Dear Big Dreamers,
I know what it’s like to be called naive for talking about a dream like it’s already your reality. I know what it’s like to believe that anything is possible if you just work hard enough. I know what it’s like to always be craving and wanting more than you have. And I know what it’s like to get discouraged when things don’t go exactly like you had perfectly mapped out in your head. It’s hard, it’s actually really hard to be a big dreamer- I’d argue emotionally and physically- but I think it is probably the most valuable trait you have and I hope you never lose it.
Dreaming big will make you challenge yourself more than you knew was possible. It will show you what you are good at and what you aren’t good at; they’re equally important to know for your growth. Dreaming big will probably hurt you when you fail, and you will fail at some point, no matter how unstoppable you feel. Even after your failure you will continue to push and look for a new way to reach your goals, or maybe even look for a new dream. Dreaming big is beautiful and don’t let anyone ever tell you that it’s pointless because it’s not. It’s what brings that spark to your eyes, it’s what drives your passions and it’s what makes success happen.
I’m an optimist and no matter how many things have brought me down, having a vision for the way I want my future to look is what has always brought me back up and kept my positivity radiating. No, not everything I wanted to happen has happened but I learned from each experience and let it shape me on my path to making my dreams a reality. Yes, I’m far from where I want to be and I wish I could make it all happen now like everyone but that makes the journey that much more exciting if you think about it and at the end, it will be that much more worthwhile.
Big Dreamers
Dreaming big can be scary. Dreaming big can sometimes mean you aren’t exactly sure what your dream is and that’s pretty scary too. Dreaming big means making big decisions even if you’re the most indecisive person in the world. Dreaming big means choosing a path even if you don’t know if it’s the right one and seeing where it takes you. Dreaming big means starting small. Dreaming big means constantly learning and growing and adapting to the world around you. Dreaming big can make you envy people who might be ahead of you but you have to remind yourself that they aren’t trying to compete with your dream or even take it, they are just trying to reach their own. Dreaming big is what changes the world and makes amazing things come to life.
It Happens to Everyone
Walt Disney was fired from the Kansas City Star in 1919 because, his editor said, he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.”
JK Rowling got fired while working at the London office of Amnesty International because she would write stories on her work computer all day long.
Oprah Winfrey was an evening news reporter and apparently got fired because she couldn’t sever her emotions from her stories.
After a performance at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry, the king himself, Elvis, was told by the concert hall manager that he was better off returning to Memphis and driving trucks (his former career).
When Marilyn Monroe was trying to start her career, modeling agencies told her she should consider becoming a secretary.
(For a further look at these and more examples of big dreamers go to Thought Catalog)
What’s the Point?
But what’s the point I’m making? It’s that I don’t want you to get discouraged or intimidated by your dreams and I sure as heck don’t want someone taking them away from you. These are some of the most successful people I can think of and yet they were told they weren’t good enough at one point in their lives; it was up to them to not listen to those people and continue fighting for their dreams. You have all the power to you need in yourself to make things happen as long as you believe in yourself and your dreams. I’ll take this a step further than just saying encouraging things, I’ll give you some real and useful tools to make your dreams happen.
1. Establish Trusting Relationships
- Unlock the value you offer through building relationships when you’re on a team and do your best to ask questions that promote insight.
- Take responsive action with the feedback!!
In “Taking People With You” David Novak said “If you can establish an environment where every single person feels that they are part of a team and have a chance to contribute, you’ve created a situation where people can do great things. To build an environment like this you have to establish trust.”
2. Choose Powerful Mindsets
- One of the biggest powers we have as individuals is in that we can choose how we view things; we can choose to be positive. In doing so, we can usually make the things we want to happen.
- Therefore, trust in yourself and keep the doubt and negative thoughts out of your mind so that you can focus on building your strengths.
3. Make a “Big Goal” Map
- Having aspirations and dreams is the first step but in order to get to those results, you start by setting goals.
- Not just any goals, SMART goals (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and time-bound goals)
4. Make a “Step-change” Map
- This means to shoot for a goal that might be a little out of reach but because you set it you’ll work harder, smarter and might even have to think of more creative solutions to get to it.
- Instead of looking to the past, start with a view of the future. You decide what actions you need to take to reach your future vision.
- By deciding what you have to accomplish each day and week you can work toward making anything happen.
In “Taking People With You” David Novak said, “Shooting for just good enough rather than greatness will not inspire the people around you.”
That being said, I’ll leave on this final note, never stop dreaming big because it is your superpower. Never stop wondering what new or exciting thing you could be doing. And never let anyone tell you that you’re being naive for dreaming big.
Sincerely,
Your friends at COMO Web Designs, LLC
0 Comments