The Incredible Power of Daydreams

What is a dream?

Dreams are functions of the imagination. They are a projection of your spirit’s passions. They offer a glimpse into an ideal way of living and your true purpose.

Dreams can reveal themselves as you sleep, but they can also appear during your waking hours through daydreams. In fact, a 2012 study conducted by Harvard psychologists showed people spend 47% of their waking hours daydreaming.

The Value of Dreaming

Spending almost half our waking consciousness with our minds in a dream state might initially sound like laziness. In actuality, neurologists have discovered that when we are bored or dissatisfied, daydreams offer us ideas about how to improve our current situation.

Recall your childhood. Do you remember moments when you’d gaze out the window of your classroom, imagining someplace you’d rather be? That was your mind’s way of coming up with solutions to change your present state of existence.

So, the next time you find yourself fantasizing about a new idea to help boost your career, take it more seriously than a simple flight of fancy. That dream can be the conception of an action that can change the world.

The Power of Following Your Dreams: Jeff Bezos and Amazon

You know who’s a good example of realizing the potential of a dream? Jeff Bezos.

Before he started Amazon, he was successful in his position as a senior vice president at a Wall Street investment firm. But his dreams didn’t exist in the buttoned-down world of finance. In 1994, the world of internet retail was in its infancy. Bezos saw the potential and dreamed of making his own mark in the market. He decided to take a risk and start an online bookstore.

Less than five years after its founding, Amazon.com became the global blueprint for e-commerce operations. Over time, Bezos expanded his business by adding other products to the website. As the offerings continued to flourish, so did revenue. With more than 310 million customers, Amazon’s net earnings exceeded $756 billion in 2019.

Pay Attention to Your Daydreams

Bezos transformed his dream into a multibillion dollar reality. We all have the potential to turn a dream into reality. The first step is to pay close attention to our dreams, both during sleep and waking hours. One thing you can do is keep a journal of the visions and images that come to you. For example, when you daydream:

●   Do you see yourself working outside or inside?

●   Are you helping others?

●   Do you make a lot of money?

●   Are you onstage or speaking in front of large audiences?

●   Do you lead large teams working around the globe, or do you mostly work alone in a book-lined office?

●   Are you famous or well-known in a certain industry?

This type of daydreaming is known as “positive-constructive daydreaming,” according to author Scott Barry Kaufman. It's "associated with openness to experience and reflecting a drive to explore ideas, imagination, feelings, and sensations.”

Daydreaming is a way for your unconscious mind to explore possibilities for yourself. That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to your dreams.

Want to learn more about improving your mindset for greater success in sales and life? Get your copy of my book, Journey to the Top: How to Reach Your Peak Performance Life.

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