visits to check on the construction. I hired female architect (for those who know me I love supporting women) who is overseeing the project. It is stressful. I wonder… am I doing the right thing? will I have enough money to complete the project? For now, I have enough to get a roof on that baby. This will be a second home, just four hours from my primary residence in Long Beach, California. It’s a distant project.
The advice from friends and supporters:
Worry about #1 before stressing about #2
You are here now, in this journey, enjoy the moments, enjoy your land and your time here
Concurrently I have been working on relaunching my business as an inspirational speaker, workshop facilitator and coach. Relaunching a website and launching this blog. Did I mention I also want to finish my book. All of this plus your typical day of just taking care of living and what life throws at you has been overwhelming.
To help me get through it all here are some things that help:
Wake up meditate, journal stretching and or yoga
Set my intention and prioritize my day
If you tackle 1 to 3 big items that’s big
Set aside time for what’s important and matters. (For me tiime to work out, spend 20-30 minutes writing)Focus on healthy habits from what I eat to what I do and take on everyday
Bring my projects and day full circle by tidying up my home and workplace, wrapping up things in my head by jotting down things that can be taken care of tomorrow. Putting away a half-finished project such as tools. Seeing unfinished projects gives me anxiety, so if I can’t finish gardening, I will put away my tools until I can go out there again, otherwise I would have buckets, gloves and tools laying around.
Check in on myself in the morning after my meditation and in the evening before going to bed. How am I feeling? What does my soul and body need? Never ignore yourelf!
Gratitude, Gratitude, Gratitude and acknowledgment. Acknowledge all that you accomplished even if only one thing was checked off. Remind yourself night and day of what you are grateful for, that is here now in your life, a person, place or thing. Thank your mind, body and soul for being present and carrying you throughout the day, and ask that you may be given the rest, regeneration that you need for a new day tomorrow.
Take a deep breathe (yes now). You won’t fall apart, even when things get challenging and emotions run high, or when fear sets in, and setbacks knock you over. I have dealt with every possible emotion, high and low.
Here are some more tips, suggestions, thoughts and ideas to help you get started on your dream project or goal and stay with it. Will it be hard? YES, BUT YOU GOT THIS! WE GOT THIS!!! I GOT YOU!!!!
The alternative to stopping a dream half-way is living the rest of your life wondering what the finished product would have looked like and felt like.
You don’t have to have it all figured out. Things will flow and fall into place when you’re in it. Don’t be afraid of the challenges, use them to learn and grow.
Learn to be calm and at peace. DO NOT RUSH through important decisions. REMEMBER THIS IS YOUR DREAM!!! LIVE IT AT YOUR PACE NOT ANYONE ELSES!!!
Ask for help. Ask for support. Ask if you don’t know because someone will!
Meditate and journal every morning. Calm your nerves and remind yourself “I am safe, all is well, I will flow through my day with ease.” Things will fall into place and if they don’t then take your time to re-evaluate, give it some time, days if you must.
Let it Go and Let it Be. Don’t hang on to negative emotions. You will get rocked by emotions. Maybe the vendor didn’t show up or did not deliver a product to your expectations. Breathe through it and come at it from a calm demeanor and ask for things to get remedied. Always have in mind the outcome you desire before you set out to get something done. Life does not always go as planned. Learn to shift with the flow and stop yourself from navigating against the current, you will only exhaust yourself.
Money. Money will most likely come into play. #1 Be realistic and have clear knowledge of how much money you have, and how much you can afford. #2 Plan and include worst case scenarios up front so you’re ready to tackle challenges that may arise.
Remember just because you can’t have it right now, doesn’t mean you won’t have it later. Be patient. Be focused. Be smart! (I made way too many mistakes from rushing and ignoring obvious red flags). And so it is, I move on, lesson learned!!!
Align your spending with your dream goal, for example do I purchase a $100 dollar pair of shoes, or do I purchase faucets for my new bathroom? I chose the faucets even though the shoes looked so lovely. At the ranch all I need is good working boots, LOL.
If not now when? Stop putting your life on hold and start living the life you want and deserve. What are you waiting for (write down what is preventing you from moving forward with this dream and begin removing each distraction). We sometimes self-sabotage or ignore our inner thoughts because we believe we can’t, because maybe we are afraid that we will fail, or that we are not worthy. Those are all sabotaging negative thoughts that should have NO SPACE in your inner or outer creations.
Do it Despite the Fear. With a plan in hand, because remember plans will change or get altered along the way. Maybe you thought the cost of your dream vacation would be $2,000 but after costing everything out (transportation, hotel, meals, tours, etc.) you found out the trip is at $5,000. Don’t give up!!! Think out of the box!!! Get a side hustle, sell jewelry you no longer wear or even like anymore, consign or sell clothes, art and furniture. Just make it happen!
Remember we will NEVER get TIME back. You can always make more money. Be selfish, focused and efficient with your time. Is how you’re spending your time in alignment with the life you truly want. If you want a garden filled with veggies, are you gardening? If you want to live a healthier lifestyle, are you setting time aside to work out, take a walk and prep healthier meals? If you keep on wanting to organize and declutter where on your calendar are you setting time aside for that and or anything you want to achieve.
Move everyday towards your dream, each step draws us closer.
“Faith is taking the first step even when you don't see the whole staircase.” -Martin Luther King, Jr.
Thank you for reading my blog. Please share if something came up for you. I want this to be an interactive space to learn and grow from one another. No negativity please. This is a safe space of encouragement and of shared wisdom. Please keep it positive and energized. Would love to hear your comments and suggestions on topics you would like to hear about. I am here to serve you! Be Well, Be Safe, Be at Peace and Be Happy! We have one-life let’s live it well. Let’s live it today.
With kindest Love,
Sara Rubalcava
Efficiency Expert
Speaker * Coach * Entrepreneur
