“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.” Henry David Thoreau

Having dreams is an essential part of having an awesome life. Our dreams keep us passionate, give us something to strive for and keep us excited about our journey. Dream big, share your dreams with others and go after the impossible. In order to build an awesome life, you need to dream big.

1. Create a goal board. Each year write down your goals and dreams, frame them and hang them in a highly visible location.

2. Write down goals. Include all new and small goals and update your list frequently. There is power in committing our goals to paper.

3. Dream big! And often. Take regular time to dream. Think about your ideal life. And let yourself be unrealistic.

4. Start a 101 List. Write down 101 things you want to do before you die. Add to the list regularly and then cross off items as you accomplish them. Make sure to celebrate your successes.

5. Write a personal mission statement. This will serve as a guide for decision making and a road map for living the life you choose to live.

6. Take a class. Continual learning keeps our minds sharp and helps us to go after our dreams. Make a commitment to learn something new every year.

7. Commit to leaving a legacy. Write down how the world will be different as a result of your having been here.

8. Be spontaneous. Break the rules. Live in the moment. Just do it.

9. Be prepared for detours. Life does not always go smoothly and there will be roadblocks on the way to your dreams. Acknowledge the roadblocks and choose to move past them.

10. Get to know yourself better. The more you know yourself, the better able you’ll be to set boundaries and then achieve your dreams.

11. Create a dream book. This book can include photos or pictures cut out of magazines and travel brochures. Your dream book is an ongoing project, a place to record your dreams visually. Include big dreams, as well as simply things you like or want.

12. Put a dream reminder on your computer screen saver. This can be words or a picture – just something that reminds you each day to go after your dreams.

13. Take dreams tours. Go out and drive your dream car, walk through travel agencies or interview people who are doing what you dream of. Keeping our dreams alive takes a conscious decision.

14. Ask yourself the question, “If you had no fear and you could not fail what would you do?” Answer it honestly and take time to really think about it.

15. Share your dreams with others. A secret dream is simply a wish. By sharing them out loud, we make a stronger commitment to achieving our dreams.

16. Create a dream team or find a dream buddy. Make a decision to meet regularly with this group or individual and hold one another accountable for making steps toward your dreams.

17. Brainstorm dreams. Be unrealistic and creative when brainstorming your dreams and then be realistic when setting goals. It’s okay to let yourself dream huge dreams. Just make sure that the goals you set to move you toward your dreams are realistic and achievable in the time frame you set.

18. Rekindle childhood dreams. Spend time thinking about what you loved as a child. What did you pretend to be? What did you want to be when you grew up? And how did you imagine your life?

19. Start a dream file. Keep this file for great ideas and big dreams. You do not have to do anything about these today – just write them down.

20. Keep dreaming fun. Involve others. Take risks. And let dreaming be a regular part of your life.