Dreaming: The First Step in Creating Our Future

This week, I was on a call with my leadership community. I arrived at the call feeling fatigued and discouraged by the world.

We broke off into small groups and were given an exercise to share a dream or longing we have, and our peers were to respond with an open-hearted "yes, and…" to amplify that vision. They were to add to the dream to expand the possibilities and imagination. The dream or longing could be anything at all, big or small.

Given my mood, I could feel my internal resistance, but I volunteered to go first because I knew that this might help shift my perspective. Heck, I've written about topics like this in my book, so I knew I had to empower the exercise.

My dream was simple yet expansive: a generative world where everyone thrives without barriers or greed—a world where connection, community, access, and possibility are the birthrights of every human being. I painted a compelling picture with specifics, and my triad affirmed and built upon that vision, adding meaning to my words.

In about two minutes, my mood shifted as I reconnected with what matters to me and to my own purpose. It also helped me recommit to action. And it reminded me how much dreaming and longing for something better are powerful seeds for change.

As we debriefed in the larger group, we talked about how it's sometimes hard to find a dream, but as a friend said: "when we can't dream, we can't create the future we want." Those words resonated deeply with me. Even in moments when it feels hard to imagine a better world, we must find the courage to dream. It’s in our dreams that we find the inspiration to ask deeper questions, challenge the status quo, and ultimately create meaningful change. Dreaming is not a luxury; it's a necessity to go beyond our current limitations and help us create a roadmap for a better future.

What is something you long for? If you had a magic wand, what would you create? If you're feeling stuck, please reach out.