When I announced to family and friends that I was moving to California to help people achieve their dreams, they looked at me like I had lost my mind. They said things like, “You used to be so credible. Can’t you call this goal setting?”
And although I know and agree that goals are essential, there is a very different energy around dreams. And that’s what I am passionate about. Dreaming gets up to swing outside of just being realistic.
At a certain point it is essential to move from dreams to goals, but if you go to goal setting and strategy too soon, you’ll probably compromise your dreams too soon down to what you know you can realistically accomplish.
Dreams often allow for more creativity and imagination. If time and money weren’t issues, what would you do? If you had the support of the people around you to do what you truly want, what would that be? And, if you knew you could not fear, what would you pursue?
Goals and projects have specific due dates. A dream that never becomes a goal often remains a fantasy or nice idea. But set goals based on what you know and you may limit yourself and possibilities.
Dream first by getting your ideas, needs, wants, hopes and desires all down on paper. Put into your dreams everything that you want and leave out what you don’t want.
Then break big or long-term dreams down into projects that can easily be accomplished in one month or less. Why a month? It’s a long enough time to produce a real result but also short enough to keep your passion ignited. This is critical for accomplishing your dreams.
Use goals and projects with specific and measurable results to track your progress and ensure success. But start with your dreams to follow your heart.
