I have recently written two posts about reaching dreams. Actually I’ve written lots of dream posts, but two in recent days. One post (HERE) was about how to reach them and the other post (HERE) was about why you may not be reaching them. A couple of the comments on those posts brought up another important question. What do you do when you are stuck between dreams? I have written some about that issue also, but not recently or as specific as the questions were asking.
Perhaps you had a dream, but you got sidelined pursuing it. Perhaps your dream absorbed all your energy, all your resources, and all your passion, but it didn’t work and now the dream is dead and you don’t know what to do next. I understand. I’ve been there several times in my life. If this is your situation, here are a few suggestions:
Here are 5 suggestions for getting unstuck:
Recharge – Whenever a dream fails you are drained emotionally and physically. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to spend a season resting and waiting. This doesn’t necessarily mean doing nothing, but it does mean allowing yourself a chance to heal. (For a similar post on this topic read THIS POST)
Refocus – Most likely your setbacks have taken your focus off of the big picture of your life. You may have been saturated with fear and uncertainty and you are afraid to risk again. You may need a fresh dream or you may need some new dreams, but at some point you will have to lift up your head from the natural self pity that accompanies disappointment and refocus on your future and the plans God has for your life.
Redesign – If the dream is God-given or at least God-honoring and you don’t believe it’s time to give up the dream, then spend some time setting some new goals and objectives towards reaching the dream. You may need to redesign your dream into a contemporary context as culture or your life changes, you mature, or God gives you greater understanding. You may have to tackle the dream from a different angle, learn something new to help you towards it, or make some new connections with people who can help you achieve the dream.
Replace – It’s okay to get a new dream. While we may not achieve one dream, many times God leads us through disappointing opportunities to teach us valuable principles to help us achieve other dreams. (Read a similar post HERE and HERE.)
Re-start – One thing is certain, you will never reach a dream if you are sitting still. Even God-given dreams require a commitment of personal energy and resources. Often people who fail to reach a dream remain sidelined because they never start again. Don’t be a victim of that mindset. Find your passion again, get your dream in focus, be willing to risk, then get started again. (For more encouragement here, read THIS POST)
If you feel stuck today, you may also want to read 7 Pieces of Wisdom for the Disappointments of Life.
Have you ever been stuck? How did you get unstuck? What would you add to my list? Where are you now along the journey of reaching your dreams? Let your story encourage others.
