Welcome to BIGdreamgathering.com!

Thanks for coming to find out about the BIG dream gathering!

In short, these gatherings are safe and fun events that help people to think about their BIG dreams, write them down and then possibly get some help with them.  Either through an encouraging word, an idea, a connection or an offer to help.

Plus, it gives folks a chance to help someone else with their BIG dreams too!

These events are free to attend and free from any sale-pitches or hidden catches.

Please, take a second to explore our blog and know that we're in the process of completely renovating the site as well.  So please be patient with us as we do that!

In the meantime, keep dreaming BIG! 

And maybe we'll see YOU at a BIG dream gathering soon!

  

Here's a taste of the BIG dream gathering via video...

BDG - West Des Moines from Big Dream Gathering on Vimeo.

   
Photo credit and kudos to Jill Fleming and Calvin Johannsen.

Do you need to limit the "Bright and Shiny Object Syndrome" this week?

Image by World of Oddy via Flickr

Me too!

My family and I are getting ready to take a little time off, so it's crunch week.

I've been needing to get a whole lot done in a short period of time.

As a result, I'm needing to better control the distractions and the bright shiny objects that can grab my attention.

And since we've learned that we're not supposed to go at any of this alone... I've invited you along.

Are you in?

This week, I've been posting strategies for staying focused and getting more stuff done.

Check out...

DAY 1: Planning for tomorrow at 4:30 today.

DAY 2: This daily strategy may surprise you!

DAY 3: The infamous "To-Do List" for a creative person.

DAY 4: A 50 cent investment that could help you stay focused AND maybe make you the big bucks!

Watch for one more strategy tomorrow.

Join me in limiting those distractions... and getting 'er done this week.

And who knows... that additional effectiveness might enable you more time to go after those BIG dreams!

Mitch

An update from a BIG dreamer who's taking action... even though she thought she never would!

Image via Wikipedia

Ohhhhh, we LOVE these stories. 

We just heard from someone who I interacted with last year. 

She didn't attend a BIG dream gathering, but she heard about it... and some of YOUR success stories... as I spoke at an event.

Well... that got her thinking... and even though her BIG dream seemed impossible... she started to take some steps to go after it.

She just emailed us with an update.  Here it is in her own words...

"When you were here speaking, your Big Dream gathering story was very interesting to me.  It made me think of my big dream and how I would never probably pursue it. 

I’ve always wanted to be a teacher.  But the older I get the farther that dream seems to go away.  I guess I’m afraid of actually quitting my job or going back to school and then eventually having to quit my job to fill the requirements of student teaching. 

But this summer I decided to worry about that when I got to that fork in the road and I started classes for my teaching certificate. 

Right now it does pertain to my current job, and I help to train on our business system so the classes are very relevant.  But more importantly, in the back of my mind, it is to fulfill my Big Dream! 

I don’t know what I’m going to do in the next year when I have to start student teaching or if I will be able to do it, but maybe if I come to the Dream Gathering session I can get encouragement or ideas on what to do."

So... there it is. 

She's not entirely sure how it will work out.  But she's taking those first important steps towards that BIG dream.

How cool is that?

Now... I'd like to challenge you to do two things.

1. Post a comment to encourage this BIG dreamer as she goes after her dream.  (I'm keeping it anonymous, but she knows to keep an eye on this post.)  If you have an encouraging word or some ideas for her... click on comments and let her know.
2. Be inspired by this BIG dreamer.  Think about a small but significant step that you could take towards your BIG dream... and take it.  You may not know EXACTLY how it's going to work out... but what if... What if you tried?  What might happen? 

That's it.

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch

How do you start a revolution?

I love TED.  How about you?

Well... a friend of the BIG dream gathering sent me this video by Derek Sivers last night.  It's all about how to successfully start a revolution.

In some ways... that's what we're hoping to do with the BIG dream gathering.

We want to start a revolution of real people who not only think about their BIG dreams... but go after them.  And we want to encourage those freakishly cool BIG dreamers to receive help from others... as well as offer help to others. 

That's it.  That's our revolution in a nutshell.

And... let's face it.  This type of revolution is needed right now.  Isn't it?

Does your BIG dream involve starting a revolution of some kind?  Are you wanting to unleash a group of people with a similar dream?  Check out Derek's short vid and BIG wisdom...

How about it?

Will you help us to further this revolution of inspiring people to dream BIG? Would you ask someone else about one of their BIG dreams today?  Would you give one of your own BIG dreams at least 15 minutes of thought or action today?

And hey... if your own BIG dreams involves starting some kind of revolution... some kind of movement... what if took some of Derek's strategy... and you got started... today?

Either way... let us know how it's going.  Either email me at mitch@BIGdreamgathering.com or leave a comment below.

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch

What if we treated life like it was just a big experiment?

Image by kcolwell via Flickr

"All of life is an experiment.  The more experiments you make the better." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Did you have one of those lab kits when you were a kid? 

My brother and I did. 

It was white steel and looked like a brief case.  When you opened up (cue the Hallelujah Chorus!), it had rows of different colored chemicals and empty beakers just waiting to be filled.  

It came with an instruction manual filled with guidance on what was safe to mix, but my brother and I pretty much disregarded those warnings for a more "exciting approach" to the whole science game.

Whenever we cracked open the lab kit... all of life seemed to be an experiment!

A BIG dream of going back to China.

Image by endbradley via Flickr

Recently, a woman named Anna reached out to us about one of her BIG dreams.

It was touching to hear her story as well as to hear about her BIG dream for herself and her daughter. 

Here it is, in her own words...

Hi,

My big dream is to travel with my daughter to China.  My daughter is adopted from China.  I would love to have her return to her homeland to experience the history and other contributions China has offered all cultures.  I would also like her to experience the different China cultures including how the majority of people live.  I would love for her to be able to see the pandas and learn all about them.  She will be ten at the end of July and I would like this to happen before she becomes a teenager.  I have the dream, but not much else.  I would need money and trip arrangements.

Thank you for letting me share my dream,

Anna Ruggle

We've continued to connect with Anna and we thought it would be great to put her dream out there... to the BIG dream gathering family.

Do you have any ideas, encouragement or suggestions for Anna?

Let her know.  You can either comment on this post or email her at: aruggle@msn.com.

Thanks for dreaming BIG and thanks for helping out your fellow BIG dreamers,

Mitch

Are you a PICKER?

I love it when BIG dreams pay off!  Especially when the dream might seem a little quirky.

And it's just an added bonus that these guys are Iowans.

 

So... are you a Picker Watcher?

Do these guys inspire you to go after some of your BIG dreams... even though they might be a little quirky too?

PS - We love Andy!  Keep digging up treasures!  And we agree... don't paint that tractor!

Who will be helped by your BIG dream?

Image via Wikipedia

"I don't know what your destiny will be but one thing I know, the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve."  Dr. Albert Schweitzer

I love this quote... and I'd dare to say that it's true.

Some of the happiest people I know are people who have gone after BIG dreams... that involve helping other people.

Just ask Laura Hecht... who's helping kids in Africa!

There's Adam Hammes... who's working to save the environment one neighborhood at a time...

Jennie's BIG dream involved not only saving her family farm... but thriving as she did it!

There's Kalli, a college student, who started towards her BIG dream of helping others and then someone stepped in to help her!

Or Mandy Van Maanen... who's first BIG dream got launched at that first BIG dream gathering at our house... and now... has got her on a roll of dreaming BIG and helping others!

Yup... love those BIG dreams that involve regular people doing freakishly cool things to help others.  These are just a few examples.

Who can/will your BIG dream help?

Maybe it's a business that will provide a valuable service and deliver it with excellence?

Maybe it's a non-profit that will provide amazing solutions for someone who needs it?

Maybe it's just simply walking across the hallway and helping someone in the cube next to yours?

Think about it...

What if you took one small but significant step towards that BIG dream today?

What if...

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch Matthews

A THANK YOU to those who gave up their BIG dreams!

As we were wrapping up our day yesterday, my family and I decided to take our dog for a walk.  It was dark out, but we felt safe walking around our neighborhood.  There were pops and cracks in the distance, but I knew they were from fireworks instead of gun shots or mortars.  We came home to an air conditioned house and a peaceful night's sleep.

As we celebrate the Forth of July, I'm just reminded that we are so incredibly blessed and that a big part of why that's possible... is because there is a group of people who have been willing to put their BIG dreams on hold... or give them up entirely... just to serve our country. 

Their sacrifice has made it possible for this country to be what it is... and for us to almost take our peace and security for granted.

Thanks to every man and woman who gave up their BIG dreams so that we can celebrate our liberty on the 4th of July!

Thanks to the American Soldier!

Where are you heading?

"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand, but in what direction we are moving."  - Oliver Wendell Holmes

So... where you today?

More importantly... what are you moving towards?

Are you doing something that moves you closer to some of your BIG dreams... today?

Maybe... it's a small but significant step.

Or... maybe it's a gigantic leap and you're yelling "CANNON BALL" as you do it!

Image by kwalbolt via Flickr

Either way...

it's not as much about where you are... as it is about where you're heading!

Keep dreaming BIG!

Mitch Matthews

Are you ready for some of the quirks of your BIG dream?

Okay... so my dad had a BIG dream of owning another FJ40 Toyota Landcruiser. 

He had one when I was a kid but he had to get rid of it for various reasons.

So... some 20 years later... he and my mom decided to go for it. Yup, they found a beautifully restored 1979 FJ40 and they invested.

Fun stuff. 

Honestly, it's the kind of vehicle that makes men do double takes.  It stirs up images of dangerous mountain roads, African safaris and open beaches. 

It makes your heart race.  You can't help but give it the thumbs up as it drives by.  Yeah... it's that kind of truck.

But here's the thing.  It's a 1979.

So that means... no air conditioning.  That means a manual choke.  It means it's a 4-speed stick shift.  It means road noise and maximum speeds of about 62 mph.  

That's right.  There are quirks to owning this vehicle.  

That got me thinking. 

There are always "quirks" that come along with our BIG dreams... aren't there?

These are the "less convenient" things that can be a part of walking out our BIG dreams.

Let's talk about some other examples...

The pastor of our church is living his BIG dream by leading a church.  But one of the quirks of his BIG dream is that it's rare that he and his family can go out to eat without someone stopping by the table to say hello or check in.

A friend is walking out a BIG dream of owning a bike shop, but he spends most summer days getting up at 4 am to fix bicycles.

These quirks aren't deal breakers.  They're just things to think about and get ready for.  Right?

What might some of the "quirks" be for you?

Maybe it's a little less sleep when you're working on your BIG dream on the side?  Maybe it means a few more PB&J's and mac and cheese dinners as your investing in your BIG dream?  Maybe it's working on your dream when everyone else seems to be getting caught up on their favorite tv show.

Again... these aren't deal breakers.  But... maybe you need to give them some thought and get ready for them.

For my dad... it's meant planning ahead a bit.  It's meant slowing down a bit too.  It's meant not talking on the cell phone while he's driving.  (Stick shift doesn't allow for texting either!)  It's even meant allowing for a little sweat some days too!  (He lives in Iowa for crying out loud.)

But... as long as he allows for these things... you can't peal that huge grin off his face as he drives.  And THAT is a beautiful thing.

How about you? 

Are you ready for some of the quirks that might come with your BIG dream?

If not, how can you get ready for them?

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch Matthews

Who could you hear today?

Image by Stuck in Customs via Flickr

    "The reason why so few people are agreeable in conversation is that each is thinking more about what he intends to say than what others are saying."

     - François Duc de la Rochefoucauld

What if we really listened to someone today?

What if we asked someone a question... and then really listened?

Think about it.

Who could you hear... really hear today?

No distractions... no phones... no texts... no emails... and no thinking of what you're going to say next. 

Just listening.

What could happen if we all tried this with at least one person today?

This simple act could feel revolutionary.

Let us know what happens...

A Taste of the BIG dream gathering.

Something new from our videographer, Calvin Johannsen.

BDG - West Des Moines from Big Dream Gathering on Vimeo.

Keep dreaming BIG!

A BIG dream to start a cleaning service that would make a BIG impact!

Image by meironke via Flickr

We get updates from BIG dreamers from all over. 

This one is from Madeline from New York.

She has a BIG dream of starting a cleaning service that would offer a great service to it's customers AND to it's employees.

Here's the dream... in her own words.

Describe one of your big dreams...

Our Big Dream is to operate a profitable and sustainable an eco-friendly cleaning service in America (starting in New York City) and internationally. The name of the business is Goshen Cleaning Services, LLC (GCS). We look at GCS not only as a goal but also as a means to an end. 

What is it about "Somewhere Over the Rainbow?"

I'll admit it.  We're America's Got Talent fans.  How about you?

So... when Taylor Matthews came on the show last week... I didn't know what to expect from this slightly-goofy 18 year old.  But I will say that my whole family liked him instantly... and when he started to play... we found ourselves cheering along with the crowd in the room.

Check it out for yourself...

What is it about Over the Rainbow?

It's amazing that there are so many different ways to approach this song... but it seems to almost always grab me.  (Check out the cast of Glee's version.)

The lyrics are simple... poetic... and almost a little silly.  (click here to check them out.)

I think my favorite line is...

Somewhere over the rainbow
Skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream
Really do come true.

But there's something even more powerful about the song... when the person who's singing it... is working on their own BIG dream.  Somehow believing in those very lyrics... and stepping towards their BIG dream... no matter how impossible it might seem.

What if you hummed a few bars of the song today... and thought about your own BIG dream?

Not that there's anything magic about the song.  It's just believing that that dream that you'd dare to dream... actually could come true?  (I'll be honest.  I'm humming as I write this.)

So... what if?

What if you sang along... and thought about some of your BIG dreams today?

Where might it take you?

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch Matthews

Two quotes to get you thinking...

Image by jakebouma via Flickr

"If you're not living on the edge...

you're taking up too much space."

Now... what if you paired that up with one of my favorite quotes from T.S. Elliot? 

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly find out how far they can go." 

The result might just be a bunch of people who's BIG dreams change the world!

What if...

What if... you dreamed a little bigger... today?

What have you "learned" that's keeping you from your BIG dreams?

Image via Wikipedia

We have a really smart dog.

Her name is Lilly.

She's an Australian Shepherd which means she's been bred to herd sheep and anticipate her owner's every need.

Seriously, she's wicked smart.

She's so smart that she not only responds to voice commands... but she will also watch you and respond to a quick hand signal. 

In fact, she's so intelligent that sometimes when she is looking at me... I get a sense that she's thinkin' she's smarter than me!

Now, what's interesting is that even though she's brilliant, she has "learned" something that is obviously... false.

See... when we first got her... she was tiny.  And due to her size, she had trouble going up and down the stairs to our basement.  So... I'd carry her.  And this continued for the first few months of her life. 

But then something interesting happened... 

In that time, she "learned" that she couldn't go up and down those stairs. 

Does your BIG dream involve a farmers market?

Image by Getty Images via @daylife

If you're like Jennie, the BIG dreamer we featured yesterday, your BIG dream might involve selling something at a farmers market.

Well, there is a free webinar called "Building Your Business Through Farmers Markets" coming up quick.  It's hosted by MyEntre.net and will be held at noon (cst) tomorrow, June 3rd.

Click here to find out more!

If your interested, try to attend the live webinar, but if you miss it, they sometimes post recorded versions.  Check out their free library by clicking here.

Keep dreamin' BIG!

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• Support Your Local Farmers Market (everyjoe.com)

Jennie's BIG dream is locally grown!

We LOVE to share stories of regular people who have had the guts to dream BIG... especially when they've posted them at a BIG dream gathering.

Well, a few years ago, Jennie Smith came to a BDG, and told us all about her BIG dream of owning a farm. 

I have to admit that it was a bit of a surprise because, at the time, I knew Jennie as a very successful business person with an incredible biz network.  So to hear about a dream to grow organic tomatoes was a bit of a shock.  But... anyone who heard about the dream... loved it! 

Recently, I asked her (via facebook) to update us on the progress of her BIG dream.  Here's her response... in her own words.

"Well Mr.Matthews.... life is a rockin and a rollin. Simply stated...I am blessed.

About two years ago, I shared with you my BIG Dream... and now it is a BIG reality! And one worth living every moment of.

Thus, here is the short story long...

I now own and operate Butcher Crick Farms, LLC.

I formed the company and started with just 3 clients two years ago. I am up to 15 clients, and will be serving the Downtown DSM Farmers market this year as well....

THAT'S A LOT OF TOMATOES!!!

I hired part time help this year, and still control my labor of love costs with what I call "harvest parties"

I invite my network to come out on Sunday afternoons throughout the harvest season to help me pick, and in return I feed them (via one of many cool chefs i sell to) and let them take a box home. Agritourism at its best!

What's been one of the hardest lessons learned thus far? Well, I thought I was going to own a vegetable farm, but instead I am learning that I own a business;) quickbooks, grants, and learning how to pay myself.... Yup... still working on those skill sets, but I will get there eventually."

Well... we say... way to go Jennie!

As you can tell, she's got heart, determination, creativity and a willingness to look for people around her with complimentary dreams.

It's going to be fun to see what the next few years bring!

Make sure to check out the DSM Farmer's Market and get some of those amazing Butcher Crick Farms tomatoes! Your sauce and your salad will never be the same!!

So... what's one of YOUR BIG dreams?

What small but simple step could you take towards it today?

That's how Jennie got started... one step at a time.  Who knows where YOU could be in two years!

Keep dreaming BIG,

Mitch Matthews

What's one of your BIG dreams?

This photo begins to capture... just what can happen when people dream BIG together.

It was taken by Calvin Johannsen (our videographer) as we were wrapping up our most recent BIG dream gathering. 

So... what's one of your BIG dreams?

Get it ready because we're close to announcing where our next BDG will be!

The dream sheets are on their way!

That's right!

The 1,000's of dream sheets from our BIG dream gathering on May 16th are in the mail! 

Be watching for them in the next few days!

By the way... the record was 31 dream sheets for ONE PERSON!

WOW!

Keep dreaming BIG!