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January 11, 2008

How to Make Your Dream Come True — Thought, Strategy, Action

ME Liz Strauss wrote this at 8:49 am

You Decide

Personal Identity logo

Where do you want to go? What do you want to do? Do you have a dream waiting for someday? What are you doing to make it happen?

You decide whether your dream will happen.

You can wonder. You can wish. You can wait for help. Say that you will, or say that you can’t right now. The most important key to a dream come true is personal investment.

Dreams that come true need commitment and action.

Wonders, wishes, and waiting without commitment are a whole lot of nothing happening. Folks who might help us won’t show up for “what ifs” and “could bes.” Their lack of support can be a convenient excuse. That’s the wrong reaction. If we want a dream to come true, we have to be able to explain it how it can be turned from a dream into a reality. That takes thought, strategy, and action.

How to Make Your Dream Come True

A dream needs more than a wish. Wishes dissolve in the mist. To come true, a dream needs a foundation of concrete not sand. Wihen you offer a solid foundation, people listen. They pay attention because you’ve moved the dream into the realm of possibility.

Here’s how to get to a concrete foundation you need.

  1. Define the dream. Take the idea out of your head. Put it in front of you to look critically at it. How does the “dream come true” look? How does it work? Do you see a living example in the world? Describe it in the smallest details.

  2. Define where you sit. Is the dream a good fit to who you are, what you know, and what you can do? What seeds for the dream are in your life already? How might you nurture them?

  3. Plot your strategy. What’s the path from here to the “dream come true”? Start with the finished dream and work backwards until you’re where you sit.

  4. Detail your needs. What work have you already done? What can you do on your own? What sort of help and resources can you hire, borrow, or dig up? Sort them into three lists.

  5. Determine your commitment. What will it take to make the dream come true? Why this dream not another? What arguments will you face? How will you answer them? What will you be willing to give up and invest? Would you do it alone if you had to? Will you give yourself permission to go after the dream — even when the world says you should not?

  6. Enlist support and advocates. Who sees the same dream? Who wants your success? Who helps you think? Who can help you meet the needs you’ve outlines above?

  7. Write the story. Name the dream come true. Write one sentence about what the dream will do. Write three points that explain how other folks benefit from helping this dream become reality.

  8. Know how you’ll ask. Visualize yourself asking for help. Choose the words you will use. Write several kinds of requests based on benefits folks will get from helping the dream into reality.

  9. Define yourself by the dream. When people ask what you do, tell them about the dream you’re making come true. Think of your “day job” as support and supplemental to the dream. I’m an actor who works here now, not I’m a waiter who working to be an actor.

It’s willingness and determination to give ourselves over to our dreams that makes them happen. What’s the difference between me and the guy who got what I wanted when I didn’t? He wanted it enough to stick when it got difficult. I decided somewhere that something else was more important.

The dream is there. It’s not magic. It’s not the big break. It’s giving ourselves permission to pull out all stops. Surely you’ve known someone you would defend at any cost. Find a dream like that — one you’ll single-mindedly protect — and you’ll make that dream happen.

Got the dream? When will you make the investment?

–ME “Liz” Strauss
Work with Liz!!

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36 Comments to “How to Make Your Dream Come True — Thought, Strategy, Action”

  1. January 11th, 2008 at 9:01 am
    Tiffany Monhollon said

    Great post, Liz. I’ve been blogging around some of these same ideas lately, in a little different packaging. I really love the last point. There’s a lot of power in not waiting to define yourself by your dream until you get it. Because that just puts you back in the wishing, hoping, waiting pack, doesn’t it?

    I was just talking to a friend earlier today about how success comes after taking risks, and I think it’s also true that dreams come true after you put them solidly down into your realm of reality.

    Thanks again for the inspiration!

  2. January 11th, 2008 at 9:19 am
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Tiffany,
    That’s it exactly. When we say we “ARE” something, we walk, talk, and act differently than when we say “we’re going to be” that same thing. Our thinking changes. The way we see ourselves changes. We start learning what it’s like to be that new person and accelerate the process of becoming. :)

  3. January 11th, 2008 at 11:31 am
    Zakman said

    Surely you’ve known someone you would defend at any cost.

    I don’t. There’s nobody. Only me.

    That hurt. It’s like picking up an inspirational book when you’re in the sixth grade only to read it says, “Always look forward. And thank God you don’t stammer.”

    And you do stammer.

  4. January 11th, 2008 at 12:20 pm
    Sara said

    Liz,

    I love how you break this down. Excellent! If people used this guideline more often I think they would be less overwhelmed. I also wonder if some people would be uncomfortable with this process because it shows how achievable dreams really can be. We might all have to take accountability for our failures if a formula can be followed through to success.

    Does this mean I ought to actually open up a word document today when I start daydreaming about publishing my novel?! ;)

    Sara

  5. January 11th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
    Brad Shorr said

    You’re making lots of sense here, Liz. It’d be nice if dreams come true by magic, but for most of us it’s a matter of working it out one step at a time. Thanks for the road map.

  6. January 11th, 2008 at 2:59 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Zackman,
    I thought about that very thing when I wrote that sentence. I thought someone might believe that he or she didn’t have such a person.

    Then I realized that having such a person is a choice. The persons I would help without thinking of the cost don’t have to do anything or be anything for me to do that.

    People even do it for strangers, someone who is drowning, for example.

    Don’t choose to be hurt. You get to pick the person or cause you would be willing to give that much for.

  7. January 11th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Sara!
    It means we stand face to face with whether we want to dream our dreams or actually live them. :)

    It’s a scary thing to admit that we have that choice. :)

    You’ll know whether that Word document is calling you and whether you are willing to answer. :)

  8. January 11th, 2008 at 3:13 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Brad,
    I guess the road of life is how we get there. A map is a nice thing to have on the way.

    Magic sure would be easier, wouldn’t it?!! :)

  9. January 11th, 2008 at 5:26 pm
    Robyn said

    Liz, thanks for great bite size pieces to make a dream a reality.

    When the clouds come and the rain pours and winds rip your umbrella inside out, figure out new possibilities rather than letting go! That’s what keeps me on the path. ;-)

  10. January 11th, 2008 at 6:48 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Robyn,
    Holding onto a dream to keep you on your path often means letting go of everything else, doesn’t it? :)

  11. January 11th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
    Rose said

    The last point really resonated with me. I haven’t been defining myself by my dream. I’ve been defining myself as a SAHM that works on a business in my spare time instead of a mother and a business person. Very interesting point. I do need to take that final step in my brain. Thank you for letting me see it in a new light.

  12. January 11th, 2008 at 8:40 pm
    MichelleVan said

    ….Define where you sit….
    I like that. Sometimes we have a dream, and the time is exactly right to make it happen. Maybe we can use that time to plan, learn new skills, research,

  13. January 11th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Rose!
    I’m delighted that you heard what I was saying. That’s it precisely. How we see ourselves changes everything. :)

  14. January 11th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
    Dar said

    Liz, thanks for the gentle kick in the you-know-what. :-)

  15. January 11th, 2008 at 8:43 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Dar!
    I’m glad I could help, but I don’t believe you’d ever need one. :)

  16. January 11th, 2008 at 9:00 pm
    Dar said

    Yeah, you helped me come out of the closet… 9) I make the most beautiful soaps in the world. :-) Thanks, Liz!

  17. January 11th, 2008 at 9:58 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Dar,
    You only had to let yourself know. :)

  18. January 11th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
    Phil Butler said

    Liz - What about dumb luck :) Phil

  19. January 11th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
    Mihaela Lica said

    …and LOVE your dream. :)

  20. January 11th, 2008 at 10:27 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Phil,
    Dumb luck doesn’t work if you’ve got not a damn thing else. Luck doesn’t last. :)

  21. January 11th, 2008 at 10:28 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hey Mihaela!
    If we don’t love our dream, it doesn’t stand a chance. :)

  22. January 12th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
    Alina Popescu said

    Hi Liz,

    I know from experience that when you stop defining yourself by your dream, that dream disappears. No matter how hard you try, you can’t get it back unless you believe in it. And once you stopped believing it, it’s pretty hard to change your mind.

    Thank you for reminding me of all this, again and again! I have new dreams right now, I won’t let them fade away :)

  23. January 12th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Alina!
    Yep, we have to believe in our dream and be determined to live it out — make it real. One of the best ways is to tell others that’s who we are and how we’re going to get the rest of the way there. :)

    Hold your dream. Wake up in the morning telling yourself what it is. Go bed at night saying who you are. :)

  24. January 13th, 2008 at 11:27 am
    Mihaela Lica said

    A dreamcatcher always loves its dreams. Even the nightmares: they teach us about beauty. Only by seeing the darkness we can really appreciate the value of the light.

    You shine.

  25. January 13th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Mihaela!
    You sparkle. It shows in your eyes.

    We dream of what could be and then we wish and work that into reality. :)

  26. January 18th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
    mina said

    Hi my names Mina I’m only nine years old and

    I want to have a horse some day.I’ve got a

    table with books,toys,statues,photo’s and

    drawings of horses.I’m waiting to get a horse

    but it wont happen.If only my family will win

    lotto.

  27. January 18th, 2008 at 8:27 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Mina!
    In all of the great stories, the girl hero makes a plan of how she’ll get the dream that she’s going for all on her own. Sometimes she doesn’t get there until she’s a full-grown woman, but if she’s determined that what she’s after is good for her, she gets to her dream after all, even without that lottery. :)

    Really. :)

    Keep dreaming!
    Liz

  28. February 8th, 2008 at 10:56 pm
    Tornando o Sonho Realidade - Empreenda JA said

    […] “Successful Blog”, a Liz Strauss nos traz 9 ótimas sugestões para que você tome sua idéia e seus sonhos e os […]

  29. February 9th, 2008 at 8:20 pm
    Tornando el Sueño Realidad at ConGestion said

    […] el “Successful Blog”, Liz Strauss nos trae 9 excelentes sugerencias para que tomes tu idea y tus sueños para […]

  30. February 21st, 2008 at 8:41 am
    Cheri said

    Iwould like for my mom, my three sisters, and mytwo brothers to visit me in Charleston. I wanted my dad and grandmother to visit but they left the world before they ever got a chance. This is something I really can’t afford by myself and my family is a little less fortunate than myself. Sometimes I cry because I really would like for them to see my wrold and share my world even if it is for a day or two. Do you think you can help or have a suggestion. Pls and thank you

  31. February 21st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Cheri!
    I don’t know anyone who’s had a dream just handed to them. Wish I could do that for you, but I can’t either.

    But I know that when we work hard for our dreams and let people know what we’re working for. They often join in to help.

  32. March 11th, 2008 at 8:13 am
    Tamera said

    Thank you for this post! I love your header also, by the way. :o)

  33. March 11th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi Tamera!
    Thank you!
    My son made the header. I’m so smiling. :)

  34. May 1st, 2008 at 10:13 pm
    sand said

    Hi Liz, any idea why when I think of my dream I get very sad and rather not think about it?
    It is like I don’t want to want it; that way, I won’t get hurt if it doesn’t come true.

  35. May 5th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
    ME Liz Strauss said

    Hi sand,
    I have some ideas. I think you might be right about what you feel.

    It makes me wonder why we live with hurt out of a fear that trying will hurt us.

  36. June 1st, 2008 at 6:59 pm
    Tornando o Sonho Realidade | [Algo A Mais] said

    […] “Successful Blog”, a Liz Strauss nos traz 9 ótimas sugestões para que você tome sua idéia e seus sonhos e os […]

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