The paradox of our dreams is that the thing we most want in life is often the thing we are most afraid of doing. So often, we take one of the most miraculous human abilities – the capacity to imagine what the future could be – and we use it against ourselves. We imagine this beautiful future and then we deny ourselves the chance to pursue it. We sa

But with lots of people, something miraculous happens. Their eyes come alive. They stand a little taller and tell me about the brand they want to launch and the culture they want it to celebrate, about their plans to travel the world, to launch a photography business, a coffee shop with a purpose, a drop-in service for people in crisis. Often, I th

The idea of the dream is influential. It is provocative. It makes us stop and think, lingering in our mind long after it has been spoken. Part of the reason is that the dream has an element of the taboo. Lots of people are afraid to say that they have one. It risks marking you out as someone unserious, arrogant and presumptuous. Who are you to have

There are plenty of voices and influences telling us that a dream is fanciful and we should accept our lot. The constant message is to put your head down, pass your exams, get qualified and keep working hard towards the next promotion. That’s advice given with good intentions, but it discourages you from the things that you need to achieve a dream

I believe the word ‘dream’ is one of the most powerful in our language.

Kellie’s story is a great example of the power of a dream – how it can focus and inspire you, lifting your sights and helping you clear obstacles out of your path. It shows how we can combine our worst experiences and biggest hopes into something that will give shape and direction to our life.

Sometimes no one is going to believe in an idea but you. Sometimes no one is going to believe in you except you. That’s the point at which the person without a dream quits, and the one who has it steels themselves to carry on. Because while you still have belief, you will never give up. That is the beauty of having a dream in your life. It not only

A dream should curtail your overconfidence at the same time as quelling your fears. Because it never goes away, you can rely on it to ensure you keep moving forward, however long and rambling the route.

A dream may give you a destination to aim for, but quickly you find yourself wondering how you are going to get there. You realise that, however confident you are, it is going to be hard. That is why you need to start with a dream rather than a plan, a goal, an objective or a hope. Because getting things done in life is difficult, you need the righ