Turning Intentions into Reality: Part I in the "Goals & Dreams" Series

Rosemarie's post on "The Road is in Your Mouth" reminded me of the coaching methodology I put together when I started my business 7 years ago for use in working with clients to effectively set goals. It was based on solidifying intentions, deliberately communicating those intentions to the "universe", and then taking the necessary actions to make them happen.

The idea is similar in that it requires commitment on our part to do what we truly intend to do. These intentions start as ideas, dreams, visions, hopes and become the foundation for our personal, interpersonal or professional goals.

Whether personal, interpersonal, or professional - our goals are supported by those who are key in our universe. By "universe", I mean our key stakeholders or supporters that will journey with us, beside us, or behind us as we take action toward our goals. Our universe might be our spouse, our parents, our children, our co-workers, our friends - or ALL of them. These people hold us accountable to our goals and dreams and, therefore, our commitments.

Here is the first step you can take today to start turning your intentions into reality: identify your true goals that you want to commit to from your list of hopes and dreams. I admit that I am often short-sighted in my own goal-setting and have a hard time imagining some of my own dreams ever making it to reality. One helpful aid can be found in Matthew Kelly's book "The Dream Manager". Kelly speaks about a role in an organization to help people uncover their dreams and then puts plans together to work towards them. Since we don't typically have a resource in that particular role, Kelly has also mentioned having "Dream Sessions" with your family and friends to help uncover those hopes and dreams you have with those who can support you (your "universe").

So dreaming is the start to understanding what intentions you are committed to. Then you communicate the intentions to those key to supporting you in your universe, and take actions to that end. It's simple when stated here - but those very people with whom you deliberately share your intentions are the very ones to help support you and keep you going.

Our next blog in this series will focus on the next step to realizing your intentions, goals, hopes and dreams -- action-planning.

Question to Ponder: What hopes and dreams are you committed to making real intentions and goals? Who is on your key list of people in your universe that will support you? What obstacles are in the way that you also need to communicate so you can get support when they come up?

The Road is in Your Mouth

A friend just quoted her mother this morning, "The Road is in Your Mouth". I asked her what she meant. She said her mother often told her as a child that if she wants something, if she has a dream, she needs to talk about it. As long as she kept her hopes and dreams a secret, no one could help her make them happen.

In other words, the road to your dreams begins with your voice.

It made me think about a workshop I used to conduct on goal setting and achievement. We encouraged workshop participants to give voice to their goals. The act of declaring a goal makes it more real to the individual. And the conversation that follows helps to refine and clarify the goal and the path to get there. Even better, people love to be able to help others. When someone talks about goals, other people become on the lookout for ways to help themselves or for other people who can help.

The road is in your mouth. Try it and see what happens!

Question to Ponder: What goal, hope or dream is on your mind? What would happen if you mentioned it to someone? Or to many "someones"?

Leading at the Next Level

"If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a true leader" John Quincy Adams

In order to start with small things, we need to lead people to bigger things. As John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States, puts it - if we encourage others to dream, learn, do or become more - then we are truly exhibiting leadership.

But how do we do this? In order to change the face of how we lead - we must begin to lead at the next level. For instance, if you are an employee,think and behave like a supervisor. Understanding what and how you do your work at a supervisor level, helps you become a better employee. If you are a Manager, think of what a Sr. Manager or Director would do to lead and inspire? Then take on those behaviors.

Not only does this support you and your organization, it helps you dream - dream of how things can be different. How you can impact your life and your organization. How your work affects those around you. How you can change the face of your every day.

For example, if you are working in Operations as a Supervisor, you know the job, you help support the other people working in Operations, but if you behaved like your Manager, what different behaviors would you need? You might need to look at the larger requirements of the business and discover changes that support broader objectives. You might see efficiencies in the people or the process that your supervisory role might obstruct. You could inspire not only yourself but those around you and truly affect change.

Of course, leading at the next level does not relieve you of current roles and responsibilities - it is a matter of behavior and attitude. Give it a try, and see what changes or improvements you affect with this next lens.

Question to Ponder: Where in your life can you be leading at the next level? What changes might you affect by seeing things through an improved leadership lens?