“Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.”
~ Albert Einstein
In the early 1990s, Jim Carrey was climbing the ladder of comedy.
Hollywood’s doors weren’t exactly wide open for him.
But he had a BHAG — a Big, Hairy, Audacious goal of making $10 million.
He wrote himself a cheque for $10 million. Marked it as “For acting services rendered.” Dated it to Thanksgiving 1995.
The cheque found a place in his wallet, growing fragile over time.
He would often drive to Mulholland Drive in Los Angeles. Overlooking the city, he’d imagine: directors recognizing his talent, landing him significant roles.
And as destiny would have it, just before the check’s date, Carrey got a role in “Dumb and Dumber.”
His earnings?
Remarkably close to that ambitious figure!
Will you be able to write yourself a big cheque or set a BHAG for yourself today if I tell you to?
We would all feel a pang of…
‘Is my dream too big?’
Or
‘Is it silly to want this much?’.
How did Carrey do it?
He didn’t just hope to be successful.
He had a specific number in mind. He had a clear picture of what that success would look like.
What this teaches is that…
👉 Clearly defining what you want and immersing yourself in the feeling of having already achieved (aka visualization!) can set powerful forces in motion.
👉 Our subconscious mind influences a significant portion of our decisions and actions. By visualizing, you’re programming your subconscious to recognize opportunities and pathways that lead to your goal, which you might overlook otherwise.
👉 Visualizing the success of achieving a goal often evokes strong positive emotions. These emotions act as motivational fuel, pushing you forward even when you encounter obstacles.
Write down one dream you’ve shelved because it felt too grand or too distant.
With a date by which you want to achieve it.
Visualize it every day for 5-10 minutes with these steps:
- See your dream in detail — Where you’re sitting, what you’re looking at. Who’s around you and more.
- Have pictures around your workplace or house that remind you of your goal.
- Imagine the joy when you succeed. Feel the joy, pride, and other positive emotions tied to achieving your dream.
Reply to this email with your BHAG!