What a journey this has been launching “The Dream Studio” and making the decision to dedicate my life to helping others “create a life without limits.” Before I began the journey, I prayed that God would “authenticate” my gift and equip me to help people live their dreams by teaching me how to live mine. Now that was a TALL order… But, it’s 2015 and there is access to more information than we ever thought imaginable! Right now, you can hear from motivational, leadership, and inspirational gurus on your smart phone or tablet by visiting YouTube® and if you like what you hear, you’re able to immediately download their book onto that same device for you to read in an INSTANT. For that reason, much to my chagrin, my husband Rufus would always ask me, “Why should people listen to you… Why does what you have to say matter?” Now after I got finished folding my arms across my chest and belting out a “because I’m fabulous” idiom I came to the realization that people may not agree with your beliefs, methods, or process, but they cannot deny RESULTS! So I knew then that it is all about making what I believe manifest in my own life and doing so will qualify me to assist others with their pursuit of destiny. Yes, I had to be the first to “drink my own Kool-Aid!”

Part of my process and method that I use on my pursuit of destiny is to take the time to systematically “reflect.” It is the truth that you “know” that will set you free (John 8:32 NIV). The truth in itself is useless until you expand your understanding. So taking this time to look back over my schedule month-by-month, each meeting, review how I’ve spent my time, and look at my “wins,” and review my “losses” allows me the opportunity to identify my gaps, maximize my strengths, and fortify my weaknesses. I’ve had great successes such as having transformational leaders like Jack Canfield, Co-Author of Chicken Soup for the Soul, and Dr. Sam Chand, Change Architect contribute to my blog posts, as well as, the launch of the Dream Studio Radio Show on which I’ve had the privilege of interviewing DeVon Franklin, Sony Executive and Author of “Produced By Faith,” and mentors that have “taught me to see farther than my eyes can look,” like my Pastor, Bishop C. Carl Smith.

But for every success, and moment that I have been grateful for, my greatest challenge has been how to remain focused on being CONSISTENT in my pursuit in the midst of “life happening.” Each of us has a star within us that shines brightly, but discipline and being consistent is what prevents you from being a “shooting star…” Here today, and gone tomorrow! My dream didn’t exempt me from the responsibilities of parenting, my commitments as a wife, recovering from illness, or mourning the loss of my beloved “Noni.” You know what I mean… There were times when I would come from a high-impact meeting, have a fantastic interview or coaching session, and be met with piles of laundry running from the laundry room into the hallway (I know that’s not just at my house), parent permission slips that need to be signed, grocery shopping late night for lunches in the morning, or simply was “too tired and didn’t feel like it.” I talked about how to overcome some of those challenges in my video blog post, “How to Dream When Things Get Real:”

One of the greatest things that my time of reflection revealed is that I would “sweat the small stuff,” and not “sweat the big stuff.” I would forgo writing blog posts to return emails, dismiss my daily exercise to wash dishes, or get distracted by time wasters like the weekly reality shows that would not allow me to get the proper rest to maximize the potential of the following day. I would “sweat the small stuff,” and would make the “big stuff” optional. Here’s what I’ve learned:

Identify the “Big Stuff”

You’ve got to know what the “big stuff” is for your dream! When you go bowling with your friends and family, you know that your objective is to knock down the ten pins at the end of the lane. Knocking them all down at once is a “strike,” knocking a few down is a “spare,” and then there’s the “gutter ball,” when you don’t knock down any. But, the point is you know CLEARLY what your objective is and your “end result,” is identified. Many don’t identify the “big stuff” in their lives and live life bowling with a blindfold on, not knowing what they end objective is, if they got a strike, spare, of bowled a gutter ball!

You’ve got to know what your end result clearly is… How do you define “winning?” Once that is identified, the “pins” represent the “big stuff” that is used to help achieve that goal. For me, reading and studying great dreamers, journaling, watching video footage of inspirational and motivational speakers, writing, and preparing for video and radio programming is the “big stuff” that consistently helps me pursue my dreams? What is your big stuff?

Don’t Sacrifice the “Greater for the Lesser”

I’ve identified the “big stuff” in my life and would often sacrifice developing those habits that were tied to my destiny in lieu of “sweating the small things” that had me tied to my current reality. I have seven email accounts that I manage that I not only have access to on my computer that I’m on the majority of the day, but also is with me 24/7 on my iPhone. Every time I receive an email, I’ll receive a pop-up alert, a chime, or a buzz letting me know that everyone from advertisers, clients, and friends wants a “piece of my attention.” Just like Pavlov’s Dog I would respond to every pop-up, chime, and buzz that would consume me with web-surfing or responding to someone else’s version of “urgent” and would sacrifice the greater for the lesser.” What part of your dream are you sacrificing for a present reality that you are dissatisfied with?

Limit Your Time on the “Small Stuff”

There are days when I’ll look at my calendar and see that I’m “free” for great block of time. I say, “Great!” I’ll have time to get my “small stuff” done so I can work on my “big stuff” that pushes me towards my dreams. Almost without fail, if I had four hours free, I’d use all four hours on “small stuff!” Now I give myself goals to limit my time on the “small stuff” like, sticking to my shopping list and getting in and out of the store in thirty-minutes (versus the hour that it would normally take me), finishing cleaning the kitchen in twenty-minutes, or limiting me time responding to email to two, one-hour blocks of time instead of stopping what I’m doing to respond when I receive them. How can you begin to limit your time on the “small stuff” so that you can maintain your focus on the “big stuff?”

Never Make the “Big Stuff” Optional

To stop “sweating the small stuff” and “start sweating the big stuff” you can NEVER make your “big stuff” an option. For those that are asthma suffers, when under attack everything stops and the most important thing becomes restoring oxygen to the lungs. There is NOTHING they want more than that “next breath.” You’ve got to want your DREAM like you want your next breath. There can be NOTHING more important in your day than focusing on the “big stuff” that will help you “create a life without limits.”