For the Dream, Going Long

Yesterday I shared a few of my ideas on BIG Dreams. After I wrote several down, it was time to start thinking about the longer term goals to get me there.

Some Background

Back in the 1980s, the folio-file or planning binder was all the rage. A very popular planning system was developed by Stephen Covey who wrote, The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People. It's a good read and contains many good concepts however I must admit, I never fully implemented the planning system in my life. Back then, I had a perfectionist complex and since I couldn't be "perfect" at the system, I eventually abandoned it. And, well, the invention of the smart phone changed my system.

Anyway, the one thing I've always remembered from the book was "Begin with the end in mind." That's why I started with the dream first. You can't plan how to get there if you don't know where you want to go. So, I started with the dream(s).

Long Term Goals

Next, I considered what long term goals would get me to the dream. Right now, I don't have all the knowledge I'll need and in some cases I don't have the skills to get me to these goals. That's ok. I'm just trying to get an idea of what needs to be accomplished to reach the dream. I know that I can also change the long term goals as my path becomes clearer. In other words, they don't have to be perfect ?

About three to four long term goals are a good startingpoint. Think of them as steps that lead to your dream. The long term goals arethings you need to accomplish in the next year or two. Remember they are adjustableand may change as you work toward your dream.

Sample Dream & Goals

Here is an example of my dream to design quilt patterns and four long term goals:

• THE DREAM: To be a quilt pattern designer with an online shop, wholesale sales, retail quilt shop presence, and maintain a membership site. To write quilt books based on my patterns.
  • Long Term Goals to support and reach the dream (1-2 years out)
    • Create a list of pattern wholesalers to meet with at Quilt Market
    • Send my pattern catalog to additional wholesalers and retail quilt shops
    • Have a booth at Quilt Market
    • Create a web shop on my website and market my patterns

This is the start of my road map. Remember we're working backwards from the dream. Tomorrow I'll share some tips on creating the mid-term goals to work on while I'm on the way to the dream.

Did you take some time to write down your dreams? Now take some time to think about the long term goals that need to be accomplished to get there.

Until next time…