Do you have a dream?
Does your imagination run riot at the thought of owning a design agency? Do you fantasize about working from home? Whatever your vision, there’s no time like the present to put your big ideas into action.
However, much like a pro photographer is armed with a cracking camera or an architect holds an architectural technology degree, your creative dreaming and scheming should be bolstered with plenty of forward planning.
So, before you run shouting and screaming and telling your boss to shove his job where the sun don’t shine, read my six sure-fire ways to turn your creative dreams into reality…
1. Wish It, Want It, Do It
All you Family Guy fans out there will get this reference (Brian, the family’s anthropomorphic dog, writes a bestselling self-help novel titled Wish It, Want It, Do It), but despite the underlying satire, the title of the book can actually be a good starting point for turning dreams into reality.
Put simply, it’s important to believe in your dream and yourself, as the more you believe your dreams are achievable, the closer they’ll come to reality. Don’t believe me? Over to Walt Disney: “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Wise words, Walt.
2. Set Realistic Goals
It may sound like a cliché, but it’s vital to set yourself a series of realistic goals in an effort to achieve your dreams. Although the ultimate end goal may seem painfully out of reach, by breaking your dream down into a string of smaller tasks, it suddenly becomes much more achievable.
Crucially, smaller goals allow you to reflect on your journey and assess how successful – or not – your journey towards your dream actually is. What’s more, levelheaded goals can help you live life to the fullest and glean every last drop of fun, opportunity and experience from any situation.
3. Avoid Excuses
Turning your dreams into reality requires plenty of hard work, oodles of dedication and the ability to avoid making excuses. Additionally, it’s important to recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and ask folk that you trust for feedback in areas you feel you can strengthen.
For those sitting around making excuses about why they’re failing to reach their goal, it’ll be an agonizing watch as those dreams drift further and further over the horizon, while us non-excuse makers sail jauntily along on our big boats made of accomplishment.
4. Disregard the Doubters
Regardless of your dream, there’ll always be that one Doubting Thomas standing sternly with arms crossed and lips pursed warning you that your dream is impossible. But you’re wrong, Thomas! Typically, their doubts are related to their own experiences, which has little to do with your dream.
The takeaway? Block them out. Tell them to talk to the hand. Simply do not listen. After all, if you have the tenacity to follow through on your dreams, you likely have the courage to tell them to keep their nose out while you bring your dream ever closer to reality.
5. Never Give Up
Winston Churchill, the great wartime leader, once said: “Never, never, never give up”, which is invaluable advice for those of you looking to live out your dreams. Importantly, once you tick off a goal on your list, be sure to keep the juggernaut going and build on your momentum.
Now it’s over to you…
Do you have any other ways we can all turn our creative dreams into reality? Let us know by leaving a comment below – we’d love to hear from you.
