August 14 – “When the going gets tough, those with a dream keep going.” (Ben Feldman)

Every once in a while. I come across a quote in this book (‘Inspiration 365 Days a Year” by Zig Ziglar), that just doesn’t ring true to me. Today is one of those days. It’s not that I flat out disagree with it completely, I just think the thought behind it isn’t complete in my view of the world.

Clearly, people who have a dream, and are actively pursuing it, will continue in that pursuit even when things are difficult. But in my mind, the thing that is missing for this quote is the idea of a plan. Having a dream is a necessary piece to finding success in any endeavor in life, but it is only a starting point. Combining a dream with a plan is a lethal combination.

I know, I am approaching this quote like a Project Manager. We Project Manager types thrive on our plans. We look to our schedules, the resolving of our issues, and the management of our risks to help guide us and our teams to successful conclusions. I will admit that I have a prejudice in this direction for plans. But I don’t think that is the whole story behind this concept for me.

There is another saying that rings in my head, that is “a failure to plan is a plan for failure.” Without a well thought out plan, when difficulties arise, I will have no idea what to do next. I won’t know how to get back on track, or even where that track is. I will bounce around, struggling with the difficulty for a time. Sure, my dream will still be fixed in my head, but I will lose my way as to how to get to it.

I have many dreams in life. There are many things that I wish to do in the years ahead. Some of those dreams have concrete plans, and I am confident that I will one day reach them. Others are mere castles in my mind, with no brick and mortar in the real world to help make them a reality. I know that for those dreams to become reality I will need a plan.

Today my reflection is on my dreams. Which of those dreams that reside only in my head do I wish to come true? How willing am I to make a plan for them, and then to work through that plan?