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Hey Reader,

You have probably heard the phrase "Dream Big" before. But I wonder how many times you have done it. How many times as an adult have you actually let yourself dream big?

I say this because I know, personally, how scary it is to dream big, like really BIG.

Around 10 years ago, "dreaming big" for me looked something like this: Find a stable, high-paying corporate job at a big marketing agency, work with big corporate brands, travel often for work, get awards, have my own office, get into a long-term relationship (as I was always the 'single friend' of my friend's group), maybe get married and create a family, and travel every year for vacations outside the country.

My definition of success and dreaming is a whole lot different now from what it used to be. What I used to consider as dreamy (having a corporate job, going to a personal office, traveling for work, or getting marketing/professional awards) is not even on the radar anymore of what I would like to have in my life.

My 'dream big' back then was dream big but within the scope of what is safe and realistic.

Now, I can see how we are always putting a container on what dreaming big truly means to us.

We do this because being honest about our BIG, enormous, scary dreams feels too daring and bold. We are afraid that by dreaming "too" big, we will set ourselves up to be disappointed when the expectations of what we want are too high and we don't get to accomplish even half of it.

But what I have noticed these last few years of taking more chances and getting to know myself better is that in life, we often take what we think we can get, not what we really want.

Do you know why 90% of the time, we don't get what we want? It's because we don't go after it. (Really, truly, go after it).

• You don't apply for the jobs that you want. You apply for the jobs that are available.
• You don't go for the people you want to date. You go for the ones that you think would say yes to you.
• You don't go for the activities that really light you up. You go for the ones that make sense to you.
• You don't take the opportunities that you want to take. You take the opportunities that you think are for you.

In Spanish, we have a phrase that says, "Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando", which would translate to "Better to have one bird in hand than a hundred flying." It refers to the same meaning of the idiom "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush", which simply states that it is better to hold onto something that we have for certain than to risk losing it by trying to get something that may be better for us but that is uncertain.

I wholeheartedly disagree.

It feels easier to play the game of life by staying in the safe zone, by going for the safe, 'certain' things instead of going for the big, scary-as-heck dreams that we have, for the things we really want.

But it's not true. It will never be easier to take what is 'certain' (what we think we can take), in disregard of what we really want.

Because this is the recipe to living a life of "What If's?"; of "What would have happened if I had tried?", "What would life be like if I took a chance?"

Now, when I think about dreaming big, I don't think about a corporate job, or pantsuits, or awards. I think instead about things that feel quieter (but so much more wholesome to me), like long bike rides in the middle of the week, slow (no meetings) mornings, working in hotels and pretty coffee houses, and traveling often for fun. I think about building a life that allows me to make time to move my body daily, to take nature walks, and to spend time with friends and family.

I also think about things that still scare me (and that seem bigger than me) like creating a 7-figure online business, sharing my voice and creating content online, growing my audience, being able to impact other people's lives, write a best-seller book, create my own workshops, courses, and events, host women's retreats, give talks on scenarios, and do a TED Talk. I think about creating my own family, having kids, being a good mother, and buying a house for my parents to retire in. I think about being able to travel the world and learn new cultures alongside my family, about visiting Japan and learning Japanese (even if it's only to order food at a restaurant, lol), and get to see things like the Egyptian Pyramids, Machu Pichu, and the 7 Wonders of the World.

Now, when I hear the phrase "Dream Big", I allow myself more wiggle room to really dream of what a big life would be for me.

I remind myself often that even though dreaming big may feel scary because our dreams can sometimes feel bigger than ourselves, the more you allow yourself to do it and to be really honest about what feels like success and purpose to you, the more you allow yourself to be guided by them.

The truth of the matter is that your dreams are not there necessarily because you need to completely make them a reality to the letter. Your dreams are there to guide you, to provide you with the directions on the path that will bring you more long-term fulfillment and joy.

Your dreams are there as a manual to help you create a full life on your terms. Get honest about them.

And always ask yourself this: "What is the best that could happen?"

The most incredible of this, is that I can 100% tell you that when you go after your dreams (the real ones), the Universe will surprise you. Because the best things that can happen... you cannot yet even imagine.

How to start dreaming bigger?

5 years ago, I set out on a path to fail more, to take more risks and more chances, and to take more action in my life.

That little decision meant that I needed to be more open-minded about the things I said 'Yes' to and be more courageous and bold when making decisions.

That little shift in how I decided I wanted to live life made possible things I didn't even know were possible for me (and honestly, didn't even know I wanted them to be a possibility either):

• It was what made me go to a variety of fitness events and HITT-bootcamp style classes even when I didn't yet feel like I was fit enough to do those.
• It was what prompted me to go on a first date with a guy from a dating app (Bumble) to fly a private plane together (true story).
• It was what made me give my phone number to a matchmaker looking for possible partners for her clients.
• It was what made me sign up for Improv classes even when I had never considered myself a 'funny' or 'outgoing' person.
• It was what made me say yes to the guy I met through the matchmaker when he invited me to travel with him and his family to Nashville for a marathon, even though we had only known each other for less than two months.
• It was what made me sign up for my first half-marathon, even when I had never run more than 1 mile in my life.
• It was what made me book a cheap flight to San Francisco to travel solo with a friend just because we could.
• It was what made me register to become a Certified Life Coach, even though I felt like I was still lost to what I wanted to do with my own life.

That small decision to be bolder, to take more risks, and to say more "Yes" to what truly felt exciting for me in life, honestly, it changed me. It changed how I saw myself, and that, slowly, was what started changing my life.

So, when asked the question: "How can you start dreaming bigger?"

My response would be to open yourself to the possibilities that your life is already presenting you with. To say "yes" to those opportunities that feel expansive and like they could be an amazing adventure, even when they feel scary and risky (and sometimes, not even the smartest choice).

Because your life is finite. It will end sooner than you know. And so, I believe it's our responsibility to use it to our maximum advantage to go after the things that light us up, that light a spark inside us, even when you have no idea how they would end up being.

Some things will become part of the list of the greatest things you have ever experienced, and others will only be a great story to tell in the future. No matter what, give yourself the permission to experiment and try things that feel totally out of your life but that call to you. (For reference, the guy from Bumble whom I flew a plane with ended up breaking my heart, and the guy whom I went to Nashville with alongside his family ended up becoming my boyfriend).

The 'Opportunity Cost' of your choices

We always talk about the importance of creating a balanced life. To do meaningful work, to engage in hobbies, to take care of your body, to spend time with loved ones, to make space for learning and growing, and to strive to do ALL of these things in a balanced way.

But the truth is that in life, you will experience different stages and, as such, your priorities and how you use your time and energy will change.

There’s only so much time in the day to do things. That means that everything in life has a trade-off associated with it. But everything you do (or don’t do) in your life has a cost.

Every decision you take has an opportunity cost associated with it. Referring to: What are you forgoing to do by choosing to do this instead?

The question then to ask ourselves is this one:

Is the cost of getting what we want worth it?

The cost of doing anything

• People want to go to new places, but most people don’t enjoy the process of getting there (flying, packing, unpacking).
• People want a fit body, but most people don’t enjoy the process of getting it (going to the gym, eating healthy, being consistent).
• People want flexibility of time, but most people don’t enjoy the responsibility of making their own time.
• People want to be in a healthy relationship, but most people don’t enjoy the process of creating one (being vulnerable and open, learning to compromise on some things, managing your emotions, and setting and respecting each other’s boundaries).
• People want money, but most people don’t enjoy the process of getting it (having a 9-5 schedule, long hours, just having a boss, or building your own business).

We often want things, but we don’t want the cost associated with getting those things.

To make any lasting change in your life, you have to first determine if the cost of getting what you want is worth it (or not) based to your values, your priorities, and the stage of life you are in right now.

If you are still unsure, ask yourself this question:

Is the cost of NOT having what you want worth it?

The cost of NOT doing anything (inaction).

The cost of not doing something isn't simply the same as the opposite image of the cost of doing it. But by asking the question, you open yourself to consider the new perspectives and the new risks that appear.

This invites questions like: What is the cost of not doing (X)?; What is the cost of not starting (Y) yet?; What is the cost of not investing time and resources in (Z)?

Is the cost of not doing something (inaction) higher than the cost (what you have to give or invest in return) of doing it?

Answering this question brings you closer to determining what decision you should make moving forward and to start creating real, lasting change in your life that is actually aligned with what you want and what you value.

Everyone wants the dream without having to pay the price.

Doubting your next move? Do this!

Whenever we are doubting and worrying what we should do next, what decision we should take, or what is the “right” path we should follow, oftentimes we want to wait until we are “ready” or until we get some kind of sign that we can go.

One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received when you feel stuck about making a decision or knowing what to do next is to just take ACTION.

👉 Do a small thing that keeps you moving.

Stop worrying if it’s the “right” or “wrong” option, and just do something! Because by moving and acting, you get data, and that will always give you more clarity than just standing still.

To move forward in life, you have to keep on moving (and yes, whenever you feel lost in any area of your life, pause for a moment and notice where you are and where you want to go next, but then make sure you keep on moving).

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JennyCertad✨Mindset is Creatd

Whenever we are doubting and worrying what we should do next, what decision we should take, or what is the “right” path we should follow, oftentimes we want to wait until we are “ready” or until we get some kind of sign that we can go… One of the best pieces of advice I have ever received when you feel stuck about making a decision or knowing what to do next, is to just take ACTION. 👉 To do a small thing that keeps you moving. Stop worrying if it’s the “right” or “wrong” option, and just do something! Because by moving and acting, you get data and that will always give you more clarity than just standing still. To move forward in life, you have to keep on moving. 🙌 (And yes, whenever you feel lost in any area of your life, pause for a moment and notice where you are and where you want to go next, but then make sure you keep on moving 🚗😉). #growthmindsets #takeactionnow #takeachance #keeponkeepingon #keepongoing #selfbelieve #procrastinating #selfdoubt #ichreeladay

♬ Intro - Mad Dog

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A question for this coming week

When you feel that sense of fear, start seeing it as a signal that you are doing something that matters to you, that is new to you, and therefore, instead of avoiding it or stopping, it's something that is simply showing you the way.

Cultivate the discomfort that makes you grow.

Two quotes to start your week strong

Stop trying to 'find' yourself. Start considering the fact that you are always ' creating' yourself, one action, one decision at a time.

There's power in that. Take it.

Whenever you find yourself in a state of judging yourself, consider the unnecessary and unhelpful nature of judgment. Instead, ask yourself:

How can I be kinder, more compassionate and give myself more grace to help myself (and hopefully, others) move forward?

You are a work in progress, and any mistakes or any stuckness you experience in life only means that you are growing, that you are learning, and that you are ready for more.

Enjoy the journey. Release the pressure.

Love creating your mind one day at a time? Forward this to a friend so they can get in on the action and sign up below. Subscribe to The Created Mind Thank you for reading and sharing, Jenny ​​​​

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