January 22

Dream a Little Dream: Define Your Dream Job and Schedule

Dream a Little Dream: Define Your Dream Job and Schedule

By Deborah Johnson

January 22, 2020

4 hour workweek, dream board, dreams, Goals, habits, lifelong learning, mission, purpose

The Song

Dream a Little Dream of Me is a standard song I’ve performed for years, originally written in 1931. The highest chart ratings were by the Mamas and the Papas in 1968, but others included Ella Fitzgerald, Nat King Cole, Doris Day, Dean Martin and many others.

Defining a dream job and schedule is not the main theme of the Dream a Little Dream song, but it is all about pursuing something or someone you love. Consequently, I think the song is a wonderful comparison to pursuing your dreams! (especially important at halftime! How Do You Know You’re at Halftime)

In this article, we will talk about five areas: define your values, define where you want to be, define challenging tech issues, define your personal habits and define your commitment to growth.

One: Define Your Values

What do you stand for? In other words, what is the most important aspect of your life and business? Integrity? Hard work? Excellence? Your core values can include a combination of many things but try to narrow them down to three main qualities.

I’ve been going through Donald Miller’s Business Made Simple online courses this year and he stresses the importance of core values for business, for your personal life and even for your home. I found it extremely beneficial to spend time on all those areas. Those values help me steer and direct all other areas of my life.

Dream a Little Dream-Deborah Johnson

Two: Define Where You Want to Be

Dream a little Dream for five years down the road and imagine what you want your life and business to look like. Do you still want to work the same job, have the same relationships, live in your current location?

We can’t fully know the truth of how those dreams will be manifested, but most of the time when we’ve defined a dream, we surpass even what we imagined. In other words, we may be thinking too small! No matter what the outcome may be, plan, plan and plan. I plan at least the next quarter (90 days) and reverse engineer to accomplish all tasks, a small step at a time. It is how I’ve produced every album, book, musical and multiple other projects. It really works—try it!

Three: Define Challenging Tech Issues

What is holding you back from pursuing your dream? Do you have a fear of tech? Maybe you’re thinking the world is passing you by, moving faster than you can ever keep up? (I’m a little envious of those who can text lightning-fast with their thumbs!) I’ll let you in on a little secret…every generation has thought those same thoughts!

We are so used to getting in our vehicles, pressing a button to turn them on, then driving to our destination. If all you knew about was a horse and buggy at the turn of the century, you may have felt the world was moving way too fast—passing you by. But it wasn’t! Today, we wonder how soon all roads will be filled with driverless cars. The challenges are the same.

So as you look at tech issues, realize many of those who have gone before you have faced the same feelings. Imagine the overwhelming feelings it would be for a pioneer woman to hold a cell phone, much less talk in it!

Four: Define Your Personal Habits

How do you start your days? Some of your habits and routines will be based on your values. Do you value keeping in shape? Productiveness? Writing? So many so-called resolutions we make at the beginning of the year are broken and never fulfilled (a whopping 80-85%) because no new habit or routine has been implemented. It’s very valuable to analyze how you spend your time. You may be surprised!

Even very small changes can make a huge difference. Add one thing to your regular routine—maybe it’s just showing up at the gym for ten minutes. Once that is ingrained, you can increase the time! Another one: get up ten minutes earlier to journal. I will guarantee you, small changes like those will make a big difference in your outcome!

Five: Define Your Commitment to Growth

What books have you read this year? What courses have you taken or plan to take? A lifelong learning attitude will carry you through the multiple stages of life with a healthy mindset and willingness to grow and change.

When you dream a little dream defining your dream job and schedule, realize there will be some areas of your life that will need more time to prepare for and change. Remember, if you truly want a four-hour workweek, (like Tim Ferris!) you may have to work eighty hours a week for a short time while you build your four-hour workweek! Don’t let that scare you. If you are looking to make a change to do something you absolutely love, doing the work will be well-worth it and even fun. Then your dream a little dream will become a reality!

841 words


Deborah Johnson

About the author

Deborah Johnson, M.A. has not only written multiple books and albums, but hundreds of songs, three full-length musicals and is the producer of the popular podcast, Women at Halftime. She was past president of the National Speakers Association, Los Angeles and has written & produced multiple online courses. She enjoys being outside and traveling with her husband and also loves spending time with her children and grandchildren.

Up for multiple GRAMMY Awards and spending over 20 years in the entertainment industry, she's built multiple self-driven businesses and is an expert on how to constantly reinvent yourself in a gig-economy. Deborah speaks and performs for both live and virtual events.

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