by Matt Lau

Created on: February 14, 2008

Wake Up and Dream

Without dreams; without goals; without visions and expectations for our future, we are essentially left with what the world decides we get to have. The greatest detriment to most peoples success, is that they have no plan for success. If you aim at nothing, you will hit it.

Why are dreams important? Because by keeping your dream in mind, you ensure that your daily actions and habits are in harmony with your long-range vision. If you have a dream to be a professional athlete (long-term vision) then that will influence your decision on whether or not to smoke that pack of cigarettes, chug a bottle of vodka, and eat a dozen bear claws (short-term pleasure).

So develop a list of dreams and goals for your life and keep it constantly in your thoughts. If your dreams are always at the forefront of your thoughts, then your actions will guide you towards them. Life will try to distract you, but you are the master of your own thoughts. Allow your dream to become a magnificent obsession.

How do you do this?

First of all, write it down. Most people have an idea of what they would like to do with their lives. However, very few people ever write their goals down. So writing down your dream will put you one up over the competition.

Second, keep your dream somewhere that you see it every day. Whether it's on your bathroom mirror, on the refrigerator door, or on the dashboard of your car. Better yet, all three.

Third, talk about it all the time. Frankly this is the hardest one to do. Because most people do not have many positive people in their lives to share their dreams with. If your friends and family try to squash your dreams and visions under the pretense of "keeping you grounded," then share with them how important your vision is. If they are flat-out negative and ridicule your vision, then the best (and hardest) thing for you to do, is to change your association and find people who are uplifting and encouraging. They are not as hard to find as you might think. After all, people are attracted to dreamers.

With your dreams constantly in your mind, they become clearer and more vivid each day. A vision of your dreams will energize you, keep you focused, and stabilize your emotions against setbacks. So have one; And if you don't have one, get one!

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