What’s Your Dream?

EDITION 001

4 minute read

Dreams. Everyone has a dream. I don't mean what happens when we go to sleep. I mean the ideas, plans and hopes we hold in our hearts. In this first edition of the Colour Club email, I want to share my thoughts about dreams and hopefully leave you feeling motivated and inspired to go after yours. At the very least, you will know me a little better.

We all have different dreams. You may want to perform on stage in the West End, run the London Marathon or enter the Great British Bake Off. Some may dream of finding a loving partner. Others, it may be an idyllic holiday, a new home, or simply paying your heating bill this winter. You may be like me and have a business dream; although I didn't always dream of business, at one stage in my life, I dreamt of not living at home with my parents in my 30s. For my husband, it was to race at the Olympics and row the Atlantic, but right now, it is to beat depression and fear of failure. I also dream of owning the Lego Home Alone house; perhaps that seems insignificant compared to the others, but my point is no dream is too small. They all have importance and are valued.

We likely have several dreams. I would like to know if anyone has just one. But we probably each have a few that are pretty big and seem impossible. It is those dreams that I want to think about today. You know, the dreams that make you feel a little sick, scare you slightly, or maybe a lot. And run so deep that you can't utter the words out loud without risking also crying and turning into an emotional wreck that only dogs can hear. I know you know what I'm talking about.

Bryant Park Winter Village Painting by Ge Zhan

I am going to share with you a particular business dream I have. I have an overall goal of being a full-time artist. But I also have a specific dream that one day, and I am determined, I will fulfil.

I dream of having a kiosk at the Bryant Park Winter Village in New York City. Filling it to the brim with my Christmas baubles and bringing the God Colours to what I consider the most fantastic city on earth. There you go, I've said it out loud. My husband is the only person I have ever told that. And now I am sending it to an email list of a few hundred people. Heaven help me!

But saying it out loud is the hardest part. Phew, I've done it. But why am I talking about this? And why am I telling you about this dream in particular? Well, I don't tell people about this dream because, to me, it seems silly. It feels embarrassing to think about it, let alone admit that I want it to happen. It's impossible, right? So, how ridiculous and naive am I for even thinking it. It seems far-fetched, so I will bottle it up, do nothing about it and never tell anyone. How many of you feel that way about your dreams? Afraid to share them because you fear other people will think you are silly for even supposing it's possible.

The problem with bottling up our dreams and burying them is all they will ever do is stay hidden. They will never see the light of day, and they won't happen. They will forever be a dream and never become a reality. We are the only ones that can make our dreams happen. No one else will do it for us.

So I am here to tell you that your dream is not silly. I want you to have the confidence to believe your dream is possible. Take 3 mins to imagine with me for a moment. Turn off your phone and social media, and clear your mind. Put the nagging thoughts aside. The ones telling you this is ridiculous because your dream can never happen. And allow your brain to imagine what it would be like if your dream was a reality. Don't dismiss it and say it's impossible. Actually, for a moment, believe it is possible. Don't get scared, don't hide, don't run away.

Now, let us address those nagging thoughts that won't go away. Failure and dreams go hand in hand. One of the most significant barriers to following our dreams is we are afraid of failing. What if it doesn't work? What if no one is interested? What if I can't achieve it, and I waste all this time trying? Do any of those sound familiar? But what if we changed the word failure to obstacle. An obstacle is something we can overcome. Failure implies defeat and the end of something.

I'm not going to sugarcoat it. Following our dreams is hard work. It will lead to disappointment and frustration, and you will want to give up more than once. But through determination and persistence. The late nights, the tears, the heartache, the mistakes. All of these things become part of your story. As you find solutions and overcome obstacles, learn and not give up. That is where dreams become a reality.

So, we all agree that your dream is not silly. We believe it is possible and that you won't fail. Now, what is your next step? What can you do today to get closer to that dream?

My next step was to tell you about my dream. It can only happen if I let it out of the bottle and imagine it is possible. So that's what I have done. Now you all know about it, I have to do something about making it happen.

But what is your dream? I want to encourage you along your journey and cheer you on. Genuinely I do. So reply to this email and tell me your dream. Maybe that is what you need to do to take the next step in making it happen. What's stopping you?

Michelle xx