Goals Always Start With Dreams - But Dreams Don't Always Become Goals!

When one attends most self- improvement or self- help/ attitude adjustment seminars or courses, one invariably hears endless discussions about the importance of having a dream, and then setting personal goals that relate to one's dream. Since I have been conducting these types of programs for over thirty years, I have observed that although all goals start with a dream, the vast majority of dreams never become clear- cut goals. Why is that? Although there are probably numerous reasons, I have come to believe that the main reason is that for a dream to be transformed to a goal, it requires and active rather than a passive behavior. Comparatively, it is easier to dream, because it can remain vague and rather general in nature. However, goals are more urgent, more thought out (actionable), and require more actual effort and commitment. Napoleon Hill pinpointed this difference perfectly when he stated, "A goal is a dream with a deadline."

1. Many of the least effective individuals still have their dreams. When speaking to them, we learn that they dream of either a better lifestyle, a better job, more freedom, more wealth, etc. Unfortunately when nothing concrete is done, these dreams go nowhere, and individuals become frustrated and either give up on their dreams, or hope for a miracle solution, such as winning the lottery, an inheritance, etc.

2. The interesting and ironic aspect is that dreams are needed to be able to make personally motivating goals. Once one commits to thinking about and developing personal goals, he has taken the first essential step towards changing his life in a positive and constructive manner. True goals require the creation of an action plan, with a specific and actionable time line created. In order to achieve goals, and achieving goals is the goal of having a goal. One then identifies his needs, his abilities, his strengths and weaknesses, and his life, and makes concrete decisions. How he pursues his goals, whether or not he is persistent enough to persevere, and how important his goals actually are to him personally, are all major factors regarding whether the goals are then achieved.
The most motivating goals create a course of action for someone, and once a specific goal is achieved and/ or accomplished, it becomes a building block towards achievement of other goals.

However, it is important to remember that while dreams are needed in order to set goals, simply having a dream certainly does not assure that one will create personal goals. Only when the dream is important enough, will someone actually commit to creating his goals, and then further commit to the necessary action to achieve it.