Recently, I attended a conference for women bloggers, sponsored by The SITS Girls. I went to the conference expecting to learn a lot, and I did. I did not go expecting to be inspired, but I was. All of the speakers presented great information that I’ll use to improve this blog. But one speaker, Tiffany Romero, founder of The SITS Girls, said some things that just keep rolling around in my head.
“Why not me? Why not now?” Tiffany challenged us to ask ourselves these two questions. She reminded us that women are achieving their dreams every day, women who are very much like us. So if we have dreams we haven’t yet achieved, we need to stop and ask, “Why not me? Is there any reason I can’t achieve my dream?” (No, there isn’t.) And, “Why not now? Is there any reason I can’t start today and move forward toward my dream? (Maybe, but probably not.)
OK, I know your circumstances probably won’t let you to rush headlong into pursuing your dream. Mine won’t either. But we can start. And we can move forward, making progress every week.
First, however, we have to know where we want to go (“What’s your end game?”) and how we’re going to get there. Tiffany encouraged us to do three things – 1) Know your goal, 2) Make your plan and 3) Work your plan. And if you’re overwhelmed with information and ideas and don’t know where to begin (like me!), she encouraged us to “pick one thing that resonates and work on it this week.”
What’s your dream? Maybe, like the women at the conference, you want to start or grow a blog. Or write a book or pursue art or music. Or start a business. Maybe you want to stay home with your children. Or start a ministry. Perhaps you want to strengthen your marriage. Or take charge of your health by exercising and eating well. Every woman’s dream is different, but each one is valid and worth pursuing. And the way to reach it is to start now, with a goal and a plan, moving forward one step (even one baby step!) at a time.
My dream is that this blog will become a resource for married women who want to live calmer and healthier lives and enjoy great sex and intimacy with their husbands. My way-out-in-left-field dream is to write a book on the same topics I write about here. I’m not convinced I can achieve either one, but after this weekend I’m encouraged and am making plans and moving forward. Because, when I really stop and think about it, “Why not me? Why not now?”
What’s your dream and how are you pursuing it? If you aren’t, what’s holding you back? Please share your thoughts in the Comments – I would love to hear from you.
Honeybee says
My ultimate dream this year is to lose weight, to be in a great shape. What a powerful statement; “Why not me? Why not now?” I need to ask myself this everytime i feel less motivated.
-Honeybee
http://herweightlossdiary.blogspot.com
GC says
Hi Honeybee – These questions encourage me too! I hope they’ll help both of us to stay on track with our dreams this year.
Gaye
motheringfromscratch says
{Kathy} I have asked myself those questions many times over the last 20, yes, 20 years. I realized that some dreams have to be pursued “later”. Why? Because we have to be careful that in pursuing our dreams we don’t compromise the real mission of our lives that we were given by God. God does give us dreams, but how we judiciously approach them is where we become accountable.
All of our dreams are attainable, especially as mothers. Here’s to knowing when it is right to move forward and when to reserve them.
GC says
Hi Kathy – You’re right – our dreams have to fit into God’s overall plan and timing for our lives. And some dreams are for “later.” And, frankly, a few dreams just aren’t going to come true. So the answer to “Why not now?” might be, “Because it’s not the right time.”
Thanks for stopping by and sharing.
Gaye
Cathy Compeau says
Thanks so much for sharing at A Peek Into My Paradise TGIF Link Party.
I hope you will come party with us next week and see if you were featured! http://apeekintomyparadise.blogspot.com/
Have a great week!
Hugs! Cathy
GC says
Thanks Cathy.
Gaye
Kammie says
Great post! It can be hard to move foward when there are subconscious things holding us back from reaching success, such as fear and uncertainty. But we CAN and are totally ABLE TO do it! 🙂 I’m learning more about it every day! Wish I attended the Bootcamp!
Hopping over from SITS sharefest! 🙂 Great blog!
Have a lovely weekend.
http://www.sensualappealblog.com
GC says
Thanks Kammie. One commenter noted that it may not be the right time in our lives to pursue a certain dream, and I think she’s right about that. But the things you mentioned, fear and uncertainty, are very common roadblocks that shouldn’t be holding us back. Those are the kinds of things I want to encourage all of us to overcome, even if our progress toward our dreams is very slow.
Thanks so much for stopping by.
Gaye
Jeanine says
Love this post and so sorry I missed the Bloggy Boot Camp! I think the ladies from SITS are so inspiring and reading your post has me thinking deeper about my goals and my blog…
GC says
Thanks Jeanine! I am thinking a lot about those things too. BBC was great – definitely worth attending if you get the chance.
Gaye
Simone says
I had a similar ephiphany this week as well! Here are some tips I shared about reaching your dream on herlifeinspired.com http://herlifeinspired.com/2013/05/20/reaching-your-dream/
GC says
Thanks Simone! I will check out your post too.
Gaye
CarliAlice (@CarliAlice) says
For the longest time I didn’t pursue my dreams but this year I’ve just went for it. Things are slow moving but I’m making progress. It makes for a much happier life when you see your dreams becoming a reality!
CarliAlice (@CarliAlice) says
Oh, and happy Saturday Sharefest!
GC says
Thanks!
GC says
Thanks for stopping by, CarliAlice. Its great to be moving forward isn’t it, even if it seems slow (my progress does too).
Gaye
Kristi says
What an encouraging post! My dream is to grow my blog and eventually make is self-sustainable, all the while helping people start and achieve their homesteading goals. 🙂
Thank you for linking up to
From the Farm Blog Hop! We hope to see you again next week!
~Kristi@Let This Mind Be in You
GC says
Thanks so much, Kristi. I will definitely check out your blog, as I have some “micro farm” dreams myself!
Gaye
Laurie says
First…I want to attend a bloggy boot camp so bad! I love what you wrote. Just now (at age 53) really investing it the dream…now that the kids are grown, I need a new dream. Life is interesting!
Laurie says
Oops…really investing IN the dream…
GC says
🙂
GC says
Hi Laurie – BBC is great – definitely worth going if you get a chance. I am going to check out your blog – it sounds like we are at a similar stage of life.
Gaye
Maria @ www.musicteachingandparenting.com says
It is so inspiring reading posts like this! Thank you for sharing it!
Maria
GC says
Thanks so much, Maria.
Gaye
Kim says
I just started blogging because I really want to write…figured I would throw it out there to see what would stick. I never thought anyone would actually read or like my stuff (other than my mom!), but you are right- why not me and why not now? What am I waiting for?? Thanks so much…I am pinning this and printing this for my fridge door so I see it every day!!
GC says
Thanks so much, Kim. I am thrilled that this post encouraged you to keep moving forward with your blog and your writing.
Gaye
morethanmommies says
Christine and I NEVER talked about the End Game before Bloggy Boot Camp and now we have one and are taking steps to reach it! 🙂
Love the post!
Make sure you share it on the MTM (More Than Mommies) G+ community, too!! 🙂
GC says
I know – once you hear it someone say it, it seems so obvious – I need to know where I want to go!
Thanks so much for stopping by. I will definitely share with the MTM community.
Gaye