Having dreams is good. But knowing how to make them true is still better. Too often dreams are unrealistic projects into a corner of our brain. Transform your dreams into actionable items can help your to become what your really want.

Having dreams vs having goals

I don’t know if there is a big difference between goals and dreams but I’m inclined to believe that if you see your life as dreams you will never do anything to make them come true…because this is the definition of dream: something not very real.

On the other end imagining goals as reachable destinations may help you to make them fulfilled. It’s not a magical formula but it’s a good start: Being aware that your dreams can come true…

Step 1: Transform your dreams into goals

I make a big difference between goals and dreams: For me goals are measurable, dreams not…

Example:

• Being a professional poker professional is a dream. Earning 60000$ a year playing poker is a goal.
• Being a basket-ball coach is a dream. Coaching the high-school team of your town is a goal.
• Being a runner is a dream. Effectively running a marathon is a goal.

Got it?

Don’t forget to put a deadline. Becoming a poker player in 40 years is not interesting. Try to earn 5000$ by the end of the year playing poker is better.

The first step to live your dreams is to transform them into goals defining precisely what they are. Your goal must be measurable.

Step 2: Divide your goals into small tasks

I studied IT project management and one of the first thing you learn when you start a big project is to break it up into smaller subprojects. Then you take these subprojects and divide them into smaller tasks. Do it recursively until each task is well-defined and simple enough to be performed easily in a short amount of time.

Why do that:

• Because you have a better overview of your project and don’t feel overwhelmed. Smalls tasks seem more easy to complete than the whole project.
• Because you can organize and plan your work easily.
• Because you can measure progress and see how far to the objective you are.
• Because you get ahead once step at a time and don’t tackle several problems in the time.

Your goals are your life projects. You are your own project manager. Apply the same method to make them come true.

Example: You want to learn how to play guitar. This project divided into small steps could be:

• Google to find guitar teachers in your neighborhood.
• Call 2-3 potential guitar teachers.
• Choose one.
• Buy a guitar
• Take 2×2h class per week

Apply the 80/20 principle and eliminate every step that doesn’t make you immediately closer to your goal and keep only high-priority tasks. In the example above buy a guitar is not a priority because you can actually borrow a guitar to someone you know and wait. Like that you will gather information and advice from your teacher that help you to choose a good guitar.

Step 3: Take the first step NOW!

Once your life project is well-defined and broken up into small steps, focus on the first step and do it NOW. Don’t spend to much time looking for information online or into books. It leads to paralysis and you will never start. Tim Ferriss in his book The 4-Hour Workweek gives a great advice: Find someone who’s already done it, ask for advice and how to do the same. You will save a lot of time.

photo credit: Pensiero

You may be also interested by:

• Goals 2009 : What the 80/20 principle will help me to accomplish
• Set impossible to meet deadlines
• World is unbalanced