How To Chase Your Dreams Like A Strong Mama Bear (Pt. 1)
Have you ever looked at someone else and wondered…“How Do They Do It All”?
How in the world do they have TIME to do ALL the things while juggling being a mom, a wife, and more?
I get asked this a lot.
Until recently, I wasn’t sure how to answer.
I felt like I would let people down when I answered them.
I’ve stumbled to an imperfect but happy balance of being a mom, wife, full-time employee, and side hustler.
It didn’t happen overnight, and it didn’t happen in a vacuum.
Let me start with this: I DO NOT do it all - although, to some, it may seem that way.
If you asked me this question today, I’d say the THREE things that helped me most were changing my mindset, setting boundaries, and finding more time in my day.
How crazy would it be if the next time someone at a playdate asked you what you’ve been up to lately, you tell them about your crazy new dreams and found time in your day that you didn’t even know existed?
Over the next three posts, I’m going to share those things that have helped me, and along the way, I hope you’ll join the conversation. Again, those three things are:
Changing your mindset
Setting boundaries
Finding more time in your day
So come on, grab a snack and beverage of choice, and tune out Blippi in the background, we have some real life-changing talk to get into.
There’s one thing that’s stopping you from chasing your dreams. You can’t move forward without it. It’s your mindset.
Let me say this again in a different way to let it sink in (and because I love a good quote):
You can’t find a new destination without first believing it’s possible to get there.
If you give in to the mindset that you are a mom, and only a mom - day in and day out, that’s what your mind will allow.
Don’t let your mind be the enemy of your dreams.
Let it be a place they flourish.
Let it be a place you can see beyond the lunches and play dates, the burp clothes, and late night feedings.
Because beyond those things, beneath those things, you are a beautiful and unique human being.
As Marie Forleo says, “The world needs exactly who you were made to be”
Our mind controls so much of our lives, yet how often do we slow down to listen to ourselves? How often do we stop to question the path and think about the long term?
Okay - what AM am I going to change about it? FYI - We’re about to get a little nerdy, so hang on and bear with me.
Carol Dweck wrote a book called Mindset, which deserves all the credit for what we call a growth mindset.
Dweck says “In a growth mindset, people believe that their most basic abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work—brains and talent are just the starting point. This view creates a love of learning and a resilience that is essential for great accomplishment.”
I’ll tell you what, I have drunk the Kool-Aid.
And some people (including my husband) think I’m crazy when I tell them its never too late to do whatever they want to do with their life (for him that would be to be a Nascar Engineer, lol)
It’s never too late to chase your dreams. This doesn’t mean you’re giving up on your current adventure or half-a**ing it at your job - but it does me that you don’t deserve to stay somewhere you’re not happy. You can do better, and you were made for more.
I’m going to bet that if you’ve read this far, you’re a go-getter - or at least you want to be.
Think about it; how would you answer this question?
When we’re children, adults often ask “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Why does the question disappear when we become an adult?
Why does it even have to be one static thing?
Would you be working full-time?
Would you be a stay-at-home mom?
Would you be an entrepreneur?
Would you climb the corporate ladder?
Would you move to the country, the city, or the mountain?
None of these answers is wrong.
But more importantly, none of them are unachievable.
Stay with me, don’t run back to scrolling Instagram yet.
Your mind is a tool that can change the way your life looks.
It can give you the power to set boundaries, make time, and say no. The power of asking questions is the ability to take care of yourself - something moms rarely do.
This is where it all starts. Maybe today, you can only envision small changes.
Five minutes to yourself.
Saying no to another mom group or committee
Saying yes to something that fills YOUR cup
But the first step to anything is believing that it is possible. The first step lead to space for bigger dreams.
Here’s a quick personal story…
When I started my business, I was a newly married 28-year-old who was BORED - can you imagine BORED? I started this because I wanted something to do in my spare time.
As my life grew to have a baby, my mindset had to change; I had to reevaluate where do I want this to go, and what do I want to be?
I could’ve easily given up and thrown in the towel as I had a lot on my plate and was simultaneously struggling with my identity as a new mom.
The one thing I knew was that I wanted to do something for myself, and it didn’t make me any less of a mom, an employee, or a wife - it filled my cup because it was something I enjoyed.
I couldn’t see where I was going - it was foggy, but I believed in the direction, and I stumbled through the way.
My belief in myself then and every day since has allowed me to make this possible - it’s allowed me to dream BIG.
It’s allowed me to dive into some of the nitty-gritty ways of finding time we’ll get into in the next two posts.
So do this - whether it’s right now, or later tonight when you have a moment to yourself - ask yourself the question, “What would your dream life be?” or “What is one big crazy dream that you’d love to chase in this lifetime?”.
But don’t just leave it there; start to tell yourself it’s possible. You might be surprised where you end up.
Let’s Connect
What did you find most empowering after reading this?
I’d love you to share it with me via my Instagram DM’s so we can continue the conversation.
I’m building a community of ambitious women who support each other in pursuing our biggest boldest dreams, and I hope you will come along for the wild ride.
