Do you have a dream that you have never taken the first step towards achieving? It is wonderful having a head full of ideas, but unless we take some form of action, nothing is going to happen. Thinking about something is not enough! Now, I do believe that it is good to start with the end in mind and that having clear goals helps you focus on what you really want. Having a dream without taking action is just building castles in the air.
Let’s assume you have a dream: Something in the back of your mind that you would like to do at some point. Have you thought of something? Just one thing? Now, fast forward your life to your imaginary death-bed. How would you feel if you have never achieved this particular dream? If you are not really bothered, then put your idea gently back to the back of your mind. But, if it really does matter to you, then what are you going to do about it? Sometimes the dream seems to be out of reach and it might be right now, but even a tiny move in the right direction makes it a little bit more achievable.
All mountains get climbed by taking a small step onto them and then another and another. But first you have to decide to climb the mountain. You might need to do some preparation before you start. And then you need to get yourself to the base of the mountain! So what is the one small step you can take towards making your dreams a reality, today?
- Give yourself permission to have the dream - So often people feel they don’t deserve their desires. Perhaps you have put it in a category as something other people do. Maybe it is too frivolous and you are too busy being serious to have fun. What is stopping you from owning your dream?
- Make it more real – It might be as simple of writing down your idea or creating a vision board so that it feels more real and it has more shape. Ask yourself, how will you know when you have achieved it? What would it look like, sound like and feel like?
- Think of some of the things you will need to learn along the way. Write them down. You don’t have to do them all at once. It is easy be overwhelmed. Just knowing that you have some things to learn still means that you might open yourself up to those opportunities when they present themselves to you.
- Work out one tiny, tiny step that will head you in the right direction. Something that you can probably do in 5- 15 minutes. For example, if you have always wanted to visit particular place, that tiny step might be to get a large jar to put your loose change into. If you always have wanted to write a book, it might be scheduling in some writing time in your diary or booking a writers workshop. Often it is very simple things that make a difference like making a phone call or sending an email.
- Do that one small, tiny, miniscule thing.
Never underestimate the importance of doing the small things. Taking one step towards your dream is better than just having your head in the clouds. Getting anywhere is just a series of movements in the right direction. What do you think? I would love to have your comments.
Other related articles
One olive makes quite a big difference
Related posts:
Nicky, this is very true and your advice is sound. I enjoy reading your articles. I also believe that our thoughts shape our world, and having dreams enables us to visualise ways in which we can live fuller and happier lives.
All the best.
Thank you Andre, I couldn’t agree with you more!
Nicky, the tip about the small step is so true. With many people that first step, no matter how small, is somtimes their biggest. But once they take it it allows them to see things from a totally different perspective. When I get coaching clients to reflect on their journeys, at the end of coaching, it is often that first small step that they remember and the one that has the most impact on what they want to achieve.
Hi Dave,
Taking action is sometimes the hardest thing to do, people get overwhelmed with the size of the task ahead and freeze not doing anything. Any movement towards your goal is better than no movement at all! Thank you for adding your comment.
Given that Nicky’s previous post was about commenting (or not, as the case may be) it only seems fair to comment on a post that has inspired me to dare to dream. Nobody never got nothin’ by not trying
I’m going to try one more time to dare to dream. Perhaps if I can dream one more time than my dreams are dashed, then I win.
Hi Vanessa, thank you for leaving your comment. It is lovely to know that my blog post (or should I say the speech version of it) inspired you to dare to dream. The difference between success and failure is the willingness to keep on going. I have some lovely little step ideas that you might want to think about to reach your dream. Give me a call, so we can have a chat x