This is a fantastic quote by American self-help author Napoleon Hill. This article will talk about how dreams and deadlines are both our friends and can help you accomplish so much more.
Who was Napoleon Hill?
Napoleon (1883-1970) wrote Think and Grow Rich, one of the best-selling self-help books of all time. Most of his works geared themselves towards principles for success and improving one's life.
What does it mean?
The meaning behind the quote is simple. It means that to increase the chances of achieving a dream you need to assign a deadline to it.
Without deadlines, dreams are incorporeal. They're out of reach. It's easy to call them unachievable because you can't put your hands on a dream.
Setting goals makes a difference. A deadline for the future can help your desires become tangible. They help you accomplish what you never thought possible.
Never underestimate the importance of getting clear on what your dream looks like. Once that's done, you can turn it into a goal, and then develop a specific plan for that goal.
Dream big to create big goals
The word "goal" refers to productivity and anything that makes a result happen.
The word "dream" usually refers to a desire which doesn't match reality. Dreaming usually stems from things we have little or no control over.
Our unconscious mind creates massive new ideas for the future, while our rational mind puts them in a little box.
If we expect great things, we set goals with the idea of making those great things happen, and balance between rational and unconscious is achieved. All of the sudden, we can dream with a deadline and that is a powerful thing.
Turning Your Dreams into Goals
The first step to having your dream realized is to write it down. Start writing down some dreams; for you, your business, your family, your health, etc.
Pick one and write it on a separate sheet of paper at the top. Then, work backward. What steps do you need to complete to achieve that dream?
Remember, a goal is a dream with a deadline. Create a deadline for yourself and write it down. Writing it down will help motivate you to succeed.
All of the sudden, your dream is becoming very real. Don't worry about if you'll fail or not. You will never know unless you try.
Tips on Transitioning Your Dreams to Goals
General Goals
Goal setting doesn't have to be stressful. Take the weight of the world off your shoulders and begin the process by setting general goals for the year. Broad goals can help with your vision and are often less overwhelming.
Years Into Months
Go slow. Take those yearly goals and break them down into monthly goals.
Months Into Days
Since that's done, you can set a daily routine and come up with good habits. Having all of this outlined can save you a lot of trouble in the future.
Get Clear About It
Meaning do what it takes to build and achieve realistic expectations for yourself.
Examine All Possibilities.
Keep your mind open to change. It's amazing how open, willing eyes can help you love the process.
Do Your Research
See how much you’ll spend each month in the place you want to live, then add all the things you’d want to do in your free time so you will have something realistic to aim at.
Scroll posts or read an article by someone doing what you want to do. Comment and ask them questions. A comment costs you a few seconds but could potentially help you out.
Open another browser and another until you've become confident in where you're going.
Find People of a Like Mind.
In our day and age, there is a website for everything. Find a website that harbors people like you and connect. You can learn so much from people who have gone for you and share what you're currently going through.
Have a Complete Vision
Have details about the lifestyle you want to lead.
Be Ruthless
Strive after your goals with tenacity and perseverance.
Fall in Love with the Process
Understand that life is long and things take time. Fall in love with your ideas and settle in for the long haul.
