Keep Dreaming.
Here's a sneek peak into my next book I'm writing called - Navigate. I hope you enjoy, RIchard.
Kelly and I were sitting at the kitchen table, kids in bed, and the room was cosy with dimmed lights and a couple of candles burning
beautiful vanilla aromas through our home. Aided by a couple of glasses and a fresh bottle of Shiraz, we began our journey. We’d blank
A4 pieces of paper everywhere and had started the process of dreaming again. We’d just journeyed through a challenging previous year
and decided it was time again to dream and create short-term and long-term goals for ourselves. We began to write and talk, grabbing
different pieces of paper and giving each one a different heading, a different title; the first was ‘Holidays & adventures we
wanted to have’, the next one, ‘Family traditions and culture’, another read, ‘Our relationship, and again two
others had Kelly's name and my name at the top. We continued on to create more and more headings. Once we’d had a crack at those
headings, we returned, picked up our first title, ‘Holidays & adventures we wanted to have’, and began to dream and write.
We captured ideas like a campervan trip around the South Island of NZ, a Gold Coast Holiday and concepts like a hot tub in the snow. Other
pages were headed with our children's names, Baylin, Isaac and PJ, and again, we wrote goals, aspirations and hopes for our children. These
were not to control them but to set an intention for how we’d love, support and encourage them in the best ways we thought possible.
We'll never forget what we did that day, as it created such a significant benchmark, created hope and excitement, and allowed us to view life more long-term, the big picture, rather than focusing only on the here and now.
Looking back through the goals we wrote, we continue to cross them off the list. Some of our goals changed, as when we got to the point of achieving them, we decided to deviate due to other priorities or interests. For example, we’d set out for a Disneyland trip in 10 years. That would mean Baylin would be 16, Isaac 14 and PJ 11. We thought it was good timing based on our kids' ages. However, when we were at that 10-year point, we shifted the goal because our children asked and chose to fly to Hawaii for two weeks for the Billabong Pipe Masters competition. Another goal we articulated and confirmed that day was to own and operate our own business. And again, that’s just over 17 years ago, so that goal was achieved within 12 months of writing it down.
Have you taken the time to write out your goals, hopes, or aspirations?
If you have, do you revisit them and reconsider where you’re at, what you’ve achieved, or what might need to be tweaked or adjusted?
Kelly and I make a yearly trip away to do just that—to ensure we’re on track and reevaluate.
Now, let me transpose this into business.
The boardroom was well-lit, and the AC blew gentle, cool air around the room. Glasses half full of water and empty to-go coffee cups on the
table. Tom told me, “Richard, I can hardly remember what I love about our work! I’ve so much going on: internal staff pressures,
conflict, and issues to resolve constantly. And then there are our clients. I’m losing respect for them because I once revered them,
but now I’ve gotten to know them personally, and my respect is all but gone. They’re successful in their business world, but
most other aspects of their lives are a mess. And they keep telling me about it! I just don’t have the joy any longer.”
“Well, Tom”, I assured in a gentle but secure voice, “This process, amongst other issues, will help you move through and
gain a deep understanding of what you want and don’t want. We can reset and get you back on track with what you love and how to
achieve that again.” I was sitting with my client, the Directors of their successful Australian business, and beginning a strategy
session to set goals and direction for the next 2, 5 and 10 years. I’ve used this many times, and here are a few questions you can
take and apply to your business, role, or life. Kelly and I also consider these thoughts from time to time.
Before I jump into this, there’s one other aspect that I’d love you to consider and add. I won't go into much detail because there are books and videos you can read and watch. But it’s the concept of your ‘Why’. Simon Sinek, author, coined the idea that most people understand and know what they do and how they do it, but often they don’t know ‘Why’ they do it. So, I’d encourage you to learn and uncover this' Why' concept for yourself or your organisation.
So here are the questions that have helped many through this process.
Strategy and goal-setting questions:
- What do we have and do that we want and need?
- What don’t we have or do that we want?
- What do we have or do that we don’t want?
- What don’t we have or do and don’t want?
They’re not complicated, nor are they tricky. But these four simple questions can unlock significant conversation and create incredible outcomes to work towards. I’ve run two or three-day business strategy sessions utilising these four questions within the framework of those days.
Now, how can you move forward and make this real? It’s never too soon or never too late. Sometimes, it helps to begin the thinking
process, to have questions you can ask yourself and start to think and talk.
Here are my questions for you to begin:
What have you dreamed of before but have not taken any action on?
So many people talk about big or great ideas but never take a step forward. Now’s the time to do just that. Begin.
Does your dream, your idea, seem so big that you have no idea where to start? This is another common hold-up. Here’s my encouragement
for you:
Take out your calendar and add an event. This event is an action point to take the first step and do the first thing. Writing this book started with opening my laptop and beginning to type. I didn’t wait for inspiration, I didn’t wait for the ‘so-called’ right moment, I didn’t rely on ‘feeling like it’; I just created the time and began. Book it now!
Do you limit your thinking and assume that’s not possible for you?
Everything and anything is possible for anyone. There are no limitations, as you create the only limitations in your mind.
Is dreaming and goal-setting boring?
Well, maybe if your dreams and goals are boring. Don’t be. You can make it light, fun, and a laugh. Push the limits on the most outrageous ideas. Be daring; be aspirational.
What does my ego stop me from doing?
I know plenty of people who fear creating a dream for two reasons. 1, “What will others think of my idea?” and 2, “What if I don’t achieve it?” Well, that’s pretty simple to answer. “Who cares, and who cares”. But no, if you’re being held back due to any underlying thinking like this, get some support to help talk you through these thoughts, even if you need to spend some time and money on counselling or with a life coach. The money spent will be paid off and paid back tenfold, easily! Also, we’ll work through getting control of our thinking and changing habits later in the book.
Do you just not know how and where to start?
I get this! It’s easy to overthink or overcomplicate the process. Some people need prompts to begin, so I’ve written this guide and given you starter questions to use. Here are a few more thoughts, questions, and ideas to help.
Dreaming………….
What in my life do I want to experience?
What have I thought I’d love to do, have, or experience but considered impossible?
Who do I want to become? For me, my family and my friends?
What do I want to be good at? What’s something new that I could learn or have always thought would be amazing to ‘be able’ to do?
What have I always wanted to do but have never made it a priority?
What motivates me and gets me excited?
What do I love, am passionate about, and want to experience more?
If I could be anywhere in the world right now, where would that be?
If I’m being lazy in my thinking, who can I get alongside to help motivate me?
If I know who I want to be, who do I know I could spend time with that will support and encourage me in the right direction?
Where would I live if the boundaries were lifted and the obligations removed?
What obligations in my life do I need to remove that restrict my potential and keep me from experiencing more?
What feelings do I want, and what brings those feelings out?
Is what I’m doing fulfilling? If not, what’s one thing I can do to improve it?
If I imagined the perfect life, what’s in it?
Who makes me feel good, and how do I have more of those people in my life?
You probably get the idea. You can spend time answering these questions. Sometimes, if you're more expressive and talkative by personality,
having someone to talk with and bounce ideas around will help. I hope these questions generate some inspiration. You can add your own and
think through other, more personal questions.