The 3 Unexpected Ways Big Dreams Change Your Future
The 3 Unexpected Ways Big Dreams Change Your Future
I have this Banksy print on my wall. Dream Big Dreams—the three words painted on a wall by a boy admiring his creation —are the secret to having an unfair advantage in reaching heights you never thought possible.
I have repeatedly experienced this in my multiple careers, parenting, friendships, and health goals, and this is how it works…
Here are the three ways dreaming big dreams can change your future, along with real-life examples:
1. It primes your mind for future success.
Dreaming big is a mental rehearsal, setting the stage for your aspirations. It's like programming your subconscious to navigate towards these goals, helping you recognize opportunities and solutions that align with your ambitions. This mental priming enhances your ability to envision possible futures and conditions you to act confidently toward making those visions a reality.
Three stories that illustrate this:
I helped create a massive event for orphans. We had celebrities perform for thousands of orphans until one day, the celebrity of all celebrities, Michael Jackson.- the King of Pop- walked through our doors. It all started with a “what if” conversation on a breakfast.
I thought of starting a production company in Hollywood that creates music videos using top producers, directors, and crews until one day, I produced a music video with over 100 people on set in Hollywood. It all started with a “what if” conversation with my wife.
I started a brand strategy and media company in Austin, TX. This week, I got an email asking us to create a new NASA Earth Science project logo. It started because my previous company had failed and I needed a new plan.
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2. It helps you take actionable steps toward your goals.
When you dream big, each vision becomes a roadmap of smaller, manageable milestones. This process breaks down what seems hard to achieve into achievable tasks. Each step you take moves you closer to your grand aspirations and builds momentum. By setting clear, targeted actions, you convert your lofty dreams into a series of doable and practical efforts, making the journey as rewarding as the destination.
Taking the same stories I shared above, these were the baby steps that led to the outcomes:
Before Michael Jackson walked through our doors, I did many small shows in orphanages, volunteered with the kids, and invited other artists to join me. It grew from there.
Before standing on that Hollywood set and talking to a director who produced some of history's most iconic music videos, I had a friend build a simple, free website. I started sharing our vision with anyone who knew anyone in town who could do what I wanted to do. It grew from there.
Before working with remarkable tech startups and well-established non-profits and hearing from NASA, I put my profile on a freelancer website. I did many small jobs with just me and my camera to build a reputation. It grew from there.
3. It helps cultivate a supportive network of allies and partners.
Sharing your big dreams does more than verbalize your aspirations—it attracts like-minded individuals. These collaborators, mentors, and supporters resonate with your vision and whose skills and networks can catalyze your progress. This community becomes a powerful resource, providing insights, encouragement, and the necessary push when challenges arise. It's a dynamic ecosystem that grows in value as you and your network push each other towards shared success.
Taking the same stories I shared above, this is how it played out:
Michael Jackson was a massive influence on me as a kid and artist, so I happened to know he was coming to town with a big stadium show and mentioned it over breakfast to the head of the charity I was working with. We wondered if we timed our event for his visit, would there be a chance he would come and put us on the map? So people talked to people who knew people. The rest is history.
My wife Deb worked for MTV, VH-1, and Universal/Motown for many years before we decided to start our production company. So when our first potential gig became possible, she reached out to her former boss, and we begged him to help us assemble a production team. The rest is history.
I was doing smaller projects through freelancer websites when I saw a request from…NASA Earth Science Project? What are the odds of a head of a NASA project just poking around the same platform, wanting to design a logo and finding me? The logo we're creating this month is the third one we've developed over the years. In a completely unrelated story of people talking to others, I also consulted for the NASA Space Grant Consortium on their social media strategy because I happened to speak to one of their key people about the power of social media.
The bottom line is that you create your own luck by dreaming big dreams. This strategy can be done by anyone, anywhere, at any time. You don't need to have the resources you may one day need. All you need is to start thinking about it regularly in detail, doing what you can to get one step closer, and communicating about your dreams to those around you.
So why won't most people do this if it's so simple?
In the latest episode of my podcast, I explain how two powerful core needs we all share are the main reason we get stuck in plateaus and don’t dream big dreams.
Watch this video next, where I explain how to overcome this obstacle easily we all wrestle with.
What I’m reading:
Build the Life You Want by Arthur C. Brooks and Oprah is a great partnership: stories and insights from Oprah are backed by research clearly explained by Arthur C. Brooks.
Both are on my podcast bucket list of guests. Gotta dream big, right? Also on my list - is Erwin Mc Manus and his book Mind Shift: It Doesn’t Take a Genius to Think Like One.
What I’m watching:
No One Wants This is a delightful, feel-good rom-com series with a vibe that reminds me of Ted Lasso.