Do you have a dream, a desire, something you want to achieve, something you long for, but are not sure how it could happen?

As a business development coach and trainer, I often encounter people who have a dream, but do not have a blueprint for how to turn their dream into a reality, which often leads them to frustration and disappointment.

I applaud people who have a dream. I think you should  have a dream. However, I most admire those who have a plan of how they’re going to achieve that dream. Too many dreams just stay wishful thoughts due to lack of planning or accountability.

I have found the following 4 following steps to be very helpful in my life as I have looked to bring realisation to my dreams:

  1. Build a plan. Let it be challenged and shaped up.
  2. Identify your why. Why do you want to do this?
  3. Have an inner circle to whom you can be accountable.
  4. Enjoy the journey.

These steps can work whether your dream is to build a new business, find a new career, take a dream vacation or build your dream house.

1. Build a plan

Creating a plan for your dream takes both time and effort. Many people have random thoughts or hopes but never have the self-discipline to commit that plan to paper.

So first, differentiate yourself by developing a plan and writing it down, including:

  • What – what is it you want to achieve
  • When – what is your timeline
  • How – divide this big goal into smaller, bite-sized steps and place timelines on each one of those steps
  • Change and impact – what impact will accomplishing your plan have on you, others around you, your community and the world?

Live into your dream.

Then commit to your plan and do not give up! Along the way, there will be challenges that may require you to give things up in order to press on. When a challenge comes along, do not give up. Ultimately, that challenge may change the path to your destination or dream.

When you are driving on a journey and come against a roadblock, do you turn around and go back home?  No! A roadblock is simply a detour. Be flexible in the path to your dream, but hold onto your dream clearly.

 

2. Identify Your Why

Now it’s time to look into your heart and really discover WHY you want to achieve this goal. If you are able to identify your deeper why then that gives you something to keep you going when things get a little tough.

 

3. Have an inner circle AND share your dream wisely

inner circle

Have an inner circle that can challenge you to uplevel your dream. Surround yourself with a group of people who will hold you accountable during the pursuit of your dream.

These people should be people you can trust who are big thinkers. Sometimes this can be family or friends, but more often they need to be coaches or groups that will help you stay accountable.

Share your dream with your inner circle. But be wise with whom you share your dream. Not everyone will ‘get’ your dream, so be sure to share your dream with dream builders, not dream busters! Sometimes, sharing your dream on social media is not the best course of action.

 

4. Enjoy the journey

And finally, enjoy the journey to your dream.  Some people have ‘destination disease’ in which all they are able to think about is ‘one day when I get there’ and they miss out on the importance of today.

You see, a dream is not just an arrival place – the journey to your dream can shape and change you. We grow through the experience of planning, challenge and accountability and tap into our heretofore unexplored potential.

Therefore, be very conscious of who you are becoming along the way. Look at the good things you are doing and the impact that you are making throughout your journey. Often, during the pursuit of your dream, you help others achieve their own dreams along the way! As a result, your dream can have a multiplying effect for others.

 

As you consider these 4 steps to changing your dream into a reality, ask yourself the following questions:

  1. What is my dream? (Write it down!)
  2. What is the one thing I could do today to grow closer to my dream?
  3. What is stopping me from pursuing my dream?

 

Friends, I encourage you to dream and to dream big, but also to be fully committed to your dream.  Enjoy the journey and help others to build their dream as you build yours!