Perhaps dragon is not the best word because the way this dragon appears isn’t scary at all. The dragon I’m referring to is what Steven Pressfield talks a lot about except he refers to it as resistance. Resistance  illustrates the universal force that he claims acts against human creativity. Steven tells us that resistance will sabotage our efforts subtly through our inner critic, procrastination, rationalization, anxiety and introducing other distractions.

The picture I’m choosing to hold in my imagination is that of a fire breathing dragon lying next to, maybe even guarding, everything I’ve ever wanted. And I’m using the word slay because I need a strong word to remove anything that’s in my way that’s preventing me from getting to those things I say I want.

As I was preparing to slay the dragon by taking massive action on getting clarity around what I was going to offer clients in 2024, ‘Put your Dream to the Test’ by John C. Maxwell called out to me from my bookshelf. It contains 10 questions we need to ask ourselves about the dream treasure we’re after:

1. Is my dream REALLY MY DREAM?
2. Do I clearly see my dream?
3. Am I depending on factors within my control to achieve my dream?
4. Does my dream compel me to follow it?
5. Do I have a strategy to reach my dream?
6. Have I included the people I need to realize my dream?
7. Am I willing to pay the price for my dream?
8. Am I moving closer to my dream?
9. Does working toward my dream bring satisfaction?
10. Does my dream benefit others?

I know my dream is mine but number two got me thinking: any time I attempt to look at my dream what I see more of is the dragon crowding out everything else.

And then it hit me: the dragon only appears larger than my dream when my focus is on the dragon and not on the dream. Whenever I start taking action focused on what I want, the dragon decreases in size.

3 Things to Remember About Dragons according to David Cain:

1. The dragon only wants you to go home. Success, for the Dragon, is when you avoid the hard part, settle for a compromised outcome, or decide to do your quest “some other time.” This tactic is so insidious; compromising like that can feel like you’re being rational and reasonable. But you’re actually being defeated.
2. The dragon is a myth. Dragons don’t actually exist. They’re mythical creatures, fairy tale villains, ludicrously exaggerated snakes. This is why they’re are always off-screen — they’re projections of human fear onto unknown, unexplored territories. They’re guardians of gold-laden lairs we fear to approach. While the scaly beast itself is just a myth, the fear is real, and it really can stop you from accessing better versions of your life.
3. Real treasure is being guarded. Even though the Dragon is a projection of your own fear onto some challenge or possibility, this projection is guarding real money, real status, and real freedoms. These prizes are unavailable to those who flee from the Dragon. One has to transform in some sense to get past the Dragon.

Do you feel like you have painted yourself into a corner, too scared of the dragon that’s up ahead? Now is not the time for half ass attempts, lukewarm effort, or procrastination. Make an appointment with yourself to take down this dragon once and for all. This dragon has our shit. It’s time to slay!