Are your dreams still in a drawer? When I worked with The Pacific Institute and facilitated workshops around the country, I remember speaking with so many baby boomers who told me that their dreams had been put in a drawer many years ago. They had been focused on their marriage, their children, their jobs – and the dreams just had to wait.

I fall into that trap myself.  The good news, for me, is that I surround myself with people who help me to dream big and to keep those dreams uppermost in mind.

Before I travelled around the world (3x) in a private plane, I never even knew that kind of trip existed. That is one of the reasons you need to up-level the people you spend time with – and that is just one of the tips I have for you when we start talking about dreaming big.

So what does it take?

Here are the steps I take, on a regular basis, to ensure my dreams never get stuck in a drawer.

 #1: WRITE DOWN YOUR DESCRIPTION OF THE PERFECT DAY.

If money, time and circumstances were no object – if failure was not an option – just exactly what would your description of the perfect day be? Take out a piece of paper and write that down. Make it clear, concise and add emotion words. Stop and read that, several times a day, and keep it in a place where you can see it often – perhaps on a bulletin board in your office, perhaps as the wallpaper on your computer, perhaps take a picture of it and carry it on your I-phone. Once this gets imprinted in your creative subconscious, let your mind go to work. You will be amazed!

TIP #2: BREAK DOWN THAT DESCRIPTION INTO GOALS

I take different pieces of that ‘perfect day’ description and break it down into specific goals. For example, a perfect day would include a fun fitness routine (such as I did daily in Palm Springs with Louise – we did the Jillian Michaels ‘Ripped in 30 Days” workout together – so much fun!). I now commit to a FUN workout each and every day. Travel is high on my priority list – I make a point of visiting the bookstore regularly and I read through magazines like Dream Islands, or 100 Places to Visit Before You Die. Get a really clear, high level, picture of what it is you want in your life.

TIP #3: SURROUND YOURSELF WITH PEOPLE WHO FIT THE DREAM

There are many people in life who just ‘settle’. Good enough is good enough. When you are a high-achiever and a big dreamer, these people are not right for you anymore. You need to surround yourself with people who think BIG, who dream BIG, who work BIG, who do BIG. You become the average of the 5 people you spend time with. Who’s on your list? Who stays? Who must go? It’s up to you.

KEEP IN MIND THAT WE ONLY HAVE ONE LIFE TO LIVE!

And this is it! Want to live a life without regrets? Want to drive around in a Mercedes convertible in Palm Springs? Want to climb the mountains in Sedona and do yoga/meditation for a day? Think about what you really want – and then make it happen. You have the power. It’s your life. This is NOT a dress rehearsal.

What are your BIG dreams and what are you prepared to do to make them come true?

Please share your thoughts!

1 Comment

  1. I love dreaming big Pat. I can see the view from my apartment on the east coast of Florida, preferably Miami Beach because I like the Spanish influence in food and life, in music and in temperament. And then I like to travel first class wherever my heart desires … right now my thoughts are in Machu Pichu, Peru. – I would also go by private jet but only with 2 pilots.
    My circle of friends is presently changing. Very interesting that you mentioned it. I have a couple of friends that have dropped a couple of circles and are now sitting way out there!
    Keep riding convertibles, I will continue planning!!! Like Larry Winget says: Dreams don’t become reality, plans do!
    See you soon…
    GItte

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