The Magic of Dreaming

The approach of a new year usually causes us to pause, review the year that's passing into history, recount our victories, and consider some of our nagging near misses. What went right? Where did we fall short? Then we move on, looking into the future and formulating our New Year's Resolutions? or maybe not. Many of us have given up after failing to reach the desired ends we stated as resolutions year after year. Can we hope to have a different outcome in the coming year? Yes, we can! Here's how.

Think! Daydream! Go a little bit crazy! Give yourself permission to let go of reality for a time. Let down the boundaries you've been living within and look over the horizon with a wide-angle lens. You have the power within you right now to achieve anything you want to achieve, to become anything you want to become! How can you be satisfied with the status quo, the current state of things, when the world is filled with abundance and you have talents to be used? Dreams can be fleeting, fanciful ideas of optimum satisfaction or pleasure, or they can become raw material for the vision of life as you want it to be.

Most of us stop dreaming because we're locked into habits and thought patterns that we assumed as we were growing up, patterns like always looking for the one right answer. Admonitions such as "be logical," "be practical," and "don't rock the boat" have stifled our imaginations. Those admonitions may have been well intended, but they do not lead to creative thinking. Many people still believe that you have to be a little bit crazy to be creative!

Forget the restrictions. You are looking for possibilities. Look at audacious and outrageous, seemingly impossible ideas. Stretch your imagination. There will be time for evaluating the ideas later on. For now focus on the majesty and excitement of what might be. Do not be afraid to be outrageous. Dare to dream impossible dreams. Who's to say what is possible anyway?

Asking questions helps guide your imagination along specific paths. Lift your sights and look at those around you who are succeeding at what you would like to become. Look within your heart and ask yourself, why can't I?

Dreaming has the capacity to become a powerful force in your life. It can:

-- Generate positive expectations

-- Make change more acceptable

-- Boost self-confidence

-- Provide direction

-- Unlock energy

If you truly would like to stretch the possibilities of your life and establish more ambitious goals, then you must be bold enough to dream great dreams. There will never be a better time to begin than right now.

Jo Condrill is an acclaimed author, speaker, and consultant. From part-time worker in Texas to supervisor in the Pentagon in less than 10 years, Jo has walked her talk. Secretary of the Army, Togo West, presented her the highest civilian honor one can achieve, the US Army Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service. Jo also led a Washington, DC District of Toastmasters to rank #1 in the world. She is the author of "Take Charge of Your Life: Dare to Pursue Your Dreams," "101 Ways to Improve Your Communication Skills Instantly," and "From Book Signing to Best Seller: An Insider's Guide to Conducting a Successful Low-Cost Book Signing Tour." Jo shares her unique experiences in seminars and speeches on leadership, team building, personal development, and success strategies. Http://http://www.goalminds.com/primer.html

---

Success or Bust!

We've all been driving down the road and seen those... Read More

Take Yourself to the Top!

Everybody wants to get to the top, whether it is... Read More

Magical Houseplants

Whenever I'm feeling stuck in a rut, I go out... Read More

Success The Cartoon Character Way?

If you could choose a cartoon character from your childhood... Read More

10 Secrets for Success and Inner Peace - Wayne Dyer Book Mini-Review

Dr. Wayne Dyer published his best-selling book, "10 Secrets for... Read More

Career Management and Life Planning Tools: Eight Powerful Questions About Your Future

"Most people don't plan to fail. They just fail to... Read More

Success Analysis - The Concept of Critical Mass

How many times have you thought about being successful, famous,... Read More

Masterminding Your Way To Greater Success

Napoleon Hill coined the concept of the mastermind alliance in... Read More

What ARE the Secrets of the Millionaire Mind?

If you're so smart, why ain't you rich?Becoming a millionaire... Read More

Dont Let Conflict Keep You from Success

Anytime you are making ground and moving toward success, there... Read More

Informational Interviews: Tips for Success

As a work-life and career coach, I regularly work with... Read More

Celebrate Great Rides

You have been preparing for months. You are in position... Read More

The Amazing 3-Step Formula To Success!

Believe it or not, there is a special 3-step formula... Read More

Reach Your Goals - Using Eastern Wisdom

Take a page from Eastern wisdom Meditation, martial arts that... Read More

The Seven Deadly Roadblocks to Success

When traveling down the road it is always good to... Read More

Help Yourself To Success

If you help yourself, God and humans will help you... Read More

It is a Challenge to Succeed

(excerpted from The Challenge to Succeed audio series)It is a... Read More

K.O.R.E. Elements of Success

I want to focus our thoughts on each of these... Read More

Seven Empowering Success Beliefs

I call the following seven belief lies of success, taking... Read More

Success In An Ever Changing World?

Well, it's that time of the year again. No, I... Read More

The Best Test

I spoke to a group of salespeople in Kansas City... Read More

Transform Your Fear Into Focus!

The greatest deterrent to success in life is fear. It... Read More

Hispanicus Economicus

Something's missing! As a Hispanic in this great country, I... Read More

Who Else Wants to Keep Failing?

Who wants to carry on being a failure?Failure. Not a... Read More

Let It Be You

Each and every day, there are people all around the... Read More

Personal Excellence: Whats Your Motivation? (Part 3 of 3)

After 13 years of being married to the same woman... Read More

Top Ten Success Strategies

1. Believe in yourself and what it is you do.... Read More

Marching To A New Beat

For our family, the Fall is filled with Friday Night... Read More

Its Your World--Own It

Hello,You are reading this article because you are one of... Read More

Changing Your Luck

In this week's New Age Notebook, I am going to... Read More

A Simple Idea from a Billionaire

It's simple and powerful.The philosophy of successful people is often... Read More

How to Make Your Wildest Dreams a Reality

According to Bill Gates there are 3 keys to success... Read More

Are You In It - To Win It?

Have you ever heard this? "It isn't whether you win... Read More