Imagine someone who finds themselves at the end of their life, having lived long and prosperously. But when they look back, they realize they had unrealized dreams that would’ve contributed to their overall satisfaction with life. Whether or not they were successful in those dreams didn’t matter. What hurt them the most was that they never even tried. 

I’m currently writing a book about working toward achieving our dreams, and I’ve come to observe that most people are in a state of dream-stalling. A place where they want to achieve their dreams knows how they should achieve their dreams, but for some reason feel as though they are stuck in place, unable to make forward progress in achieving their dreams. 

Many of us harbor dreams and aspirations, whether they involve a successful career, personal growth, or creative pursuits. However, dream-stalling stands in the way of us ever accomplishing those dreams or even ever trying. 

Dream-stalling occurs when we find ourselves trapped in a cycle of inaction, self-doubt, or external challenges that impede our progress toward our goals. 

Before we talk about how to overcome dream-stalling, we have to determine if dream-stalling is what we’re doing. 

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Identifying Dream-Stalling

First, we need to identify whether or not we’re Dream-stalling. Dream-stalling presents itself in five main ways. 

#1 Lack of Progress

One of the primary signs of dream-stalling is a consistent lack of progress towards your goals. If you've been stuck in the same place for an extended period, unable to take significant steps toward your dreams, it may be an indicator of dream-stalling.

#2 Self-Doubt

Self-doubt can be a significant factor in dream-stalling. If you frequently question your abilities, fear failure, or underestimate your potential, it can keep you from taking the necessary actions to realize your dreams.

#3 Procrastination

Procrastination also indicates dream-stalling. If you find yourself constantly delaying important tasks related to your goals, it's a sign that you may be stuck in a pattern of inaction.

#4 Lack of Direction

Sometimes, people stall in pursuing their dreams because they lack a clear plan or direction. Without a roadmap to guide them, they may feel lost and unsure of what steps to take.

#5 External Factors

External factors such as financial constraints, family obligations, or unsupportive social circles can also contribute to dream-stalling. It's essential to recognize when external circumstances are holding you back.

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Overcoming Dream-Stalling

#1 Self-Reflection

Start by taking a step back and reflecting on your goals, aspirations, and the obstacles that have been holding you back. Self-awareness is the first step to overcoming dream-stalling.

Part of why you may be dream-stalling is because the dream you have is no longer something you actually want to pursue, but for whatever reason you’re still holding onto the dream. 

Reflect on the dreams you have and determine if they’re dreams that are worth holding onto and working toward or if they’re dreams you need to let go of. This can help to move you forward and out of the dream-stalling phase. 

#2 Combat Self-Doubt: 

Address self-doubt by developing self-confidence. 

This means setting small, achievable milestones toward your goal that you’re guaranteed to accomplish. And when you do accomplish those milestones, make sure to recognize it. 

When you accomplish these small milestones, you’re proving to yourself that you’re capable of making your dreams come true. 

Often, the reason why we feel like we aren’t equipped to make our dreams come true is because the thought of everything we’ll need to accomplish along the way feels overwhelming, thus making us lose confidence in our ability. 

But if you’re able to decide on one small task you can accomplish and recognize this small win, you start to build the confidence you need to move toward the big win of accomplishing your dream. 

#3 Take Action

Tying into the last point, the most important thing you can do to get out of dream-stalling is just taking action. 

Starting with small, manageable steps, not only allows you to build confidence in your ability but also allows you to gradually work your way toward your dreams.

Deciding to work toward your dreams doesn’t have to be a leap of faith. It can be small steps you take that ultimately lead you down the right path in the right direction. 

Getting out of dream-stalling by taking a step is where doing the bare minimum is actually useful and beneficial. Because doing the bare minimum and taking any sort of small action is better than taking no action. 

#4 Seek Support 

Being in a state of dream-stalling can be overcome by sharing your dreams with family, friends, or others who have similar ambitions. 

It’s incredibly relieving to know that you’re not the only one who’s pursuing their dreams or having a hard time doing so. Hearing that others feel the same way or feel stuck, just like you, can make the journey feel less lonely.

If the journey to achieving your dreams is lonely, it’s not going to be incentivizing to pull yourself up and out of the dream-stalling phase. I mean, no one wants to go about life alone. 

Surrounding yourself with a positive and encouraging support network can help you overcome external challenges.

It can give you hope when you see other people who are just like you, overcoming the same challenges. Ultimately, it can give you the motivation and drive to get out of the dream-stalling phase and push yourself forward. 

#5 Adapt and Learn

Sometimes, you can be stuck in the dream-stalling phase because the journey of pursuing your dreams isn’t going how you anticipated it would, and you’re struggling to know how to pivot. 

Being open to adapting your goals and strategies as you encounter obstacles can be one way of overcoming dream-stalling. 

Embrace setbacks as learning opportunities, and don't be afraid to modify your path as needed.

Often, our white-knuckle grip on our dream or the process is what’s holding us back. Learning to adapt and pivot as necessary doesn’t mean you’re starting over or going backward. It means you’re getting closer to making your dreams a reality. 

Real Talk

Dream-stalling is a common experience that can affect anyone. If you feel like you’re experiencing it, know you’re not alone. 

Recognizing the signs and taking proactive steps to address them is essential for fulfilling your ambitions. Sometimes, we know that we’re stalling our dreams but can’t push ourselves to overcome the obstacles we face. 

 You can break free from the cycle of dream-stalling and move closer to realizing your dreams, but only if you truly want to.

Remember, the journey toward your dreams is a process, and it's never too late to take the first step.