Working with people who can't wait to “dig deep, discover their true self and illuminate the world with it,” we focus on not just landing a job, or making more money. These folks are pursuing the big dream or vision that will change everything for them, and bring the thrill, reward and impact that they desperately long for. In fact, this one dream has become a true calling for them.
Over time, I’ve seen that there are six vitally important mindsets and ways of behaving that pave the way for your huge dream or vision to come into being. Without these mindsets, the dream may be realized, but the path will be far bumpier, less direct, and more painful, with a greater number of errors, setbacks and losses.
These six vision-supporting mindsets are:
They believe that this dream is possible with 100% of their being, but they don’t overly attach to the “hows.”
The people I’ve interviewed and worked with who’ve done truly remarkable things in life don’t waste one second of their time wondering if their dream is possible. They’ve done the legwork, vetted the direction, and have no doubts that this is what they want to pursue and that the world needs them to. But they make a point of not getting bogged down in the “hows” of the process. In other words, they focus intensively on what they want, but they realize that how they get there needs to be fluid, changing, flexible and adaptable.
They recognize that there’s a right time and a wrong time for this dream to hatch.
When I look back at what I deeply, desperately longed for in my life (for instance, leaving my unhappy 18-year corporate life and starting my own private practice and consulting business), I see that there was a perfect timing for that and also a very imperfect one. Personally speaking, when my children were little, I simply didn’t have the energy, stamina, bandwidth or focusing capability to launch them into the world as well as birth my own business “baby” at the same time. Knowing and honoring the best timing for your particular dream is vitally important if you want it to be birthed in the most effective way possible.
They don’t bother themselves with “odds” or “chances” of success.
Many people I know have a huge vision for their life or work, but stab it through the heart with constant obsessing about the odds of succeeding. If out of the gate you’re preoccupied with the odds or chances of succeeding or failing, then you just don’t have what it takes to make this thing happen.
They don’t ask “Why me?” They ask “Why not me?”
Women I work with often share their doubts about their ability to make their big dreams happen. When we peel the onion, they’re actually revealing one core question: “Why me?” But that’s the entirely wrong question to ask. The real question is, “Why not me?” You’ll find (if you do the research) that many thousands of people who’ve created fantastic success on their dream path didn’t have the knowledge or capability that they “should” have had to achieve huge things.
They recognize what they don’t know and move forward to close those gaps.
One of my biggest dreams for my life in recent times has been to write a screenplay depicting a powerful story idea that emerged in my mind five or so years ago. This year, I finally decided to go out and get some tailored help from an expert to learn more about the process of writing a powerful story with rich, complex characters. I've seen thousands of people's dreams crushed into dust when they refuse to recognize that they need a certain kind of help to lift them off the ground. Special expertise – whether that’s creative support, business help, financial guidance, marketing expertise, or other kind of training – is often the key to moving your dream forward and sharing it with the world.
They surround themselves with wonderful supporters who have the self-esteem and self-confidence to help others fly.
Finally, we’ve all heard the adage, “You’re the average of the five people you spend the most time with.” Research studies have proven that what you let into your consciousness and who you allow to influence you will dramatically shape what you believe, feel and do. Those who fly high and achieve their biggest dreams surround themselves with people who are strong, positive and confident, who have a bedrock of self-esteem to stand on that allows them to happily support the ascension of others.
Kathy Caprino, M.A. is an international career and personal growth coach, writer, speaker and leadership developer dedicated to the helping professionals build happier, braver lives and careers. The author of Breakdown, Breakthrough, and founder of Ellia Communications, Inc., the Amazing Career Project and Amazing Career Certification training for coaches, she is also a leading contributor on Forbes, Thrive Global, and LinkedIn, a TEDx speaker, and top media source on career and personal growth, leadership, and women's issues. For more info, visit kathycaprino.com and connect with Kathy on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and YouTube.
