6 years ago, I came to Vancouver to run my first BMO Half Marathon and I was in awe of the city.
I loved every moment I spent here and realized I would never live here.
"Vancouver is too expensive. My husband is a small town boy. We have houses, mortgages and real jobs", I told myself.
No matter how alive I felt as I walked the streets, and how joyful my soul was here, I told myself it would never happen.
4 years ago, I came to run the Half Marathon for a second time, after a health scare that woke me the f*ck up.
At that point, Troy and I knew we would be moving to Vancouver.
We were so excited for a new adventure, and still totally intimidated by the size of the city and the cost of housing.
We didn’t have a place to live, or jobs, but we had an idea and enough courage to risk having to move into our parent’s basement if our business ventures (in real estate and beyond), failed.
This morning, I woke up in my beautiful, downtown Vancouver penthouse.
Last week, one of my best friends all these years later visited, and I got to cheer for her and all the runners for the same BMO Half Marathon where this story begins.
I got to bring my daughter Sonoma along and teach her about hard work, dedication and cheering on your community through the runners around us.
This week, I’m one of the city’s top bloggers and run my dream coaching + speaking business.
In the last few days, I have literally pinched myself several times, and woken up wondering, “is this seriously my life?”
I can’t believe how much has changed in those years.
I’m sharing this not to brag.
I’m sharing this because no matter what seems impossible, or intimidating today, it’s possible for YOU.
6 years ago, living in Vancouver was not possible for me, because I didn’t allow myself to imagine it.
But as soon as I shifted my mindset, believed I could do it and committed to finding a way, magic happened.
Whatever it is that you want, I can guarantee you that if you DON’T let yourself want it, desire it, and believe it’s possible for you, you won’t ever get it.
Simply giving yourself permission to want it and call it for yourself will open up more opportunities than you can imagine.
In fact, it’s the only way you’ll ever have what you want in life.
Today, as you read this, I want you to allow yourself permission to dream big, and dream out loud.
When I ask “what do you want in your life?”, shout it out, unfiltered.
Truthfully, I don’t care if you scream it from the rooftop or put it in your journal, but give yourself the permission to state it, and hold it in your heart and your mind.
In 1 year, a lot can change. In 5 years, you can live a radically different life.
But if you don’t do something different, and believe that you and your life can change, then you will be in the exact same place in 1 year, 5 years and 20 years.
If there’s nothing more or different you want in your life, this is not for you.
But if there’s something in your heart that is calling you - a farm, a trip to Paris, selling your first piece of art, or singing in a choir - it’s up to you to take the first step.
The first step is owning your dream. The second step is asking “How is it possible?”
After that, it’s just putting one foot in front of the other.
If I’d had a crystal ball 6 years ago, I wouldn’t have believed it.
Today, I believe anything is possible, and my dreams are bigger than ever.
The difference is that now I have the courage to say them out loud, the tenacity to keep going for them and the belief that they are all going to come true.
As you read this, I want you to have the courage to share your dream, out loud. Claim it as yours. Sure, you are not guaranteed to get it, but I promise you that if you never truly declare it as a dream of yours, you will never achieve it.
The odds are stacked infinitely in the favour of those brave enough to have a big dream. In the words of Steve Jobs, “those who are crazy enough to think they can change the world usually do.”
Here’s my version: “those crazy enough to think they can change their life are the ones who usually do.”
Be the one that’s crazy enough to dream big and get what you want - and you’ll be the one who does.
This belief, this mindset, is how you start to make the impossible, possible.
Now, go shout out your dreams, believe they are possible…. And do the work to make all your crystal ball desires reality!
Still pinching myself over here…
Lisa Michaud
PS. It's Tuesday & I'm going LIVE on Instagram and Facebook tonight around 8:30 pm PST.
Catch me live or the replay and get ready to make the impossible, possible!
See you tonight!
