The boogeyman lurking in the closet scares the bejesus out of little kids. Big people know the imaginary monster from their childhood isnt real. Yet, adults freeze in their tracks when the same monster pops up on their path in life.

The closer we come to reaching our dreams, the more our monstrous emotions and mind-talk flash their urgent warnings, Stop! Dont go any further. You cant pull it off. Youre not good enough. Youre gonna screw up. Or get hurt. Or die! When you buy into these threats, you can feel confused. Numb. Scattered. Unfocused. So, ask yourself, Is what the ego telling me true? If you dont challenge the propaganda of the boogeyman, you might quit going after your dreams altogether.

When you find yourself waylaid by the ego monster, you can reclaim your power and clarity by using facts from your life as ammunition against the ego.

Just the Facts, Maam

Remember the old Dragnet TV cop show? Actor Jack Webb played the no-nonsense police detective Sgt. Joe Friday. Often in the course of his questioning, Sgt. Friday was bombarded by the frantic, emotional babbling of confused and upset citizens. To cut to the bottom line, the wise detective somberly requested of the women, Just the facts, maam.

By gathering factsand disregarding the misleading interpretations of peoples minds and emotionsthe sergeant built a rock solid case.

In order to withstand the dream-shattering attacks of the boogeyman, you need to establish a solid case too. By gathering just the facts of your actual accomplishmentsand ignoring the inaccurate conclusions of your ego and emotionsyou create a solid foundation for creating your dream.

And what did Sgt. Friday do to remember his facts? He wrote em down.

Save Your Dreams with a Journal

With its constant undermining, the ego has an effective weapon to halt your journey to happiness. The invalidation distorts your memory. It narrows your vision. It makes you forget that you are a valuable person. The monster deliberately distracts your attention from the times in your life when you did create what you wanted.

Creating a Dream-Saver Fact Journal of your factual successes is an effective active step you can take to dispel the devastating, self-defeating inner talk of the ego. Forget about what you dont do well, or where you come up short. Jot down what, in fact, has gone well in your life. Especially, log in evidence that proves your ego is wrong about you being unlovable, untalented and unworthy of having what you want.

Friendly Facts Fend Off the Funk

List miracles and major achievements. Add to your journal daily. As you create success, document the specific, hard-core, firsthand, personal direct evidence that you can create your life the way you want it to be. When did you decide you needed more money, then got a raise? When did you decide to get a better job, and a great opportunity appeared out of nowhere? When did you want a new friend or lover, and you miraculously found one? Despite the odds being against you, when did you find the perfect place to live? When was there something wrong with your body, and it healed quicker than expected?

The purpose of the Dream-Saver Fact Journal is to remind you that you have succeeded in the past, and therefore, you can triumph now. Your own irrefutable facts will refresh your awareness that you are lovable, talented and worthy!

Also, look for examples in your life where you felt good. Did someone unexpectedly treat you to dinner or a movie? Did you raise the spirits of the grocery clerk who was having a tough day? Did someone call you out of the blue with the information you needed? Keep track of your daily experiences of friendship, kindness, compassion, courage and acknowledgement.

Amass indisputable proof that verifies that you are supported when you follow your heart. Highlight actual events that demonstrate the rewards of expressing your authentic self in the world. Then review your achievements every time your energy and joy begin to wane. Make notes to remind yourself that youve been victorious in many situations. Solid evidence causes the boogey monster to lose its power over you.

Move Past the Threats

In my own writing career, I repeatedly consult my Success Journal throughout my process of articulating the inner workings of life. Sometimes as I travel into uncharted territories of authentic expression, the ego roars, Theyll kill you if you say too much truth! or Theyll put you away because they think youre crazy. Popular variations of the same threat are, Youll go insane if or Youll be alone if or Youll lose everything if Unless I take action to counter my ego, Im stuck in an emotional muck hole and quickly losing sight of any way out.

Dash the Dastardly Downers

The journal is my lifesaver and ally. This factual source about my life shows me Im capable of continuing in the direction of my goals. My own clear and undeniable evidence proves that I wont die, get locked away, go crazy, be alone or lose whats important.

Call the Bluff of the Ego

Bluffing is a primary skill of a successful poker player. Bluffing is a tactic the boogeyman has to employ since he never really holds the winning cards. When you accumulate a wealth of actual life experience to prove youve repeatedly reached your goals, you have a royal flush. Youre holding the winning hand. So, when the ego monster appears, call its bluff! When the ego spins a yarn about how you always lose, get hurt, or are going to die, pull out your ace in the hole: your journal of facts proving you have been able to create what you want in life.

Soothe the Savage Beast

The next time youre looking for a boost in confidence, dont listen to your mind and emotions. These rascals frame your life in the worst possible light. Check your Dream-Saver Journal to remind you of the successful final outcome the last time your inaccurate mind and emotions were trying to invalidate you.

When the boogeyman growls Whoa! when your heart whispers Go, quell the objections of your ego with proof of your creative power. Silence your inner critic. Bore the brute to death with true stories of your worth. Eventually the bellowing monster will turn into a pip-squeak and stop undermining you.

By reminding yourself of just the facts, youll quiet the mind and soothe the emotions so you can keep moving towards your dream.