Do you remember your graduation day? That sense of
achievement, your insides buzzing with anticipation, and you family beaming
with pride? Do you remember what it felt like when you were offered that job
you’d been drooling over? How confident you were that this job was going to
make all the difference in your career?
Perhaps you’ve had other moments like your wedding day or the birth of
your first child. Those moments full of joy and an eagerness for the
experiences the years ahead would bring.
These memories are more than just milestones from your past. They are
peak emotional experiences when you were not only reveling in the moment, you
were also looking ahead to your future.
Answer this honestly: How long has it been since you’ve been
excited about your future? Has it been longer than you like to admit? I’m not
going to ask you why you haven’t been excited lately, because the odds are
your pride would compel you to make an
excuse or blame some circumstance beyond your control. Sometimes the “why”
question is the least productive question you can ask yourself. I believe it is
more useful to ask yourself, “What can I do about it?”
Step 1: Find something to get excited about
Dreaming is not just for graduates. Anticipation is not just
for Brides & Grooms. No matter what stage of life you are in, there is
something ahead that you can set your sights on and work toward. Whether it be a well-deserved vacation, remodeling
your home, or a new business endeavor; find something that inspires you to
dream again.
Step 2: Make it visual
Make a picture of it in your mind and then a physical
representation of it. Put it somewhere prominent so you can look at it often
and remind yourself of your aspirations. Ellie in Pixar’s “Up” had an Adventure
Book where she saved her mementos. She also had a whole section dedicated to
things she was going to do. Queen Latifa’s character in “Last Holiday” had a similar book of “possibilities”.
They would have remained just that if a medical diagnosis hadn’t inspired her
to start living out the things she always dreamed of. I also recommend laying
your goal out in stages. My personal vision board has 1 year, 2 year, 3 year
and 5 year segments.
Step 3: Go for it!
Dreaming only takes you so far. Capitalize
on your new-found excitement to take action. Use your excitement strategically
to fuel whatever work your goal requires. Once you get the ball rolling, a
whole new wave of excitement might ensue as milestones are reached and your
end-goal approaches.
