There is a broad line between dreams and goals

“Dreams are not those which you see while sleeping. Dreams are those which don’t let you sleep,” said late APJ Abdul Kalam. In the early stages of our life, we tend to waste our plans and energy in building castles in air. Consequently, we fail to finish our tasks and even run out of time. Of course, there is a vast difference in merely dreaming and actually formulating goals. As soon as we traverse that wide border from the side of dreams to the side of goals, we reach the higher stages of life.

Even an illiterate person dreams of becoming an executive. But it is futile to do so, as those reveries won’t affect or change the person’s life in any manner. Dreaming can enhance one’s imagination and anyone can become rich in his/her dreams. Such dreams become fruitful only when they are converted into goals and efforts are made to accomplish them. Even if that goal is not achieved, the process will educate the person. A dream is full of uncertainties, while a goal should be full of actions. Earlier, I also used to dream and it made me feel that I had the potential to do anything and face any obstruction in life. But it only gave me pleasure and did not lead me to anything. This realisation dawned upon me as a miracle.

Dreams are meant to guide you to focus on your plans to utilise them as strategies. Instead of basing your plans and ideas for just one big aim, make small targets that will ultimately put you on the path towards that big goal. For instance, if you want to become a sportsman, make it a target to win at least two games. Review how productive you were at the end of each day. In case you wasted your time, don’t panic. Just make sure to be more productive the next day. Repeat this and you’ll find it rewarding.