Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Big Dreams: Small Steps



Like I mentioned last Tuesday, every Tuesday I'm linking up with Holley Gerth about God-sized Dreams for the next six months.  So this week, we're suppose to write about small steps we've taken towards our dreams. The smaller, the better. So...here they are.

Dream No. 1: Have my ideas made into family friendly apps.  Steps:
  1. Called a friend who knows something about app development. Got some great (and overwhelming) ideas from him on things to think about and consider.  
  2. Researched college courses about app development at two local colleges...not finding much. 
  3. Checked into professional app development options.
  4. (Okay, this isn't productive...just reality.) I cried. I.am.in.over.my.head. Honestly, I want to give up already. How pathetic is that?!  And yet, I can't.  My dream bubbling up in me won't let me quit.  I'm just stuck. I MUST think of a next step.  One baby step at a time...right?
Dream No. 2: Use my story/journey of healing to encourage others (currently, pursue publishing memoir) Steps.
  1. I wrote a query letter to a literary agent a year ago. Yes, an entire year ago. And it has sat in my computer since then. So I reopened it. Tweaked it. Made sure it included everything she was looking for.
  2. I checked and made sure she was still 'looking for' memoirs. 
  3. I reread through my memoir and made some more revisions. 
  4. Then, maybe. just maybe. before I could chicken out, (again!), I just put it all in an email and hit the 'send' button. Then I held my breath. And I closed my eyes and pictured myself placing the whole thing in God's hands.  If this God-sized dream is really from Him, then He will make a way for it to happen.  I just have to take one step of faith after another. 
  5. I entered a contest to win free publication of my book. 
  6. I've been reading more on building a platform (ie, an audience).  I've been thinking of this since late fall, and I've been trying to be more intentional.  For example, I'm actually trying to use twitter. I don't really like it. at all. but I'm trying to find the benefits.  And I'm trying to grow my platform.  I've gone from no followers to 50 in about 2-3 months.  Gotta start somewhere, right?   
  7. Also, in regards to platform, I've also added 'followers' on the side of my blog.  I find this embarrassing  Only 6 followers. Yes.  But my blog has always been personal, for family, for friends.  They just follow it and comment through my FB posts. I've never cared about followers.  Yet, this building a platform/audience seems like a big deal in the publishing world these days. And it makes since. So, I'm trying to add 'official' followers.  And to all of you who have followed and read my blog for years...thanks (and if you want to become and official 'follower' - just follow along in the sidebar!)
So, there's my small steps from the past couple of weeks.  Small beginnings. I hope you've had the courage too to take small steps have you taken towards your God-sized dreams! Together, we can do this!
Aprilverse
Love this I found over at Home Sanctuary blog.

9 comments:

Mel said...

Hi, Cathy! :)

Just reading through your post was so inspiring...you've made some pretty big intentional steps toward reaching your goals. Way to go! :) And if it helps, I don't like Twitter, either. (Though I will go check to make sure I'm following you!) I don't know how to use it effectively and find it overwhelming, so you're not alone there! Hang in there, and like you said...baby steps.

Keeping you in my prayers as we continue this journey of dreaming together! I'm so thankful you are part of it! Have a wonderful day! :)

Mandy said...

Bravo, Cathy! That's a whole lot of progress--I hope you celebrate that with something yummy or pretty or just soul-filling:) Also, I am not very fond of Twitter myself. I use it sparingly, so I hear you on that. Thank you SO much for the wonderful words you left on my post today. I'm so blessed to have dreamers like you in my corner!

Alyssa said...

Great steps you're on the right track! Keep going. God's got this!

Lisa said...

Oh, baby-steps girl...You can get there!! Loved this post, Cathy!

I can totally relate to what you said about creating a following, and how it feels so awkward in the process. I'm trying to do the same thing with my blog.

I have to admit, I'm not very good at twitter. I barely keep up on facebook. BUT I'm so happy to be your 8th follower {8 just so happens to be my lucky #}

BTW, I love the scripture you used from Zech 4:10. We must have been thinking the same thing, because I used that exact one in my post today :)

So grateful to be on this journey with you, and look forward to reading that memoir of yours!

Cathy said...

Oh, Thank you everyone for your kind words!

@Mandy- I am not good about pausing and celebrating - thank you for the reminder! I.must.do.that!

@Mel & @Lisa - I'm also glad to hear I'm not the only one who has 'issues' with twitter! :)

Amy said...

WOW! What a list of steps you have taken. That is great. I especially love steps 6 & 7 on dream #2. I too have been working to build my platform but it seems to be going so slow. I pray that God will increase you territory as you remain faithful.

PS I have trouble keeping up on twitter, too.

Anonymous said...

Girl, wow, so many steps! And you already hit the "I cry and want to quit" step and pressed on. Woo-hoo! That is an important milestone (and will probably happen again). Go get 'em, strong and beautiful dreamer!

Anonymous said...

So many steps already taken! So proud of you and encouraged by you (yes, even by the "cry and want to quit" step that so many of us have hit or will hit). Many blessings to you on this journey!! Can't wait to continue with you :)

Cathy said...

I love reading all your comments! Thanks for all the encouragement - it makes me smile inside and out!