Make Your Creative Dreams Real: A Plan for Procrastinators, Perfectionists, Busy People, and People Who Would Really Rather Sleep All Day

by SARK

Let this book be your haven, guide, fairy godmother, or map for making your creative dreams real. It's a "paper lantern" to illuminate your path. Your dreams glow in the dark even if you don't ever tend to them. They will wait for you. I know this from my experiences as a recovering procrastinator and perfectionist. My dreams waited for me -- now you can begin to make your creative dreams REAL!

Genres: Nonfiction, Self Help, Art, Writing, Personal Development, Business, Creative

240 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2004

About the author

SARK (a.k.a. Susan Ariel Rainbow Kennedy) is an American author and illustrator of self-help books. Five of her sixteen books have been national bestsellers, and she has sold more than two million copies of her books.

Reviews

[Juliet · Rating 2 out of 5]

Big on the enthusiasm, light on the substance. Or rather, one sentence could be the source of a few solid pages' worth of exploration, suggestions, endeavors. But instead, she zips from one enormous concept to another, essentially saying, I know we all get down, but Be Enthusiastic! Live life with an exclamation point! Write down your dreams! Write down your fears and tear them up! Write down the reasons you procrastinate and burn them! If you can get past the breeziness and the cheerleaderness, and instead absorb a kernel here and there, one or two things might actually be beneficial.

[Magdelanye · Rating 4 out of 5]

SARK has, I've found, an uncanny charm that delves behind all our excuses. This playful book gives serious consideration to serious issues.

So I suppose its not fair of me to blame the book for failing to reform me, Queen of procrastinators. It's been a year since I have been putting off this review, because I was convinced that I could write a better review if only I could find my notes: I made copious notes, and when I do find them I will post some of the best tips. Even better, it might be a good idea to see if its available to you and order it right away, before you forget.

[Dallas Hockley · Rating 2 out of 5]

If you really aren't aware of your dreams and aren't attempting to make them real or are lost in self-doubt, this might be a book for you. It doesn't fit my needs which are more about fleshing out the plan for executing and getting it rolling. The practical side of the equation.

While some may find the artistic, playful layout fun and lighthearted and helpful in removing the angst and pain of going through the process, I find it distracting myself. I appreciate the intent and concept, but for what I wanted it was highly distracting and detracted from the book.

I largely abandoned the read, and skimmed through for the questions to ask yourself, and some of the overview, so this isn't a thorough review, but a missive that this book has a very distinct and unique style, and isn't for everyone.

[Edith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have no idea when I bought this book, it was sometime back in the last decade, and it sat on my bookshelf for years, patiently waiting for me to be ready for it. I started reading it a few months ago, when I was stalled in my work as a volunteer. I did some of the exercises in the book. I found the exercise on pg. 163, "Creative Dream Questions," to be very helpful in identifying where I was going with my particular creative dream, which involved the volunteer work I have been doing for the past 16 years as a mental health advocate. I also worked in the field as a peer advocate for five years. The exercise, "What if you're stuck with your creative dream?" on pages 196-198 also helped me explore ways of dealing with the feeling of stagnation and being stalled that I've experienced for awhile. In short, this book helped me decide in which direction I need to move.

The book's format follows a calendar year, months 1-12, with a topic of exploration for each month. Each chapter ends with an exercise to do for each week of the month. By exercise, I simply mean that the author gives you something to think about or do (not labor or time intensive) for that week. Each chapter ends with a list of resources, consisting of books, recordings and websites that the reader might find helpful in her or his exploration of creativity.

At the end of the book, there are lists of "Dreamstoppers," (what stops you from living your creative dream?) and "Dreamstarters," (what starts your creative dream?) and questions and answers that people have about living their creative dreams, with answers from SARK.

The book is beautifully written, and the presentation is fabulous, with illustrations by the author. Just looking through the book makes me feel optimistic. I couldn't find any typos or errors in the text, which is a great thing. This book will definitely help you engage with your creative dreams, whatever they may be, and inspire you along your life's path. Highly recommended.

[Shelli · Rating 1 out of 5]

I very rarely am unable to finish a book, but unfortunately, this was one of them. This was my first SARK book, and while I appreciated the originality of the design and layout, I found the language level and "Rah! Rah! You can do it!" lifecoachy/cheerleady advice to be more suited to middle schoolers than to adults. SARK runs high on enthusiasm, but low on wisdom. The bulk of the book is the author imparting us with truisms that have the triteness of something like "turn that smile upside down!", cheerful affirmation-speak words turned into perky and clever acronyms, and ephemeral tales from her life with unclear points and conclusions. The remainder comprises "exercises" for us to do, which are most mentally going to our happy warm places and hugging our inner child. I have this image in my mind of SARK behaving in real life like Dee Gruenig (check her out on YouTube; she's like a miniature human Teletubbie teaching rubber stamping) – if you'd like a much more useful, comprehensive, less Pollyanna and more grownup personal artist development course book, try Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way.

[Clara · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is one of those books that I likely would not have picked up unless it was recommended by someone whose judgment I respect. Even she, though, was clear that it was a book that you'd like if you like these types of books. My caveat is similar to hers: whether you enjoy SARK's books is likely a matter of taste. I'm usually not one for the "lots of exclamation points" books about creativity, but I also don't discount them, since I know that they're exactly what some people need and enjoy. And I did finish it, and I did find some useful ideas, so I don't consider it a waste of my time. The rating, then, is just right: "it was ok." No more.

[Aubree Deimler · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a joy SARK is. I feel her creativity dripping off the pages in this inspired book. The book walks through developing and sustaining your creative dreams. It is laid out with exercises and questions to keep you moving forward. My biggest takeaway is with her idea of micromovements and how movement (no matter how small) keeps your dreams in motion. Small steps add up over time and keep away the feelings of overwhelm that can come in making a creative dream reality.

[Amy M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some of the early sections were decent, but otherwise it just wasn't that useful for me. I found the voice of the author distracting, and look for more practical tips/solutions when it comes to plans and/or guides.

Maybe for someone who is looking for a more spiritual, life coach-esque mantra this would work.

[Cassaundra Curd · Rating 3 out of 5]

SARK has some really excellent activities to get your creative brain goin'!

[GONE HU I-Mael · Rating 5 out of 5]

While some may find the artistic, playful layout fun and lighthearted and helpful in removing the angst and pain of going through the process, I find it distracting myself. I appreciate the intent and concept, but for what I wanted it was highly distracting and detracted from the book.

[Tina Bembry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am loving this book! I am over halfway through it. SARK's approach is so gentle and kind, yet moving the reader forward anyway. There's no pressure to do anything, yet many invitations to embrace a new start on a creative dream. I absolutely love the micro-movements concept and it is helping me already in various areas that I tend to procrastinate on.

I also love that she acknowledges that you can be a good person, a creative person, and still want to sleep all day! It seems like a "good" and "creative" person should always be bubbling over with energy, verve, and ready to tackle the world. So I often feel like a misfit. Because I would happily sleep 12 hours a day most days if I could. But when I am awake after a long, non-alarm-clock-wakened sleep, I do tackle the rest of the day with verve and joy and energy.

Anyway, this is a wonderful, happy, joyful, encouraging book for anyone who has ever felt like a misfit and knows they want to have more creativity in their lives, but is stuck.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every so often I have to read a "you can do it" book to keep my creative abilities from shriveling away from self-doubt. This book was a good read for that - lots of suggestions, some wonderful visualizations, etc. This is the first book I have read by SARK.

[Nikky Raney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Started: OCT 9,2023

I was recommended this book by my creative arts therapist

This book has 12 months worth of activities.
My intention is to go through each chapter - month by month and follow along with the activities and then thoroughly give a review after the year has gone by. So far I love the way she approaches creative dreams and believing in the impossible — not giving up because society tells you it’s not “realistic.” I love that she talks about how important naps, daydreaming and resting are to making your creative dreams come true.

I have a used copy of this book that has been written and doodled in by the previous reader (as the author encourages us to do) - and I am hopeful that the previous reader is following her creative dreams and felt like this book worked for her. Fingers crossed to positive changes, momentum and motivation within this next year. I’ll keep this book at my bedside and use the week by week / monthly activities as active self care during this season of life.

[Sarah Lee · Rating 3 out of 5]

The idea behind the book was good, but it was really hard to read and pull the necessary info out. The author is a "creative type" and has supposedly written multiple books but this just seems to be scattered and all over the place. It jumps around and repeats the same information. It just was sooo soooo hard to read and I like to think I have a creative mind, but my focus would just drift away from the page so easily. Also the format of it which probably contributed to my getting easily distracted was all over the place. The fonts changed type, and size and over here and over there and this part of the book is black and white and that part is color and....yeah. Sometimes all on the same page.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read this for the first time over the past few months and I absolutely adored it and recently finished it. For the first time around I allowed myself to ready it with no pressure involved whatsoever. I just took in what SARK was offering. I love how she caters to many different ways of processing information and promotes practicing growth in small steps. I want to read it again, still in a "no-pressure" way, but also encourage myself just a bit to maybe keep a journal, and to be deliberate in doing the exercise, at my own pace. At the same time I'll want to give myself permission during this next pass, to just take in it in like I did the first time around, if that's what enables me to spend time with the content again...

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think maybe others will find this book more useful, but I felt like some chapters were oddly specific to certain situations. About 1/3 of the tips, exercises and advice applied to me, but the book gets a 3rd star for its fun presentation. While I was reading it and doing the assignments I was totally engaged, which is rare. And I couldn't tell until I was done that there wasn't much that I could use, so I don't feel like I wasted my time or anything. I'd still recommend it, but maybe with a book on mind-mapping alongside.

[JasmineB · Rating 3 out of 5]

The author encourages us to pursue our dreams in a very self compassionate and forgiving manner. Some parts really do give wise advice, which are even be supported by psychological research even if the author was unaware of these empirical evidences. I found some examples though very slanted towards dreams of travel and writing (perhaps because that is the author’s world) and of radical lifestyle changes. Not everyone can relate to that.

[Eline Pullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Uplifting an encouraging read for creatives. Really liked the approach of possibilities that weaves as a thread through this whole book.

Chapters end with in depth questions and reading recommendations a great pro!

The upscaling/growing of dreams chapter I liked the least. I found the least creative ways of thinking in that part. Also the fact that the book was in twelve chapters felt a little bit forced to me.

[Susan Sanders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Paperback

I can definitely see myself returning to this book again and again. It is like a reference book for the creative person I want to be.

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review at Intrusions of Beauty: https://intrusionsofbeauty.wordpress....

Book Finished: June 5th 2015

Rating: 5/5

It may have taken me about 12 years to actually finish this book, but I have nothing but praise for it. I LOVED this book.

I picked this book at Barnes and Noble around 2003. I can't remember now what drew 13 or 14 year old me to the book; likely the colors and the prospect of starting high school and then college soon after. I started reading and do remember enjoying the content, but it may have been a little more than I had the capacity to work on at that period of my life. Over the next 12 years, eight moves, two college degrees and six states, quite a bit changed for me. I looked at this book often, wanted to continue reading it and just never did. Now that I've settled in Oregon, and books that had been packed away for years came our of their boxes, I came across it again. It was finally the right time in my life.

The book, at its core, is a self-help guide to bringing the dreams your creative side harbors into existence. Early on, SARK explains that these don't have to be dreams of artistic nature; they can include buying a home, being a parent, traveling, or even just making a difference. The guide is divided into 12 chapters, one for each month of the year, and features an activity for each week of the month at the end. The introduction explains that you can follow the 12 month timeline for the book or choose your own. I ended up reading it over the course of about a month.

SARK is also adamant that you do not have to do all of the activities in each chapter to benefit from the book. I did the majority of them within in my own head rather than on actual paper. You can choose what you feel you will get the most benefit from. No matter which type of structure you choose, there is value to be found.

The single most important thing I got from SARK's work is understanding myself as a procrastinator. She explains that many procrastinators are also perfectionists. I've never thought of myself as a perfectionist, but it does make sense that I procrastinate because I'm worried that the outcome won't be perfect - so why even start? Where other books will give you tips for ending your procrastination, SARK encourages you to embrace it, and even go take a nap. She faces the laziness, sadness, and frustration that life brings head on, and advocates for seeing these emotions as gifts and motivations.

Stripped down, this is really a form of "failure builds success." However, with SARK's writing style and tone, this is more relatable and comforting. I especially connected with her ideas about "micro-movements." Procrastinators and perfectionists like myself spend a lot of time day dreaming about success and living our goals, and are intimidated by actually getting out there to do it. Micro-movements break down the process into itty bitty chunks that build into larger steps. SARK's micro-movements can even include things like "day dream for 30 minutes about what success looks like" or "browse Pinterest for 1 hour on scrapbooking ideas." The key is to schedule these at a specific time, and make sure that each new movement builds on the previous ones, no matter how small. Eventually, you can build to "meet with publisher about book release date."

By the time I finished this book, I really felt like I knew SARK, and could call her for advice. In fact, she has an "inspiration line" included at the end of the text. On a whim, I called the number thinking it was probably something that had long since been discontinued. It hasn't been. When you call the inspiration line, you'll get a pre-recorded message from SARK (the current one is very recent), and have the choice to leave a message for her. Sometimes she responds to callers. The current message includes a poem reading and SARK's thoughts on postponing her wedding planning for her own sanity.

It is refreshing to read material from someone who has forged a successful, colorful life by taking more naps, accepting frustration and procrastination, and insisting on positivity. I'm eager to read more of her work in the future.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a good book, but I think one needs to be in the right mood for it. It can border on the excessively chirpy hippy chick which sometimes I find perks me up, sometimes just annoys me. But if you can get past the rainbow colours there's some good content in here. In particular the chapter titled "The Land of No" I found very helpful in recognising and starting to correct my perfectionism and procrastination tactics. The chapter on "Micromovements" is also very valuable for reminding us that big projects get done faster if viewed as a series of small tasks rather that one giant challenge.

[Tristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite SARK book. In this publication, she veers away from her delightful, hand-written style and becomes a bit more "business-like." It doesn't gel for me, although she has great ideas about jumpstarting your creative dreams and getting back on track. It's also a bit bogged down with a series of "interviews" she did with her friends, where everyone answers the same questions over and over and that got a bit tedious, as in the end, everyone said essentially the same thing. If you are new to SARK, ANY of her other books would be better to start with than this one.

[Anne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book!! I am a very creative individual, however, I go through periods of time where I feel I'm at a creative block. These times can feel thoroughly disappointed & discouraging. I always reference Sark's plan of "micro-movements" - tiny movements of action one can do every day that leads us in the direction of our creative dreams. I would recommend this to ANY individual looking to expand their creativity, whether that is through art, writing, dreaming up a business plan, anything! Her book helps to motivate without feeling overwhelming/daunting.

[Val]

I had this book for months from the library. I never did finish reading it. I took SARK's advice and only read the sections i wanted to, enjoying it as i went. I would like to own a copy.

*updated 8/25/08: I baught a copy this weekend! I'm starting from the beginning this time to read all the way through. My next plan of action is to do some of the suggested exercises.

[Kat · Rating 4 out of 5]

Though The Artist's Way isn't exactly the same thing, it's a close comparison, so I'll say this: Make Your Creative Dreams Real is MUCH more readily accessible. I'm someone who's started TAW three or four times and never finished, and this - well, I felt like I was getting a lot out of it, even though I was reading and not necessarily doing all of the exercises.

Also, microMOVEments = win.

[Rebecca]

I have had this book for years and never got around to reading it. Since I am challenging myself to read more books, I will start it now. It's one of those books that is supposed to take a year to read, 12 chapters, one per month, different exercises weekly. Maybe I'll make it through this time. Hopefully I'll finish it by August 2012 so I can add it to my "52 book challenge".

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was exactly what I needed! I've been running up against roadblocks in living my creative dreams, and just reading through this book has already helped me taking some big steps! I'm planning to go back & do some of the exercises now to help keep up the momentum. It's amazing how much it has helped to just read it, and I highly recommend it to anyone who has a creative dream!

[Aleta · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read most all SARK books. This one is very good, but my least favorite, only because it's not hand written like the rest of her books and is more "technical" than her usual style. It's been taking me a while to get through this one.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of my favourite books and one that I'd recommend to anyone trying to re-capture their creative spirit after years of burying it - to be read along with The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fabulous book! I wish I had read this when I was first starting out, because it's intended for that sort of audience. Breaks down defining your creative mission in easy steps and is way fun to read along the way.