4 Reasons You Are Keeping Your Dream a Secret

You’ve thought about it for a while – that dream that only lives inside your mind. It’s an idea that has been growing inside of you. You want to make your dream a reality, but taking even one step toward it seems insurmountable.

In your heart of hearts, you know your dream is right for you. You can feel the passion burst within you when you imagine living this dream.

Is it writing a book? Becoming an entrepreneur? Developing a non-profit? Creating a travel club? Growing your hobby into a business? Oh, so many possibilities!

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Your dream is in your heart for a purpose!

Making your dream a reality would add the meaning to life that you’ve been yearning for. You can envision yourself having fun while making a difference in the world.

Work would no longer feel like work, and you would have more freedom to do what you want, when you want.

The timing is as right as it will ever be.

• You might have more time as your children have left the nest (or will soon).
• Or, your career no longer brings a sense of fulfillment and you’re ready for change.
• Or, you can’t let go of the idea, and that feels like a higher power is giving you a sign that it’s time to go for it!

If not now, when?

You have another purpose that your soul is calling you to do!

You Want to Take the Leap, But… There Are So Many Buts!

Instead of making a list of all the reasons you WANT to achieve your passion project, you end up listing all the reasons you shouldn’t even try.

You can’t understand why you feel so stuck when your dream would bring you such joy!

For some unexplainable reason, you can’t get yourself to move forward with any type of plan.

The result? Inaction.

You’re left wondering instead of living the joy-driven life that only exists inside your head.

It’s a silly idea anyway, you tell yourself.

Yet, you know your dream would make you happy and fulfilled.

Do any (or all) of the following reasons resonate with you?

4 Reasons You Are Keeping Your Dream a Secret

1 – You don’t think you can have it.

You’ve never done anything like this before, and change is scary! Therefore, you can come up with all kinds of excuses why you can’t do it… things that block you from your dream.

“I’m too old” and “I’m too busy” are common excuses, but that’s all they are… excuses. It’s never too late, and there are ways you can find time. It’s all about choices.

Another stumbling block is feeling the need for approval or permission in order to pursue your dream. Looking to other people for permission equates to giving your power away to rules and priorities that are not your own.

Limiting beliefs can also be a powerful blockage. Our parents and grandparents grew up in different times where a woman’s work was in the house, and she was satisfied (at least outwardly). Times have changed! Are you ready to go from caretaker to change maker? The choice is yours.

TIP: Awareness of your blocks is an important starting point. Trust yourself and grant yourself permission to live your dream. Stop waiting for someone to say “Go for it.” Your time is now!

Be willing to live the life YOU want, not the life others think you should live.

Are you ready to stop using excuses and go after your dream?

2 – What will others think?

The fear of what others will think about you and your dream is the reason many dreams never go anywhere.

Does the thought of telling your family and friends about your dream cause you anxiety just thinking about what they’ll say?

You can hear their reactions now… 

• That’s ridiculous. You’ll never be able to do that.
• Why would you want to do that? It will cost too much money and you’re too old!
• You’d give up a decent job for that? You’re crazy, it’s too risky.

The thought of sharing your dream is just too scary. So you give away your power to your family and friends based on how you think they’ll perceive you going after your dream.

Before you even give them a chance to listen to your dream, are you going to give them the power to shut down your dream?

TIP: Pick one or two supportive, like-minded people, and tell them about your dream. Pick someone who listens judgment-free, reminds you of your strengths, and cheers you on. Avoid the type of person who tends to be a Negative Nancy or tends to fan the flames of fear.

Talking about your dream will help it feel more possible, and it can be the spark to get you to take action steps. Encouragement from a trusted partner or friend can help build the excitement within you, and keep you accountable to moving forward.

3 – Negative self-talk.

You know you have a great idea, and you know you would be so happy living your dream. Yet you manage to self-sabotage your best ideas. 

Self-doubt gets the best of you, and you find yourself thinking things like:

• I should be happy with what I have.
• I’ve never done anything like this before. It’s crazy to think I can do this. I’d probably just fail.
• I don’t have what it takes. It’s an impossible dream anyway. 

TIP: Being compassionate with yourself is one of the best things you can do to stop that self-destructive negative self-talk.

In the process of achieving your dream, you’ll be stepping way out of your comfort zone. Having self-compassion – being gentle and kind to yourself – can calm your thoughts and help you realize you’re being hard on yourself.

Instead of beating yourself up, stop and think… how can I be gentle with myself? What would I say and do if I was being gentle with myself?

Self-compassion will help you appreciate that even though you had a difficult experience, you’ll get through it.

4 – Don’t know how. 

No, you don’t have a guaranteed end result. Yes, it’ll be a process of taking risks and learning – likely from some mistakes. Taking risks is like building a muscle. The more you do it, the better you get at it.

You don’t have to do it all alone. You’ll need support from friends and family, and likely some paid professionals who can shine a light on your path. My journey included a one-year training program.

TIP: Your dream will unfold at perfectly timed steps. There will be twists and turns – look forward to them, they’re part of your journey.

Focus on enjoying each step of the process, and know that mistakes can help you be stronger when you reach your destination.

Take One Step Right Now

Do you have something that you want to do, be, or create… but just can’t get yourself to start taking action?

Does perfectionism and self-doubt have you second guessing your best ideas?

If you answered yes, then this is your invitation to grab my free video mini-course:

Why Not You?

• What if you never try to achieve your dream?
• What if you keep it buried deep inside of you, never to know if you would have succeeded?

OR…

• What if you prioritize YOUR HAPPINESS?
• What if you fan the spark and start taking steps toward making YOUR DREAM a reality?
• What if you see the possibilities and get the life YOUR SOUL is calling you to?

Sure, you’ve had a pretty good life. But you’re not ready to get the shawl and knitting needles out and call it good enough. You know you’re not “done.”

It’s time to focus on you. You can’t stop thinking about it. There is a spark within you waiting to be fanned into a full-blown flame.

Is it time for you to move from caretaker to change maker, unearth your secret dream, and live with a renewed purpose?

Pursue your dreams – YOU MATTER!