Good things can happen if you let yourself dream. Successful people dream all the time. They call it visioning, and it helps them set goals so they can work toward living their dream. You can too.
Your dreams can give you clues about what excites or motivates you. They are what make you want to get going in the morning. If it’s been a while since you’ve felt like leaping out of bed, it may be time to figure out why.
Why are your dreams or vision so important?
If you think that dreaming is just for dreamers, think again. Most successful organizations spend a great deal of time creating a corporate vision. Why? Because creating a vision helps define the future the company really wants. It works the same way for people.
Your dream or vision is your big, bright, high-definition picture of the way you want your life to look. Even if you’re having setbacks or problems right now, you can look at them in the light of your vision and put them in perspective.
For example, consider Jesse’s story. He had to be laid off before he really looked at where he wanted to go with his life. He realized that dealing with car parts wasn’t really his life’s dream. His true love was being around vehicles that were assembled and ready to go—especially the expensive kind!
When Jesse received his layoff notice last year, he thought his world had ended. Even though he had been delivering auto parts since high school and had never been promoted, he liked being around his first love—cars. But now, Jesse has traded in the old delivery van for high-end sports cars. He has joined a dealership that values his knowledge and passion for cars. “I’ve always dreamed of being around great rides, and this sales job is perfect. I just love coming in each day.”
When you believe in your dreams, you believe in yourself. You embrace what you really want. Following your dreams means you will:
- Have meaning and direction
- Explore new and interesting paths
- Meet other dreamers
- Stay hopeful and young at heart
- Inspire others
- Have something to share with others
- Develop the courage to pursue what you want
- Live in the moment
- Find contentment
Why are dreams overlooked?
When we are young, we have no trouble imagining what we’ll be when we grow up. Did the thrill of scoring a goal make you dream of being a pro hockey or soccer player? Did your love of animals let you imagine yourself as a veterinarian or a farmer?
Somewhere along the way, you may have learned from other people in your life to be more realistic and practical. It’s hard to believe in yourself and your vision without the support of people close to you. But if they do not know how to pursue their own dreams, they may not be able support yours.
Sometimes we let other people dream our dreams. Or we forget what our dreams are. But remember, we are never too old to have dreams, and it’s never too late to go after them.
How can you know what your dreams are?
It’s your turn to dream. Sit back and take the time to really think about your dreams and your vision. For this to work for you, your dreams must be what you want, not what your partner, children, parents, or friends want.
The questions in the vision exercise will help you imagine your ideal life. They are designed to help you explore how you want to live—and then your options will be clearer.
If you pay attention to what you like and what’s important to you, your dreams will emerge. Dreams may hit you like lightning or reveal themselves more slowly.
How do you turn your dreams into attainable goals?
The best goals start with your dreams. If your dream became reality, what would your life look like? When you have a clear image in your mind, you can set goals that put you on the right track to reaching that dream.
For example, if your dream is to care for animals, some goals you could set are to:
- Focus on science and math courses in high school
- Volunteer at a local animal shelter
- Complete a post-secondary program that involves working with animals
The following 4-step career plan can help you set and reach your goals:
- Get to know yourself. Learn about yourself: who you are, what you value, and what you want.
- Explore your occupational options. Discover occupations and explore learning and training options.
- Evaluate your career options and make a decision. Compare options and make choices.
- Take action to achieve your career goals. Choose the career option you want to act on.
You can also check out occupational videos to explore different kinds of work.
Dreams are part of a bigger picture
If you can use your passion to launch you into a career that also fits your strengths, values, and broader life goals, you are literally living the dream. But here are a few things to keep in mind as you explore the possibilities.
If you don’t have a clear passion, don’t panic!
The advice to follow your dreams makes some people anxious. You might be asking yourself:
- What if I haven’t found my passion?
- What if I don’t know how to turn my passion into a career?
- What if I have many passions and don’t know which one to follow?
Many people don’t have just one true calling. The modern career path tends to be a winding road rather than a straight line. Exploring different directions will help you discover new interests that you never could have imagined.
Your dreams may change over time
As you evolve as a person, your interests, dreams, and goals will naturally change over time.
You might invest time and money in pursuing education or training around a certain passion, only to have it fade. Or a certain occupation—like being a dancer or a golf pro—may no longer be possible after an injury or past a certain age.
So always stay open to new interests and options!
Making your passion your job might take the joy out of it
Turning a hobby or interest into a job might change it from something you want to do into something you have to do. It may also blur the boundary between your work and personal life.
And here’s another thing to think about. Areas that many people tend to be passionate about—like creative fields—are highly competitive and demand a lot of time and effort for low pay. Many of these occupations require a side job to meet financial needs. This situation can lead to burnout.
We tend to enjoy what we’re good at
The most satisfying job will be one that fits well not only with your interests but also with your skills and abilities.
Just because you’re passionate about something doesn’t guarantee you’ll be good at it. Finding a job that you do really well can have a lot of rewards, like pride in your achievements, the respect and recognition of your peers, and financial benefits.
Remember too, that every job has parts that are fun and parts that aren’t. For example, you might love writing fiction, but hate the idea of having to sell and promote your work. Be sure to consider your willingness and ability to do the chores as well as the good parts.
Keep your sights on the life you want
Your career is only one part of your life—and it’s important to keep the big picture in mind. Every choice we make involves trade-offs. Many people find a balance by choosing a job that affords them the money, time, and energy to pursue their passions outside of work.
Even if you’re not passionate about parts of your job, you can develop passion for the impact you make, the environment you work in, the relationships you build, or the freedom the work allows you.
There are many ways to incorporate your dreams into your career and life plan. The key is finding the balance that’s right for you.
Who can help you define your career goals?
If you have worked through the suggestions in this article and you still aren’t sure how to define your career goals, ask for help:
- Talk to staff at Alberta Supports.
- If you are in school, talk to a school counsellor, a Career and Life Management (CALM) teacher, a Career and Technology Studies teacher, or a Career and Technology Foundations teacher about your plans.
- If you have Children’s Services status, talk with your caseworker about your dreams and goals, and how to take care of adult basics.
Your dreams may change
You may find that a particular dream is not possible. For example, an ankle injury could put an end to your dream of being a dancer or an athlete.
But even recognizing that dream can allow you to look at other possibilities connected to it. What about coaching or teaching? Or a different sport?
Allowing yourself to pursue your dreams can lead to possibilities you never imagined.