"Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind."

A great story, Robby, thanks for sharing it with us.

Your comment about setting huge goals reminded me that "dreaming big" is an important natural healing and development technique that we are all born with and that often gets blocked or suppressed as we grow older and become more "realistic". For that, read focused on the here and now, with it's inbuilt limitations.

Because the "here and now" so powerfully grabs our attention and is readily available to our senses - sight, touch, hearing, etc - we can safely conclude that this (what I am getting) is possible and even likely. As we look ahead, getting more of the same is a "comfortable" feeling, in that we know what to expect. It is proven and known.

Bigger goals are accompanied by uncertainty, as the outcome is unproven. However, if we've succeeded in the past in achieving great things - even though doing poorly at present - the memory and feelings of success linger and make it easier to be more hopeful about what we can expect. Boundaries are extended.

I recall a successful businessman who accumulated a fortune as a corporate raider and was reputed to be worth about one billion dollars. He borrowed heavily (other people's money) to finance his activities, shifted funds around within his empire, and made a few illegal moves. Eventually, he came to grief, lost his fortune and spent time in jail. Upon his release, he recovered his memory (he'd told the bankruptcy court that being in jail had impaired his memory) and, within the space of ten years, was again worth hundreds of millions of dollars. Though he'd fallen, his expectations were still high.

It seems to me that nature equips us with a powerful technique that is poorly utilized - the ability to daydream with deliberate intent; to guide our fantasies in a way that expands our horizons and puts us in touch with our inner sense of power and wellbeing. In a limited way we call this self-confidence but I mean more than this. Fantasy can allow us to experience also joy, happiness, peace and contentment, as well as good health. These "good feelings" can last beyond the duration of the fantasy, restore calm, reduce stress and anxiety and put us in touch with a feeling of power and accomplishment.

As we know, this is very common with children, who will often be seen acting out their fantasies as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, a nurse, doctor, airline pilot, etc. Little boys will see themselves as heroic firefighters rescuing people in distress; little (and big) girls will see themselves declaring their willingness to restore global peace and eliminate world poverty - just before they walk away with the Miss Universe title! And, you know what? It feels good!

How many girls (and guys, too - admit it) watch episodes of "Buffy The Vampire Slayer" or the Charmed ones and feel empowered by the vicarious experiences? As a small child, my daughter would watch videos of Supergirl over and over again.

These feelings (and the models of success) spill over into our everyday lives and help us to cope better and more confidently with our normal lives.

Nature has given us the means of seeing beyond the drabness and pain of present conditions and feeling what it is like to do better. That is a healing process. It is a growth process. It is a talent we have easy access to but take for granted and, I believe, is not often mastered with deliberate intent.

However, there are some downsides if "daydreaming" is not used "sensibly".

In 1939, James Thurber wrote a short story called, "The Secret Life of Walter Mitty", which was published in "The New Yorker". It was only about 2,100 words but struck a chord that could be heard around the world. It tapped into something important in the human psyche and was later made into a movie, starring Danny Kaye.

Walter Mitty was mild-mannered, timid and dominated by his wife. He dreamt of marvelous deeds as a surgeon, daring exploits as a pilot, and heroic actions as a naval commander. He found respite and joy in his dreams but did little in his daily life to bring about their realization. He remained meek and henpecked.

We all know people who will comment on the great novel they are writing or planning to write - or something similar. Somehow, their ambitions never see the light of day. Actual accomplishment also requires attention to short term goals; adding small steps to larger goals in our daily priorities, so that we constantly move forward. Focusing attention daily on small steps that look as though they will help us get what we want, means it is far more likely that one day our dreams become our reality.

Another important concern is the need for a moral compass. Fantasy has no boundaries. While in our dreams we may decimate legions of demons, and feel empowered by our exploits, it is important that we stay grounded with the belief that it is never OK to cause unnecessary harm. Some might say it is never ok to intend harm. We separate fantasy from reality and remember that ill feelings towards others will have negative consequences in our daily lives; that benevolence and generosity pave the way to experiencing kindness and prosperity.

Without an appreciation of reaping what we have sown, there is the danger our black fantasies become confused with reality and some will try to feel empowered by acting out dreams rooted in fear and hatred. We don't improve our world by harming others. The "dark side of the force" (hatred, bitterness, revenge, hostility, etc) cannot be expected to generate peace and harmony; it will not attract greater love - misery, stress and depression are far more more likely. This is compounded by feelings of being disempowered as we experience what we do NOT want.

For those who see self-guided fantasy as an opportunity to explore greater possibilities; to easily get in touch with our own inner resources and who use fantasies to constructively build our self confidence, feel more satisfying lives and develop our potential more fully, our prospects are boundless. However, I caution you to pause and reconsider if you feel impelled to don a cape and leap off a rooftop.

Ivan

Thanks for the reply vicone

Yeah, I think I discovered a bit why people aim high. So high it seems impossible. And believe me, lots of little steps and small victories made my little Wilmington adventure possible.

I couldn't edit it in without changing the flow of my topic, but I fully believe the positive energy I set out there came back for me. Particularly for Alexz Johnson since I promote her anytime I can, in my free time, and simply love doing it. Positive reaps positive. REAL positive energy and focused thought are unstoppable.

So, as long as I keep up doing what I'm doing, I should be able to take this a lot further. I know I aimed too low. On this front I already have my next goal.

I have one simple but powerful goal setting secret to share.
After you have set your goals, take at least 3 action steps toward your goals
within 72 hours. Just like if you set your goal as to buy a BMW, then the action
steps you can take are like visiting your local car dealer and have a test drive.

This is a very powerful goal setting tips in developing your momentum. But
most people are not doing this...

I'd be surprised if Hill actually said that. "Blow your mind" doesn't sound like an expression that he would have used that long ago.

I've come full circle. Hit a truly spiritual, emotional, and life crossroads. I Searched Google for the Napoleon Hill quote that is first in the original post:

"Set a goal so big that if you achieved it, it would blow your mind."
--Napoleon Hill

Went through quite emotional breakdowns to and , before landing on and until I checked it didn't even notice this topic was my own.

I have not achieved that goal, but what I have has blown my mind.

Here I am, 3 years later, like in the other topic. I think I was meant to find this now. That 3 years from now I'll find this again and see how silly and short sighted I was to doubt what I was pursuing right now, today, as you read this. It's nothing that can be measured in money, put your SEO hat away. It's purpose.

Since no one seems to have the exact experience I have I'll be as specific and as vague, as needed. Three years ago. 2010. What I have now, immeasurable by a bank account, was a pipe dream. And here I am now, three years later, being torn to my emotion core because I can't do more. More for this thing I've been chasing night and day, in my sleep and waking life, in the back of my head and in my thoughts.

I should be more grateful. Maybe I have made a difference. I am no more richer from my contributions, but I assure you they exist, are tangible, and have changed at least one person's life. Whether I changed it in a small way or a big way, honestly, doesn't matter. I've made an impact in a place I never thought possible.

You really are who you think about 3-5 years from now. My life is so much better and alive because of what I have achieved. So the next words are words of caution if your heart is in the wrong place.

Make sure it's a future you can live with.