Dream More by Dolly Parton

Sat in Waterstones avoiding the rain, biding time waiting for my friend, a book jumped off the shelf into my hands and had me hooked in a matter of seconds. As a lover all things camp, country and glitzy it’s pretty obvious that Dolly Parton would be up there on my list of inspirational individuals. ‘Dream More’ by Dolly Parton is a collection of stories from the singer-songwriter-actress-philanthropist’s incredible life, along with information she deems important to her own well-being and is consequently the inspiration this Monday’s motivational post.

Dolly Parton shares her philosophy on life in her book based on the commencement speech that she gave to graduating students at the University of Tennessee in 2009, she expands on her beliefs and urges readers to dream more, learn more, care more, and be more. To inspire the dreamer in you I’d love to share with you a few of my own personal philosophies.

1. You need dreams to succeed:

Don’t confuse dreams with wishes. Wishes are fanciful notions that don’t stoke the fire in your belly or drive you to action. Dreams are what you visualise yourself doing, being, seeing, dreams put fire in your belly and drive you to take action. In 2004 I declared I’d move to London and become a fashion designer, some laughed, by 2011 I was living in Mayfair, London managing a team of designers creating collections for international retailers. In 2012 I dreamt I’d run a marathon, by October 2012 I completed the Berlin Marathon in 5hours 11minutes. No matter how ridiculous your dream, without one you are lost.

2. Believe in your dreams:

Whatever you dream, visualise how it’ll feel to cross the finish line, make your first million, graduate with honours. Believe whole heartidly that your dream is achievable. This dog eared belief needs to come from you before you can inspire others to support you in your journey.

3. Be persistent:

By far the most important element to succeeding with any dream is persistance, Persistance, persiverance and a whole load of perspiration are needed to make your dreams come true. Wether your starting your own business, climbing a mountain, training for a marathon, writing a book, making an album or starting a new course. When you declare your dreams you won’t always be met with a supportive, understanding or positive response, some may laugh, some may doubt, it’s these moments when your dog eared belief needs to kick in. Keep going. When realising your dreams, times will get tough, sacrifices are inevitable, defeat is optional. Keep your vision in mind and keep going!

4. Dreams inspire:

Martin Luther King made his famous ‘I have a dream’ speech back in 1963 rallying the support of thousands against all adversity. Share your dreams, dreams inspire, belief in your dreams will be contagious. When Martin Luther King stood on those steps in Washington he didn’t give the ‘I have a plan’ or ‘I have a strategy’ speech, he knew that if he could visualise his dream of a racially equal society then others would share in his dream. Try writing your own ‘I have a dream’ speech’, what would it say?

5. Practice Dolly’s mantra:

In the words of Dolly ‘Dream more, learn more, care more, be more’ Have the courage to dream. Learn all you can about what you are trying to achieve, practice, train, become knowledgable. Care more, give everything you do 100% of your efforts, focus, care about what you are doing, creating or striving to achieve, care that what you are doing is going to benefit others. Be more.

What are your dreams?