Embracing Big Dream Delays

Last updated on October 10th, 2024 at 06:37 pm

I have been an overachiever for as long as I can remember (since birth, I think!). So, when a dream takes longer to manifest than what I’ve hoped or anticipated, it can be challenging.

I’m used to setting goals and making things happen. And my favorite speed is the speed of light.

I like to manifest things quickly and often can make a dream become a reality once I can envision it clearly. I believe we live in a magical world and that possibilities are infinite.

Sometimes, however, the universe seems to have its own timetables.

I am currently in a situation in which I am forced to practice patience while working on realizing a dream. I freely admit that patience is not my favorite virtue.

However, there are times when big goals and dreams require a team and a significant amount of time to manifest. I am reminding myself of this today and doing my best to enjoy all the steps along the way as I work on this dream.

Sometimes, we can find happiness in just embracing all the steps along the journey of living our dreams. If we can remember that it’s all a learning process and that the universe is conspiring to help us succeed, it can be easier to enjoy the journey, even when it’s not moving forward according to our desired timeframe.

My First Commercial Property! 

Over a year ago, I purchased a downtown Troy, New York property with a team of investors. I’ve been in love with this building for more than a decade, and when it suddenly became available at a very low price, I decided I needed to make it my next project.

The former “Up-to-Date” building, which once housed a high-end clothing shop, is elegant, grand even. It has 18-foot-high tin ceilings on the first floor, stained glass windows in the front of the building, and a dramatic staircase cutting through the middle of the first floor. A balcony on the landing is about 10 feet up.

It’s basically the most beautiful and biggest commercial space currently available in downtown Troy (I may be biased, but I believe this to be the case, and others have agreed with me). It’s an honor to own and decide the future of this space. However, it is also a challenge because its size, compared to other downtown commercial spaces, means that the rent is higher.

Our space is 2,600 square feet on the first floor, plus a small 200-square-foot management office. The second-floor open loft space is approximately 2,000 square feet.

Many downtown retail spaces are closer to 800 to 1,000 square feet. So despite the fact that we’re charging market-rate rent, nothing more than other spaces in terms of the price per square foot, the overall cost for the space is more because it is big.

It’s a big space meant to help someone manifest big dreams. My hope and prayer is that the restaurant, bar, shop, gallery, or company that needs this space will appear soon so that my team can begin to generate a return on our investment and downtown Troy will benefit from a new vision brought to life.

Finding The Right Match 

Screening prospective tenants is a bit like dating. You want to find a lasting match.

You want to find someone who’s looking to invest for the longer term, not just a one-night stand. You want to find someone whose dreams and energy are a good match for yours.

You want to find someone you can count on. And ideally, you want someone whose vision lights you up.

If you are going to sign a multi-year commercial lease, it really is worth the time to find someone who is a true match. It’s a big investment for a tenant and a big risk for a landlord to sign a commercial lease. We’ve screened many prospective tenants, and we just haven’t found the right match yet. I have to believe we will find the right tenant soon.

Cultivating Patience When Things Are Challenging 

What are your top strategies for cultivating patience when things are challenging?

I admit that I struggle with this at times. Right now, my approach is to embrace all the opportunities that come my way and to remember my original vision for this building.

I am looking at each opportunity as a chance to connect with interesting people looking to manifest their dreams. I am reminded that sometimes the universe has a plan even bigger than our original plans, so who knows what’s wanting to materialize in this building.

I am taking action steps and keeping the faith. One of my favorite prayers for any goal or dream is “this or something better.” I try to remember to say that prayer, trusting that “this or something better” is manifesting in all areas of my life, no matter my wish, dream, or prayer.

I have meetings with week with prospective tenants. I pray that we find someone soon who will bring this building alive in a way that also makes their dreams come true.