If You Can Dream It, You Can Do It!

"I have heard it said that the first ingredient of success is to dream a great dream."John A. Appleman

How often do you dream or aspire? What do you dream of? Why do people struggle to act upon their dreams? Is it fear of failure, insecurity in their abilities or chalk it up to wishful thinking that holds them back? These are questions that my clients ask me all the time. In return I offer, "Isn't it amazing how people only dream of greatness?"

I have never heard of anyone dreaming of failure or aspiring to be unsuccessful. Failure does not play any part in dreaming. It is the dreamer that instills failure, not the dream. I have read of many very successful dreamers that failed numerous times before they experienced success. The difference is that failure was not going to end their dreams only motivate them to dream bigger.

Many of you fail to seek your purpose in life and you should. You dream and then follow it up with a list of all the reasons why the dream is unachievable. You fill your life with excuses and "I can't." Many great companies were conceived from a dream, nurtured in a garage or basement and grew to be traded on the New York Stock Exchange. Why not you? Why not your dream? The only true limits you experience in life are those you create or those you allow others to impose upon you. If you can dream it, you can do it!

"Sometimes when we read the words of those who have been more than conquerors, we feel almost despondent. I feel that I shall never be like that. But they won through step by step by little bits of wills, little denials of self, little inward victories by faithfulness, and in very little things. They became what they are. No one sees these little hidden steps. They only see the accomplishment, but even so, those small steps were taken. There is no sudden triumph, no spiritual maturity.

Dreaming is the easy part. Acting on the dream is harder. Recognize that a dream is a journey. On the simplest level, it takes commitment, time, desire, and courage. But rarely is something great easily realized.

In Bruce Wilkinson's book, "The Dream Giver," he tells the story of a man named Anybody. Anybody has a great dream, but struggles to break free of his comfort zone and push toward his dream. One afternoon he draws the courage and begins to tell others of his dream. They laugh at him, tell him to stop being foolish and forget about his dreams. "Stop kidding yourself, you can't do it," they would remind him. These "dream bullies" make every effort to push him back to mediocrity. Do not get caught in this trap. I am here today to tell you that you CAN do it.

Today, my dream is evolving, but the dream is still very much alive. Has it been easy? No. Has it been rewarding? Yes. Will someday I realize my dream?

I am here today to challenge you to reach for your dream. Do not be afraid to dream. If you can dream it, you can do it! Many of the people that impacted history came from humble beginnings.

Where would the world be if they had chosen to turn away from a dream? What would have become of them if they chose to listen to all of the reasons "why not," instead of "why not me?" Where will you be when you realize what might have been?

What stone might you throw that could change your life? Get focused and make a commitment. Integrate your dreams into your daily life. Many coaches promote goal setting, as do I. This site was created to help Dream to be fulfilled. I look at it all the time. It reminds me of the mission and helps keep things in perspective. If you would like to learn more about the "Dream’’ keep visiting this site.

Dreaming is recognizing and embracing the potential for greatness and seeking it in all areas of your life. Believe in your dreams and your ability to accomplish them. Keep your dreams in front of you. Never forget, if you can dream it, you can do it!