- Vince Lombardi
Congratulations,
so you made it to the 13th year in the 21st century! Being alive is
such a beautiful opportunity that God has given to us. Here we are at the
threshold of a new year. A new year
unfolds new things. On that note, I’ll like to welcome you to this fresh
column, where you will be served with inspiring, interesting and intellectually-stimulating
ideas on issues relevant to our shared experiences. I look forward to an ever-flowing stream of interactions even
as we share on this worthy platform.
Have you
made new resolutions for the year? Have you set lofty goals for yourself? Have
you identified fantastic opportunities you hope to take advantage of? Whichever
is your situation, I can assure you that living your dreams in 2013 is absolutely
possible.
You may have
made costly mistakes in the previous year(s). Please forgive yourself and let
the peace of self-acceptance saturate your being. Everyone makes mistakes one
way or the other. The New Year presents you a fresh opportunity to do the right
things (effectiveness), to do things the right way (efficiency) and to do them
at the right time (time maximization).
If you are
going to win with 2013, you’ve got to reflect for the right things to do to
achieve your goals. A goal has been defined as a dream with a deadline. I like
this definition because it takes consideration of time with the mention of the
word ‘deadline’, not just ‘dream’. My focus will, therefore, be on two things; the
dream and how to actualize it within the timeframe you’ve provided for yourself.
People sleep
and have dreams, so what’s the big deal about dreaming? I’m not talking about
‘night dreams’ here. One of the most popular statements I have heard people
make recently is ‘I have a dream!’ This statement is credited to Martin Luther
King Jr.’s ‘I Have a Dream’ Speech of 1963.
He dreamt of the freedom, equality and end to the racial discrimination
going on then in the United States of America.
What’s a
dream? According to ID Greatness!, ‘A dream is a mind’s picture of a larger-than-life
expectation’. Your mind is the birthplace of dreams. A dream takes root and
comes alive in your mind when the barbed wires of your thoughts are positively
charged and soft pictures are produced. They could be motion pictures or still
pictures. Pictures you can almost touch with your bare hands, yet it only
exists in the imagination! That’s a dream!
A person can
dream. Nelson Mandela of South Africa did. A company can dream. A country can
dream. There’s the American Dream. A continent can dream.
It’s
important for you to dream big to tap into the opportunities that this year
will offer. It is only those who have a dream that will easily recognize an
opportunity, when it comes up. Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, the longest-serving
First Lady of the United States (1933-1945) puts it like this; “The future
belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams." 2013 is a
year of fantastic opportunities for those who are committed dreamers.
For
instance, if you are a tenant and you dream of becoming the owner of a house. You
could be an employee dreaming of firing your boss and starting your business. As
an unemployed graduate, you could paint a picture of your dream job and the
mouth-watering benefits you hope to be offered. As a final year university student,
you may be looking forward to finishing with a First Class Honours in your discipline
in spite of the odds against you. Your dream might be to become a published
author this year. Am sure a fire of aspiration is burning in you right now,
shedding light on your own dream(s).
Whatever
your dream is, you can actualize it. See the acrostic I worked out for a DREAM;
D: Decent – Your dream should be noble,
endearing and positive. That’s the decency of a dream.
R: Robust – Let your dream grow out of a
fertile imagination with vivid pictures of who you want to become, what you
want to achieve, what you want to acquire or whatever is the object of your
desire.
E: Enriching & Enduring– Your dream should be
people-oriented; touch the lives of people positively. In the long run, your
dream should seek to do the greatest good for humanity. Your dream can make
life easier, sweeter and richer. Also, your dream should outlast you. A lot of
corporations die once their founders die. This is because there is no
succession plan in place. A succession plan makes your dream immortal.
Succession guarantees immortality for your dreams. That’s why brands such as
Coca Cola have not only survived over the years, but they are also thriving.
A: Aspirational – A dream turns you into an ageless
aspirant in life. Your dream is
something up there, out of your reach at the moment, but within your
potential. Your dream should be bigger
than you!
M: Motivating – Your dream should constantly
inspire you to take steps that bring you closer and closer to fulfilling the
dream. Motivation keeps you moving ahead expectantly, even when there are
setbacks.
Check if
that dream of yours is Decent, Robust, Enriching & Enduring, Aspirational
and Motivating. In the next edition, we shall concentrate on how to actualize
your dream(s). Always remember you were born to win! Keep
dreaming! Keep winning! Decide to win with 2013! I’ll love to get your emails,
text messages, phone calls – let’s win together! You’ve got greatness in you!
1 comment:
This is it sir. You won't just stop pushing me there. Love sir
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