Much of my work revolves around Big Dreams and Bold Goals. I love to help my clients dream bigger than they ever have, set bolder goals than they thought they could reach, then create the action plans to make success meaningful and doable. Big dreams are scary, exhilarating, and – when connected to purpose – can change a person, an organization, and the world.
“Every great dream begins with a dreamer,” said Harriet Tubman – someone who most certainly knew about big dreams and bold goals.
Yes, big dreams bring with them the potential for big failure. But doesn’t anything? And when you can view failure as a stepping stone rather than an end point, it loses its fear-inducing power. Like that other age-old saying goes, shoot for the moon; even if you miss, you’ll still land among the stars. When I look back over my favorite accomplishments, nearly all of them started with a dream – usually followed quickly by something like, “Oh my gosh, am I actually going to do this?!” 🙂
Some helpful hints about dreaming big:
Focus only on the ‘what’ – not the how. Don’t even ask yourself how you’d ever make the dream come true – that comes later. Gain crystal clarity on the what first.
Envision how you will feel if the dream came true. Would you experience peace? Joy? Unstoppable confidence? Strength? Energy? The feeling will likely draw you in and spark your action more than a number or data point.
Schedule time for dreaming. At first blush, this may sound like a luxury you simply do not have, but even 10 minutes of quiet, uninterrupted visioning can yield great clarity. Put away your phone, step outside or into a room with privacy, and ask yourself what you would love to do if you had no limitations whatsoever. See what appears.
The Harriet Tubman quote above continues: “Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars and change the world.” Not only will your big dreams they uplift and energize you, they can clue you into your passions, values, and purpose – and make a difference for others. So give dreaming a try. It’s worth every moment!
Be sure to peek back tomorrow for Lesson #4, which links directly to this one.
As I celebrate 14 years in business this month, I’m sharing 14 lessons – one per post – that I’ve learned (many the hard way) over the years. I hope they help you work with meaning and live with purpose!