If you’re not living the life you dream of living, perhaps you haven’t met cheerleader and dream coach Charlene Ridley.
As a dream coach, it is Charlene’s hope that people will unpause their wild and crazy dreams in order to live the life they see themselves living.
“I empower people to get what they want professionally and personally, and I really believe the world would be a more harmonious place if they actually did the things that lit them up!” Charlene told THE BLOCK.
In a quick sit down with Charlene, we got to ask the questions you’ve asked yourself but could never find the right answers.
On transitioning out of what’s comfortable to what you dream of:
Charlene first shares that you should know what your dream is “right now.” Embrace the fact that certain dreams are attached to certain life seasons. But if you can define what it is you want today, you can create tangible steps to get there.
What Charlene would ask you: When your head hits the pillow at night, what would a perfect day look like? What would you be doing?
On limiting beliefs and conquering fear:
“If you are asking yourself if there’s a place for you, you are already holding yourself back.”
Charlene reminds us that who you are and what you do is needed in this world. No one can create exactly as you do. No one is you, therefore the work that you are producing is for someone, and that’s why you should keep going. Altering the thoughts of the mind will set you up to bulldoze past the walls of fear that try to stop you. When you know your “why,” you can conquer any “how.”
What Charlene would have you do: Write down what you’re passionate about and then write a list of 10 people or things that would benefit from what you have to give.
On getting unstuck:
Write it all down! If there’s one theme that Charlene could share, it’s that writing it all down helps you to see the big picture. When you have a more complete view, you’re able to assess what’s next.
First, it’s important to define what success and accomplished looks like to you. This will be different for everyone, but as you think about what’s coming, what would a successful hour, day or life look like for you. Secondly, ask yourself “What does peace look like?” Going from high stress life to high stress life isn’t ideal to living a dream life, so you must also define what a peaceful life would look like.
What Charlene would ask you: What do you want right now? Think of nothing else but what you want in this moment.
On mastering the art of the pivot:
It’s always the hope that the pivot will be graceful. The Great Resignation has been the result of people deciding what actually matters in their life as things have completely changed. When we are confronted with these life situations, Charlene shares it’s important that we “get still.”
Take inventory of where you are and where you want to go. work to make decisions from a place of stillness, not chaos.”
Charlene ridley
Be mindful that a pivot can be as simple as a step in a direction; it doesn’t need to be a whole new life. You get to make more than one big decision.
What Charlene would tell you: Your view on life will change the direction you want to go. To change your view point, get into spaces of people who think a little differently than you do, who appreciate different art, who have different passions. And as you move into your pivot, you will be in a position to say, ‘It happened because of the experience.’”
What She Would Advise to Creatives:
You do not have to have it all figured out by 18. As you go through life trying to hit all the milestones, take a step back and ask yourself, “Am I happy with this?” Understand that you are entitled to make more than one life decision. And if you ever feel like you’re losing your passion, or it’s not your thing anymore, consider that it’s the stress of being a “solo-preneur.” You were designed to create, and perhaps you need a team to do the business work so you can do what you were born to do. Find power in your tribe that can help you grow in business and beyond.
If you loved this little taste, be sure to connect with Charlene Ridley to unpause your dreams and start waking up excited for your day.
Connect with Charlene on Instagram.
