“A dream written down with a date becomes a goal. A goal broken down into steps becomes a plan. A plan backed by action makes your dreams come true.”
How to make your dreams become reality in 3 simple steps.
As eluded to in the quote above, I believe the key to making your dreams become reality can be distilled into the following 3 step process:
Step 1: Write them down with a date for accomplishment.
What is on your lifetime wish list? What do you want life to look like in 3 years time? Is there a big, hairy audacious goal that might take 10 years to accomplish, but can serve as a guide post for your decision making along the way?
Write your goals down, set a date for accomplishment, and then determine a cadence to review and update them. I’ve had great luck with annual review based on calendar year end.
Step 2: Work backwards to devise a plan.
What do you need to do this year to move your closer to making your 3 year picture become reality? What do you need to do this quarter to accomplish your 1 year plan?
Working backwards to devise a plan helps to ensure that you’re rowing in the right direction in terms of achieving your goals.
Tip: Use the SMART criteria to ensure they are specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time bound.
Step 3: Execute.
This is where the rubber meets the road. All of the planning in the world is for naught if you don’t take action. Build systems and habits that support the pursuit of your goals. Enlist friends and family to hold you accountable. Prioritize your dreams.
“Great planners who don’t execute their plans go nowhere.”
Further Reading
In his book Principles world renowned author, investor, and entrepreneur Ray Dalio shares the unconventional principles that helped him create unique results in life and business—and which any person or organization can adopt to better achieve their goals.
The second of Dalio’s “Life Principles” is most relevant to this particular subject:
2. Use the 5-Step Process to Get What You Want Out of Life
2.1 Have clear goals.
2.2 Identify and don’t tolerate problems.
2.3 Diagnose problems to get at their root causes.
2.4 Design a plan.
2.5 Push through to completion.
2.6 Remember that weaknesses don’t matter if you find solutions.
2.7 Understand your own and others’ mental maps and humility.
Check out this “Mini-Series” for a taste of what you can expect from the book in an easy to consume animated video format. He gets into the 5-step process around the 7:30 mark, enjoy!
