By Michael Riggs, M.Ed.<\/p>\n
We all know it. We\u2019ve all looked away. We\u2019ve all had months and years come and go and wonder why our situation doesn\u2019t seem to dramatically improve .<\/p>\n
Whether you are looking at the professional, personal, athletic, academic, or spiritual aspects of your life, it is imperative that you have a clear picture — preferably written down — of the things you want to become or acquire. I have calculated, in a very unscientific way, that the time spent agonizing over one\u2019s current mediocre state-of-life-affairs exceeds the time it would take to sit down and capture n paper a \u201cdream <\/strong>life<\/strong>\u201d by a ratio of 3,650 to 1 — in just one year. That is a lot of wasted time and energy that could be spent, instead, celebrating amazing accomplishments <\/strong>and incredible successes<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Why is it, then, that most people refuse to clarify their dreams <\/strong>(dreams <\/strong>are more passion-filled than \u201cgoals<\/strong>\u201d by the way) and make a simple list of the things that they see themselves becoming? I believe it boils down to two things: fear <\/strong>and laziness<\/strong>.<\/p>\n Fear <\/strong>loves to manipulate and control. Fear<\/strong>, when cloaked as \u201cfear <\/strong>of failure\u201d, can cause people to sabotage their own efforts<\/strong>. Think of something from your past that you really, really wanted to achieve<\/strong>. Then, think about all of the time, work, patience, sweat, and commitment <\/strong>that you applied to making that dream <\/strong>come true. Now, think about what it felt like when you fell short of accomplishing <\/strong>that dream<\/strong>. It hurt, right? Really hurt? The memory of the emptiness and pain of a dream <\/strong>gone bad can be strong enough to cause people to avoid dreaming again. It is much like touching a hot stove — once burned and you learn to avoid stoves, kitchens, cooking\u2026<\/p>\n The other reason that people avoid writing down their dreams<\/strong> is because it requires effort <\/strong>\u2013 mental and emotional effort<\/strong>. This is a type of effort <\/strong>that most people aren\u2019t accustomed to exerting. And, most people are too lazy to try something new and to exert themselves. Even if it only takes a matter of minutes \u2013 to clarify their dreams, that is \u2013 they find it is easier to do something, anything, familiar and more comfortable.<\/p>\n It is no coincidence that biographies and autobiographies of successful people are littered with references to the need to have dreams <\/strong>and to learn to write them down in order to create a wonderful life<\/strong>. Nor is it a coincidence that those that avoid putting their personal and professional dreams <\/strong>to paper spend their time communally sulking over the lousy hand they have been dealt.<\/p>\n S\u00b2 Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n Right now. Yes. At this very moment, stop whatever it is that you are doing \u2013 no matter how important you think it is — and write down just one thing that you want to accomplish <\/strong>in each key theatre of your life <\/strong>(relationships, finances, spirituality, health, and recreation) by this date next year: Then, put this list in a place that you see on a daily basis. Next, see what begins to happen!<\/p>\n In Another\u2019s Words\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n “You can\u2019t get what you want, \u2018til you know what you want.”<\/p>\n — Joe Jackson, musician<\/p>\n Related Articles<\/p>\n The Kaizen Way \u2013 How to overcome hesitation, fear and laziness to achieve your goals<\/a><\/p>\n Overcoming Fear To Reach Your Full Potential<\/a><\/p>\n Rich in Every Sense: Overcome weaknesses to achieve goals <\/a><\/p>\n