Commit to Get Fit: Set your course by naming your dreams

As we near the end of January, New Year’s Resolutions may seem like a distant memory. It is estimated that 80 percent of people will drop their 2023 goals by the second week of February. Yikes! It begs the question, is dreaming and goal-setting even worth it?

Why have dreams?

Dreams help give direction to daily living. According to Harvard Business School, individuals are 10 times more likely to be successful if they have identified their dreams. Unfortunately, studies also reveal that 83 percent of individuals say they don’t have any dreams.

No dreams = A boat without a captain

Envision yourself getting ready to take a sailboat out on the open water. The anchor is lifted, the sails are drawn, and you are excited to catch the wind to make good time toward your next destination. Now, imagine what would happen if you left the harbor without a clear destination. The wind would catch the boat’s sail, but without an identified course, the boat would drift wherever the wind takes it. While this scenario may sound unsettling, this is how many people live their lives.

Identify your dreams

Identifying dreams is the first step in achieving your best life. “To figure out what your big dreams are, you’ve got to get honest with yourself,” says NY Times bestselling author, Mel Robbins. “You have to move the self-doubt and the fear of what everyone else will think out of the way. You must dig deep and listen to what your heart and soul are calling for. That’s where the magic is.”

The power of writing down dreams

Dr. Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, did a study on goal setting and found that people are 42 percent more likely to achieve their goals just by writing them down.

Do I even have dreams?

I remember I used to get embarrassed when I was asked, “What are your dreams?” In the past, I was never able to share my dreams at a moment’s notice. However, after learning about the importance of writing down your dreams, I have started writing down my “Top 10 Dreams” every day for a number of months. I can now easily share my dreams because that daily practice helps me keep my goals forefront in my mind.

Your dreams don’t have to be audacious or lofty in order for them to be relevant. In fact, my most significant dreams are the ones I hope to accomplish on a daily basis: 1) My dream is to be a nurturing and present mother to my children; 2) My dream is to be a loving and supportive wife to my husband; 3) My dream is to create a joyful and safe space for my family to thrive. Sure I have some other loftier goals related to my career, but these three things are the most important in my life right now.

Reflection to set your sails

Do your daily actions align with your most significant dreams, or do you sometimes feel like a sailboat aimlessly floating without a destination? If you are up for the challenge, write down your Top 10 dreams/goals for the next 10 days and notice if this helps you chart your course as you navigate toward the destination of achieving your dreams.

For added inspiration, Google Lily Meola’s Golden Buzzer “Daydream.” The whole story is worth a listen!

Kylie Alger is a certified wellness coach and co-owner of the Well-Woman: Body, Mind & Spirit. Comments: kylie@thewellwoman.org.