• LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US

8WomenDream

Dream Big Stories

  • HOME
  • ABOUT
  • CONNECT
You Are Here Home » HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM » The Secret to Turning Dreams into Reality

in HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM

The Secret to Turning Dreams into Reality

Last updated on July 1st, 2022 at 02:06 pm

The Secret to Turning Dreams into Reality - Cinderella never asked for a prince quoteIt has been a lifelong dream of mine to be a book author. That’s what I wanted when I was a little girl, and it’s what I wanted when I graduated from college.

Yet as often happens in life, some dreams get deferred along the way. I took a more practical path and stepped into PR and marketing jobs, fresh out of college. It was a steady paycheck. I figured I could be a freelance writer on the side, and work my way up to writing books in a few years.

In the Meantime, Life Happened…

Somehow “life happened” instead, and before I knew it, I was a wife, community leader, and swing dance instructor in Troy, NY. Somewhere along the way I was asked to run for public office. That led to a year at Harvard, earning my Master in Public Administration degree.

And to a job with San Francisco Mayor, Gavin Newsom, and to three spectacular years in San Francisco. As well as a divorce!

It was a time of many changes. A house fire brought me back to Troy in 2008, and led me to re-open the question of whether or not I wanted to run for office.

Moving Toward One Dream…

Earlier this year, I met with the local Democrats about opportunities. I was recruited to run for County Legislature, and came tantalizingly close.

I lined up endorsements, found a campaign manager, and started thinking through my platform, campaign, budget. Yet days before the filing deadline, I realized it wasn’t my time. I wanted City Hall, not county government.

My real dream was to be the mayor. I am also clear that I want to start a family in the next ten years. Somehow running a city doesn’t strike me as the ideal career choice while popping out babies.

I decided to wait.

Only To Reawaken Another…

At the time I was dating a former professional football player who is now a banking superstar. He is the kind of man who lives his dreams — when he sets his sights on something, he simply makes it happen.

I told him about my book idea, and he said,

“Babygirl, why don’t you just write it then? “What are you waiting for?”

He asked me to commit to writing a book proposal by the end of 2009.

That was in September.

Since then, I have hired a writing coach and joined 8 Women Dream. I turned in my first book chapter last week. I have written 80 pages so far, and my target deadline to complete my manuscript is 10/10/10.

The Secret To Turning Dreams into reality …

The secret to turning your dreams into reality is simple — TAKE ACTION!

My friend, Sara, who is a Grammy-nominated, Harvard-educated, world-traveling symphony conductor, put it this way:

 “You have to take steps toward your dreams.  If you do not take action, your dream will remain a static regret.  If you move toward your dream, it may change. The important thing is to take the steps.”

Amen to that!

You also have to make sure to begin taking action right away while you have energy and enthusiasm about your idea – before you have the chance to second guess yourself.

Lisa Powell Graham

Related Stories:

  • Encouragement quote
    A Secret for Turning Negative Thoughts Into Positives
  • An obstacle is often a stepping stone
    Turning Obstacles Into Stepping Stones
  • From sketch to painting
    Creating Confidence Turning Photos into a Pin-up Girl
  • Maggie_Doyne
    Teenage Dream to Start a School Turns Into a…
Lisa Powell-Graham
Lisa Graham

Lisa P. Graham is an inspirational writer, life coach, TED motivational speaker, and globe-trotter whose passion is to help others to find happiness and meaning in their daily lives. A political activist at heart, Lisa would like to empower more women to run for political office as a way to create positive change in the world. You can find her on her website or watch her TEDx speech on YouTube.

Note: Articles by Lisa may contain affiliate links and may be compensated if you make a purchase after clicking on an affiliate link.

Filed Under: HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM

Some of the posts on 8WD contain affiliate links or links to purchase products or programs from 8WD contributors. This means 8WD or the contributor may make a small commission if you make a purchase. The 8WD affiliate links help offset the cost of hosting this website and the contributor links help support the dreams of the contributor. Please check out the 8WD Legal Page for more details.

Thank you for your continued support!

« Are Your Dreams On Hold For The Holidays
How One Riding Lesson Can Make All the Difference »

Check it out

  • LAUNCH YOUR DREAM
  • BE A MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER
  • STARTING OVER MIDLIFE
  • HAPPINESS THROUGH ACTIVISM
  • TRAVEL THE WORLD
  • GET HEALTHY & FIT
  • BUILD SELF-CONFIDENCE
  • BRAVE LIVING
  • WRITE WITH US


The 8WomenDream Dream Tote Bag

About the 8WomenDream Tote Bag
US – 10oz Cotton
Dimensions (External Dimensions)
• Height – 18″ (45.72cm or 457.2mm)
• Width – 15″ (38.1cm or 381mm)
Handle Dimensions (Internal Dimensions)
• Length – 29″ (73.7cm or 736.6mm)

Recent Dream Stories

  • 8 Solstice Traditions for Focusing on Your Big Dream this Year
  • Winter Solstice: What Will You Do With 1 Minute More?
  • Why Halloween Costumes Can Help Discover Your Big Dream
  • How the Equinox Can be a Catalyst for Change
  • 5 Strategies to Live Your Wildest Dreams
  • Starting Over as a Single Mom Wasn’t My Big Dream
  • Warning: Big Dream to Be a Motivational Speaker Won’t Always Obey Your Plans
  • Dance to Relieve Stress to Focus on Your Big Dream

Inspiration

More About 8WD

WE BELIEVE EVERYONE HAS THE POWER TO ACHIEVE BIG DREAMS.
 
IT IS OUR SINCEREST WISH THROUGH THE SHARING OF PERSONAL STORIES ABOUT WHAT IT’S LIKE TO TRY TO ACHIEVE A BIG DREAM THAT WE WILL INSPIRE YOU GO AFTER A BIG DREAM TOO.
 
YOU CAN FIND OUT MORE ABOUT 8WOMENDREAM, HERE.

8 WOMEN DREAM | COPYRIGHT All RIGHTS RESERVED © 2025 · LEGAL

Welcome to 8WomenDream Where Big Dreams Are Shared
The 8WomenDream website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're OK with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. ACCEPT REJECT READ MORE
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT