A simple approach to goals: Part two

So far we have a Dreams List. This is a list of desires that you might like to be, do, or have regardless of any limits you may think you have of time, talent, money, knowledge, support, resources, etc. We will be creating our goals from our dreams.

A vital difference.

Before we do that I think it’s important to understand the difference between what I’m calling a Dream and a Goal. They are both things you want. In the end they may even be the same but initially there is an important difference. This has to do with your Intention.

A dream is like a nice idea. Wouldn’t it be nice if…?

• I had a million dollars.
• I was 10 kilograms lighter.
• I lived in Hawaii.
• I was a best-selling novelist.
• I could play the piano.

Sometimes people take these nice ideas and compare them to their actual lives, their current reality. There can be a huge disparity between a dream life and a real life. Some people use this to beat up on themselves. It’s easy to judge yourself harshly for not living up to a fantasy, what you may consider your potential. This can be a painful way to live. From personal experience I don’t recommend it.

Dreams are free. Keep them that way.

You will be much more at peace with yourself when you can accept that your dreams come without the burden of having to do anything to achieve them. They are just nice to think about once in a while. A Dreams List is not a To Do List. If someone offered to fulfill your dream you’d be all over it. Until then it’s just a nice idea. Keep your dreams free and easy.

Enjoy your dreams as you would a catalog. It’s fun flipping through nice catalogs, isn’t it? Imagining what your life would be like with all the appealing items. Remember, every thing has a price. Even in your catalog of dreams. The price is to be paid through your time and effort. When a dream has become important enough that you are willing to pay the price of its achievement it has become a goal.

Goals.

A goal is something you intend to achieve through your own action. You have decided to live up to the common motto “If it is to be, it is up to me.” Now you’ve become serious. You now have Intention in regard to a dream, or a part of a dream. You are willing to put yourself at stake.

Whereas a dream is, or should be, carefree a goal is something you care a great deal about. You want it in your life enough to make it a priority.

With that distinction clear we can explore goals in more depth next time.