I love dreams. Big, juicy, life-enriching dreams. They have the
potential to expand our reach, stretch our sense of what’s possible,
and inspire us with a vision of what could be.
On their own though, they don’t mean much. In fact, dreams are a dime
a dozen. And if you just sit on your hands and think grandiose
thoughts about what might be, those dreams guaranteed to amount to
little more than wisps of smoke.
Dreams don’t come to life in the dreaming. They come to life in the
action.
Many of you know what a fan I am of the power of the simple question
mark. Questions can shine light on insights, open doors to
possibilities, and remove obstacles. Here are ten questions to ask to
help you keep taking action so you can get traction on your dreams.
What’s next?
This simple question helps keep you focused and maintains your
forward momentum.
How am I getting in my own way?
We all have amazingly creative ways to get in our own way. We create
obstacles that then get in the way of taking action. How do you do
it? What will help you stop?
What are my options?
Options = Possibility. The more options you can see, the more likely
you are to find a choice that works, and the less likely you are to
stay stuck.
What one step can I take?
When the big picture starts to feel overwhelming, ignore it and
simply identify one step you can take, right here, right now. Then do
that again.
How can I learn from this?
We all encounter bumps along the way. When you do, do a little mental
judo and use their energy for your benefit. Every bump has a
potential gift.
What would make this easier?
Easy is good. The easier you can make it, the more of your energy can
go into forward motion. How can you make your process more efficient?
Less cumbersome? Less complicated? More understandable?
Who else has done this? What can I learn from them?
Why reinvent the wheel? Learn from people who have been there, done
that.
How am I wasting my precious time?
Wasted time is time spent spinning in circles (or even sliding
backwards). Where is your time being wasted?
What have I/we accomplished?
Acknowledge the progress you have made thus far. You’ll feel better
about what you’ve done and have more confidence as you move forward.
Where are the opportunities to collaborate?
Are there opportunities for a little collaboration math?
(i.e., 1 + 1 = 3). Explore the leverage you can get by collaborating
with others.
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