2011: Turning Dreams into Reality!

Few of us take the time to stop and take stock of our lives but if you take a moment to reflect, you will find that you, in fact, accomplished quite a lot in 2010. But did you achieve your full potential? It’s likely that your full potential is much greater than even you recognize. I’m reminded of the story of the dog whose owner always kept him in the backyard on a 25 foot chain. The owner fed and cared for him and sometimes even played with him. But the dog was always chained. After a time, the owner unbuckled the chain but the dog never ventured beyond the 25-foot perimeter- now shackled by an artificial chain and collar. What’s holding you back from achieving your full potential? Have you created your own artificial chain and collar? For each of us, our destiny is to have an extraordinary life. Yet, it is up to us to claim it. For 2011, commit to break the chains that are keeping you from achieving your true potential.

Achieving extraordinary results rarely happens by accident. First you have to decide exactly what it is you want; then believe that it is possible; develop a plan of action; and finally commit one-hundred percent to getting the results you intended. It’s also important to acknowledge that success is rarely a sprint, but rather a marathon. In my experience many people are good ‘starters’ but few are good ‘finishers’. Use the following process to help you turn your biggest dreams into reality:
Develop your dream list. Start with a blank paper and write down everything you would do, own, buy, and accomplish if there were absolutely no barriers to your success. List everything you can imagine. This is where you want to think big and have some fun.
Create a ‘Vision’ of your future. What would you be willing to totally commit to accomplishing in 2011? From your dream list, choose one or two for which you feel the strongest passion and write them down on a separate piece of paper. The greater the detail, the better.
Develop an Action Plan. Between where you are now and the achievement of your vision, you’ll find a number of ‘Critical Success Factors (CSF)’. These are the critical things that you must do to create success. List as many as you can think of along with supporting ‘actions’. Include ‘target time lines’ for each CSF.
Commit 100%! Commitment is evidenced by daily focus. I believe that whatever you constantly focus on will come to pass. It is this constant focus that is the engine for achieving greatness. Each day you should include a minimum of three ‘action activities’ that move you closer to the realization of your vision.

I have developed a Vision Worksheet form along with an example of one of my own major visions for 2011. If you’d like a copy, email me at stewart@welchgroup.com and put ‘Vision Worksheet’ in the subject line.

You can have the life of your dreams if you’ll accept the responsibility for making your dreams a reality. Have a dream fulfilled New Year!