A STEP-1-2-3 MINDSET: DREAM, DECIDE, DO

RATHER DO AND FAIL,

THAN MISS AN OPPORTUNITY.

WELCOME TO MY WORLD OF CREATIVE WRITING

"If you can dream it, you can do it". That's an unsourced, and a bit shallow, quote floating around the internet. Dreaming of something is not difficult, but being able to make that something into reality is a different story. Since I was a child I have been a master of dreaming and visualizing. I would make up one story after another picturing myself in all kinds of different scenarios and contexts. I had many dreams, but honestly (and I say that as an 'always-follow-your-dreams-kind-of-girl), not all dreams are meant to come true or even possible to realize. Yet, dreams are important no matter what. They keep you with an open mind and stimulate your imagination. As an example I have always dreamt of becoming a country singer. But fact is, that I can't sing, and I'm not sure I like to sing at all. So, even though it has always been easy for me to imagine myself on stage in hat and boots, it was never about being an actual singer. It was about the storytelling, the sincerity and the candor. 

If you want to make a dream come true, there is a difference between dreaming of something and really dreaming of something. Are you ready to go all the way, or would it be just really awesome to be able to do something fabulous without actually walking the path? Being a singing storyteller I'm not really dreaming of. Likewise, I couldn't picture myself sitting in an orchestra playing the violin when studying at the Royal Danish Music Academy some 20 years ago. The dream was simply not big enough compared to all the hard work it would require to become a great violinist. With that in mind I would like to rephrase the opening quote:

"If you can dream it, and you're willing to put in the work and to pay whatever price it may cost you, you can do it."

MY NAME IS PERNILLE BERNITT SOMMER, and when I really dream of something, I'm a doer. Persistence is the key. Doing nothing will get you nowhere. As Zig Ziglar once said: You don't have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great. And oh yes, I have started many times, and failed just as many. Actually, if you leave out 'failure' from your vocabulary and replace it with 'a bad result' you will have the chance to become great. 'Failure' you cannot use for anything, but 'a bad result' you can work on in order to make it better.   

Another thing: Why is this website in English, when I am a Danish writer? 

First: I try to write in both languages depending on the project. My editor is American. So, if I want my writing to be edited, I will have to write in English. And what an opportunity! Back in school I was far from being good at English grammar. In fact, I was always put together in groups with classmates, who did not write or speak English very well. Therefore, it's a true blessing now having an experienced English professor mentoring me one-to-one. If you want to know how I met this incredible woman (and why she is sticking with me), you can read about it here. It's quite a fascinating story.

Next: I want to mention how inspired I got when reading about why Haruki Murakami started writing in English: The limitations of writing in a foreign language removed the obstacles he faced when trying to write in his native one; unable to pen complex thoughts in English, he discovered that his language became more simplified and free of unnecessary components.

(Ref: www.languagetrainers.co.uk)

DREAM

step 1

Dream away! Don't stop yourself. Nothing is too small or too big. By letting yourself dream away a new idea or perspective might show up along the way. Ideas or perspectives you have never even considered or didn't know existed. Dreaming is all about keeping an open mind. Sometimes, just by letting yourself dream away, you're preparing yourself for a new, inner narrative about yourself without even being conscious about it. Often times, preparing is consciously developing the ability to see yourself in a different light. When you can picture yourself in that dream of yours, you're about to write or rewrite your own story. In that sense; if you can dream it, you can do it.

DECIDE

step 2

Look yourself in the eyes and decide what it is that you want to accomplish. It could be in writing, or it could be in any other area. Nonetheless, it is clear that you cannot aim for something, if you haven't made up your mind about what it is. When you know what you want, decide whether or not you are willing to pay the price. As we know, nothing comes for free, and that is not just a cliché. Pay attention to the answer coming from deep within. Is it a yes or a no? 

DO

step 3

Honour your decision. Take yourself seriously and make it happen. Yes, it is scary and yes, you'll be in doubt once in a while, but I guess that's part of the concept. Point is, that you need to take action in order to experience what it's like to be doing it. Then, if you feel the doubt in your bones (there is a difference between doubt in your bones and doubt in your head - please message me if you want me to unfold this), you will have to reconsider your decision - and that is OK! On the other hand, if the doubt is coming from your head, then you need to learn how to stop thinking and keep doing.