The Year to Dream: Building Possibilities, Partnerships, and Progress
As I kick off the sixth year of my annual tradition of choosing a word of focus, I have landed on "dream." This year is all about possibilities and opportunities that spark vitality and purpose. A pivotal moment occurred when I stumbled upon a 1998 radio interview (from the late 1900’s as the kids say these days), where the speaker shared four questions to test the authenticity of one's dreams. With these questions in hand, direction for the year becomes clearer.
Defining Dreams: The Four Questions Test
For opportunistic dreamers, it’s common to get caught in the “shiny ball syndrome.” Ooo, this is a good idea. Ohhhh, that’s a good idea. This dilemma often leads to "paralysis by analysis," where dreams remain stuck in the initial good idea stage, or it propels individuals into a whirlwind of pursuing all-the-things, only to be followed by regret and the need to backtrack.
Before getting stuck on choosing a dream, or pushing forward with too many wonderful opportunities, Mary Morrissey, the woman featured in the radio interview, offers four questions to test a dream:
#1 Do I feel more amplified?
Yes: Do it!
No: Take more time making your decision.
#2 Does this dream compromise my family, or other core values?
Yes: Don’t compromise.
No: It’s in alignment!
#3 Does it satisfy a longing?
Yes: Do it!
No: There's a possibility of losing gumption, spinning your wheels, or wasting your time…consider it for longer.
#4 Does the dream help others?
Yes: Do it!
No: If the purpose is solely self-centered, it won’t stand over time. How might you tweak it for a wider impact?
These questions serve as a compass, guiding us towards next steps that align with our core values and contribute positively to our lives and those around us.
Fostering Dream Partnerships
Inspired by this concept of shared dreaming, I've scheduled monthly meetings with fellow dreamers, friends who also like to think forward. I’ve got the first four months of 2024 booked. This intentional get-together is full of ideas and support. It's a space where dreams are nurtured and action toward them is celebrated. It’s an opportunity to make ourselves expansive by supporting each other instead of constricting in fear!
I heard some good advice about this: Ask friends to meet who have a history of innovative thinking to keep the purpose of the meeting intact. Sticking to daily relationships leads to comfortable small talk.
We’re going for big talk.
Developing Partnership through Coaching
As I dream about possibility partnerships, I continue to come back to parallels between coaching. An ally - a neutral ally - is important because they won’t step in our boxes of limiting beliefs. They won’t pander to our insecurities. They won’t compete with our success. They will encourage us to dream big and take action! (If it passes the dream test, of course.) A coach, much like a dream partner, plays a crucial role in:
Meeting regularly to report on progress
Reframing failures and self-limiting beliefs
Providing a safe space to share ideas without reservation
Asking thought-provoking questions and challenging limitations
Celebrating every small victory along the way
Establishing accountability and clarity for the next steps
As I begin this year of dreaming, I am committed to fellow dreamers and innovators…and also to those who want to become one. But this year is not just about dreaming; it's about turning those dreams into a vibrant and fulfilling reality. Here's to a year of possibilities, partnerships, and progress!
To inquire about a coaching partnership, go here.
To form a dream team with your colleagues, ask our team about group coaching tools, like the 6-Working Genius assessment and the Energy Leadership Index assessment.
