avatarJ.R. Heimbigner

Summary

The article provides guidance on how to make dreams a reality by discovering, chasing, and realizing them through purposeful action and community support.

Abstract

The article "How Do You Make Your Dreams Come True?" by J.R. Heimbigner emphasizes the importance of actively pursuing one's dreams rather than passively waiting for them to materialize. Heimbigner suggests that realizing dreams involves more than mere desire; it requires understanding one's priorities and purpose, setting a clear direction, and establishing a plan with milestones and a tracking system. He also stresses the necessity of a supportive community and the willingness to work hard. The article outlines a five-step process: creating a life plan, setting milestones, developing a tracking system, building a community, and committing to hard work. Heimbigner acknowledges the fear that may accompany the realization of dreams but encourages readers to celebrate achievements and embrace new aspirations that arise.

Opinions

  • The author believes that discovering one's dreams is about understanding what is most important and making them a priority.
  • Heimbigner opposes the idea of chasing dreams with reckless abandonment, advocating instead for a structured approach with clear direction.
  • He emphasizes the importance of having a life plan, which he acknowledges might seem cheesy to some but is crucial for success.
  • The article suggests that goals should be written down and reviewed regularly to serve as milestones toward one's dreams.
  • A system for tracking progress is deemed essential, with the author recommending simple tools like a journal.
  • The author values community support, considering it vital for encouragement and feedback during the pursuit of dreams.
  • Heimbigner asserts that hard work is an indispensable part of making dreams come true and that the journey is as rewarding as the destination.
  • He addresses the fear of what happens when dreams come true, encouraging readers to celebrate and be open to new dreams that may emerge.

How Do You Make Your Dreams Come True?

Photo by Daria Nepriakhina on Unsplash

Everyone has a dream. No matter your place in life you have a dream. Most people are chasing their dreams. Whether it is a little bit at a time or by huge leaps and bounds. People tend to be moving toward a dream or desire for their life. You have dreams too. Whether you are chasing them or believing they will just happen, you have a dream.

I want to help you chase your dreams.

Over the past several years, I have been chasing my own dreams. I have shared a lot about the move my family recently made. Changing states, moving to a little farm in eastern Washington state. People have been saying over and over how amazing it is for my wife and me to chase a dream and see it happen.

Every time someone expresses this to me, I hear the same problem with their comments. You might have this problem too. I see this problem plague people who have dreams unrealized:

How do I make my dreams come true?

Until recently, I thought there was a very straightforward answer to this questions. And then, after talking with so many people and reading so many stories and articles I see how difficult it is for people to discover their dreams, chase their dreams, and see their dreams come true.

Discover Your Dreams

I used to think this was more about what you want and deep-felt desires. However, what I have learned is it is more than simple desires. When someone discovers a dreams for their life, it is more. It is a desired life based on a purpose and focused priorities.

Discovering our dreams is understanding what is most important to us, making them our top priorities, and desiring to thrive in our lives. When I started identifying what was most important to me and making it a priority, I understood the desires of my heart so much more.

You can too.

What is most important to you? Is it your family or job? Do you want to live in a certain place or do specific things with your life? Do these things have a purpose for you or for others? Asking these questions help you understand what you desire and dream about. And when you do this, you discover your dreams.

Chase Your Dreams

“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” — Walt Disney

I used to think chasing your dreams was more about feverishly pursuing your desires with reckless abandonment. However, this isn’t how you make them happen. Doing it with wild-eyed intensity merely keeps you from reaching your dreams sooner.

Chasing your dreams is about finding direction.

When you start to create direction for chasing your dreams, you will learn to find the shortest, but not always the easiest path toward your dreams and desires. I have done this over the last three years. THREE YEARS. And here is what I have learned about how to create direction to chase your dreams:

1. You need to have a plan.

I created a life plan for my life. It helped me discover my dreams and it gave me tracks to run on when I began chasing my dreams. A life plan sounds cheesy to some people.

However, you will need it to see your dreams come true. Creating a life plan provides you with the past, present, and future aspects of chasing your dreams.

2. You need to have milestones.

I created goals for each year and for each month to chase my dreams. At the time, I didn’t even realize it was about chasing my dreams. I was just trying to accomplish certain things in life.

However, you need to create, write down, and re-read your goals weekly to achieve them. And these goals are milestones toward your dreams.

3. You need to have a system.

I created a system to track my progress and drive me toward my dreams. Using my journal, a calendar, and a few ‘living documents,’ I began to track my dreams as I reached my milestones and saw them come true.

You will need a system too. And it can be very simple, all you need is a journal. to start. And when you have your life plan and goals, add them to your journal and you track your progress.

4. You need a community.

I had my wife and brother initially, and then I shared my dreams with a few friends. These are the people who I trust most and depend on to provide me with honest feedback about my dreams and progress.

You need a community to chase your dreams. This is your team of people to pick you up when you are down and spur you on when things are hard. They are also the people who will celebrate with you when dreams come true.

5. You need to be prepared to work.

I had to be prepared to do the work to chase my dreams. A dream worth chasing isn’t going to be easy. It will be hard. I had to roll up my sleeves and dig into the hard work of life. And it was worth it.

You will have to do this too. You will need to commit to doing the hard work. Putting in the early mornings or on the weekends to chase after your dreams. It will be during this slow and steady grind you will learn much about yourself and set the foundation to stand on enjoying your dreams.

When Your Dreams Come True

Photo by Cristina Gottardi on Unsplash

Some people don’t chase their dreams because they are afraid of what happens when they come true. Even I have had this hesitation. Will you be disappointed in the end? How might reaching your dreams change your life?

What happens when your dreams come true?

First, you get to celebrate and enjoy your dream. Watching the sunset from your dream home. Seeing the book on the shelf of a bookstore. Being able to use a degree or education to help others or do the job you love. Enjoy it and celebrate.

Oprah Winfrey addresses the idea of seeing your dreams come true quite well in this quote:

“The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams.”

Second, you will find a new desire stirring up within you. Sometimes we hear this as the “More Syndrome.” We want more and more after we accomplish something. And this is true for some people. However, I believe one dream leads to another dream. Sometimes, achieving your dreams helps us see dreams we never thought possible before. Embrace the new desire.

Third, you will start chasing the new dream while enjoying the one you achieved. And your life will be more full. Everything I do from our little farmhouse is better because we made it here. We saw this dream come true. And now, I get to enjoy chasing other dreams from here.

Discovering, chasing, and realizing our dreams is a cycle of hard work and joy.

What Should You Do First?

First, you need to discover your dreams. Really discover them. Ask the questions from earlier. Find out what you really desire. Know what is important to you and has a purpose for you. And then it is time to chase them.

If you are still discovering, I encourage you to check out my two free resources: The True North Manifesto and 21 Days of Gratitude. These are two tools I developed from my experience and conversations with others.

These two resources help the process of discovering your dreams. Get these two resourses today!

Have you discovered your dreams? What are they? Where are they taking you?

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