What are dreams? They’re not goals. By definition, they’re abstract and fuzzy. The Oxford English Dictionary defines a dream as “a series of pictures or events in the mind of a sleeping person”.
The difference between dreams and goals
All of us have “dreams” of some day being rich, or owning a successful business, or retiring early, or having the perfect family. What prevents most of us from achieving our dreams? It’s the very fact that we see them as dreams. They’re just intangible ideas floating around in our heads while we get on with day-to-day life, with the mindset that “some day” things will just fall into place. Unfortunately, life usually doesn’t work that way.
If you really want to achieve big things, you need to turn your dreams into goals. Goals are clear, simple and specific. Maybe your dream is to have “a successful career”. Turn it into a goal by defining exactly what it is that you want. It should be challenging but achievable. Make it as specific as you can, and include numbers and dates. For example, “I want to be a media sales and marketing manager in Auckland earning at least $90,000 per annum by March 2023”. See how your dream has suddenly become much clearer and more achievable?
Write down your goals
Now make your goal real and tangible. Write it down and put it in a place where you can see it every day. Make it bold and clear. Personalise it by adding pictures or fancy font. Make it resonate by including words and phrases that have real meaning to you.
Studies have shown that people who write down their goals are more successful than people who don’t. It’s such a simple thing to do, yet so powerful.
Another way to help make your goal real is to tell others about it. Choose your confidantes wisely, telling only those who you know will be supportive and encouraging. Telling others about what you want to achieve also gives you extra accountability, and helps to maintain your motivation.
What if I don’t reach my goals?
What happens if you fail to achieve your goals? Don’t be too hard on yourself. It’s important to practise self-compassion. Here’s the thing: You’ll almost certainly be in a better place than if you hadn’t written a goal in the first place. As a Life Coach, I set myself 3 or 4 goals every year, and many times I’ve missed one or two of them! The key is to re-evaluate your goals and strategies, change whatever needs changing, and continue on your path to success.
Finally, it’s important that your goals don’t conflict with your core values and your priorities in life, such as your family and friends, or your health. There’s no point in pursuing a goal if it means compromising on what you hold dear.
Life coaching can help to turn your “series of pictures in the mind of a sleeping person” into achievable goals. Turn your dreams into reality!
What do you think? Let me know in the comments below.
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