I used to be someone who only dared to DREAM big. This time I decided to dare to take big ACTIONS. This is how StreetDinner came alive. With my company friends one of our visions, when we created our food business Bite Me, was to gather people on a long dining table and enjoy good food together while connecting to each other.

This was 4 months ago. We thought we would be able to do something like that in maybe a year and that is even very positive thinking. Then something happenend. After having an inspirational conversation we decided to turn our vision into reality. Our goal was big. 500 people in 3 weeks, no clue about permissions, preparations, many starts, no end in sight.

Eager to go for it, we found great people on the way who really believed in what we do and wanted to participate or help organising. So in the beginning all high feelings came flying towards us and we were walking on clouds. However that feeling does not like to be imprisoned and so it left us.. mostly with loads of work, 2 weeks to go and so far nothing concrete implemented, everything on maybe. Hmm we dealt with the feeling of being overwelmed by the amount of work. Feeling lost in paperwork, not speaking the language, not being able to talk to the community which we wanted to involve, still no core team with people who wanted to take ownership of tasks. Waiting for people to react, still having everyday life with ups and downs, time clocking, no time for summer, and in the end 10 days before the event anxiety attacks.

Wow I did not think it could be so scary to go for what I believed in. But I had never been here, so that is probably why it felt so differently. Also I am sure next time I would feel more confident because I would have more knowledge. Then I came across this quote from Wayne Dyer “the greater danger is not that our hopes are too high and we fail to reach them, it is that they are too low and we do” and I thought.. I am on the right track. I do not need to make it now and somehow. I want to make it good.

And this is what we did. We said, “ok, we love the project but it is killing us. Lets do something on the same day and gather people who want to help organising.” And suddenly things became easier. Adapting our actions was not bad because our vision is still alive. What I learnt it that it was worth it going for big ACTIONS because otherwise we would have never get all the attention we did. I learnt it is ok to start from where we are and make it bigger as soon as it gets bigger. People help if they can and see the urgency and passion in the project. And before that I have to ask for help. Sometimes it seems like nothing is happening and it gets dark. But in the darkness when you start seeing with your soul you will find out what to do. A clear vision upfront helps. Write it down. Because sometimes we wake up and forget everything..