How To Turn Small Dreams Into Big Ones

Can you believe that only eight percent of us actually achieve our goals? That means 92 percent of small dreams never become big realities. You may think this statistic applies to others, but it could just as easily be you. The good news is that achieving your goals and dreams is not out of reach; it simply takes a different approach than most people take.

In order to turn small dreams into big ones, it's not enough to fantasize about the end result. You need to have a plan that takes you step-by-step from where you are now to your ultimate goal. This article will teach you how to create that plan and make your dreams a reality.

Let's dive in!

Step 1: Clarifying your dream

If you've got a dream that you want to make a reality, there's no way to do so unless you've got a clear picture of what that dream actually is. This means getting specific about what you want, not just in a general sense but down to the smallest detail.

For example, if your dream is to get a bigger paystub, you might clarify it by stating that you want to make an extra $5,000 per month. Or if your dream is to travel the world, you might specify that you want to visit 10 new countries in the next year.

The more specific you can be about your dream, the easier it will be to create a plan to achieve it. You should also know what your success indicators are. For instance, if you want to complete work for more clients than last year, your success indicator will be an increased number of 1099 forms at the end of the year.

Step 2: Defining your why

It's not enough to just have a dream; you need to have a good reason why you want to achieve it. This is what's known as your motivation, and it's what will keep you going when the going gets tough.

Your motivation could be anything from wanting to provide a better life for your family to wanting to achieve personal growth. As long as it's something you truly care about, it will be easier to stay focused on your goal.

For instance, do you want to see a bigger annual income on your W-2 form next financial year? Why? 

Some reasons for wanting to increase your earning potential could be: 

• You want to be able to give more money to charity or invest in causes you believe in. 
• You want your children to have a better life than you had, and believe that having more money will help make that happen. 
• You want to retire as early as possible and travel the world.

Whatever your motivation is, make sure you write it down and keep it somewhere you can see it every day. This will help you stay on track when life becomes distracting.

Step 3: Setting realistic timelines

One of the biggest reasons people don't achieve their goals is because they set unrealistic timelines for themselves. They might want to make an extra $5,000 per month within the next month, for example, which is simply not possible.

When you're setting your timelines, it's important to be realistic. This means taking into account things like how much work you're currently putting in, how much time you can realistically devote to goal-related activities, and the amount of progress you've been able to make in the past.

For instance – do you want to save for a new house? If so, what is your current income, and how much would you be able to feasibly put aside each month to save? 

If you're not sure how to answer these questions, it might be helpful to speak to a financial advisor or another professional who can help you set achievable timelines.

Step 4: Breaking your goal down into smaller steps

Once you've clarified your dream and set realistic timelines, it's time to start breaking your goal down into smaller steps. This is what's known as your action plan, and it's what will help you make progress towards your ultimate goal.

For example, if your dream is to travel the world, your action plan might involve saving money each month, researching affordable flights, and learning about the local customs in each country you plan to visit.

The key here is to make sure your steps are achievable. If they're not, you'll quickly become discouraged and give up. So start small and gradually work your way up to bigger goals.

Step 5: Putting your plan into action

Now it's time to put your plan into action! This means dedicating yourself to goal-related activities each and every day. Whether that means spending an hour each day researching flights for your trip around the world or saving $50 per week, make sure you're actively working towards your goal.

If you find yourself struggling to stay on track, it might be helpful to set deadlines or rewards for yourself. This could involve anything from treating yourself to a new book once you've saved $100 towards your trip, to taking a weekend break once you've completed all of your research.

The most important thing is to stay focused and motivated throughout the entire process.

Step 6: Celebrating your accomplishments

Have you achieved your goal of making your small dream a big reality? That's an incredible achievement, and it should not go unnoticed!

Take some time to celebrate your accomplishments, both big and small. This could involve anything from throwing a party with your friends and family to taking a relaxing vacation by yourself.

No matter how you choose to celebrate, make sure you take the time to reflect on all the hard work you've put in. This will help you stay motivated for your next big goal.

Conclusion

Achieving your goals and dreams is not impossible; it simply takes a different approach than most people take. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a plan that takes you step-by-step from where you are now to your ultimate goal. So what are you waiting for? Start dreaming big!