Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been a planner. My long-range planning drove my parents crazy, as they wanted me to just settle down and live in the moment.
And we do need to savor each season, but a plan helps us to make the most out of each day. It helps us to live with intentionality.
Despite all my “planning,” I struggled with follow-through. Why? I have a bad tendency of being an all-or-nothing person.
If January 1 rolled around and my resolutions weren’t already in place, I’d give up. Plain and simple.
If I hadn’t put forth my best shot by then, I figured that it was too late to attempt any kind of shot at all.
That was a huge mistake–and detrimental.
I can only imagine what all I could have accomplished in those lost years had I not thrown in the towel when I didn’t have things as perfectly planned as I thought they should be by a certain date in time.
For far, far too long I didn’t give myself grace. I strove for perfection. And when I could not attain it, I just gave up.
It’s taken quite a bit of humbling, but I’m now learning that it’s never too late to get back on your feet.
To start planning.
To start dreaming.
To start…living.
The motivational writer Napolean Hill called a goal a dream with a deadline.
You see, throughout much of my life my “plans” were simply dreams in my head. I often just lived in a dream world.
It’s not bad to dream. It’s good to dream if that is how God made you! I recently began embracing the fact that God made me to be a dreamer.
I dream for myself. But I also dream for others. I dream for you.
I want you–and I both–to live up to all God created us to be.
Dream big–but don’t stay in that dream world. Make some plans–set some goals–to fulfill those dreams of yours.
Dear reader–moms can dream, too. I think so many of us put those dreams aside when we become mothers.
I know I did.
What are some dreams–or even just one dream that God has placed in your heart? I am currently reading Holly Gerth’s You’re Made for a God-Sized Dream. I purchased the eBook version this past weekend…and it has simply blown me away.
I devoured one fourth of the book right after I bought it. I told myself I wouldn’t plug my Kindle back up when the battery went dead on Saturday night. As soon as I finish this post, I want to read some more.
Every page–every sentence–reaffirms what God has already been teaching me: It’s OK to dream. In fact, dreaming can bring me closer to Him–if it’s the dreams HE has given me.
In her book, Holly says: “Every dream or desire you have that comes from God is an invitation for more intimacy with him.”
But in order to make dreams a reality–we must go back to a plan. We can’t attain much by flying by the seat of our pants. And I’ve been a “seat flyer” for far too long.
Your Retreat: Your Guide to Giving Yourself a Personal Planning Day is an eBook I wrote to help me map out my goals and dreams–and show you how to, too!
I have found that in order to really plan to make my dreams a reality, I have to set aside intentional time to plan. This resource was birthed out of my years of giving myself a personal planning retreat. Previously, I planned around New Year’s Day.
But not anymore. Because if I missed New Year’s, I felt like I had missed it all together.
But it’s not too late. It’s never too late. It’s never too late to plan or to dream.
Choose to dream this year. I’ll be dreaming right alongside of you.
Sarah Mueller
Yes, I’m definitely a dreamer and a planner. Here’s to hoping 2014 is a great year for all of us! I’m looking forward to your new book!
Erin
I’m glad I’m not the only one! Thanks, Sarah! 🙂
Christa Upton
I am a dreamer and planner by nature. 🙂 Thank you for this beautiful reminder of grace. My dream for 2014? A safe house. That is definitely a God-sized dream. 🙂
Erin
That is a God-sized dream! I hope you get it, Christa! You never know what a year may bring! Go in grace!
Christa Upton
Thank you, Erin!
Amber @ Tales of Domestica
I am pretty sure I am a dreamer and a planner. Depends on the day and my energy. I love to plan and dream, both the same. In 2014 I want to continue to simplify my life!
Erin
Simplify–YES! That is a GREAT dream to aspire to!
Whitney
LOL.
“Despite all my “planning,” I struggled with follow-through. Why? I have a bad tendency of being an all-or-nothing person.”
I could have written that! I’m totally all or nothing. And most of the time, it stinks! Can’t wait to read it! I’d LOVE a personal retreat. Maybe one night I can close myself in the closet with my planner, laptop, and a cup of tea.
Erin
The “lock myself in the closet” totally made me LOL!!! I hope you can, too!!
Meg
I love this! I am writing on my “word” for the year and the planning and learning and growing that goes into it. My word is PROSPERITY. I fully expect some things to work and others not to on my way to 2015 and it is total freedom to just accept that! I will link this to my next post!
Erin
Thanks, Meg! My one word is “boundaries.” I hope to publish a post about it tomorrow!