October 2005

Marcia's Dream Note

Dear <$firstname$>,

Fall is in the air reminding us that it’s time for a change. For many, change can be frightening as we face the unknown. Yet at one level, life is a mystery and provides many unknowns. We can do our best to maintain safety, security and the illusion of control, but at a certain point, that price can be high. In this issue, I’ve offered practical steps to move through fear and other limitations. You deserve your dreams and I hope this helps you break through anything that may be in your way.

Dream Big,

Six Ways to Overcome Fear

As you get closer to fulfilling your dreams, don’t be surprised if doubt and fear surface. The number one way we sabotage our dreams is by saying things like, “But, what if?” and imagining the worst. But, what if I…fail, succeed, say or do the wrong thing, don’t make enough money?

With this thinking, as you move toward your dream, you’ll also move toward your fears and worst nightmares. With too much to risk, most of us give up or never even begin. Here are six ways to overcome fear.

1. If you feel indecisive, this can help. Draw a line across the center of a piece of paper. On the top, write your dream in as much detail as possible. On the bottom, write out your reality (about this dream) including your fears, doubts and “but, what ifs”.

Are you more committed to your dream or to your fear?

Two things will cause you to be more committed to your fear. The first is if you don’t have a clearly defined dream. The second is if you project your worst fears into your dream, you’ll choose reality because it’s safer. But when fear is placed in its proper place, as part of reality, it's easier to be more committed to your vision and fear simply becomes something to manage.

2. As you connect to your dreams, you’ll often run into the voice of your “Doubter.” We might ignore or obsess over this because it tells us everything that might go wrong. Left unattended, this voice can be disruptive. But turn the Doubter down and it becomes the voice of the “Realist,” who primarily wants to know what you are planning, usually related to time and money issues. Early on, you may not have all the details figured out, which is why going to strategy too soon can actually hinder or limit your dream. Interview your Doubter and be curious. Capture its needs, insights and wisdom.

3. Your Doubter can provide a list of obstacles based on its fears and concerns. The Dream Coach rule is, wherever there’s an obstacle, design a strategy to manage it. Make a list of your obstacles and identify which ones are negative self-perceptions or beliefs and which ones require strategies. The first step in managing fear is to identify exactly what you are afraid if. Just saying, “I’m afraid,” can be a whitewash and keep you stuck. Identify what you fear.

4. Beliefs are never neutral. They either move you forward or hold you back, but you choose what to believe. The way to move from limiting beliefs that hold you back to empowering beliefs that move you forward is through willingness, courage and practice. Be willing to believe in yourself and your dreams and have the courage to act on what you believe. Develop this as part of your identity by practicing this behavior continuously until it becomes true.

5. Are you aware of what typically stops you? For most of us, it’s something we hate, we’re not good at, or that we have no idea how to tackle. It can be frightening and when that task is essential to the success of your venture, it could be your demise. Don’t allow one need or issue to destroy your dream.

If your dream is to write a book but you can’t type, this doesn’t have to stop you. Learn a new skill or hire someone. If you can’t afford that, explore bartering. Get creative and get going. The time you waste worrying would best be used by seeking guidance and finding answers.

6. Overcome fear and other obstacles (even time and money issues) by enrolling others into your vision. Master this skill and you’ll accomplish bigger dreams with less effort. Learn to talk to anyone, anytime and anyplace about their dreams in a way where they feel inspired. Ask what their personal or professional dreams are and explore. Build an arsenal of people that you can reach out to in a pinch. Develop a robust database of brilliant resources that you can access at any given moment. Build a community of fellow dreamers or join one that already exists like www.mydreamcircle.com.

Resources you can use:

The Dream Movement Series – Designed to provide inspiration, these beautiful new books provide valuable insight and new content to help you take immediate action. Available immediately and each under $10.00. Click here to visit our DreamStore for more information.

Books:

Fearless Living by Rhonda Britten
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway by Susan Jeffers

_______________________________________

My Dream Circle


Join My Dream Circle and you'll hear
world-class resources, receive powerful
coaching and be on LIVE weekly *calls with Marcia.

 

INTRODUCING our new MP3 format! Miss a live DreamTalk call and now you can download the call to your iPod or MP3 player.

November's Guests Include:
Marcia Wieder,
President of Dream Coach Inc. – Call in for Live Coaching
Debra Talbert
, Speaker and Author, "Taking the Lead in Our Lives"
Jeff Davidson, Founder of Breathing Space Institute, "Become A Better Presenter"
Angeles Arrien, President of the Foundation for Cross-Cultural Education and Research, "Four Fold Way: Practical Spirituality "

Big Dreamers Share

  • Stephen M. Shapiro's book, Goal-Free Living, is one of the cover stories on the November issue of O, The Oprah Magazine.

  • Marcia Breitenbach has launched her new song, "The Magnificent You." Click here to listen to her talented voice and touching message through song.

  • Marilu's poem, "The Window," won Second Prize in the international Tom Howard Poetry Contest and will appear in a 2006 anthology, Across the Long Bridge.

  • My Dream Circle member, Dawn (pictured below), sang the National Anthem for the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Dream Coach News

We love sharing your dreams and achievements, and we want to share ours with you, too! Here's what's happening in our world:
  • San Francisco Dream Weekend: Nov. 18-20th. Last chance in 2005. Create Your Future Now
  • Dream Coach Certification – January is SOLD OUT. Register now for July 2006. Click here for details.
  • Pennsylvania Governor’s Conference -- Philadelphia. Hear Marcia’s inspiring message Nov. 15, 2005. For details, click here.
  • Resource Realizations is sponsoring a Dream Weekend with Marcia – Feb. 3-5th in Phoenix, AZ. Details coming soon.

Next Month: Your 2006 Dream Success Plan

 

Dream Quote

“If you fear change, leave it here.”
~ Seen on a tip jar in a coffee shop

Dear Marcia,

I read about your company in Woman's Day magazine and I'm interested in becoming a Dream Coach. I'm 41 and have worked for the Justice Department with the Bureau of Prisons for over 14 years. I'm not really sure what I want to be, or do, when I retire. Coaching sounds interesting, but can people actually make a decent living doing this? Where would I have to live? How much time does it take to build up a business? Is it stressful? How many hours a week does it take? Will I be able to go on vacations and just take off whenever I choose? How does Dream Coaching compare with other coaching programs and when is your next certification?

Sincerely, J

**********

Dear J –

I often get asked these kinds of questions about coaching so I'm delighted to respond publicly.

If you are good at marketing and provide value, coaching can be a lucrative and extremely fulfilling profession and done anywhere. Since most coaching takes place by phone either one-on-one or with groups, as long as you have access to a phone, you are set. Your clients can be anywhere in the world.

Building a practice does take time, commitment, intention and skill. If you are comfortable “selling yourself,” you will have an edge over others.

I don’t believe it’s a stressful career since many express how much they love it, but that depends on the individual. Coaching does require certain skills. Since you’ll be your own boss, you determine your hours and schedule. You can coach someone even while on vacation.

The Dream Coach week is a “content-specific” program that teaches how to find your purpose, clarify dreams, overcome obstacles and design strategies. It also focuses on how to build a successful practice, including getting clients. Our next program is July 2006.

Warmly,
Marcia

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