DREAM: A dream is described as a series of thoughts, images, and sensations occurring in my mind during sleep. 

DAYDREAM: To indulge whilst awake in my daydreams or fantasies about something I greatly desire, whether a cherished aspiration, ambition, or idea.

Einstein was renowned for daydreaming at school whilst seeing into the future. He saw no value in regurgitating the known as a marker to prove intelligence. By signing off a particular practice today doesn’t mean it cannot become obsolete tomorrow!

“What is fact today is fiction tomorrow!”

DREAM CATCHER: Designed to trap bad dreams and thoughts allowing only good dreams to reach me whilst I sleep. It’s hung over my bed and exposed to sunlight. This is one of the most enduring symbols and widely associated with Native American practices.

PROTECTION: The design is a reminder to protect myself from negativity. 

*The shape represents the circle of life or the journey of the sun and moon across the sky.

*Beads represents lessons learned from life experiences to collect good dreams and also a quest for self-discovery.

* Feathers symbolise lightness and the ability to reach higher states of consciousness.

NIGHTMARE: A nightmare is a disturbing dream associated with negative feelings that cause a strong emotional response from my mind and body. Fear, failure, fights and being chased are common themes.

CHANGE:  To make something different, alter or modify. All changes carry the element of risk. Progress beyond the known is accomplished by undertaking a risky action with the hope of success. Predictive skills are required in these fast-moving times of change. When envisaging what could be, I often have found myself in a majority of one and ahead of current restrictive group thinking. 

It has been a game of chance for me underpinned by the naive belief that I could make the required changes happen and add value. It wasn’t that I couldn’t see the obstacles. I just choose to ignore them.

TIMING: It is never too late to be reinvent myself.

I had a late teenage rebellion when I decided to challenge preset boundaries and established expectations and embark on a career that has taken me around the globe with the bonus of creating a wonderful network of friends and work colleagues. 

DREAMING: WHEN THE JOB I WANTED DIDN’T EXIST I HAD TO INVENT ONE!

I had gained lots of experience in sales, marketing and training and was ready for my next challenge. I sold myself for a non-existing job within the competitive retail environment by mitigating the risk. I suggested a trial period within a 3-month’s time frame. 

The initial challenge was to research existing practices and present an innovative approach to increase product sales by the introduction of something new or a change needing to be made to an existing idea, product, device or field of practice.

I created the role of Development Coordinator before moving into Operations and across to Training and Development. This will be another story to be shared in future Blogs!

JUDGEMENT CALLS

FAILURE OR SUCCESS: No experience is wasted. Each one adds another apparently unrelated event as fragments to what is already within my kaleidoscope of life to date. By adjusting my interpretation, I can view my mistakes as part of the learning curve ready to embark on my next adventure. 

INTERNAL AND EXTERNAL JUDGEMENT CALLS

JUDGEMENT CALLS: Who do I believe?

What words do I hear chattering away in my head? Do they feed my self-doubt or encourage me to follow my dream? 

Internal Self-talk: I know I am my own harshest critic. 

That niggling doubt I have that keeps blocking my progress must be faced and overcome. How this negative survival response can easily extinguish my enthusiasm and self-belief. I never will know if I’m not prepared to take the risk and continue to grow. I need to take action to implement my dream!  I realise that if I believe in my ideas then I can reignite my spark of inspiration into the flame of creativity. 

It is often because of the total destruction of my existing world that I had to revisit my dream and discover what truly inspires me.

What give light must endure burning.

External opinion and judgement: Everyone will have their opinion on the effectiveness of my plans and actions. I must remember that they are based on their experiences and values and shouldn’t govern or override my dreams.  

Example: “You must accept that your work is now out of date and let go.” 

This was the judgement call I had imposed on me after the global pandemic Covid-19. I was forced to pause, reassess and learn to welcome the opportunity to review my business plans as a balancing act with my personal life. 

I had to ensure I had an open mind while deciding on what to keep, change or discard. However, it is easier said than done! 

I have now streamlined my consultancy services into 3 clear categories: Author – Speaker – Facilitator.

USING MY KEY HUMAN COMPONENTS FOR EFFECTIVE DECISION MAKING

THE BRAIN: The mental faculty underlying visionary and creative thought. I do not claim to be an expert but I do have an awareness of the power of my conscious thoughts. The mystery lies in my subconscious and the vast reservoir of accumulated knowledge passed on to me through my DNA.

If you want to learn more then the book called YOUR BRAIN IS BOSS by Dr Lynda Shaw Cognitive neuroscientist and psychologist makes fascinating reading.

THE HEART: The centre and foundation when deciding what feels right for me.

THE GUT: I call intuition a State of Knowing that I describe as my ‘gut feeling’.

FUTURE ASPIRATION: My aspiration is to continue to grow my network of like-minded souls around the world.

I want to ensure that nobody’s potential is not overlooked or wasted. Everyone should have the opportunity to learn and not forfeit the right to explore alternative ideas.

HOPE: Is a feeling of expectation and desire for a particular thing to happen. It is an optimistic state of mind that is based on an expectation of positive outcomes with respect to events and circumstances in one’s life or the world at large.