I have some things in my mind that are dream goals.  Actually, I had to create new ones because I accomplished all of the original ones years ago.  Then, I stood around trying to figure out what I was going to do with the rest of my life.  Somewhere in the midst of my pondering, activities, projects, and you name it cluttered my life once more.  All of these endeavors were quite noble, but they were all time consuming.  My dreams headed to the back burner.  Frankly, I was so busy trying to fix everyone else’s issues that, most of the time, I wasn’t even on a burner!

My life is changing - no slowing down, just changing.  The demands on my life are much different than they were.  I was working with a life coach (she contacted me) and she helped me to refine my message.  Rather, she forced me into that position of figuring it out – but that was what I needed to happen.  As I learned more about exactly what I wanted to do – the demands and responsibilities in life kept rising.  Now what?  I got to a point where I decided to put myself on hold, again, and get everyone else taken care of.  Then, another example of God giving me what I needed when I needed it emerged.  I had an offer to take part in an informational call.  I was going to skip it because my brain was already on information overload, so why bother with another “something” that I didn’t have time to do anyway.  Still in the debate mode, I made the decision to call in even though the call had already started.  I thank God I didn’t miss it.

Here’s my take on reaching your dreams.
·        They are achievable if you’re willing to put in the work.
·        Ask yourself some questions:  “Why are you doing this?  Is it just for the possible money?  Is it so you can make a name for yourself and impress your friends?  Is it because you genuinely care about people and want to help them?  Is it all of the above and more?
·        Begin.  Be like Nike – Just Do It!  Everything doesn’t have to be 100% at first.  You’ll get there.  The point is to start somewhere.
·        Take baby steps.  When you make mistakes, they will be much easier to correct.  A $50 mistake is a lot easier to fix than a $5,000 mistake.  Start small and build.

Whether it’s a service, a product, or an idea, if you truly believe in what you are doing – DO IT.  Do it to the best of your ability.  Trust what God has told you and follow the dream that burns within your soul.

Focus! 
 “A center of activity, attraction, or attention; a point of concentration.”  Webster’s thoughts on the word:  “focus.”    

Few of us escape the occasional scatter-brained day.  When it becomes a way of life, something must be done.  There was one day, in particular, that made me do some hard thinking about time-management.  That day brought the realization that I was getting out of control.  I don’t remember all the details or the exact sequence, but it went something like this.

I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth.  Upon opening the drawer where the toothpaste was kept, I realized I needed to put toothpaste on the grocery list.  As I exited the bathroom and headed to the kitchen by way of the master suite, I remembered I needed to wash the linen.  I stopped and stripped the bed.  After all, the laundry room is near the kitchen so wouldn’t that make sense to take it in one trip?  On the way to the laundry room, I noticed the carpet – not too good, so I went to the closet and got out the vacuum.  Well, that reminded me that I had a gift that needed to be wrapped – the wrapping paper was in the same closet.  I pulled out the wrapping paper container and proceeded back to the bedroom to get the gift from the closet off the master bedroom.  Upon entering the closet, it dawned on me that I hadn’t taken the dry cleaning.  I picked up the basket, keys, purse, etc. and headed out the door to the drycleaners.  On the way home, I figured I might as well go to the bank and get some gas while I was out.  My cell phone rang and well…  I detoured to a friend’s house for a few hours.  As time ticked on, I got hungry and remembered I hadn’t prepared anything for dinner.  Hmmmm???  I’ll just pick something up.  Rolling into the driveway, it dawned on me that the next day was trash day, so I went in and reminded my son about getting the can out front.  I went back to the bathroom to wash my hands before setting out the food.  While washing my hands, I eyeballed the toothpaste that was still on the counter.  I picked it up and then laid it down, headed back to the kitchen to put it on the shopping list.  While in the kitchen…

That was my day until I went to bed.  Focused on nothing and distracted by everything!  I went into the bathroom to brush my teeth that morning – it wasn’t done until bedtime.  The toothpaste didn’t get on the list until the next day.  As for everything else I had started – not much was finished.

I have a natural tendency to go round and round doing nothing in particular.  Yes, I could have done this type of aimless behavior for hours.  I was masterful at wasting time.  Hence, I had to come up with a plan to keep myself in check.  I hope the following points will help someone else as they have helped me to focus and move forward in my personal life and my ministry.

Focus on exactly what you are supposed to be doing.
Zero in like a laser beam.  On that day, the objective was to brush my teeth.  That was the only thing I was supposed to be doing at that moment in time.  I know this sounds insane but on occasion, I have written the objective on a piece of paper and put it right in front of me.  Finish the blog, write the article, update the website, fold the laundry, whatever it is.

Are your actions (or alliances) helping or hindering?
Will the next thing I do move me closer or further away from my objective?  If I’m in the bathroom to brush my teeth, it is not time to go to the closet and select an outfit.  It is not time to straighten up the shoes in the closet.  It is not time to sort laundry, have my son empty the trash, or rearrange a cabinet.  It is certainly not the time leave the bathroom and go to the kitchen to put an item on the grocery list.  There is nothing wrong with doing these things.  At some point in time, they will all need doing, but right now, it’s time to brush my teeth.  Unless selecting an outfit is going to aid me in brushing my teeth, it will have to wait until I finish. 

Be pro-active.
We all have things that we do repeatedly that work against us.  Prepare for those moments.  I know that as soon as I get started with my daily grooming, something is going to occur to me that will place my attention elsewhere.  Now, I keep sticky notes and a pen in the bathroom.  Anything that comes up that needs tending is jotted on the sticky note and put on the mirror, and then I can continue with whatever the objective is. 

I had to make two rules for myself.  1. I can’t leave the room until I have completed the task.  2. If the action is not necessary for me to achieve the goal, then I have to write it down and continue with the objective.  Upon completion, I collect my notes and complete those tasks using the same principles.

I know some of you are thinking there must be something seriously wrong with Dell.  Nope, there isn’t.  Granted, my wiring might be a bit different from some.  The issue is about making productive choices.  I’m choosing to make smarter choices.  If that means I have to do (seemingly) silly things to achieve it, then so be it.

These few strategies will work with any goal, whether a business goal or personal issue. 
1.  Focus on exactly what you are supposed to be doing.
2.  Make sure your actions are helping you and not hindering you.
3.  Be pro-active.

I hope this helps. 

Happy posting.

One of the presenters at a recent marketing seminar stated, "To succeed, you've got to have more than a wishbone.  You have to have a backbone."  I agree that wishes and dreams are wonderful in helping us to have hope, but let's face it, persistent and focused work can make it a reality. 

Sometimes, answers come from unlikely sources.  Don't focus on the origin, focus on the message.  Not every "answer" is the answer designed for us, but when it is we'll know it.  When the information is for us to receive, there's an awakening within our souls.  We KNOW that word was for us.  Receive it.

This weekend was life changing!  I've been battling with some issues - God answered all my issues within an unlikely setting.  I have too much information for my life to ever be the same. 

Remember the name:  Ladydell -  You'll be hearing it a lot.
Be blessed!