Cheri Dixon: A Girl and Her Dog

Dreams….I was just a kid, watching all of the evening soap operas with my mom, when I knew I had dreams and goals in life. I had a few favorites, but what they all had in common was a strong female lead role…and I wanted that to be me one day! I had it all planned out…I would live in Texas (haha, look at me now), drive a red corvette, have a professional job where I would wear suits, I wasn’t sure if I would be married but did not plan for children, and I would be the boss!

Years later…a few of these things have actually come true! I haven’t gotten the corvette, yet, and I have one amazing daughter, but the others are real! And, it did not happen by accident! No, no…it happened because I had a dream, turned it into a goal, and acted on my plan, adjusting along the way. Some call this a vision….and mine definitely was clear!

I have always believed that you cannot get somewhere specific without a good map, right? Now, yes, there are times when I have gotten in the car and just drove in any direction to see where I ended…but if I know there is one certain place I need to go, I need a good map. In life, this map is a clear vision. If you don’t know what you want, how will you achieve it? And, when you get side-tracked, because we all do from time to time, how do you get yourself back on track!

As a strong, driven woman, I started my journey with this clear vision that I wanted so much more out of life than what I saw in my younger every day world. I never wanted to settle for the status quo…although making my dreams come true would take a lot of work, dedication, and sacrifice. I spent time studying instead of playing, I saw a lot of late nights so that I could get work done after my daughter went to bed, and I had to sever ties with friends and some family to make this all happen. It was hard, but in order to make the change that I needed, it was necessary.

I always say, if I can do it, you can too! Recently, I heard someone make a comment about one of my most recent YouTube episodes. The person said something like…yes, she has a lot of good things to say, but she hasn’t been through what I have. If she had, she would not be able to stand up and say she came out winning on the other side. I do want you all to know…life has not been simple for me. Yes, academic work has always been easy for me…and yes, I have had some very supportive people in my corner (but that didn’t happen by accident either). But, at the end of the day….focusing on all that could have gone wrong or all that has happened in my life is not going to get me anywhere…and that is why, if you have the right mindset and focus on your dream…and achieving it by putting in the hard work, I say…if I can do it, you can too!

So, this week, I want you to think about your goals and dreams. Have you become the person you wanted to be many years ago? If not, what has gotten in the way and could you still accomplish all that you want in life? If you have, are you done? Do you strive for more? Self-reflection is so, so important….but knowing your CLEAR VISION of what you want in life, will put you on the right map to finding your success! Until next time! Cheri ❤️