DREAMING THE DREAM AND ACTING ON IT
WHAT IS ON YOUR DREAMS BUCKET LIST FOR NEXT YEAR?
“To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.” – Anatole France
Here comes that time of the year when we reconnect with the dreams and wishes. We become, altogether nostalgic, hopeful, restless and anxious about what the new year will bring. Whatever it is that we failed to achieve this year, we dream that next year will come with different circumstances. Maybe next year, eventually, magic will happen!
Some of us even come up with our dreams bucket list and make solemn promises to ourselves and to those nice enough to listen!
Then comes January, and we get back to work. Business as usual gets in the way (again) of the dreams, wishes and good resolutions. The dreams bucket list gets lost (again) in our daily turmoil, and once again, we fall behind on our dreamed life course.
HOW DO PEOPLE WHO SUCCEED IN LIVING THEIR DREAM LIFE, ACT?
Do they have a different brain constitution? Of course, they do. And at minimum, they have been spared the “procrastination gene”.
But I do not believe procrastination can explain it all. Because at some point, we all act on our dreams, one way or another. We do take chances, we investigate, we talk to people about them etc…. But is that kind of acting enough?
Anatole France said: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act but also dream; not only plan but also believe.”
You know me and my planning obsession. Of course, I strongly believe that acting without a solid plan is pointless anyways, in business.
But I honestly never thought of the “believing” dimension of things.
And now that I have been made aware of that, I need to share it with the world. 😊
So, the dream is the starting point. This is where the flame is born. The actions make the dreams come true. And in between, we obviously must find a way to maintain our motivation in transforming the dream.
I used to think that planning alone was enough to fuel us on and on, along the way. But, now I know better! Planning will help us organize that energy of ours. But what will do the fueling job, is our own ability to believe that our dream will eventually come true. That of course, is, if the proper amount of energy and resources is dedicated to it.
“I BELIEVE I CAN FLY….”
R Kelly song (Lyrics).
Believing that the sky is the limit, may drive people around us to think that we are either naïve, arrogant, or even, irresponsible… Strong spirited and self-driven people can be scary for those who play it safe.
The definition of “believe” is: “Accept that (something) is true, especially without proof.”
When presented like that, of course, believing in a dream can sound a rather risky way to envision business.
On the other hand, where could innovation come from if not from dreamers and “believers”?
I find interesting how Mark Zuckerberg, says that:
“The biggest risk is not taking any risk. In a world that is changing really quickly, the only strategy that is guaranteed to fail is not taking risk”.
“RISK” DOES NOT HAVE TO ECHO “CRAZY” BUT RATHER, “OUT OF THE BOX”!
“Each man should frame life so that at some future hour, fact and his dreaming meet” – Victor Hugo
We often hear people say, “Dream big, work hard”. No objection here. Taking chances, being committed, having a plan, and sparing no efforts to make things right for us! These are key elements to build success. Going of road to differentiate, being creative and even bold sometimes, can make the dreams come true.
Nevertheless, risking everything could be a little “out there”. Personally, I am more the “calculated risk” kind of entrepreneur. I do believe that a good plan can support the idea (or opportunity) and sets ground for creativity.
A solid roadmap and strategic plan, provide the entrepreneur with all the information about the market, the required resources and the expectations of the consumers. Accurately juggling with all the parameters, provides significant differentiation options to business owners and their teams.
So, I guess there is no real risk involved when we support our dream with the right amount of anticipation and hard work. Having a strong faith in our dream, on top of it, could do no harm. I guess…
A STRONG FAITH IN OUR DREAMS IS NOT NATURAL.
It is constructed over time.
“A winner is a dreamer who never gives up” – Nelson Mandela
I looked up how some people seem to be self-confident and believe in their dreams, while others seem to have a hard time with that.
And I found a common ground. Most people who show strong self-confidence in the success of their dreams, are also strong in taking full ownership of their decisions and actions.
They take full responsibility of their strengths and flaws and try to learn from whatever happens in their life. They do not waste valuable brain stream by making other people or circumstances, responsible for their failures.
Were they born like that? I don’t think so. I believe that education and the role models who surrounded them growing up, have set the path. And from there, they have developed:
- A sense of Responsibility
- Positive thinking
- Self-questioning, and Openness
- Planning and Preparation skills
- Learning and Experiencing new things.
- Sharing with others
- Assertiveness
- Showing a Constant Mood…and many other behaviours common to those who seem to be winning consistently.
CAN I SAY THAT SUCCESSFUL BUSINESSPEOPLE ARE DREAMERS?
Well, I guess this idea is growing on me. They are innovators in one domain or the other. And they certainly have a hard time taking “No” or “Impossible” for an answer.
Like I mentioned earlier, being convinced that you will make it, no matter the obstacles on the way, is something that does not just happen. Education, role models, life events and circumstances, obviously help build that inner strength in people.
This is most certainly the one skill that we do not learn in academic school. Therefore, I am beginning to think that it is accessible to everyone, at any stage of our lives.
Because really, role models are available all around us, and they are most certainly happy to share their experience with the world. There are books just waiting on shelves to be bought and read. And personal development tools are everywhere to help us reconnect with that inner voice of ours.
“Know thyself and you will know the Universe and the Gods” – Temple of Apollo at Delphi.
KNOW THYSELF…
Is it a spiritual thing or just a practical approach of life? I can’t tell. This is something we should explore on our own and figure out what works best with us.
But at the end of the day, the important thing is that, as entrepreneurs, we need to be aware of our humanness. Because everything that is to happen in our lives…. implies us living it. That means, the physical us, AND the emotional us, what we can see and control, and what is inside.
Knowing, understanding and accepting everything that makes us who we are, is the beginning of a successful journey as an entrepreneur. Hence, the technical skills are duly supported by the humanness skills, and that is the perfect combination to make the dream come true.
So, if you are a dreamer, then good for you. You will certainly be a brilliant business owner at some point. Just don’t forget to surround yourself with the technical skills that will take you were you are heading!
So, let us all dream big, believe in our dreams and work hard!
Best wishes for the new year!