Dreamlining, from The 4-Hour Workweek, is a way to design your ideal future and identify the steps to achieve it. It’s not about fantasizing, but about setting ambitious, specific goals with timelines. Here’s how it works:
Escape the Vague and Embrace the Unreasonable
Forget vague aspirations like “being happy.” Dreamlining asks you to define concrete goals in three categories:
- Be: This describes who you want to become – a skilled musician, a fluent Spanish speaker, a confident public speaker.
- Do: These are the experiences you crave – learn to surf in Bali, hike the Inca Trail, volunteer in Africa.
- Have: These are the material possessions you desire – a sailboat, a cozy cabin in the woods, a state-of-the-art camera.
Time Travel
Dreamlining focuses on the near future, with two sets of goals:
- 6-Month Dreamlines: These are ambitious, yet achievable goals that push you outside your comfort zone. Think learning a new skill or taking a short but impactful trip.
- 1-Year Dreamlines: These are audacious goals that may seem impossible initially. Imagine living in another country for a year or starting your own business.
Action Steps and Cost Analysis
Dreamlining isn’t just about wishing. It requires identifying the concrete steps needed to achieve each goal. For example, learning to surf might involve finding a surf school, budgeting for lessons, and researching surf spots. You’ll also estimate the financial resources needed to achieve each dream.
Unveiling Your Target Monthly Income (TMI)
By calculating the cost of your dreamlines, you can determine your ideal monthly income to support your desired lifestyle. This number becomes your target – the financial threshold for escaping the traditional workweek.
Liberation Through Design
Dreamlining empowers you to design a life free from the constraints of a traditional job. By knowing your ideal income and desired lifestyle, you can explore strategies for achieving financial freedom, like starting a remote business or minimizing expenses.
Overall, Dreamlining is a powerful tool that can help you define your ideal future, set ambitious goals, and identify the actions needed to achieve a life of freedom and fulfillment.