Goals vs Dreams
I also appreciate the value of setting goals. Every business class I have ever taken, emphasizes the importance of writing out your 1-, 5- and 10-year goals. But I don’t think we can set goals without first having dreams.
The way I look at dreams vs goals is that dreams are the big overarching image of where I want to be, what I want to be doing and mostly, how I want to feel. Goals, on the other hand, are more practical and realistic steps that can lead us closer to our dreams.
Dreaming big means discovering what’s truly important to you. Within every dream, even the most unrealistic, there’s an underlying theme or feeling of truth that comes through. Will we truly become billionaires? Who knows? But perhaps what we really want is to feel safe and secure. Will we become a renowned author? Maybe? But maybe what we really want is have our story heard and honoured.
Put them on paper, not stone
Dreams might happen in a cloud bubble around our minds, but don’t leave them floating out of reach. Grab a notebook and write them down.
People are 42% more likely to achieve their goals if they write them down. Not only that but people who very vividly describe or picture their goals are anywhere from 1.2 to 1.4 times more likely to successfully accomplish their goals than people who don’t. That’s a pretty big difference in goal achievement just from writing your goals on a piece of paper
Writing down dreams, signify a commitment. That said, you aren’t carving them into stone. My biggest fear about declaring my dreams was that I’d be stuck with them forever. I was afraid that I’d never be allowed to change my mind – mostly due to my stubborn pride. But I soon realized that it was perfectly within my rights to adjust my sails slightly or to even trade my sailboat for hang glider. We dream in possibility, not limitations.
If dreaming or writing don’t come naturally to you, I’ve got you covered.
Journaling Prompts for To Help you Dream Big:
- How do I want to feel?
- What kind of impact would you like to make on the world? (in your community, your family or world-wide)
- What skills and talents and qualities do you possess that you could share with others?
- In your ideal life, where would you want to live? Who would you want to spend time with? What would you want to be doing?
- What scares you the most about dreaming big?
- What are your top 5 interests? How can you incorporate them into your life dream?
- “I am happiest when I am _________”
Okay I’ve done some dreaming. Now what?
- Once you’ve given shape to some of your dreams:
- Look for the themes.
- Are there any pieces that you can incorporate into your life right now?
- What are steps that you can take that will get you closer?
- Say them out loud!
Do they mostly revolve around solitude? Do they involve some sort of travel or adventure? Do you have to quit your job in order for any of them to come true? These themes are great indicators of what you need in your life right now. Sure we can’t all quit our jobs and live on a deserted island but maybe you can book a day off to spend by yourself doing something that feeds you. (hiking, manicure, reading)
Rule #1 of dreaming: Never mock someone’s dream (including your own)
One final piece of advice when it comes to dreaming big? Say them out loud. I don’t know the stat on this one, but I’m positive that sharing your dream with someone else makes it even more likely to come true. The other day I sat outside and wrote down my current dreams. I decided to share them on social media, but you don’t have to do that. I would highly recommend sharing them with at least one other person who you trust. Someone who will cheer for you and then tell you their own dreams.
My own dreams involve channeling my inner Jessical Fletcher with a lot of writing! One of the items on my list is to lead writing retreats. I have been hosting a lot of writing workshops which is so incredibly dreamy, and I think that retreats are the next step. But first, help me grow this community. Fill out this survey and let me know what interests you about writing workshops. If you leave your email, you’ll be entered into a draw to win a set of Postcard Stories: Giving Birth Series. (contest ends July 17, 2022). If you want to get on the list to be the first to know when new workshops – and retreats – become availalble, sign up for Inspired Ink.
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Erica Richmond, the founder of Open Sky Stories believes that words have the power to provide connection & healing. She lives in Peterborough, Canada with her two teens where they find adventures in everyday life. Erica has published two books: Pixie and the Bees and The Mail Art Stories Project: Mail Art in the Time of Covid-19. Follow Erica on Instagram for daily writing inspiration and real-life stories.
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