Hover over the image to reveal three inspirational TED Talks from people who had a big dream.

In 1979, Steve Jobs saw a demonstration at Xerox that he envisioned could revolutionize the computer industry. But Xerox didn’t see it the same way and were more interested in creating a better photocopier. How can two parties see the same technology and view its potential so differently?

The difference was that Steve Jobs had bigger dreams.

 Dream bigger.

– Steve Jobs.

That was the advice Steve Jobs gave to the Disney Executive charged with revitalizing Disney stores.

In his book, The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success (disclosure), author and Forbes contributor Carmine Gallo breaks it down to four key criteria:

• Big dreams are bold — a goal to grow revenue by 10% is like being lost in a sea of sameness, but a big audacious dream will inspire others by creating meaning in their lives.

• Big dreams are specific — putting a man on the moon before 1970 focused attention on how it could be accomplished.

This nation should commit itself, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the moon and returning him safely to earth.

– President John F. Kennedy.

•  Big dreams are concise — making dreams memorable is key to their success. President Reagan’s 1987 dream of a united Germany took only two years to come to fruition thanks in large part to a concise, clear message.

President Gorbachev, tear down this wall

– President Ronald Reagan.

• Big Dreams are consistent — In his book Outliers: The Story of Success, Malcolm Gladwell deftly explains how consistent hard work and adherence to big dreams was key to the success of prodigies like Mozart and Bill Gates. In 1919, a young, hopeful animator with big dreams was fired from the Kansas City Star because he “lacked imagination and had no good ideas.” That dreamer’s name was Walt Disney, and his consistent big dreams created a multibillion dollar entertainment empire.

All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.
– Walt Disney.

Suggestions for your reading pleasure

• Dare, Dream, Do: Remarkable Things Happen When You Dare to Dream is a book by Harvard Business Review blogger Whitney Johnson, in which she explains how we can achieve greater happiness when we focus on our dreams. She lays out a three-step model for personal advancement and encourages us to dare to disrupt life as we know it, dream of life’s many possibilities, and do make them a reality.
• Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead by Brene Brown encourages us to embrace our imperfections, to live wholeheartedly, and to be courageous. New relationships, important meetings, or difficult family conversations, all pose challenges that we must engage with fully and with open hearts. Seth Godin found it essential, fun reading that he couldn’t put down. Daniel Pink calls it a timely warning and a valuable guide to the rewards of courage.
• Dream It! Do It! (Disney Editions Deluxe) is an insider’s view of Disney like no other. As vice president of creative development, executive vice president and then president of Imagineering for nine years, author Marty Sklar supervised the design and construction of Tokyo Disneyland, the Disney-MGM Studios, Disneyland Paris, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Disney California Adventure Park, Tokyo DisneySea, the Walt Disney Studios Park and most recently Hong Kong Disneyland.

References:

Steve Jobs’ Advice: “Dream Bigger”

Average Is Over

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I may receive an affiliate commission. I only recommend products or services that I believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”