The Difference Between a *Goal* and a *Dream*

Hey Guys,

One of the big, big "inner game" lessons I've learned in regards to Internet Marketing just how important it is to be operating in reality, instead of what I call "dreamland."

I've noticed that when I'm dreaming about being a millionaire or making thousands of dollars passive, I get quite lazy. I'm not satisfied with the progress I'm making and I have trouble actually motivating myself to do any real work.

On the other hand, when I'm connected to what's actually real right now and I'm connected to what I want and I'm connected to my next financial step, I feel far more inspired and get a whole lot more done.

I've been seeing a lot of posts like this lately:

"I'm new to IM, but I want to make $120,000 this year!"

Or

"I haven't made much money yet, but I want to be making $10,000 in passive income in the next six months."

There's nothing wrong with wanting a lot. I know I certainly do. However, I think it's important to understand the difference between a goal and a dream.

Why? Because a GOAL is mark that you aim for that takes you closer to what you want. A DREAM is something that feels good to think about, but isn't anywhere near reality right now and actually distracts you from what is real.

In other words, instead of looking at reality and taking concrete action, it just feels good to think about when you eventually make that million bucks. Unfortunately, the more you dream, the less connected you are to actually taking concrete action.


There are exceptions. However, you generally can't make $10,000 easily until you've made $10,000 with a lot of difficulty. You generally can't make $5,000 easy until you've made $5,000 hard. You generally can't make $5,000 hard until you've made $2,000 hard. Etc.

There's something of a progression ladder when it comes to learning to make money. Climbing up that ladder is often slow and steady progress, not the instant "I did this magic trick and I got super rich" that most people hope for.

It's important to recognize where you are and acknowledge your progress. Lets say you want to make $5,000 a month online. That's great. However, it's very easy to stunt your progress because you're operating in the future rather than the present.

Lets say one day you make $500, when before you've only managed to make $100. This is amazing progress. However, what most people do is tell themselves "Damn, I was hoping I'd make $5,000 from this project."

What's going on here? Instead of celebrating your success and deciding to move MORE in the direction that works, you're criticizing yourself for not meeting the lofty dream standards you've set for yourself. Criticizing yourself for your small successes is a surefire way to go backwards rather than forwards.

More often than not, success comes in small incremental progress.


Every successful person I know always has his eyes on his next step. Sure, they may have 1 year, 5 year or 10 year goals, but ultimately they're focused on taking action now.

Newbies and people who're generally "stuck" in "not successful yet" mode are those who tend to dream the most. They tend to disconnect from reality and use dreams of financial success as an escape from the financial reality they're actually in right now.

They see this number - A million dollars, $10,000 passive, etc as the salvation to all their problems. As long as you're operating from that "salvation" in the future point of view, you have very little power in the present. It's the marketers who see the present and move towards their immediate next step to increase their income that are ultimately successful.

Where are you RIGHT NOW? If you looked at your bank or financial statements, do you feel uncomfortable? Is it more comfortable to look at some distant future and think about when you've finally "made it?" If so, it may be time to come back to the present a bit more and face what's real, then start to take concrete action towards changing your financial situation.

My 2 cents on increasing action and productivity.

- Derek Pankaew