Kids do it all the time – dream of their future. They live in excited anticipation of what’s next and what life will be like when they grow up.

Then they grow up… and all of a sudden, they dream less, if at all. Somehow as adults, with all the demands and responsibilities placed on us, we see dreaming as frivolous and unnecessary; a veritable waste of time.

A while back, I met with an executive from a large corporation. We began working together on crafting his Life Design. Life, the way he wanted it to look. By his own admission, it had been a long time since he had allowed himself to dream and visualize a future that he wanted. The more we worked on it, the more he became energized by thinking of his future and dreaming of possibilities.

When is the last time you dreamed of what you want your future to look like?

Dreaming actually ups your game. It takes you beyond the restraints of your current reality and opens doors of opportunity you didn’t even know you had.

Why Dream?

Dreaming is beneficial.

• Dreams allow you to think bigger than is considered realistic. When you practice dreaming, you throw off the mental shackles and limitations that hold you back from all that’s possible for you in life. Like the child that dreams of “when I grow up,” dreams allow you to think bigger than you are today. It’s the impetus to possibilities thinking. What’s possible? If I could have anything, what would it be?

• Dreams also give you something to look forward to. The future can be an exciting place, depending on your dreams.  “Where there is no vision the people perish” – Proverbs 29:18. You must dream and visualize your future to live life fully. What is your vision for your future? What is it that not only keeps you going, but gets you excited for each new day? Dreams generate excitement.

Dreaming creates connectedness. Similar to reminiscing about a shared positive experience with others, dreams create a connectedness as you plan and visualize yourself in future state of togetherness. Whether it’s a professional or personal relationship, dreams create a sense of belonging and synergy. Everyone longs to be a part of something bigger than themselves. Dreaming together creates that bigger something that you collectively build.

Dreaming is the first step to your ideal future. What is your ideal future? You have more say in attaining that future than you think you have. Make your dreams happen through effective goal-setting. Goals turn dreams into a reality. Live intentionally. What is one thing you can do each day that will move you closer to the future you want?

Dream big. Dream often. Live your Dream! Choosing to live any other way is choosing to be less than you were meant to be.

What do you want your future to look like? Take the time to dream and then get busy and turn your dreams into reality.

Photo credit. compfight..