John Maxwell’s says, “It’s one thing to have a dream. It’s another to do the things needed to achieve it.” I think that is a statement that no one would argue with. But, what does it really mean? The first part is something that everyone possesses. Everyone has dreams. My eight year old has dreams of being a Super Hero. Many of us have dreams of winning the lottery. So what is the line between what is a dream, and what is a dream with the potential of achievement.
I think women are starting to answer this question. Woman more and more everyday are starting to take the steps to achieve their dreams. In the past 15 years women owned businesses have increased 54%. What is making women in such large numbers go out on their own, and achieve their dreams? In John Maxwell’s book Put Your Dream To The Test he lays out a self-test to see what your dreams are.
Many of us had dreams as small children; astronaut, princess, ballerina, etc. Obviously those dreams are for a very limited few. Not that they are bad dreams, but for many of us they are neither just nor realistic. So how do you find your dreams? It is something you need to invest time in, just as you do to fulfill the dream once it discovered.
You need to ask yourself some questions. Is your dream your own? I think this is especially important to women. Many women are raised to be mothers and wives. Or if we are the generation raised by the feminist of the 70’s we are raised to be anything but wives and mothers. So, what dreams are really ours and what dreams were our mothers and grandmothers. I had no stay at home mothers in my family, so that was never a role that I gave any real consideration to.
Is your dream strong enough that it brings out your true passions? Many people say they have dreams of making a difference, or giving back. Some simply have dreams of wealth. Are you passionate about this dream? If you dream of starting your own business you need to have the passion required to fuel the dedication to the project. Are you willing to pay the price for your dream?
There are also practical questions about the pathway to your dreams. Unfortunately, many dreams come with financial burdens and obligations. There is also the need for support. Do you have the people around you to support your dreams? And are you willing to pay the price for your dreams? If you can answer all of these questions or if you can develop answered to these questions then you are moving closer to those dreams.
Finally you need to look at your dreams in perhaps a more abstract manor. You need to ask yourself if working towards your dreams brings you satisfaction. If your dream is truly your passion the journey will provide to be fulfilling in its own way. And I believe that you should always ask yourself if your dream has any benefit to others. Adding value to others puts your life on a level of greater significance. “In the end, it is not our dreams that we conquer. It is ourselves “John Maxwell.
The opportunities are they more than ever for women in business. We have an opportunity to follow our dreams. It is important that we understand what are dreams are, and how we make them a reality. It is more important that we are investing in ourselves as well as others. “A day lived without doing something good for others is a day not worth living” Mother Teresa.
Contributing Blog by: Kendra Martin
One of the great things about college is the amount of opportunities that students have to grow, especially outside of the classroom. Many universities have hundreds of campus organizations that help students develop as leaders in what they are passionate about. Whether it is with sports, student government, or a specific field of study, there is usually an organization for what you are looking for.
