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The “100 Dreams” Exercise

Kay first found this exercise in Laura Vanderkam’s book, 168 Hours.

Here’s how it works:

Take a piece of paper or open a word document, and then write 100 things you would like to have, do, become, or spend more time in your life.

We found that the first 10-20 things are easy. We all have at least 10 things we’d like to have, do, become, or spend more time on. After that it gets more difficult. Here are some questions we asked each other to make the process easier:

  1. Where are places you’d like to go/visit?
  2. What skills would you like to develop?
  3. What would you like your relationships to be like?
  4. What do you want to have in 5 years?
  5. What concerts performances would you like to see?
  6. What do you want in regards to your health?
  7. What are your business aspirations?
  8. How would you like to give/serve?
  9. What are dreams you have already accomplished (these should go on the list too, e.g. getting married, graduating college etc.)

The list of 100 dreams can change and should change. This is just your list at this moment in time. In 6 months or a year, you will probably take certain things off of your list and add new ones.

This simple exercise will bring clarity to your life and purpose. Dan found that he surprised to find common themes. (Travel, Building Businesses, and the enabling other people’s futures through giving.)

Here is a link to:

Dan’s 100 Dreams

Kay’s 100 Dreams

168 Hours Author Laura Vanderkam’s 100 Dreams


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