Even Though You Have Bipolar Disorder, You Can Turn Your Dreams into Reality

I want to diverge, but only slightly, from my typical job and work related articles and blogs. Today I want to talk about dreams, and no, not the type that come to you when you are sleeping. Today's topic is on your goals and aspirations otherwise known as your dreams. What do you want to have, what do you want to do, and what do you want to become. These are three very different types of goals.

Having relates more to owning things. What do you want to drive? What type of home do you want to live in? Where do you want to live? What things do you want to own - boat, motorcycle, vacation home, large screen TV, entertainment system galore, etc.

Doing relates to activities. These may include places you want to visit like Rome, Paris, London, Washington D.C., Disney World, or any other place that holds an interest for you. These can also include related activities such as swimming with dolphins, snorkeling in Cancun, sky diving, taking a hot air balloon ride, or climbing a 14,000 ft mountain, known as 14ers in Colorado. You might want to learn a new sport like tennis, bowling, basketball, or baseball. These all relate to doing something.

Being is a bit different in that it relates to who you want to become. Do you want to be known as an Olympic Gold Medal winner, a famous composer or artist. These are forms of being. But some of the most satisfying forms of being are along the lines of being the world's best mom or dad, being the trusted individual that anyone can talk to, being the most helpful employee around, or being a great spiritual leader in your community. The interesting thing is that if you focus on being your best in whatever chosen profession you are in, then the money to do the activities and have things will normally follow.

So how do you make what you what to have, do, and become into reality. First, you need to identify very clearly what you want. Write it down! I can not express the importance of putting your dreams onto paper or in your computer enough.

Then, create a dream board. Either electronically or physically, but find pictures of the things you want to have, do, and become. Put these on your screen saver if you are doing this electronically or build a dream board. I prefer the physical dream board the most. I have lots of pictures on it and it is in a place that I see daily. That is another important thing, once you have put all your pictures up and maybe some labels, you need to put it in a place that you will actually see it everyday.

Your mind is a wonderful place even if you do have bipolar disorder, it still will work to give you ideas on how to achieve your goals. It is important to research and act on the ideas that you get. The difference between a dream board and a wishing well, is that they dream board holds your goals and aspirations that lead to action. Action that will get you to a state of accomplishment. A wishing well is just a place to throw your coins in and make a wish that may never come true.

Turning your dreams into reality is usually hard work, but you first must identify what you want to have, do, and become. Then write it down, gather pictures that represent those dreams and post them electronically or physically in a place you will see each day. Then comes the action. Determine what steps you need to take to accomplish those dreams and start marching down the path to get them.

I wish you the best in all your pursuits.

For more information, go to www.ThrivingWithBipolarDisorder.com.

Author: Cassandra L. Good, MA