If our "perceived reality" of the world is actually true, would any of the advancements that we see today have been made?

If everyone just accepted their level of life, would the following things have happened?

• Electricity powering almost all we know

• Driving a battery powered car across country

• Flying around the world in an airplane

• Racing to the moon and building stations in space

• Using a phone as a handheld computer

The above feats are just a few examples that prove it takes individual dreams and the willingness to reach for the next level to make progress. If the Wright brothers hadn’t envisioned a level of life that included flying, or if they had listened to others who told the brothers that a flying machine was nothing but a pipe dream, we would not be able to travel from Reno to Washington D.C. in a day. Our lives would be limited. Thank goodness the Wright Brothers allowed their dreams to dictate their "reality", and they manifested truth from the improbable.

In my own life I was not going to allow a cancer diagnosis to define my level of living. I had too many goals to accomplish! After I committed to battling the cancer and setting a new course forward in life, it was almost unbelievable how rapidly I began to heal. I used this trauma as a sort of self-challenge. I remained positive and mentally strong. I sharpened my focus and set my sights even more intently on a better level of living.

I look at my current level now, in awe of my family, my life, my work, and the goals I have achieved. All of the blessings that continue to surround me confirm that the Next Level Living journey is real, and it can be real for you too! Thank you to my blog and book readers for being a part of those blessings.

What are you dreaming about that could be your own Next Level reality?

Dare to dream! It is in dreaming we start the process of achieving the unimaginable.

One of my coaching clients, a small business owner who works out of her home office, now uses exercise as a support beam to help clear her thoughts and manage stress. This wasn’t always the case. When we first started working together, she confessed to me that she was a “Type A” workaholic, who powered through projects without taking a break. She was often motivated by her fear of missing a deadline or guilt that she wasn’t working hard enough for her clients. That’s when I introduced the concept of support beams to her.

Whether you’re a “Type A” entrepreneur like my client or not, the fact is, we all need support beams to help us take that important deep cleansing breath and refocus during challenging times. Quite often, support beams are necessary during the course of a normal day just to manage the stressors that come with our hectic lives! But it can be quite a challenge to hit the pause button, disengage from our crazy day, and actually reach out and grab a support beam.

Here are some ways you can hit the pause button and allow support beams to lift you up:

1. Make a list of your support beams by category – ex. Physical (exercise), People (text a friend), and Sound (listen to music). Post it over your desk, on your fridge, or in another highly visible place.

2. Realize the signs and symptoms indicating it’s time to use a support beam. You know yourself better than anyone, and you know when you’re feeling stressed, frazzled or generally out of balance. Honor these signs.

3. Respect yourself and your Next Level Living journey toward positive change enough to take action. Turning to a support beam when you need one is a sign of strength not weakness!

I can’t help but smile each time I receive an email from my client announcing, “Coach Linda! Just hit the pause button in the midst of my crazy day and hit the gym. Feels great! Thank you as always.”

How will you find strength in one or more of your support beams today?

For more on support beams read my prior blogs on the subject (Support Your Journey to the Next Level and Prevent Stress with Support Beams) and my book, Next Level Living.