How to Dream Much Bigger

When was the last time you dreamed? I'm not talking about what went down last night while you were sleeping (finally-that hot guy from yoga threw you down on the mat!). I'm talking about really letting your mind ruminate-in daylight hours-about something major you want to make happen in your life. Can't remember? Don't have time for such follies? Um, never? Well, you need to change that, starting today.

Sounds obvious, but the first step toward making a dream come true is to actually have a dream. At some point in your life, you probably wanted something with your whole heart- say, to make the varsity team or date a certain guy- and it didn't happen. And that hurt. You might have been disappointed for days (or possibly years).

So you stopped dreaming. Maybe you didn't do it consciously, but you began to shy away from letting yourself go after scary goals. It's a universal occurrence-it happens to almost everyone. But you can overcome this common constraint and start dreaming again with these four pointers.

1. Conjure up a lofty goal for yourself. OK, got one? It's not big enough. Try again. I dare you to do this. Come on. this is meant to be fun! Think about an area of your life, like your career, body, romantic relationship, money, family, friendships, or hobbies. What do you really, really want? See it. Feel it. Be inspired by it. Make it juicy.
2. Now write it down, but-and this is very important-write it in the present tense. It's not "Someday I will have a house." it's "I own a four bedroom house with a big garden on a quiet street." Phrasing it like t his makes the dream feel real and alive. It's meant to be a promise to yourself, not faraway wish upon- a-star BS.
3. Make your dream a stretch. In other words, it shouldn't be something you could accomplish in the next week. but it shouldn't be a pipe dream either. like winning the lottery. Also. focus on what you want. not what you don't want. For example: " I'm a financially successful documentary filmmaker. I'm passionate about the stories I'm producing. I have a talented, loyal team I collaborate with brilliantly. I wake up excited to start my day."
4. Share your dream with your family and friends. Yes, it will make you feel vulnerable, but it ups accountability you're more apt to take active steps to pursue your dream. Plus. you've created a support system  as long as your nearest and dearest aren't dream crushers. If they are, get new friends! The most important thing about dreaming is that it sets your life in motion. You now have a purpose and, more specifically, vows you've committed to. You wouldn't dare break those, right?