Are Your Dreams Just Dreams?

When you dream about how your life could be different, does it bring a smile to your face? Are you thinking of how it could be better or are you counting your blessings because you have come a long way or have had a pretty easy life? If in your dreams or daydreams, your life is different and better than it is in real life, then you have begun to create a new reality. But your dreams will be just dreams and nothing more if you don't take some actions.

To begin with, you should write down your dream that you want to create. Write it as a goal statement and include as much detail as possible. My belief is that as long as a dream is still just in your head, it remains a dream. Once it is committed to paper (or a computer screen) then it can become a plan.

After you have written down your goal statement, then you can begin to develop plans of action to take you from where you are to where you want to be. Again, include details and time frames in your action plan. It is often during this state where we begin to put up thoughts of why our plans won't work out the way we want. There may be a little voice in your head telling you why the plans won't work out or why your dreams won't come true.

I encourage you to pay some attention to those voices or thoughts, but only to serve as a type of reminder to check your details. It is very natural to have second thoughts, but don't let the uncertainly of your new plans keep you from implementing them. Once you have set your plan into action, then you must act as though your goal has already become a reality; as others have said, then you "fake it 'til you make it." The idea being that you begin to act as if your plan has come into being and you begin acting as if your new circumstances or situation already exists. But it all begins with a dream!


Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling for life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/Work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.

To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.

Assess Your Risks

Some individuals I have worked with explained that they knew they were not really happy in their work situation, but they were not sure if they should consider leaving. If you are trying to decide if you should stay with your current job or employer or change jobs or leave the organization, I encourage you to assess your risks - on both sides of the issue.

Think about the risks that may be involved if you leave your current situation. Since nothing is certain and there are no crystal balls, it is hard to determine if things would be better or just different in a different situation. You should consider in what ways you would like your work to be different and consider the likelihood that those differences are realistic or just a day dream. You should also consider those that things that you would like to be the same or similar to your current situation.

Also, think about the risks that may be involved if you stay in your current situation. Again, since nothing is certain and there are no crystal balls, it is hard to determine if things could be better or at least different if you stay. Since you are willing to consider leaving, you should also identify the reasons you are having those thoughts. Is it just because you wonder what else is out there or are there things that are problematic for you in your current situation?

In addition to assessing the risks if you stay or leave, I also think it is important to identify whether or not you feel that you are utilizing your skills and personal traits and whether or not your values are appreciated or able to be demonstrated in your current situation. Sometimes people can find other ways to put their skills and personal traits to good use, but if there is a conflict with their values or personal strengths, that becomes ever more difficult to cope with. So what is it for you?


Once you have considered the significant factors related to your situation, then you can think about the options you have. In some cases, people decide to pursue something different with the same employer. Others decide to look for similar work but in a different organization. Some decide they need a complete change - employer and work. And, of course, some people decide their current situation is OK, at least for now. Whatever the decision, it should have been given careful consideration and not made in a moment of heightened frustration.


Mary Ann Davis, M.A., is a Licensed Professional Counselor in private practice providing coaching and counseling or life's transitions; including career change or job search, as well as loss of job, retirement planning, grief work, coping with an empty nest, and other life planning issues. She is certified as a Master Career Counselor by the National Career Development Association; a Life/work Counselor by the National Employment Counseling Association; and is a Distance Credentialed Counselor. Check out her web site at www.YourCareerPlan.com.

To contact Ms. Davis, please call (513) 665-4444 x3 and leave a personal and confidential message or send an email to YourCareerPlan@cinci.rr.com.