Making your dreams come true

Making your dreams come true

Pri Notowidigdo, The Amrop Hever Group, Global Executive Search Jakarta, (e-mail: Jakarta@amrophever.com)

A friend of mine just turned 60 the other day. He remarked that he had reached a milestone in his life, and spoke about having to face what his life has become.

He said that it has become apparent to him that he was held back from realizing his dreams along the way because of his misperceptions, his fears, other people's expectations, and his own perceived expectations.

When he "retired," what may have seemed like the end was now only the beginning.

What my friend came to realize was that, as long as he was still alive and lucid, he was capable of making choices.

My friend remarked that he came to the harsh reality that you cannot live for someone else or through someone else. You must take care of yourself first.

What he was saying is that we should pay attention to our dreams, and strive to realize them within our lifetime ... whatever our age.

Debra Jones, an authority on personal development, says that dreams are important to have in all areas of life and recommends that we learn "dream weaving."

Consider the following list of questions below to help provide a framework for bringing your dreams to life: 1. Do you have the job of your dreams? If you answered "no," what would your dream job be like? 2. Do you currently have a loving, intimate relationship in your life that supports you in your growth? If you answered "no," take a moment to describe your dream relationship in as much detail as possible. 3. Do you have the kind of friendships that you would like to have in your life? Describe your ideal best friend. 4. Do you have nurturing relationships with all of your family members? Which ones need to be improved? What needs to change to make them better? 5. Are you comfortable financially? If "no," what would you need to be financially secure? 6. Are you living the kind of lifestyle that makes you happy? If money were no object and you could have anything you wanted, what kind of lifestyle would you have? 7. Do you have health problems? If you answered "yes," what would your perfect physical condition be? 8. Are you happy? What changes would be required to make you happy? 9. What "wild" and "crazy" thing have you always wanted to do, but felt you couldn't? What prevents you from doing it?

The questions themselves are very straightforward, and probably doing things will also not be a major problem.

But it takes great strength to decide on what to do.

The questions above will provide the initial steps toward realizing your dreams, and looking forward to the next phase of your life.

Don't we owe it to ourselves, and to our loved ones, to live life to its fullest -- to keep on learning and growing, and to seek fulfillment in life?