Tangible Dreams

It’s that jolly time of year when we begin to dream of the future. Some of us hope to learn a new language, some a new hobby…. some just hope to master the use of utensils. The point is, we hope for a better tomorrow. Rather than setting ourselves up for a nice February failure, let’s contemplate simple trade secrets that can help turn goals into reality.

1. Determine what you want. We need motivation here, not shoulds. That would be like asking a child to leave the swing set to come in and do chores.  What is it you really want in your life? What’s motivating? For example, I wanted to spend more time reading to gain richer perspectives; however, my plan was to read text books. Yuck! Luckily, I found that many novels push the limited bounds of my knowledge- now I read them even where there isn’t a picture of Fabio on the front!
2. Set the goal. Don’t be fooled- this is an art. Write down the goal in positive terms, focusing on the gains rather than deficits. Make sure it is realistic- if we do not see success within our grasp, we are defeated before we begin. “The Lord didn’t do it in one day, what makes you think you can?” Finally, put it into measurable terms. Example: for stress reduction- Implement a self care regimen by walking a half hour, three times per week.
3. Accountability/support. Resolve ebbs and flows. It can be hard to consider the long term when the rewards of the moment seem so strong. Knowing others will ask about your progress or are there to give you that extra push can make all the difference in the world!
4. Evaluate- did it work? If it did, GREAT! Figure out the recipe that led to success so you can duplicate it. If it didn’t work, review what we’ve talked about and find gaps. For those times when we really missed the mark, brush off, and try again. If nothing else, you have helped humanity by serving as a warning to others.

Good luck reaching towards your dreams!