Planning our dreams (part three)

Having a dream we want to see come through is one thing, but how do we go about planning it and executing it, if we want to see it fully realized? Having a dream is the spark, but planning and execution are the fuel and engine that get us there. 

Today, we’ll explore the planning portion of the task and for that, we need to define our dream clearly, namely the "What" and the "Why". For instance don’t just say “I want to continue skiing” or “I want to travel more”, be more specific “I want to be in Portillo, Chile for a week, next August” or "I want to spend two weeks circumnavigating Corsica next spring on a sailboat”.

First of all, I must be serious about realizing my dream, that’s a crucial condition. It’s clear that if I just decide to learn Italian, the required steps might be far simpler. Of high importance is to always remember that simpler dreams are always the easiest to reach, so keep that in mind! If instead, I’m planning a two-month trip around Asia, I will need a more robust plan like the following one. 

To help me accomplish this, I need to ask myself the “What", like what exactly do I want to achieve? How will I know when I've achieved it? (date and duration), Does that dream fit my budget, my constraints and values? Then, examine the "Why": Why is this dream important to me? What need or desire does it fulfill? Understanding my "why" will be my greatest motivator when challenges arise. I then close my eyes and vividly imagine what it will feel like, look like, sound like, when that dream of mine is realized. This gives me emotional connection and clarity. 

It’s now time to go over the "How" and get on with a proper plan. A big dream can be too much, so it must be cut into manageable bits. I think about all the steps involved, no matter how small without limiting myself. I categorize and organize the different categories like financial, research, skills needed, logistics. I keep a clear chronological view of what needs to happen first? What depends on other steps being completed? Is the flow both logical and complete? What are the significant checkpoints along the way that will keep me motivated and will track my progress. 

Finally, I take the time to identify all the resources I’ll be needing, like time, money, knowledge, people, connections, tools and equipment. The key to my final success will be my ability to anticipate all the obstacles I’ll face and devise solutions for each, a Plan B of sort. That, along with a realistic timeline should set me on my way to success. 

Next time, we’ll see how to execute that beautiful plan of yours!