7 Simple Ways to Prioritize Your Dreams

Posted on November 10, 2023 by Frances Jones, One of Thousands of Life Coaches on Noomii.

How important are your dreams and goals?
What is getting in your way of accomplishing them?

Your job?
Lack of confidence?
Fear of failure?
The priorities of friends and family?
A commitment or obligation to something else?

Putting the needs of others before your own can be a common practice for many individuals. It may appear to be a selfless act of kindness or even, in some cases, chivalrous, but it can also create a stumbling block for the person performing the action.

I was engaged in a conversation with a very close friend. We were talking about our families and catching up on the current events of our lives. The discussion led to the topic of dreams and goals. Instead of my friend telling me about his dreams, I noticed that he began to tell me what his wife wanted to accomplish. I was about to ask him what he wanted to achieve when he made a statement that immediately caught my attention. The comment was, “As long as my spouse is happy, then I’m happy.” This person was willing to forgo pursuing his dreams and desires so someone else could pursue their own.

Although a statement like that could appear to be noble and valiant, no one’s happiness should
be predicated mainly upon the happiness of another…even for their mate. My friend was
deciding to trade his dreams for the fulfillment of another person’s. This is a trap that I believe
so many people fall into by putting the priority of something or someone else before their own.

If you find yourself putting other people’s priorities first and making your own secondary, I am
providing seven simple ways you can avoid this trap.

1. Never allow yourself to set aside things that are important to you to make someone
else happy. Recognize that choosing to do what makes you happy is not selfish. If you
constantly put others’ happiness before your own, it could cause frustration and
resentment. Don’t put someone else’s priority above something that is important to
you.
2. Recognize the things that have value to you. Create a list of your values and rank them
from most to least important. Be sure to include why each value is meaningful.
Periodically review the list to see if the ranking has changed. If it has changed, take note
of why the change has occurred. Do not discount something that has meaning to you.
3. Start following your dreams. Please make a list of things you would like to do that align
with your values and make plans to start putting them into action.
4. Trust your gut. If you feel that you should pursue an opportunity, trust that feeling,
explore it, and see where it will lead you. When you follow it all the way through, you
may be amazed at the results. Make a list of the things you learned each time you
trusted your gut. It will build confidence in your ability to make good decisions. The
more you move in the direction your intuition leads you, the more you will feel at peace.
When your income is tied to employment, and you want to launch out on your own to
fulfill your dreams, it may be harder to trust your gut because of that income factor.
The feeling to move forward in a new venture may not yet have the financial backing. If
that is the case, do not abort the idea or venture. Make a plan, access your options, and
understand that the potential may be more prosperous, fulfilling, and could lead to even
more excellent opportunities.
5. Don’t be afraid to move forward when you feel that solid push. Avoiding to advance
when you feel that strong urge that resonates with your spirit could very well mean
missing out on a great opportunity. Do not ignore it if you feel led to be in a particular
location or attend an event. You cannot take advantage of an opportunity if you are not
there when it presents itself.
6. If you give a lot to build another person’s dream, you could very well be giving up the
chance to build your own. You shouldn’t have to give up what you feel you are meant
to do to help someone else build their dreams. Find a way to help others without
denying yourself.
7. It’s o.k. to choose you and do what is important to you. Realize the value you will be able to give to others by pursuing the things you desire to do. Recognize that there is a great need for what you have to offer.

Those are the seven simple ways you can use to prioritize your dreams. By making your dreams a priority, you will be happier and find more fulfillment in life. In this, you will change your life and, in some way, be a part of changing the world. Be intentional and purposeful. Don’t let the thought of being selfish cause you to feel guilty. Your dreams are important and should not be ignored.
Let the best part of you show up each day and be energetic. Others will benefit when you give the best of yourself. The most important thing you could ever do for yourself is take action. If you would like to learn more, please schedule a coaching consultation by contacting me at www.heartdesirescoaching.com.