Everyone has different goals and dreams at any point in their lives. These goals and dreams can vary from person to person and some have goals that are achieved in days or hours and some have life time goals. Although we all have different definitions as to what we consider a goal or a dream, in the end what matters is achieving them. For this article, I will define goals and dreams the way I believe them to be. If you are unclear of the difference between dreams and goals, perhaps my distinction can help you define yours
In essence, I believe goals have to be realistic, attainable and have a time frame for it to be completed. Dreams on the other hand, although attainable they are not realistic and have no time frame. You can think of dreams in terms of wishful thinking. I wish I had... I wish I could... I wish I did...
The main difference between the two is that goals can be achieved now, and dreams can eventually become goals but the steps that you have to take them to are so far ahead, that it would be almost impossible to achieve them. Let me illustrate with a simple example:
Let’s say that your dream is to win an Oscar one day. You are 18 years old and that is what you want to accomplish. Before that dream becomes an actual goal, we have to achieve certain short term goals to get closer to our dream. In this case you would probably have a specific goal to go to acting school, then you set a second goal to start auditioning for a part in some local theatre, subsequently you set a third goal and try to get a role in a Hollywood movie. You continue this process over and over setting small attainable goals. As you go along with completing these goals, you get closer and closer to realizing your dream: winning an Oscar. When that particular dream becomes an attainable dream where you know it can actually be done, at that point it becomes a goal. In this particular example, you are now an international movie star who has been featured in many movies and have played main character roles on the road for an Oscar.
Why we need to set apart our
dreams and goals?
Dreams can become a frustration and will have a negative impact on yourself creating a negative emotion which will block your ability to achieve short term goals. It will also overwhelm your brain.
If you have unrealistic goals or dreams, your brain will not be motivated and you will more likely give up on that dream. It is crucial that you try achieving lots of smaller attainable and realistic goals.
You need dedication and commitment in order to achieve goals. If your bar is too high you will fail, and failure will activate paths in your brain that will have an opposite effect of a brain achieving goals. The end result is that you will end up quitting.
How do we set our minds to be achievers?
There are many tools out there that can help you achieving goals such as the SMART system, where a goal has to be specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and in a time frame - called the Goals System Theory. All these techniques are very useful but something we tend to miss is the power of creativity (see my February 2014 issue for more information on creativity.) Our imagination is the key factor to achieve goals. If you just visualize a goal you are a step closer to achieving it. Research has shown that when our brain focuses on a though, the same neuronal pathways are activated as if one was actually doing it. This is a powerful technique that performing athletes such as gymnasts and martial artists use.
GOALS
by Dr. German Garcia-Fresco
Neuroscientist
VS
DREAMS
Perreault Magazine - 47 -
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