Why You Should Dream Big: Setting Goals for the New Year

As a business owner, planning is everything. Without a clear plan, it’s nearly impossible to set and reach goals.

Your business plan is what allows you to make decisions in the heat of the moment, to hire the right people at the right time, and to decide what you’ll offer and who you’re best equipped to serve. There’s something that comes before the plan, though, and it’s something that we too often miss: the dream. The vision. The purpose.

Your dream – your ultimate vision behind your business and your life – is the foundation of a successful plan. While you may be saying “well of course”, all too often it’s a skill that many business owners are a little rusty on. We tend to get caught up in the day to day grind and before we know it, we’re not looking at our dreams anymore…we’re just trying to make it through and keep everything running.

I get it. I’ve been there. But it’s not where I want to stay, and it’s not where I want you to be.

I would argue that as the leader of your company, your ability to dream should be prioritized and protected – and as we start the new year, if you’re going to dream, DREAM BIG.

Here are some tips to help you do it!

Take Time to Dream

If you could wave a magic wand and have the life you want, what would it look like?

Take a step back from your hectic schedule, from your money worries, from all the stresses that tend to come with running a company. Just picture your life as if you can do anything you want, whenever you want.

Would you travel? Spend time with your family and friends? Work with an organization in your community? Take up some new hobbies? Take a moment to jot those down.

I know what you’re probably thinking…sure, I’d love to do those things. But who has time? I have a business to run!

With the new year comes a new you – and I encourage the “new you” to build a business that allows you to THRIVE.

Take a Look at Your Goals

Chances are, you have some goals in mind. They might not be fully planned out, but they exist. Maybe they are revenue goals, or maybe you’ve set some growth goals. Perhaps you want to focus on a specific service or product over the coming months.

Take a moment to think: what’s behind those goals? Why are they important to you? Why did you decide on those specific goals?

Did they simply seem to make sense at the time? Or did someone tell you those goals are your next step?

Or do they support your dream?

If the answer is yes, awesome! Take some time over the next week or two to hone in on those goals and develop an action plan.

If the answer is no, however, then it’s time to take a second look at those goals. How important are they? Do you need to shift them? Are they the right thing to focus on right now?

These aren’t easy things to answer, and talking with an experienced Coach can help. My team and I are here for you – click here to contact us!

Make Time to Dream Big for Your Business Goals

I’ve heard it said that if you believe in yourself, you can achieve anything – and while that may sound a bit dramatic, there’s an element of truth to it.

Think back to the dreams you came up with a few minutes ago. Can you truly picture that as your life? Or are they more of a “well, that would be nice, but…” type of thing?

Case in point: I love to travel, and several years back, I decided that I wanted to build a business that would allow me to run it from anywhere in the world. I pictured myself living part of the year in Paris (one of my favorite cities), flyfishing and painting in New Zealand (which is gorgeous, by the way), and having the freedom to work from literally anywhere.

Those dreams became real to me. They became goals, and action steps, and part of my business plan.

And a few years later, they became my reality.

Today, I live part of the year in Seattle, where I can work from my balcony overlooking the bay. I also live part of the year in Paris, France, which I absolutely love. When I’m there, I simply adjust my schedule so I have my days to myself and meet with my team and my clients in the evenings.

The rest of the year, I’m free to travel. I’ve gone flyfishing in New Zealand, painted in Monet’s Garden, and visited the coast of Wales. I’ve met up with business partners in London and can visit my parents whenever I like.

And my business keeps running, no matter where I am. (This is why I’m such a big believer in systems!)

I have other dreams, too – and they’re big. Some of them have already started to come true, but they’re still in progress. Others may take longer to reach, but I have no doubt that my team and I will reach them.

My dreams may be completely different from yours, and that’s ok. There’s no one set path you have to take. Take time to dream big and then make it happen!

“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” -C.S. Lewis