Every year, you make a list of resolutions or goals. Every year, you come up short. Here are four strategies to make this the year you actually make your dreams happen.
This post was written by Jeremy Cage, author of ALL DREAMS ON DECK
We all know there are two great certainties in life – death and taxes. Hard to argue. But there are a few more that are almost equally as certain:
1) Most of us will enter the new year full of dreams, and yet we don’t see them through to completion;
2) We repeat this year after year, (meaning we will ultimately die full of potential – as we’ve defined it for ourselves); and
3) Dreams are the most powerful force on the planet. So, as we enter a new year filled with possibilities – and yes – some uncertainties, why not take the time to think and act differently about your dreams and actually make them happen?
Here’s how to make this the year you actually make your dreams happen:
Dream Like You Mean It
Getting a new job, renovating that bathroom, getting fitter, learning to sail, starting to date again or repairing that relationship with your son or daughter are all amazing dreams. However, dreams need to be specific.
When dreams are vague, we tend to focus on all the obstacles, fears, and dreads – and these paralyze us from action. Instead of dreaming vaguely and dreading specifically, try the opposite.
Dream specifically and dread vaguely. The more specific you are about each of your dreams (both big and small) the more you can clearly define what’s needed to make them a reality.
Related: How to Give Your Children Inner Strength
Climb Your Ladder of Intentionality
Having specific dreams is not enough. You need to become highly intentional. Think about them. Write them down
The higher you get, the scarier it becomes, because you’re “putting yourself out there,” and suddenly what seemed unobtainable starts to feel a lot more real and, therefore, achievable.
As you’re weighing the risk of really pursuing your dreams, spend some time weighing the risk of NOT pursuing the dream. I think you’ll find the risk of inaction much greater over time.
Ready Yourself
This seems straight forward, but we rarely ready ourselves fully enough to realize our dreams. With your specific dreams in hand, and a high degree of intentionality, the better you can plan and prepare, and the more likely it is that you will succeed.
Take the time to understand what you need to know, do, and know how to do, to accomplish each dream. Michael Phelps
Related: 5 Powerful Ways to Empower Our Daughters
Summon Your Courage
Courage is a muscle that needs to be built over time. Break down each dream into manageable ‘steps.’ As you achieve each step, your courage will build. Using the sailing metaphor – you must build the courage to set sail, then the courage to venture out into the unknown.
The more specific your dreams; the more intentional you are; and the better you’ve prepared, the more you will inevitably build the courage you need to overcome your fears; to trust yourself; to be optimistic and to bring your dreams to life.
Remember – not every dream has to be a ‘big’ dream. They come in all shapes and sizes. They are literally the most powerful force on the planet – so in 2017 (and beyond) – call all dreams up on deck and don’t let them, or you, die full of potential. Happy New Year!
ABOUT THE AUTHOR – Jeremy Cage is President of The Cage Group, which focuses on unleashing the full potential of businesses and people. He has held senior management positions at Procter and Gamble and PepsiCo; has lived and worked in Sweden, England, Mexico, Venezuela, Brazil and the United States; and took sixteen months to sail around the world with his family. Cage is also co-founder of several start-up companies in the areas of healthy foods and nutrition.
