Do you remember when you were a child and no dream seemed too big? Some of us thought we would walk on the moon; some dreamed of riding with Roy Rogers; others imagined stepping to the plate in a big-league game. Every one of us, when we were young, had a common trait - we were dreamers. The world hadn't gotten to us yet to show us that we couldn't possibly achieve what our hearts longed for. And we were yet still years from realizing that in some cases we weren't built for achieving our dream (I realized about my junior year of high school that I was too short and to slow to play professional basketball. The dreamer is always the last to know).
Eventually we started to let our dreams die. People began to tell us that we couldn't do the things we wanted. It was impossible. Responsible people don't pursue their dreams. Settle down, get a job, be dependable. Take care of business, live the mundane, be content.
Do you know what I say to that? Hooey!
It is time to dream again!
Why? Here are just a few reasons:
Avoiding regret. The facts are in, and someday we will all lie on our deathbed looking back through the history of our lives. We will undoubtedly think about what we wished we had done or accomplished. I for one don't want to regret what could have been, what should have been. So I am deciding today to pursue my dreams.
* Making the world a better place. All of the great accomplishments that have ever happened began with a person who had a dream. Somebody rebuffed the naysayers and said to himself or herself, "This can be done, and I am the one who will do it." And in many instances they changed the world for the better. It isn't just the Martin Luther King's and the J.F.K's either. Think of all the people we have never heard of who have started things large and small that help people world-wide every day.
* The world needs people like you to dream of something great and then to pursue it will all of your heart. Maybe you belong to a business, school, or organization that started out with good intentions but has settled into the same ol' same ol'. Shake them up and remind them of how they could really help people if only they would dream!
* Personal and family fulfillment. One of the things that happens when we stop pursuing our dreams is that a little piece of us dies and we become disheartened, if only in that area of our lives. Stepping up and pursuing your dream rekindles that passion and zeal that everyone has the capacity for and lets us experience fulfillment. Having a purpose puts the zip in our step and the zing in our emotions!
* Leaving a legacy. How will your children remember you? As one who sought all that life had to offer, using your gifts and talents to their fullest extent, leading the family with a zest for life, or as an overweight couch potato who could have been? Our children need to see that we dream; that we search for something better. They in turn will do the same!
So where do we start? Here are some ideas:
* Reconnect with your dream. Set aside some time to let yourself dream. What have you placed on the backburner in order to live the status quo? Settle on one or two dreams that you can and will pursue. Don't come up with too many. That will only deter you further.
* Decide that you will do it. This may seem elementary but many people never decide and commit fully to their dream. They simply keep "thinking" about it. Tell others that you are going to do it. This puts you on the record as to what you are dreaming about. It makes you accountable. It will help you do it if for no other reason than to avoid embarrassment!
* Develop a step-by-step plan. This is absolutely essential. You must sit down and write out a few things:
* A timeline. How long will it take to the end?
* Action steps. Point-by-point what you will do and when you will do them.
* Resources you will need to draw from. What will it take? Who will need to be involved for help or advice?
* An evaluation tool. You need to evaluate from time to time whether you are progressing or not.
* A celebration. Yep, when you are done you should already have planned what you will do to celebrate. Make it big!
I have found that there is no better time than now. So, set aside some time today to get started on your dream. Follow the action plan and set your sights for the top of the mountain! You will be glad you did!
About The Author:
Chris Widener is a popular speaker and writer as well as the President of Made for Success, a company helping individuals and organizations turn their potential into performance, succeed in every area of their lives and achieve their dreams.
To see Chris "live" at the upcoming Jim Rohn Weekend Event as he speaks on the subject of Secrets of Influence go to http://chris-widener.inspiresyou.com/ or call 800-929-0434.
professional maid services Park Ridge ..Everyone talks about how to be successful through hard work... Read More
Finding balance is deciding to notice what goes on in... Read More
This morning, on TV, I was amazed to see how... Read More
How many times have people asked you what you really... Read More
Jim Rohn, the success guru and mentor, said, "Failure is... Read More
Multi-task goal-completion work with everyday, "have to" activities If you... Read More
Do you know that there is a formula for attaining... Read More
Use birthdays and other gift-giving holidays to help reach your... Read More
Here are 10 of 26 proven strategies gleaned from interviews... Read More
Well, it's that time of the year again. No, I... Read More
I can tell, with 95% accuracy, if you are going... Read More
J. Paul Getty appeared to be incredibly lucky, but it... Read More
I prefer to call the challenges, obstacles, side-tracks, and barriers... Read More
Have you ever wondered what the difference is between a... Read More
Circus trainers used to tie a chain around a baby... Read More
The very first "motivational speaker" I heard as an adult... Read More
The Law of Experience"Success comes from good judgement; good judgement... Read More
The fastest way to succeeding in anything, be it online... Read More
What with the millions of words printed every day about... Read More
Does your life feel less than fulfilling? Are you waiting... Read More
All too often, we push ourselves past the limits of... Read More
Too often we wait for the 'right time' or 'the... Read More
There is a close link between respect for another person's... Read More
IF and WHEN were friends. Every week they met and... Read More
There is a saying that goes something like this: Getting... Read More
cleaning lady near Lincolnshire ..Those of you who know me, know that I am... Read More
Success could be just about making money, but I think... Read More
The need to be successful. This is the bottom line... Read More
Most dictionary entries would define failure as the simple lack... Read More
Your own pressing needs, your long-standing frustrations, would benefit tremendously... Read More
This summer (2005) huge crowds in England and Australia have... Read More
"Fear Factor" is one of my favorite TV shows. It... Read More
So many of us want success, but how many of... Read More
How many times have people asked you what you really... Read More
Trying to keep up with the Jones only drags good,... Read More
"The reason man may become the master of his own... Read More
I was flying home from a seminar in Atlanta yesterday... Read More
Imagine that right now, right here, today? there is within... Read More
If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More
Many people, it seems, have a fear of money. Does... Read More
We all strive for a 'balanced life'. Although we may... Read More
If failure is the roadway, then Perseverance is the vehicle... Read More
Energy and persistence conquer all things. - Benjamin FranklinThough Ben... Read More
Champions expect pain, endure pain, and never complain. ---UnknownAfter so... Read More
In this week's New Age Notebook, I am going to... Read More
There are two things that will determine your success or... Read More
Here are the 3 elements of the "Purpose" leg in... Read More
Oprah and Harpo Productions, consistently reap awe-inspiring progress and record-breaking... Read More
"One important key to success is self-confidence. An important key... Read More
The HungryIn May of 2005 there were over 2 million... Read More
Success |