A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.
~ Greg S. Reid
There’s a lot of truth in that quote …
If we want to run a marathon, we first need to
train. The goal may be to complete a particular race by the end of the summer.
But if we don’t exercise for three months, it’s unlikely that we’ll cross over
the finish line, or if we do, we may be crawling. If we haven’t been running on
a regular basis, it might be best to start with short jogs and build up to
longer distances until we feel strong enough to tackle a difficult challenge.
How many of us watch Dancing with the Stars and dream of moving like the ballroom dancers on the show? But, it’s not enough to wish those skills into
our bodies; we need to do something more if we desire to float on our feet
instead of trip over them. Our first
goals may include finding a partner and saving money
to pay for a few classes. Another step might include watching video
demonstrations of dance moves. Then, one day, we might just get up the nerve to
walk into an event—like a wedding reception—and have fun with what we’ve
learned.
You might be amazed at the number of people who
proclaim they’d like to write a book—but never start. It’s not enough to dream
about writing, those who want to write for publication, self-fulfillment, or
even just to encourage another person need to at least put pen to paper or fingers to a
keyboard, whether writing short stories, a poem, or a get-well message.
Someone who desires to start a soup kitchen
may be eager to jump in. But first, it’s important to research and
break down the necessary steps. It might start with talking to people who are
currently running a soup kitchen to find out what it takes to set one up and
keep it running. A list of questions will need to be answered. For instance,
where will the kitchen be located? How will it be funded? Are there city
requirements that need to be met before opening?
One of my own dream-come-true stories …
I had a long-time dream to work from home. Since
writing is my passion, and I enjoy editing, my husband and I discussed the
possibility of leaving my job with a cellular company and starting my own
freelance editing business. He agreed it was the right thing to do for us as a
couple, but I didn’t just give notice and begin editing the next day.
I took a year to improve my skills by taking some
classes. I also spent time learning how to set up a business. When I was ready
to “open my door,” I already had the following pieces in place: advertising, a
business license, a separate bank account, a PayPal account, a website, business
cards, and memberships with several organizations for freelance editors and
writers. I decided on a date, made a plan, took a year to implement the steps,
and then took action by taking on clients.
We can make our dreams come true! It’s possible by
setting goals, making a plan, and then taking action.
What
steps do you need to take to make your own dream a reality?
Dawn
