A nigtmare on Blogger - how dreams can help you problem solve

Last night I had one of those dreams when you wake up in a cold sweat. Everyone dreams regardless of whether or not they remember doing it and it is interesting how dreams work. Some people believe that dreams are prophetic whilst the more conventional wisdom is that they are just the workings of your subconscious trying to sort things out. Whatever dreams are, they are a powerful tool of the mind because of their capacity to create a world beyond our daily reality where everything and anything is possible.

My dream reminded me just how powerful the problem-solving capacity of my mind, your mind in fact everybody's mind is: I was facing my worst nightmare in terms of public humiliation and yet by the time I woke up I had managed to piece together the resources I needed (having started with nothing) to ensure that I could change what had (based on the trajectory that I was on) appeared to be a foregone conclusion.

The story:
I was suddenly faced with a challenge which appeared from nowhere. It looked as if years of hard work were going to amount to nothing as I "failed" the ultimate test of my expertise. I had just been asked to do something which I did not understand. My world started to crumble and as it did I noticed that not only was there a hole in my knowledge, I had arrived in the wrong outfit. I needed a change of clothes fast as well as the missing information.

As I wrestled with my predicament both in my mind and in the room where I slept (I woke up to find pillows and the duvet scattered in some really odd places – but we won’t go in to that) I suddenly made up my mind that the outcome that looked inevitable was NOT what I wanted.

There must be a way to change things, I would not accept defeat and I would seek out the solution relentlessly. The circumstances of my dream world meant that I had until “they” called my name to get everything I needed. It was unclear how long this was as it was dependent on the timing of something else. I was under extreme pressure, any moment I could be called, therefore, I had to ensure that I would be ready in an instant. I needed help; I needed people to bring what I required to me rather than rushing off to get it myself.

I looked around for my makeshift team and I found a reluctant helper. Not only were they reluctant, they did not possess anything that I required apart from the capacity to get a message to another. It took a while to recruit her, the seconds ticking away mercilessly, but once I had her on my tem I knew I was on my way to success.

The message was sent and other, more willing, better resourced help arrived. Initially they arrived with the wrong things because the message had got mixed up, however eventually they were able to provide everything I needed, everything that is except one component. They could give me the next best thing which was a start, however unless it could be modified it would be next to useless. I had come so far – was I to be pipped at the finish line? My unshakeable resolve kicked in once more. There had to be a way.

I realised I would have to risk moving, risk being away from where I needed to be when I was called. BUT it was a risk I had to take. If I stayed I could hope that “they “accepted my excuse for having the wrong component, there was a chance this would fly, however the odds were very slim. If I left and I wasn't there when “they” called my name it would be over. Yet if I found what I needed I would have it in the bag. I decided to move; I risked all and moved because the reward would be great if I succeeded.

Happily I was able to find what I needed and returned just as “they” were calling my name for the second and last time. I'd done it. My mind had imagined a solution and walked me through the terror of the experience. When I woke, battle worn and exhausted, I knew that I had been given the resources to face what until then I had been afraid to do in my waking world.

Your mind can imagine any solution to any problem and resolve it for you. Moreover the best thing is that you don't even have to be having a nightmare to use this fabulous gift. You can do it when you are awake using active day dreaming. That is taking time out to imagine the solutions to the problems you face. To be effective you need:

(1) The resolve

(2) The goal

(3) The imagination to visualise the possibilities in a world where the only thing preventing you from ordering anything that you need is your capacity to believe it is possible to have it.

Happy dreams

How have you used your imagination to resolve the problems you face? Please share your experiences so that others can learn from them.