Don't QUIT Your Day Dream - ACT on Your Day Dream

“Don’t quit your day dream.” – Alicia Keys

While watching American Idol, I noticed something special about many of the contestants. Instead of abandoning their dreams, they bet on them.

Well, some initially abandoned their dream. They got discouraged by rejection and frustrated because their talent wasn't being recognized or rewarded. Some decided they'd never be able to make a living from their art and quit to get a "real job" to pay bills and take care of family.

But instead of turning their back on their dream, they summoned the courage to audition even if the odds were against them. They gave their dream a chance.

How about you? Have you set a dream aside? Decided it's not realistic, not going to happen?

Pearl Buck said, "Stories were full of hearts broken by love, but what really broke a heart was taking away its dream -- whatever that dream might be."

You may think that giving up a dream has no lasting consequences, but it can break your heart. On the other hand, choosing to pursue a dream can be heartening.

For example, I asked people during my Year by the Water, "What is something you want to do, but keep putting off? What could motivate you to set it in motion instead of waiting for a SOMEDAY that may never come?"

Jillyn Hawkley Peterson got in touch with an inspiring story. She said:

“Know what my husband told me after getting tired of hearing me talk about something I wanted to do for more than a decade?

‘Are you ever going to do it?! Because if you’re not, could you please stop talking about it?’

I am now 1726 miles into a 3800 mile bicycle trek across the country and should finish sometime in 2019.

Because the only thing that happens someday is I’ll die. And then I can’t get any of this stuff done. I would make the sub-title of your new book, ‘Do It or Stop Talking About It.’ LOL.”

Kudos, Jillyn, for proving we're never too OLD for NEW dreams. You can find out more about Jypsy Jill Rides adventure here). I share her story in my Someday is Not a Day in the Week book Club, and she got back in touch to say:

"Thank you so much, Sam. You brought tears to my eyes. One year ago today I was packing for the drive to the Seattle area, where I began a year ago this Sunday. In my heart I wasn't sure it was possible. And now I'm almost halfway there.?Dreams come true, but only if you get up, stop dreaming, and start TODAY."

How about your day dream? Have you set it aside? At what cost?

What is one thing you could do to set it in motion today?

Please understand, change doesn't take courage, it takes clarity.

Clarity that the clock is ticking.

Clarity that this is not a dress rehearsal.

Clarity that you will never regret betting on yourself and acting on your day dream. You will only only regret not doing it … sooner.