WHY (and HOW) to dream in tough times!

A “Deep Dive” going after WHY and HOW to dream (and pursue your goals) in tough times!  I hate to be “Captain Obvious” but it’s tough to think about our dreams and goals when we’re getting hit with words like “Pandemic” and “Quarantine” on a somewhat normal basis.  At the same time… it’s wildly important to continue to look forward, to believe in something bigger, and to continue to take small but significant steps forward on the things that are important to us.  Now… this isn’t some “rainbows, butterflies and little ponies” session on how to bury your head in the sand. Nope. In this episode, we dig into the psychology, the science and the specific strategies that will help you to look at this season in a way that will help you to keep your head, to stay safe AND to continue to march towards your dreams and goals!  I think you’re going to dig it. So let’s dive in.       Listen To The Podcast:   RESOURCES: Other DREAM THINK DO episodes on related topics: TIME MANAGEMENT: mitchmatthews.com/257 OVERCOMING WORRY: www.mitchmatthews.com/002  DREAMING WITH YOUR FAMILY: www.mitchmatthews.com/222 and www.mitchmatthews.com/086  FACEBOOK POST I Mention The Book of Life video on Maslow’s Pyramid of Needs.   EPISODE INFO:   QUESTION: Why is it harder to dream when things are tough?   ANSWER:  You’re not broken.  You’re normal. One reason it’s harder to think about our dreams and goals when things are feeling “uncertain” can be explained by a simple triangle divided into 5 parts.     You may have heard about it in a high school or college psychology class… but this triangle of brilliance has become better known as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. There’s a fantastic video on this concept by the people over at “The Book of Life.”  The link is above. The quick history on the concept was that in 1943, a thirty-five year old Jewish psychologist… who was born in Russia... but was now living in the United States… was in the midst of an epic journey.  In short… he was searching for the meaning of life.   His name was Abraham Maslow. He had left the close-knit orthodox family of his childhood… and was now navigating life in the U.S.  He had a passion for figuring out how to live a purposeful life in modern-day America. It was something he wanted to understand… but it was also something he could see as a longing for many others too.   With the lense of psychology, he started to identify five different kinds of basic human needs.  Some were more linked to material… and others might be considered more spiritual.   As he dug through the research… as well as thought-through his own experiences… he started to uncover a sequence.  A ranking.   It’s almost like these different needs built on each other.   First… we start with what most would consider the “non-negotiables” and core basic needs.  These would be things like food... water… shelter... and rest.     Next we have what would be considered “safety needs.”  These are a sense of bodily security and protection from attack.    But then we enter into the areas that many would consider more spiritual and/or psychological needs.  So third… we’d have a sense of belonging and a sense of being loved.   Then forth… we move into what some refer to as the “Esteem Needs.”  These needs are met when we feel a level of accomplishment or even prestige.    But the fifth… and that’s the big enchilada… is what Maslow called: “self-actualization.”   This one is a bit more nebulous… and according to some… more elusive.     Because it involves what Maslow described as ‘living according to one’s full potential’ and ‘becoming who we really are.’   Whew… that’s some core Phycology 101 there in 3 minutes or less.   BUT I think it’s relevant when we’re thinking about dreaming BIG when things are potentially tough, scary and/or completely new.