Are You Acting Without A Dream?

Have you ever started doing something and then wondered why you’re doing it? I’m not talking about walking into a room and forgetting why you’re there or checking your email and forgetting you wanted to send a note to someone.

I’m talking about having a plan and acting on it. You’re a few steps in and suddenly you wonder: why am I doing this, how did I get here? This isn’t helping me get closer to my goals.

Sometimes it’s the shiny object that distracted you, sometimes it’s a goal that you suddenly realize is actually someone else’s (and not yours), and sometimes it’s the fear that if everyone else is doing it you should be too. However you got there, you find yourself doing something that isn’t really moving you toward your goals.

So, what happened? You started planning and/or acting without your dream, your why or your goal. Maybe it was someone else’s, but it wasn’t yours.

Why is dreaming important? It gives you your destination, it informs* your planning and it gives you the point in the distance to focus on.

I shared this quote on Twitter/Facebook the other day:

To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream, not only plan, but also believe – Anatole France

Three questions for you:

1. Are you acting without your own dream?
   Be brutally honest with yourself. Are you working without a dream? from someone else’s dream? Or are you clear about what your dream is and acting from there?
2. What is your BIG dream?
   Why are you in business? What is your dream that puts enthusiasm into your steps (or actions)?
3. Do you believe it is possible?
   If you don’t believe it is possible, all the dreaming and planning in the world won’t get you where you want to go. Harsh, perhaps, but it’s also honest. Sometimes, you can use other people’s belief in you. If you’ve ever had a coach or mentor you might have experienced this. Your coach knows you are capable of your dream and you believe in their faith in you until you have enough faith in yourself.

I’d love to know your answers to any of these three questions! I invite you to leave a comment and share your insights.

*One bit of clarification, when I write inform I mean to give substance, character, and to inspire. So, “it informs your planning” is another way of saying it gives substance or character to and inspires your planning.

photo credit: Victor1558 via photopin cc