What is a Chief Dreaming Officer?
“I love your title!”
OR
“What a dumb title.”
Two comments I receive about my Chief Dreaming Officer status.
The folks that say they LOVE it? They ‘get’ me. Those are my people.
The others? The skeptics and confused? Here’s the backstory...
After a grueling battle with ovarian cancer, on October 11, 2016, my best friend from college died. Tracy was a single mom, with a toddler. Her death rocked me to my core.
IT WOKE ME UP.
All of a sudden I realized I’d been living on autopilot. Not completely engaged with life. Letting it happen to me.
Tracy’s death lit a fire in me to figure out how to create an AMAZING life. One I’d live in her honor.
She didn’t get a chance to do so many things she dreamed of, but I sure could. And I’d do it for both of us.
I was determined to push through fears that previously held me back. To annihilate self-doubt and Impostor Syndrome.
Self development, personal growth and therapy became a focus.
Determined to take the pain of losing someone that I so dearly loved, and turning that into purpose, I got to work.
I started DREAMING again.
Dreaming about possibilities.
Dreaming about a career change.
Dreaming about becoming the best mom I could be, the best friend and wife I could be.
Putting INTENTION into everything I did.
Day after day I began to accomplish things I’d never in my wildest dreams believed I’d do.
Pushing through the fear of failure.
Forcing myself out of my comfort zone.
Until one day I realized I'd transformed.
No longer was I going through the motions.
I was GOING FOR IT.
Speaking up about injustices I saw. Taking risks. Believing in myself for the first time in a long time. I was bold, driven, strong and unstoppable.
What exactly does a Chief Dreaming Officer do?
They see a lack of integrity at work, speak up and quit.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O68EDIQ3OBI&t=1s
They ask for jobs that don’t exist.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=neOTyk3lxII
They make dreams for their kids come true.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcQIAKJCa4s&t=6s
They make dreams for themselves come true.
https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/inspiring-world-one-glass-time-amy-perkins/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RILnabhqoPI
They hold fundraisers.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N_U4NA29Cto&t=3s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qNKpv6pUbMs&t=27s
They start podcasts.
https://keys-to-courage.simplecast.com/
And YouTube channels.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCiRnzBfkp6zlF0nMMMtHJzQ/videos
And websites.
They teach OTHERS how to dream.
https://www.keystocourage.com/courses/
Everyone should know a CDO.
We are the dreamers, the doers, the ACTIONISTS.
My dreaming's just begun, I know Tracy's proud.
She lost her life, but she saved mine.
Any questions?
I help leaders create and maintain high-performance lifestyles | I help 7-9 businesses create and maintain high-performance cultures
4 年Wonderful article. I love the CDO concept. Continue to live your dreams and make Tracy proud. You are a great inspiration! Amy ??
Art Historian | Educator | Education Curriculum and Accreditation Consultant
5 年Amy Perkins Reading your article about how Tracy’s death gave you new life is so inspirational. After returning to an unsupportive culture after my own battle with a tumor (extremely minor compared to your friend’s) a made the decision to do the same. I chose myself. I chose starting over and investing 70 hour work weeks in myself, in taking development courses that develop skills I believe in, and planning for a future where my experience helps and inspires others like Tracy inspired you. And while I haven’t found my exact path yet.....I am still much happier for making the break. Thank you for sharing and for re-allocating your energy toward helping others. #keystocourage #mindset #career #inspire #womenleaders
OD Consultant ?? & Executive Coach ?? | Hold expertise in conducting Experiential Learning Interventions for Employee Development & Upskilling ?? | Instructional Designer ??| Sales Strategist? | Program Host |
5 年Thanks for giving me a boost in my dream journey
Business Development Leader | TEDx Speaker | Ironman Triathlete | Resilience SME
5 年Keep dreaming Amy! You be you and shine. Your people get you:)