Live your BIG Dream

I have a bit of an obsession with optimization, efficiency, and productivity.

That's not to say I see no value in "taking it easy" and relaxing.

Still there is something unforgiving about achieving goals,
self-improvement, and progress that keeps you honest, you know?

You can say you want something and behave in a way that keeps you
from getting what you want.
But if you do, you will be someone who dreamed more for themselves
they couldn’t live up to it.

Is this what we want? Is this the best we can do?

Achieving goals requires something... proof.
Proof in the form of behaviors that lead to a desired output.

So let's dream, and let's dream BIG.

But let's respect the solemn nature of a dream-fulfilled;
the discipline it takes to get there.

Fulfilling a dream takes persistence, perseverance, focus, consistency, and clarity.
None of these are tangible treasures.
They are practices built into one's thinking.

Many under-estimate the amount of energy required to achieve a dream.
How often do we set out to achieve a goal and quit because we under-estimate
what reality expects?
This is the dreamer’s battle.

For the highly motivated, fulfilling dreams means implementing
effective strategies and mindsets.

Here are some tips I find helpful in dream-crafting and realization.

Chart a path to the dream.
Dream realization requires a change.
To achieve dreams you need to be clear what those changes are
and commit to them.


Let go of perfectionism.
It is not uncommon to mis-judge the path and how much time and
energy investment is required.

Who cares?

Live and learn... adapt and adjust.
Part of the journey is learning the ropes.
The best way - the only way to master the path is by doing and living the experience.
Perfection gets in the way of living the dream.


Make doable baby steps.
All-or-none thinking is foolish.
I often know I can do way more than I am prepared to commit to.

Embodying the habits and lifestyle that makes the dream come true takes time.
Settle into the commitment. Optimize the environment so it
facilitates the new behaviors. Sometimes existing habits become distractions.

We win these wars battle by battle.
New habits cause ripple effects that challenge efforts to achieve the goal.
Small changes keep those ripple effects manageable and habits sustainable.

It’s not that you can’t make bigger moves if you feel that’s the right thing to do.
Just be prepared for life to push back more to the change
and the step to be more intense.


Focus on the inputs not the outputs.
If you can chart a path you know what to do.
Fulfilling dreams comes down to tasks that need to be completed
on the daily or weekly.

Become obsessed with improving, consistency, and focusing on tasks.
You will do more with less energy; push harder and farther with less time and energy.

Focusing on inputs keeps your task master mind quiet.
Taskmaster: "Are we there yet?"
Better-self: "Are we doing what we committed do to get there?"
Taskmaster: “Yes.”
Better-self: “Cool, STFU, I got this.”


Push through the resistance of doing the tasks.
Getting back to a point made earlier,

ACHIEVING GOALS IS UNFORGIVING
IN A WAY THAT KEEPS YOU HONEST

Either the behaviors required to achieve the goal are met or they are not.

There will be obstacles and challenges to solve.
The reward for solving them is progress toward the goal.

When I realize how much energy I waste resisting -
and that that wasted energy legitimately affects what I get done…

…including resting and down-time…

…I get motivated to push.
I’M NOT GOING TO BE THE ONE HOLDING ME BACK.

Get real with yourself:
Get on task, or
Accept and admit you don’t really want to live your dream.
These are not my rules.
Fulfilling dreams is an unforgiving business that requires proof, right?
Pushing through that resistance is the proof in the pudding.

Dreams only require that you do the steps required to make them real.
Do not make a habit of excuses and distraction; all forms of resisting.
DO NOT practice the resistance and make it a habit.
DO NOT reinforce the resistance; it only makes it harder.

We are biologically wired to achieve our dreams and goals.
Our body makes a chemical specifically for this called dopamine.
Achieving them brings satisfaction, purpose and
self-actualization into our life's experience.


We become better people with greater belief in ourselves
when we develop the skill of achieving dreams and goals.

It is my sincerest hope that the lessons I have learned for myself
help you reach for the stars in your life.

Wherever you go, take the calm conviction that the tasks before you will find you living your BIG dream one day.