Apparently millennials are famous for their optimism and positive outlook on their future. That was certainly my case when back in 2008, just after graduation, I went to visit my dad. I just couldn’t wait to show him a collage I had made, visually displaying my crazy dreams for the years to come.
“Be realistic, come down to Earth.”
I was told. Well, perhaps millennial enthusiasm is a fragile force. Being told that these dreams were unattainable left me heartbroken and quite lonely in my hopes and plans.
I don’t know if it was a result of defiance, but this incident birthed a little tradition – I’ve been making dream maps every year ever since. And I’m really thankful because I’m pretty sure many wonderful things wouldn’t have happened otherwise. This post is about using dream maps to keep you on course – I’ve even developed a simple tool to help get you started!
No magic…
“First, think. Second, believe. Third, dream. And finally, dare.”
– Walt Disney
I know how it sounds. As if I make a list of dreams and then a little fairy sprinkles magic dust into my life and makes them come true. I wish.
Well, no. You still need to do all the hard work and earn every achievement yourself. But the map can guide you there. If you think of a map in the traditional sense, it’s quite handy when you embark on a journey to a new destination.
I use the term dream map for two reasons. First, because I like the idea of the path that needs to be taken from where I am now to where I want to be. Second, because my conception of dream maps resembles mind maps in the way that ideas and concepts are represented. It’s a tool that helps to structure information and generate new ideas.
So basically a dream map is a canvas filled with dreams. They might be grouped around some topics, areas of life, time horizons. No constraints here. What matters is that they are visualized on one piece of paper.
…but still awesome
So if it’s “only” a visual and you still need to do all the work, why bother?
I have a couple of reasons for you.
- The sole act of defining dreams is already beneficial. Just like setting business goals, defining dreams gives you long-term vision and short-term motivation. It directs your actions, development and resources in such a way that brings you closer to what you want to achieve.
Christopher Columbus was lucky to accidentally stumble upon the Americas, but usually it’s worth knowing your destination. Without setting it first you might not get far. - When you look at a visual representation of your dreams, it automatically programs you into taking actions to reach them. When you keep a mental image of your objectives in your head, you validate everyday decisions and check if they are in line with your long-term plan. You are more willing to undertake new activities if you can see how it helps in reaching an important goal.
- Sharing your dreams with other people increases the odds of making them come true. I probably wouldn’t be living in Qatar right now if I hadn’t talked about the dream of working and moving to the Middle East with others. My friend’s husband remembered this dream on a plane to Doha when he was asked for a UX designer recommendation. He immediately knew that I would be grateful for this opportunity. Thanks to him (and to my dream map!) a couple of weeks later I began a six-month adventure in Muscat and later delivered several project in Qatar and in the UAE.
- Defining dreams and talking about them is a great way of getting to know yourself and others. I used to keep a little copy of my dream map with me at all times, often sharing these ideas and aspirations with newly encountered people as an icebreaker. I believe dreams and goals define you as much as the things you have accomplished so far.
- Preparing dream maps is a really creative and fun process. You don’t have to do it alone – it’s a great activity to do with friends and family. Once I organized a dream map workshop during a TEDxWarsawSalon event. The atmosphere was incredible and the attendees created some really amazing visuals.
My personal dream analytics
I like going back to dream maps from the past and checking what actually came true. Let me just clarify that when I’m preparing a dream map every single item seems out of reach. And somehow over the years around 60-70% of all these crazy plans became reality.
Moving to Qatar, having a daughter named Oliwia, losing 15kg, traveling to the Maldives, owning a Land Rover, attending TED, getting married around a beautiful lake in Lombardy (I hadn’t even met my husband then, but I already had this dream), starting a charity program for less privileged kids, hosting TEDxWarsaw, enrolling into Stanford – they all seemed quite unrealistic until they became true.
What’s on the map for the future? I’d love to publish a book, become a certified yoga instructor, set up a successful user experience and service design consultancy in Qatar, become fluent in Arabic, get my first art exhibition in a local art gallery, become an expert in digital fabrication, hang out with Elon Musk, and so much more.
Just do it
I really encourage you to create your own dream map. It’s quite easy, there’s only one constraint – dream big. Don’t limit yourself and aim high.
It can be a drawing on a piece of paper, a collage or a digital map created with Adobe Photoshop or a mind mapping tool. It doesn’t matter as long as all your dreams are visualized. It might be symbolic (just make sure this symbolism is clear for you and you won’t have to decipher the code in a couple of days). You can keep it simple. Keywords, pictures found on the Internet, pictograms, whatever works for you. Artistry is not important, but you need to enjoy the way it looks. It will accompany you for a while and reaching to it should evoke pleasure and put a big smile on your face.
Dream canvas
At work, I deal with multiple canvases that facilitate business and user experience activities. Why not use a similar tool for our personal dream mapping?
I have prepared a canvas that is easy to fill with objectives in areas such as love, family, relations, achievements, health & body, sports, skills, travels, money, possessions, experiences, and impact. If you prefer a structured approach and a predefined set of dream categories is helpful, feel free to use it.
Mahatma Gandhi once said that champions are made from something they have deep inside of them – a desire, a dream, a vision.
Make sure to know your dreams and attain that level of championship, whatever it means for you personally.