Whenever you're doing work for which you are very well suited, it's likely that some BIG goals are going to pop into your mind -- grand ideas with huge payoffs that will benefit you and (hopefully) many others as well.
If you're like most people, however, it's equally likely that a little voice inside your head will immediately dismiss these goals as crazy, outrageous and, of course, unrealistic! After all, how could you possibly hope to accomplish such incredible outcomes?
Let's take a closer look at this word, "unrealistic." Was it realistic, in the early 1960s, for John F. Kennedy to proclaim that we would put a man on the moon by the end of that decade?
Twenty-five years ago, was it realistic to believe that millions of people worldwide would be exchanging e-mail messages every day? Was it ever realistic to believe that a sheep could be cloned?
As you'll probably admit, all of these things were unrealistic. And yet, all of them were accomplished! Why? Because certain people dared to "dream big" and took the steps necessary to bring their visions into reality.
Take a moment to think about it. Are there any goals that you have given up on--or hesitate to pursue because you decided they were "unrealistic?"
Here are some ideas that will assist you in bringing your dreams into reality:
1. You wouldn't have the dream unless you could implement it. The universe does not waste its efforts by giving you the desire to accomplish something ... unless you also have the potential to achieve it. Now, no one said it would be easy! Your goal may take years to attain, and there may be numerous setbacks before you can claim victory.
2. A positive attitude is the foundation. You can achieve something extraordinary only if you have a dynamic positive attitude and a strong belief in yourself and your abilities.
3. Don't expect others to feel and see your vision. You may be able to picture your outcome in vivid detail. This is your personal vision. But don't be discouraged when you find that others (even those close to you) can't "tune into" that dream. All that counts is that you see it ... and feel it.
4. Enthusiasm is crucial. Bold objectives are achieved by those who are "on fire" about accomplishing them. So, are you excited about your goal? When you are speaking about that topic to others, can they sense your passion?
If you are lukewarm about achieving your goal or are just in it for the money, you probably won't succeed. Also, if you are trying to achieve a goal that someone else has set for you but your heart isn't in you will face disappointment.
5. Commitment gets the job done. Sure, many people are excited at the outset. But, they quickly lose interest when obstacles appear in their path. And, with any "unrealistic" goal, you can bet that the trip won't be all fun and games.
You're going to face some tough times. Those who are committed have decided that they are in it for the long haul -- however long that haul may take. They usually have a timetable for realizing their dream, but quitting is simply not an option. That's the mindset that achieves the "impossible."
6. Your everyday progress will look quite ordinary. When you look back at the accomplishment of most "unrealistic" goals, you're going to find that they were achieved by harnessing the power of cumulative efforts.
Thus, if we view a snapshot of each day along the way, no single day's accomplishments would look extraordinary or monumental. However, by making these efforts day after day, the individual created a momentum that propelled him or her to the desired destination. Remember, you don't climb a mountain with one giant leap.
7. There are no guarantees. By the way, is there a chance that you could embark on a challenging goal ... and not reach it? Absolutely. But, when you set an ambitious objective and give it your all, you are a winner and can hold your head high regardless of the end result.
So, do you think that you could double or triple your income -- or come up with an idea that could be worth thousands, or even millions, of dollars to your company? Whatever your big dream might be, don't worry that it is "unrealistic."
People are achieving "unrealistic" goals every day. As Thomas Edison said: "If we all did the things we are capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves."