Finally, in this series of articles on dreams, we look at the question of how to make dreams come true. Health Warning: This is not a quick, easy, or painless process. The following system shows how it might work for you. There are many processes available that you could follow, with many similar elements, but none of them is the key to success. The only imperative ingredient that is crucial in the pursuit of success is, in fact, you. However, if you run blind, spending efforts in the wrong direction, then it is a waste of your precious resources, be it time, money, energy or emotion. Consequently, having guidelines to follow will maximize your chances of achieving what you want.
Dreams
This is where it starts. Having a dream is the obviously essential first step in the process. However, dreams, by their very nature, tend to be a bit fuzzy around the edges. They are things that we have had on the margin of our mind, perhaps it is even something that has occurred to us while we were sleeping and, consequently, our vision is somewhat cloudy. The first step in the process is to determine what we really want.
Hearts wishes
What is your heart’s desire? When you think about your dream of blurred edges, how would you seek to clarify it? Start thinking about the details that are important to you. Calculate more precisely who the completion will be seen by. If it is an object that you dream of owning, this part of the process is simpler. For example, from a vague notion of wanting to own a sports car, I can elaborate to say that I want a dark blue Jaguar XK8 and all of a sudden I have a clearer image in front of me. On the other hand, if you dream of an event-style achievement or process completion, you need to visualize the final moments. What can you see, hear, feel, smell? Evoke a picture of the final act of success and draw or write about it to make it last longer. However, this is just a good idea, which will never happen.
Vision
A vision has been described as an “image of the future that awakens passion”, but we already have it from the previous step. At least, I guess having thought through the details, you are now more excited than you were. How long will that last? I guess after the initial flurry, the feelings will go away again, just like they did the last time you thought about your heart’s desire. This brings us to the pillar of a vision that has to do with decision making. The difference between a good image of the future and having a vision that prompts you to move forward is simple; decide to make it happen. Okay, making the decision may not really be easy, but it has to be done. The decision to make something happen takes us out of the realms of fantasy and into the world of nuts and bolts we live in. Deciding to follow the dream can be scary, but until we do, it will only be a fantasy. It could also involve a deadline as part of that decision-making process. “I will have done this to …” is a statement that carries with it a timescale that in turn imbues an air of real-world thinking. However, the decision is not all that is needed.
Goals
We need to start breaking the reality of achievement into small pieces. There is an analogy of eating an elephant one tablespoon at a time, but in general we can all see that our dream will have to be worked out in steps. If you think you can complete your dream in one move, that would suggest that your dream is too small (in which case read my related article) or that you are deluded. You must draw some kind of timeline with your vision of the future at one end and today at the other. If you choose a point five years from now, how far will you be on the road to successful achievement? What will you have put into practice on the way to your ultimate goal? Take this new vision (unless your entire dream is achievable in five years) for the more foreseeable future and start setting goals along the way. On your timeline, start ticking off the jobs that will be required and the order in which they will be done.
Annual plan
Once you have an idea of what the next five years entail, write a detailed plan for the next twelve months. The questions to ask yourself now are:
* What discreet steps are required?
* When will you do them?
* Is this a realistic plan, considering everything else on your plate?
* Who will help you stand your ground?
* How will you celebrate the achievement of each small step?
* When will you review the plan, certainly before 13 months have passed?
Final thoughts
It’s good to add a reality check at every step of the process. Dream big dreams but don’t go after something completely illusory. The improbable is fine, the impossible is not. This is particularly worth thinking about if some or all of your dreams require information from another. “Someday my prince will come” is a pleasant wish and can even become a powerful vision, but if success translates to “and he will marry me”, then it will always depend on the actions of another person; Beware of the disappointment it might bring.
For more detailed processes, try Brian Mayne’s Goalmapping ideas for a pictorial process or Paul Donder’s Creative Life Planning for a worksheet-based system. I have used both in my time and would recommend either one depending on what works for you. Also consider involving someone else in the process; a coach or friend who can help you stay on track.
And finally, good luck!