Back when I started my business in 2020… I had a dream. I wanted to attend a business retreat… to escape my daily routine and hang out with other business owners.
Early in 2023, I did just that… I spent a wonderful 4 days in Palm Springs (California) with 20 female entrepreneurs. We learned, we laughed, we shared and there may even have been a happy tear or two. I came away energised and motivated in all the best possible ways.
While this doesn’t sound like a challenge, a few years ago as I was nervously stepping into the idea of self employment and subsequently thwarted by global events… the idea of doing something like this felt not just unlikely but pretty much unachievable.
Finally achieving this aspiration made me truly appreciate the power of dreaming as a tool for achieving something you really want.
Unleash the power of your imagination
In my work, I encourage clients to use dreaming to get clear about what they want in their career and to create their ideal career vision.
Rather than being wishy-washy, or something that just kids do, dreaming is a powerful tool that opens up new possibilities and helps you break free from feeling stuck or trapped.
Think of dreaming as your escape from the same old, same old. It’s your chance to take a break from your daily grind and imagine new possibilities.
When you’re feeling stuck, you become tunnel-visioned and lose sight of your potential possibilities. You become fixated on the challenges and limitations you face, rather than the opportunities that may be available.
I’m not talking about the kind of dreams you have when you’re asleep, but instead dreams that give you a vision for what you want your career (or life) to look and feel like. It’s like putting on a pair of rose-tinted glasses and seeing things in a new light.
Feeling stuck is like being trapped in a box with no way out. But when you let yourself dream, you open up the box and let in fresh, new ideas. And by thinking outside the box, you can start to imagine something for your career (or life) you might not have considered before.
In letting yourself dream, you reconnect with what’s most important to you. The things you value and are motivated by… providing a clearer sense of what you really want from your working life.
Five powerful reasons to dream about your career
1. YOU’RE MORE LIKELY TO ADOPT A GROWTH MINDSET
More than just one of those “trending” concepts, “growth mindset” is a term coined by Stanford Psychology professor, Carol Dweck. And it relates to having the belief that your talents and abilities can be further developed. When you dare to dream, you’re challenging yourself to embrace growth and learning. By developing a growth mindset, you’ll approach challenges with a sense of curiosity and excitement, rather than fear and anxiety.
2. YOU’LL BECOME MORE RESILIENT
The process of dreaming is important, but it’s not enough on its own. Dreaming and creating your ideal career vision creates a target to aim for but it requires you to take action to get there. Taking the steps towards your dream career requires effort, and that means facing challenges and setbacks along the way. But by persevering through tough times, you’ll develop a sense of resilience and grit that better equips you to handle all sorts of potential challenges and setbacks.
3. YOU’LL CREATE AN INSPIRATIONAL NETWORK
You need help to pursue your dreams and you’ll find yourself seeking collaboration and connection with others… especially those who have achieved or can help you achieve what you want. By sharing your vision with like-minded individuals and seeking support and guidance, you’ll be surprised how willing others are to help you. And in the process you’ll cultivate a network of inspiring supporters and advocates who’ll cheer you on and help you achieve your goals.
4. YOU’LL FIND IT EASIER TO MAKE CONFIDENT DECISIONS
There’s a much used quote that goes something like – “if you don’t know where you’re going, you’ll definitely get there”. This is especially true when it comes to your career. Knowing where you’d like to end up gives you a target to aim for.When you have a clear vision of your ideal or dream career, you’ll be better equipped to make decisions that align with your values and aspirations. No more second-guessing yourself or feeling uncertain about your choices!
5. YOU’LL BE HAPPIER
Making progress towards and achieving your career dream is a fulfilling and rewarding experience that’s, quite simply, priceless. By doing something that truly matters to you, you’ll experience a sense of joy, purpose, and fulfilment that makes the hard work and sacrifice worth it. When your career or working life is the right fit for you, your satisfaction increases exponentially… and you can’t help but feel an overall sense of happiness.
Dreaming is not just for kids. It’s a powerful tool that can help find the career you’re meant to have. Imagine feeling lit up and inspired by what you do every day instead… take the Fix Your Career quiz today to uncover where you need to start to create your dream career. Dream big, and make it happen.