How to Catch Your Dreams and Live Your Desired Future

Who do you really want to be? What do you really want to do with your life? A clear and compelling personal vision can transform your life. A person’s vision is their image of a possible future. It is not a goal or a strategy. It consists of neither actions nor obligations. It is not a forecast of what is likely. It is a dream!

An effective way to help you fully explore your ideal self is to craft a personal vision statement. A personal vision is an expression of your ideal self and ideal future. It compasses dreams, values, passions, purpose, sense of calling, and core identity. It represents not just what you desire to do, but also who you wish to be.

Catch Your Dreams

Creating a vision can be best considered as a process of crafting that requires us to be imaginative and creative. The best way to identify your ideal self and convey your personal vision is to allow yourself to dream.

A favorite exercise in leadership development programs is called “Catch Your Dreams.” The activity asks individuals to consider twenty-seven things that they would like to experience, try, or accomplish in their lifetime. After attempting to write as many as possible on a number of sticky notes, the person is asked to place the notes on a flip chart, then group those ideas into themes. Some theme examples are: career, family, travel, health, adventure, etc.

I aspire you to grab a pen and sticky notes, in case you’re out of sticky notes; cut normal sheets of paper until you have twenty-seven pieces. Write down each idea on a separate note. These are things that you’ve not yet begun or completed. Allow yourself to think freely and without imposing practical constraints. Group your ideas into themes.

Boil that vision down to a one-sentence statement that you can memorize and that will inspire you each day. Ultimately you should be able to articulate a personal vision for your future - and/or a shared vision you might have that includes your family, work group, or a larger social cause.