All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
-- Walt Disney

Are you any closer to achieving your dreams? For the last seven months, I’ve written about the steps that you can take to get the universe to cooperate with your dreams. Did you try the steps I outlined? Just to recap:

1. Make sure the dream is what you really want, not what someone wants for you;
2. Write down the dream as if it has already been accomplished (then write steps that might get you there);
3. When a request for your resources (time, money, energy) approaches you, decide if the request pulls you toward or away from your dream;
4. If the request pulls you away from the dream, determine if the dream is still valid;
5. If the original dream is still valid, say no to these requests;
6. If you feel you have to say yes, recognize that, for right now, you are not fully committed to your dream.

The next, but most important step

I have one last step that is probably the most important part of the process. Stop focusing on the details that lead up to your dream. Keep yourself open to all the possible routes to get to that end result. Focus instead on what you hope to have, what you really want. See it in as much detail as possible. Visualize it already happening.

For the last few years, I have known that helping people believe in themselves is my mission. Whether it has been helping a small business owner reach a new level, convincing a single mother to go for her degree, talking to eighth graders about staying in school, or teaching professional development to adults, my goal has been to help people reach their dreams.

I have a dream in mind – that all of this area’s workforce will be job ready and will follow their dreams, working in jobs that they really love or jobs that lead to their dreams. I’ve talked to secondary school administrators, college administrators, nonprofit managers, and business owners. Because I’ve been open to any number of solutions to the problem, I’m getting a tremendous amount of information and starting to see some creative ways to solve the job readiness need. These solutions would not have appeared if I had decided that this problem had to be solved through a particular organization or in a particular way.

Visualize the outcome

Whether you are working on your big dream or a small project, always ask yourself what you want the outcome to be. I’ve seen dozens of small businesses make mistakes in marketing because they didn’t pinpoint the end result. The ones who are the most successful are the ones who stay focused on their mission while looking for better ways to achieve that purpose.

The best solution is not usually the first one that presents itself. Keep yourself open to new ideas and the new routes to get to your own destination. Happy dreaming!

I had a winner this month who shared her "learning experience" with me, but asked me not to share it with others. She will be receiving the $25 gift certificate.

This month, tell me about your dream. What would you most like to do, be, have? If you want me to keep your name anonymous, I will, but I'd really like to share the dream. I'll print as many as I get. Try to limit your answer to 100 words or less.

The best response (and I get to be the judge) will receive a $25 gift certificate from Entree's . You don't have to let me share it to win.

Over the last year, the Gulf Coast area has suffered immeasurable loss, hardship, and pain. At the same time, the inevitable recovery will offer amazing opportunities to improve the region. One of my clients, Babovich, Spedale, & Chauvin is offering a free webcast to help you take advantage of these opportunities.

If you represent a company that extends credit or collects money, join a webcast on August 29 at 2:00 P.M. E.T./1:00 P.M. C.T/ 11:00 A.M. P.T. for a free, live discussion of the opportunities available during the rebuilding of the Gulf South.

Visit www.gulfsouthopportunities.com to protect your interests, improve your collections, and discover your opportunities.