I’m not necessarily talking about a day-to-day list of tasks that need to be accomplished, although having such a list each day, week or month will certainly help you be more productive, and will also give you the sense of satisfaction that comes when you can cross something OFF that list. No, I’m referring to a bigger list - a dream list. A “can you imagine” or a “what if” list.

Your big dream list, or Top 101 list, or whatever you want to call it, is the list of things you’d like to accomplish in your lifetime. It can consist of small or big items, personal or professional, health based or success. It is an evolving, dynamic list of all of those things that you’ll do “someday”. I use mine for inspiration and to keep me grounded, especially when work gets a little crazier than I might ordinarily like.

So what does this list look like, and how do you go about creating one?

There is no right way to create your list. It is, after all, YOUR list. But I do have some suggestions as to how to go about creating it.

First, don’t think too hard about it. Make sure that you tell your inner critic to simply be quiet for a little while. Tell it a little white lie, if you need to, and pretend it’s all just for fun. After all, your dreams are all just for fun. I suggest that you give yourself 20 or 30 minutes, preferably in a quiet place where you won’t be disturbed and get several blank sheets of paper to write them down on. If you have some nice music that always inspires you, I’d encourage you to put that on as well. Tell your family that you aren’t to be disturbed while you’re working and make sure you hold them to it. They’ll survive without you, if only for a little while.

The next part is to actually start to write some ideas down. If you want to create some topical headers under which to list your goals, go right ahead. For example, you might itemize your list into financial, business/career, FUN, health & fitness, relationships, personal and contribution (service and charity). Or you might just make a big, long list full of all of the things you want to do in your life.

As you start to write your dreams and goals, make sure you’ve got your magic wand with you. If you aren’t sure what your wand looks like, simply fold your hand into a fist and the stick your index finger out. This is your personal magic wand, and once wielded, absolutely anything is possible. Remember - don’t edit yourself as you go, as much as your mind may want to. Anytime you start to hear your inner critic saying things like: “That’ll never happen” or “You, do that?” just smile, say “thanks for your input” and keep on going. Start with the biggest, most daring and seemingly implausible dreams you can think of. Think back to a time in your life when you didn’t feel the pressures of day-to-day life. What did you dream of doing “when you grew up”?

Do you dream of climbing Mount Everest? Put it on the list! What about learning to play the piano, or speak another language? Write it down! Maybe you’ve always wanted to travel to Africa and work in a small village, helping the locals learn to farm? Make note of it! The point here is to write down anything you’ve ever wanted to do in your life - anything that you may have thought, “Hey, that would be cool to try!”

There are no right or wrong answers here. Remember: it’s YOUR list. Take the dog for a walk is NOT a dream, unless you don’t yet have a dog, or if you do have a dog but aren’t walking him/her on a regular basis. Do you want to own your own successful business? Become a millionaire and retire in the Caribbean? Travel to distant lands and write a book about the cultures you encounter? Put them all on your list.

Spend 20 to 30 minutes doing this and then post your list in a place where you’ll see it on a regular basis. The idea here is to get into the energy of your dreams and remind yourself that there is a bigger world out there than the one you currently inhabit - even if you’re already living a big life, you can always go bigger.

For some of you, posting your dream list in a public place may not be a great idea, especially if you have family who are unsupportive of your dreams. Don’t let those Dream stealers tell you that it’s not possible, or that you’re just dreaming. Of course you’re “just” dreaming - that’s the whole point! That being said, I do encourage you to find someone with whom you can share your list; someone who will be supportive of your dreams and aspirations and who will encourage you to go after them. If you can, I suggest posting your dream list on the refrigerator door or somewhere else that you will see it regularly. Otherwise, find a more personal place - a file on your computer that you can open each day and spend five minutes looking at, immersing yourself in the essence of it.

You may not get to 101 items on your list in the first try - it’s tough to start dreaming that big, especially if you aren’t in the habit of it. But you can add to your list on a regular basis, and as you review your list each day, try and find ones that you can start to work towards. Do you want to fly in a glider? If so, find a picture of a glider on the internet and make it the desktop picture on your computer. Research local gliding or soaring outfits and find out what it would cost. Then create a savings account and whenever you have $5, $10 or $100 extra dollars, put it in there. If you bank online, you may be able to name your account after your dream. How great would it feel to be able to put money into your “Glider Fund” each month?

Make it a priority to go after at least one goal each year, and although you’re going to start small, don’t be afraid to go after the bigger ones too. I personally have several accounts set up that I contribute to each month. There’s the little one that I try to use each month, or every other month, and then there’s the big one - the one that says “Tibet/Nepal” on it. Am I going to get there this year? Maybe, and maybe not. But every time I put money into that account, and every time I get my interest report at the end of each month, I see that dream getting just a little closer.

I used to think Mount Everest looked big from where I live - but it’s getting bigger every day, and one of these days, I’ll be standing at base camp staring up at the world’s tallest mountain. And when I do I’ll be thinking of all of you, moving closer - inch by inch - to your personal vision of a great life.