Dreams come in various shapes and sizes. They range from being able to take a relaxing bath to taking a short walk to doing yoga or joining a hiking club. From being able to read a book that doesn’t have large colored pictures to writing a book; from watching a movie to making a series of 3-5 films for web TV; or from visiting an art museum to taking an art class.
It’s never too late-never. If you will follow this process, you will find success in finding time to follow your dream or your passion regardless of your caregiving commitments.
STEP I – What is your dream? Spend a few minutes in the morning (take a longer shower) or in the evening (the dishes and the laundry will wait) and think about what you really desire? Write down whatever comes to mind. Write down multiple ideas. Look at them carefully. Follow your heart to the one dream that means the most to you. You will know it is the one because when you read it and/or say it aloud you will suddenly feel a sense of well-being, contentment, and happiness.
STEP II – Write down the steps needed to achieve your dream. For example, if you want to learn to play the piano these might be the steps:
- Locate a music school that is willing to teach adults
- Interview them. Ask if they can meet your needs (lessons every other week as opposed to every week, length of time for lessons and for practice, cost, etc)
- Schedule first lesson.
- Oops! Perhaps, you may actually need to buy an inexpensive piano or keyboard. If so, do not do this until you have completed Step #2.
STEP III – How much time do you need?
Determine how much time you will want to devote to capturing your dream. Perhaps, the time needed is 15 minutes a day or 1-2 hours a week.
STEP IV– Treasure hunt for time
Enter your daily schedule into the attached chart. Completing this chart helps you to step outside your hectic schedule and look at it objectively so that you can determine:
- Tasks or activities that could be delegated to someone else
- Find a new way to accomplish a task such as ordering groceries on-line and having them delivered to your parent’s home. Perhaps, you could arrange for their prescriptions to be delivered.
- Tasks that can be delayed or do not need to be done with the current frequency. Are you going to a store 3-4 times a week because you do not make a list and keep forgetting items that you need?
Get a red pen or marker or use the highlighter on your computer to clearly delineate the time on your schedule that will be put aside for accomplishing your dream or your passion.
STEP V – DO IT!
