Reclaim Your Dreams

This week I’ve been reading, exploring, and reviewing Reclaim Your Dreams by Jonathan Mead.  In relation to this blog, I’m interested in how this ebook helps us take action, and I’ll be exploring relevant topics in this review.

Jonathan Mead is a writer who wants people to follow their dreams and be true to themselves.   Taking action in his terms comes from realising who you are and what you want.  Your current job and lifestyle may not be what you wish for but even without realising it, you bury your dreams by fitting in, conforming, and generally being “domesticated”.  His blog is over at Illuminated Mind, and it shares a lot more of these thoughts and ideas.  It’s a regular source of inspiration for myself.

Therefore, when an offer came to read his latest ebook Reclaim Your Dreams, I jumped at the chance. In short, Reclaim Your Dreams wants you to wake up and go for those passions and dreams that you are inspired by but cannot realise without changing the way you think.

There are two main sections in the book, broadly broken up into tuning into yourself to discover what you want (Part 1), and then making it happen (Part 2).

I was skeptical of the terrific claims made at the start of the book, but optimistic of what was inside.  It’s easy to make a claim – it’s a lot harder to back it up.  For me personally, when I picked up the ebook, I couldn’t really think of any dreams that stood out or untapped desires I was h0lding back.  I wasn’t going to start dreaming easily – but I was willing to explore.

The Book – Part 1

Part 1 deals with an awakening of self.  Realising that life is not meant to be lived like everyone else, that there are no rules.  Realising that there are literally no barriers stopping you from doing what you want.  It’s actually not easy reading this section.  There are features of the first section that will be troubling for you, even after a second or third reading.   Part 1 was troubling for me in particular as Jonathan proclaims that the reason why we live is to enjoy life. … . Hmm.  Is that it?  Is this a self-centered, greedy outlook on life?   Do we exist just to have a good time?

Well, it’s not about that.   People do all sorts of things that other people wouldn’t enjoy at all.  Many parents devote their lives for their kids, while others wouldn’t dream of having children.  Untold others go beyond the call and live to provide support and create a meaningful existence for those less fortunate.  Your enjoyment of life is all about whether or not you wake up happy, with a feeling of completeness and achievement.  If you’re waking up feeling drained, with a sense of dread, and lacking focus – you are not enjoying life.

It’s time to think about what you want.  Is what you are doing now working towards that aim?  Are you challenging yourself everyday to reach your dreams?  Part 1 really helps to sort your head out so that you can listen to your passions and dreams – and take action.

There’s no question that some people won’t get as much out of the first section.  They might even feel that the book is quietly telling them their 9-5er couldn’t possibly be good for them.  There are people that love going in to the job, even if it’s just to see their old friends and play cards at lunch with them.  It’s only when you can take the time to think and look at your own life that you can get real meaning.  The book isn’t necessarily saying you need leave your job to be happy: just remember that your dreams can become realities – you can build that vegetable garden you’ve always dreamed of, you can start jogging today, and within three months run a marathon.

The Book – Part 2 (and here’s where it gets really good)…

Part 2 is the good stuff, with lots on how to do it – and tries to help you work out what it is.   Defining your dreams is a central part of the book, and as I have already mentioned, something that I wasn’t sure  could work for me.   However, even as doubter, but willing to give it a go, I was able to use the book’s clever techniques to zone out and listen to my passions, my dreams.  This is very different to thinking about your more traditional goals or desires, such as owning your home, working hard, getting a good salary, being nice to animals, etc.  This is about listening to your desires for yourself.

Without giving too much away, one of the most valuable aspects of the book is identifying your values and aligning yourself with those values.  This is achieved by constructing a personal manifesto.  This proves to be a valuable, and very zen-like exercise.  This might not necessarily make you go running to chase your dreams, but it certainly gives you a way of defining yourself in a way that you’ve probably never put to paper.  This section (chapter 4 in part 2) is worth the price of the entire ebook, and is quite exceptional.

One thing I’d also like to expand on is the fact that dreams do change.  Embrace it.  This ebook aims to help you achieve your dreams, and it wouldn’t be much good if your dreams changed so much that you never achieve anything.  It’s important that you’re not just tapping your short-term desires, but your deep-rooted passions.  Dreams and desires  change with circumstance, family, friendships, relationships, jobs, place you live and so much more.

I think a fascinating study of your own life can be completed just by looking at what dreams and desires you’ve had over the years.   Importantly, the process in which the book helps you identify your dreams are looking for underlying passions that you’ve held for years without taking action on, rather than a sudden interest you have for collecting stamps, cooking dinner, or  starting an Emu farm.  Being able to use this book to track your life is a further benefit, and one Jonathan himself may have not realised, but would be proud to know.

Summary

Jonathan Mead is not alone in encouraging people to chase their dreams.  I was reminded in particular of Steve Jobs’ address to graduates of Stanford in 2005 (stay hungry, stay foolish).  This is something which is incredibly important to ourselves.  Exceptional people choose to follow their own dreams until they are happy.  There has never been more encouragement to take action.

Note:  I’d like to thank Jonathan for allowing me to review share his ebook with you.  It’s his passion and zeal which makes the book so readable.  A link to his ebook is here.

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