The idea of creating a tangible, visible representation of your goals and dreams has been around for .... ever. In the 80's we called them vision books and I still have ones that I have created over the years in my cupboard.
Interestingly enough they are filled with images of cottage gardens,(which I have), studying & graduating uni ( done) and references to the work that I am now doing. I was prompted to do one again after a conversation with my new 'office roomie' that I am now sharing with, Meg.
About 20 years ago I joined my first women's group. I was introduced to Meg and got to know her better when we both joined another women's discussion group. We would all meet once a week, bring a plate and talk for hours about books, feminism, personal growth and share all kinds of ideas and challenges in our quest to understand ourselves and to try and gain some 'women's wisdom'.
At that time Meg and I both were employed in other careers. What we had in common was our desire to change our career to the very thing we are doing now. But for both of us it would mean a complete career change, going to university and starting over. We both had young children at that time so it was not possible, but we often talked about 'wouldn't it be wonderful if we could open a centre one day and do XYZ type of work.
It was a wonderful, exciting, challenging time! We met for a year and then we gradually all drifted off into other things and lost track as so often happens.
Many years later when I eventually was at university, I found out she was studying as well, a year ahead of me, we would say hello briefly when we bumped into each other occasionally in the library. Then I didn't see her for a couple of years until we found ourselves working in the same building last year.
Now we are sharing our office; doing exactly "XYZ"work and planning to do some work together as a team! I had forgotten all about our conversations all those years ago until she reminded me.
So don't be afraid to dream of working at the job you love one day. It happens and it happens to ordinairy people like us, with kids, and mortgages, and bills to pay.
Vision books, boards, goals etc, do work so long as you take action as well. Our words and intentions are powerful. This week I decided to create a new board. The detail is below. And maybe think about creating one for yourself, or finding a group of women to meet with who will challenge you to think differently, to be inspired and to dream big.
I like to create the old fashioned way with paper but if you are want to do it on the computer there is this
Vision Board software.
When I was dreaming of one day working in this job that I love it felt like an impossible dream a lot of the time. With young kids and 'life' it just seemed there was never a good time to quit my job and go to university. And there was never a 'good' time. People are only too willing to tell you all the reasons why you shouldn't! So you need to surround yourself with people who encourage you.
The book What Should I do with My life? by Po Bronson was, and still is, a favourite of mine. it's " The True Story of People Who Answered this Question.
"If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with success unexpected in common hours."
Henry David Thoreau
