Why You Need to Dream Bigger (And How Hope Actually Works) | Ep. 274

When was the last time you really let yourself DREAM? Like, gave yourself full permission to get wild and audacious about your future?If you're like me, you might think you're a big dreamer—but you're actually thinking smaller than you're capable of. 

In this solo episode, I'm getting nerdy about the relationship between dreaming big, hope, and your future self. And here's the surprising discovery: hope isn't an emotion—it's a learnable skill.

What you'll learn:

• Why hope is a state of mind, not an emotion (and why that matters for goal-setting)
• How hopeful people are better problem-solvers with more cognitive flexibility
• The concept of "utopian performances"—how imagining your future changes your present
• Why dreaming big might feel arrogant or dangerous (but your utopia always includes community)
• The 5-year dreaming activity that challenged me to think bigger

Here's what the research shows: Hopeful people are more motivated, better at problem-solving, and have brains that can imagine multiple possible futures. The coolest part? Hope is trainable.

I geek out a bit on performance studies (my research area!) and talk about how theater creates spaces where people rehearse living different futures. Brazilian theater practitioner Augusto Boal used "Theater of the Oppressed" to help people literally rehearse for revolution.

The Big Question: Are you holding back on a goal because it seems too scary? Does naming it out loud feel too hopeful—like you're setting yourself up for disappointment?

Your Challenge: Before you set your next goal, check your state of mind. Are you feeling hopeful? If not, cultivate a hopeful mind first—one that's motivated, good at problem-solving, and able to imagine your ideal future self.

By just dreaming, you'll find yourself acting differently in the present. Your future self will come together faster than you ever thought possible.

Mentioned in this episode:

• Mitch Matthews (Dream Think Do & Encouraging the Encouragers podcasts)
• Brené Brown's "Atlas of the Heart"
• Jill Dolan's "Utopia in Performance"
• Augusto Boal's "Theater of the Oppressed"

Resources:

• Sense the Possibilities Planner & Journal (20+ worksheets to help you connect with yourself before setting goals)
• Plan Goal Plan 2026 Weekly Planner
• Quarterly Plan Goal Plan Your Year Retreats (dates at plangoalplan.com/retreats)

Connect with me:

• Email: support@plangoalplan.com
• Facebook Group: Join Here
• Website: PlanGoalPlan.com
• LinkedIn: (I post most here!) www.linkedin.com/in/danielle-mcgeough-phd-🗓️-b673334