Category Archives: Goal Setting

Dream Derailer #8a: Failure to Respect Our Visions as Sacred

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Visions Are Sneak Previews of Reality

Okay, you’ve prayed, wished, and hoped for something that would give your life meaning and certitude, and now you’ve experienced “that something” in a vision.  You see it in your mind’s eye, but it is not yet real.  You wonder if it is just a vain longing or if it is truly possible to achieve.  You want to believe it is possible, but you find yourself doubting and second-guessing yourself.

How much do you value and respect your dreams and visions?

When we respect something, we don’t take it for granted.  Have you ever thought about where a vision comes from? Humans have always held things as valuable that are rare and precious.  And, what could be more precious than getting a sneak preview of your future potential and possibilities?  We should feel honored to even receive a vision.  Visions come from another realm and because of that should be treated as sacred, for if they were from this realm, they would be visible now.  Our visions are a panoramic guide to show us what is ordained for us, for if we see it, it should make it easier for us to believe it.  And, only when we believe, will we receive.  If you don’t get visions, try spending more time in silent, meditative, and prayerful reflection.  In order to truly respect yourself, you have to respect your dreams.  Respect implies acknowledgment, faith in, and acting on them to bring about their manifestation.

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.

Dream Derailer #6c: Can You Count on You?

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This is the third article in the series on the importance of commitment.  The real questions you must answer honestly for yourself are:

  1. Can you count on yourself?
  2. Would you bet your all on yourself?
  3. Do you believe in yourself?
  4. Do you take the commitments to yourself as seriously as those to other people?
  5. Is your word worth as much when it comes to keeping promises you make to yourself?
  6. Are the words you say to yourself encouraging, supportive, and loving?

Any answer other than “yes” is a possible, perhaps an even probable, dream derailer.  Do you remember how it feels to be let down by someone?  It is disheartening to say the least.  And, the closer that person is to you, the worst it feels.

How Many Times Have You Let Yourself Down?

Well, have you ever thought about the deleterious effects of not even being able to depend on your own self either?  How must that make one feel?  What do you think that does to one’s self esteem to realize that they can not even rely on their own self?  How many times have you let yourself down, set a goal and then ignored or abandoned it?  If you want to be happy, hopeful, and successful, be the one person you can rely on and trust.  Be honest with yourself.  If you make a promise through a goal, follow through on it.  Build that self-trust and with it your self-esteem and personal power.

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.

Dream Derailer #6b: 5 Signs of Commitment

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Now, the question you must answer honestly is, “Am I interested or committed to my own success, relationships, education, or whatever it is you are striving for.  To understand more clearly what I mean by being interested or committed, ponder this little tale of a pig and a chicken’s contribution to a bacon and egg breakfast, the chicken is interested, the pig is committed! When we commit to our dreams we make a vow, a promise, or a pledge, to be reliable, steadfast, and to give it our all.  We see our goal or dream as an obligation and then we do what we must to see it through.  Five signs of commitment are:

  1. You give your word, keep your word, and make that promise a priority.
  2. Your goal is foremost in your consciousness, conversations, and thoughts.
  3. You have a plan and you work on it faithfully, diligently and with regularity.
  4. You give it your all, and…
  5. You don’t give up!

You must go after your dreams with the same commitment you would have if you were fighting a gorilla.  You don’t give up when you get tired; you give up when the gorilla gets tired.

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.

Dream Derailer #5- Succumbing to Negativity

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My dad used to always say, “Smile and the world will smile with you.”  A surefire way of getting off track with your dreams is to succumb to the negative people, beliefs, attitudes, and perspectives of those you come in contact with.  When we allow the negativity to take hold, we relinquish our power.

How do you see the world?

Remember the computer acronym, WYSIWYG (what you see is what you get).  Meaning, what you choose to see greatly influences your outcome.  Your power is in your perception and perspective.  If you believe you will succeed, you will!  If you see the glass as half full, it’s half full.  If you see it as half empty, that version can also become your reality.  The point is that you have free will and how you choose to see a situation paints your reality.  If you see the world as an unjust, hateful, unforgiving, and cruel place, that  will be your reality.  If you see the universe as abundant, beautiful, and loving, that perspective will color your world.  It is what you decide it is.

Negativity Comes in Many Forms

Negativity comes in all forms and all of them are dangerous.  Whether it is your thoughts, the people you choose to be in your inner circle, what you read, listen to, or watch, or just the physical environments around you, it all affects you.  There are inspiring people, uplifting thoughts, and nurturing environments just as there are negative thoughts, toxic people, and discouraging environments.  The point is, in order to stay on track and keep moving towards your dreams (in spite of all the obstacles), you’ve got to have the right attitude.  Our attitudes and outcomes are affected by the people we hang around with and the environments we choose to be influenced by, so choose them carefully.  We know how hard it is on us when others give up on us, so above all, don’t give up on yourself.

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.

Ten Tips for Tackling Procrastination Tendencies

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It’s human nature to do the easiest, the most enjoyable, or the work we feel the most confident doing, but that doesn’t make it the most important.  Denis Waitley describes procrastination as, “The fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the “someday I’ll” philosophy.” Ten tips for tackling procrastination tendencies are below:

  1. Have a compelling WHY?–  Are the reasons for working on this particular goal more compelling than what you are already doing?  Because if what you are doing is more important, there really is no good reason to abandon what you are doing to do something else.  If you don’t have a compelling enough reason to start, persevere, and to finish, you won’t!
  2. Create a plan to keep that reason visible and front and foremost in your consciousness.  If you have a compelling WHY and still find yourself procrastinating or forgetting, get a plan.   Constantly remind yourself of why you chose this goal.  Write the reasons on index cards, place them in strategic locations where you know you will see them, affirm your goals, and spend time thinking and acting on them.
  3. Tease yourself. Sometimes the hard part is to just get started.  In this case, give yourself a simple doable time limit, say fifteen minutes.  Usually you will get a momentum going and continue past the time initially proposed.
  4. Be clear about the benefits of achieving this goal and the consequences of not doing anything. Sometimes it is that clear vision of the benefits that provides the motivation to keep moving in the direction of your goals. While positive motivation is my preference, some people are motivated more by fear.  The fear of failure or the fear of the negative consequences is enough to get them motivated and continually motivated.
  5. Have a plan  of what you need to do. Just having  a vague idea of what you want and how you are to do it is not enough. – It’s easy to get distracted or sidetracked, a plan of action is critical to making sure that you stay on task.

I’m Barbara Talley, the poet who speaks and inspires.  To find out more about me check out: What Does Barbara Do? or visit  my website.