I’ve got to tell you that I am so proud of this next dreamer… and I’m so flippin’ excited for her big dream.

Elizabeth Saunders and I were able to work on some projects together a few years ago, and during that time, she went through one of the earliest offerings of our elite life coach training program.  (FYI – This is one of my big dreams and you can find out more about that by clicking here!)

Elizabeth Saunders - Schedule Makeover Expert

Well… needless to say… she’s taken it… and run with it!

Elizabeth is now a nationally recognized blogger, coach and speaker, and her big dream is to take it even further.  Here’s Elizabeth’s next big dream… in her own words.

Describe one of your BIG Dreams:

Vision: A world where the majority of people feel peaceful, confident, accomplished and loved because they’re investing their time wisely in God, others and themselves.

What are a few things that you have in place for this dream?

• Real Life E® a time coaching and training company focused on empowering people to accomplish more with peace and confidence
• Time coaching clients on four continents
• ScheduleMakeover.com e-mail newsletter that reaches over a thousand people
• Exclusive time coaching system that is proven to bring lasting behavioral change

What are few things that you still need for this dream?

• More opportunities to spread my message through guest posts on high traffic blogs like lifehacker.com, mashable.com, the99percent.com and bnet.com
• Broader reach through more people receiving the www.ScheduleMakeover.com newsletter
• Agent and publisher for my first book on my system for accomplishing more with peace and confidence
• More people opening themselves up to transformation by becoming time coaching clients

You can find out more about Elizabeth Grace Saunders, CEO and Founder of Real Life E® at www.ScheduleMakeover.com

Elizabeth is inspiring people to get more done… but to do it in a way where they don’t miss out on life!  Heck, she’s helping people to make time for their big dreams!  And that’s a dream we can get behind!

How about you?  Do you have words of encouragement, ideas or connections for Elizabeth?  Then just click comments and let her know!

SPECIAL OFFER TO TODAY’s FEATURED BIG DREAM!

Ask Elizabeth a question about organizing your day!

Elizabeth is willing to answer some of YOUR questions here!

So… do you have questions for her about how to organize your life?  Is there an area where you could use some advice on making your calendar work for you?

Do you wonder how to order your day so that you can have more time to go after some of your big dreams?

Well… then click comments and ask Elizabeth a question about that too!

So… you can join in the conversation by offering her some encouragement… or by getting some help!

Elizabeth is open to both!

So… let the comments rip and let’s get Elizabeth some help… and let’s get YOU some help on getting you a SCHEDULE MAKEOVER!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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Today’s featured BIG Dream is from Nate Price.  He and some close friends started a clothing company… and their big dream is to take it global.

Here’s the dream… in his own words:

“Here is a little about our Big Dream:

Nate Price and his family

At “The University of God Apparel” we offer the public a way to show support for their faith and beliefs in a new attractive/ fun clothing line.  Our big dream is for this campaign to go global!  It’s our thought that this could be a great way for churches and small groups to fund raise by customizing the clothing.

We currently have a web site, and have produced and distributed clothing.  We have had some awesome response to our product!

Our current web address is:  www.universityofgodapparel.com if you have time please take a look.

I feel we need a person that works on web design because our current one lacks appeal.  We also need better photos on the web to display the product.

Another great help would be anyone that is familiar with marketing products like this to the public and/or churches for fund raising!

Anything to help get our message out there.

Thanks for your time and help.

Nate Price”

What do you think?

Do you have some ideas… suggestions… connections… or encouragement for Nate?

Click on comments and let him (and his team) know about it!

Lastly… how about you? What’s one of your big dreams? What if you took a cue from Nate and shared it with the world?  What might happen?  Click here to find out how to be a part of the BIG DREAM GATHERING’s DREAM BIG IN JUNE PROJECT!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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Dana is a BIG Dreamer from Montana!

BIG Dreamer - Dana Ludden

She’s been going after one of her big dreams… and she’s been experiencing what we call a “BIG Dream Bonus!”  (That’s when you go after a big dream… and you get some good surprises along the way!)

Here’s her BIG dream story… in her own words:

As most people do, I was contemplating a New Year’s resolution and had decided that instead of focusing on losing weight, I would focus on exercising (in hopes of losing a little weight).

With a little encouragement from a dear college friend, I decided I was going to run the San Francisco half-marathon on July 31st (she is running the full marathon).

The longest I have ever run is the Montana Women’s Run in the 2 mile category. I trained for 4 weeks for that 2 mile run and never ran again! I found a free half-marathon training schedule online and hit the treadmill that is in our gym at work. At first, I ran 60 seconds and walked 6 minutes for 3 miles. I increased that 60 seconds every week and by six weeks, I could run 3 miles non-stop!

Dana Ludden and her daughters after her race!

It’s been a VERY long winter here, and I was so sick of running on a creaky treadmill while staring at a wall in a dark warehouse! I don’t even listen to my Ipod as it “throws off” my breathing and pace!! Needless to say, by the time May rolled around, I was SO ready to hit the road outside.

In preparation for my half-marathon, I did my first 5K in March, the 5 mile MT Women’s Run, and I am tackling my first 10K next weekend. The 5K in March was in 29 degree weather! I think it took a week for my frozen lungs to thaw!

When I run, I chant different mantras (not out loud of course!) when I feel myself lagging. My current one is…

“I am strong, I can do this.”

Sounds silly, but it works.  I’m now running a total of 20 miles per week with 7.5 weeks to go!

It’s funny you should ask if I had a dream, because you and Melissa actually inspire me a lot! When I was thinking of a resolution, I often found myself thinking about your “lessons” of setting goals.

I’ll keep you updated on my progress.

And, by the way, I’ve lost 23 pounds along the way!

Great job Dana!

And hey… 23 pounds!  Now that’s what we call a BIG Dream BONUS!

Have you got some encouragement… ideas… or some “I want to that too” comments for Dana?

Let her know!

Plus… as you encourage her… you’ll probably experience a “BIG Dream Bonus” too because it always winds up feeling good to encourage someone else.  Just try it… and see if it’s true!

Lastly, thanks for submitting your BIG dreams!  If you haven’t yet, just click here to find out how you can! We’re wanting to inspire the world to dream bigger in June and you’re helping to make that happen!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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Image by alex drennan via Flickr

Today’s featured big dream was submitted anonymously.

We wanted to share it in this dad’s own words…

“My big dream is to earn my son’s forgiveness.

I landed in the hospital last year at my own hand.  I survived but my son was subjected to responsibilities he should not have had to face.  He no longer wants any contact with me.

The things I have in place…

Desire and regret

The things I still need…

To make amends with him or learn to live with the fact that he doesn’t want any contact with me.”

So that’s today’s BIG and important dream.

Do you have thoughts, encouragement or ideas for this dad?

If so, let him know by clicking comments and joining in the conversation.

Thanks for being in this together!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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For today’s featured big dream… we wanted to offer you a story… and some fuel for going after your own BIG Dreams.

This is a story of someone who is on his own big dream journey.

His story might be similar to yours.

A few years ago, Derek Kreifels was in a “nice job” but at the same time… he felt like it just wasn’t what he was created to do.

Not only that… but he was in a place where he was about to give up on ever going after his bigger dreams and goals.  Frankly he’d tried… but his dreams had been beaten up… and his options seemed to be drying up.

Sound familiar?  Can you identify?

Well… a “chance” meeting in a hallway functioned as a catalyst for him to start to think about his big dreams again.

Then… a conversation with his wife… sparked his dreams even more.

Well… I don’t want to give away too much of the story.  I want you to hear it straight from Derek himself…

Click here to listen to the BIG Dream Gathering Podcast with Mitch Matthews and Derek Kriefels

By the way… for those of you who just need to know that this story has a happy ending… I’ll let you know that Derek Kriefels is walking out his big dreams… and he was recently appointed the Assistant State Treasurer for the State of Kansas!

Derek Kreifels - Assistant Treasurer for the State of Kansas - Interviewed for the BIG Dream Gathering

So… let me ask you a few questions.

What if you let Derek’s story inspire you today?

What might happen?

What parts of Derek’s story… are similar to yours?

What could you learn from his leap of faith?

What are you feeling called to leap to?

Give it some thought.

See where it takes you.

And… in the meantime… leave a comment.  Let us know an answer to one of the questions… or just let Derek know how his story struck you.

I know this humble man… with a huge heart… inspires me!  I betting you’ll feel the same way!

Okay… until next week… when we’ll be posting more BIG dreams each day… KEEP DREAMING BIG!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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We first met Andre Allen at one of our BIG Dream Gatherings in 2010.

Here he is talking about his BIG dream…

I asked him to go deeper with describing his dream… and here it is… in his words:

My DREAM is to bring sporting excellence back to Iowa in the form of a Sports Academy/Complex and I want to call this “Dynamic Sports.”

In addition, through “Dynamic Sports YOU,” I want to provide sports training to people with low-to moderate income levels in the Des Moines area.

What are a few things that you have in place for this dream?

Dynamic Sports

Design for the front of Dynamic Sports

• LLC business status
• The registered agent
• Obtained Federal EIN
• Business Plan (85% complete)
• The Vision and Mission laid out
• Business Collateral
• Web Presence established
• Have renderings of the complex

Andre Allen with his Family

Dynamic Sports YOU—501(c)(3)

• Legal Business Structure
• Business Plan Established
• Board Established
• Working with DSM Community Foundation on pledges
• Stretching’s of the complex
• Internal By-Laws and Governance
• Established bank/merchant account

What are few things that you still need for this dream?

• Obtaining start-up capital to hire appropriate staff for key positions
• Completing the Revenue Models
• Capital Fundraising Campaign
• DVD to view with potential donors and investors
• Putting the Plan together
• Speaking with Hotel Chain, Commercial Investors, etc.
• Would like to trademark for protection
• Obtaining business location for both businesses
• Obtaining a Merchant account for Dynamic Sports, LLC.
• Establishing Accounting Practice and Procedures
• Establishing Credit Cards for businesses
• Obtaining a firm that could assist at lower cost
• Obtaining financial firm to complete financial analysis
• Completing PMP for investors, etc.
• Commitment from professional athletes and business professional.
• Verbal and written testimonials from parents, kids, athletes, business leaders to add to plan and website
• Obtain favor!!

Sincerely,

André G. Allen, Founder & President
Dynamic Sports
(515) 202-5664

Web Site: http://www.dynamicsportscomplex.com/

Dynamic Sports YOU 501(c)(3): Donors should follow this link and choose the Dynamic Sports YOU Fund from the drop down menu: <http://www.desmoinesfoundation.org/page30469.cfm.>

So… do you have an idea, some encouragement or an “I want to do that too” comment for Andre?  Let him know by clicking comments below or contacting him directly.

Also… if you want to help him… help him by spreading the word about this big dream by sharing it with your friends and family!

Thanks for dreaming BIG with us!

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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Image by Getty Images via @daylife

Cindy Christensen Welsher has a big dream to help some of the most important people in the world… single moms!

Here’s her BIG dream… in her own words:

“A Big Dream I’ve had for years and years…to start a non-profit dedicated to helping single mom’s, honoring them on the days they feel the most forgotten, like their birthday, Valentine’s Day, Christmas, and mostly….Mother’s Day.

And many other ways!

I always promised myself that I would repay those who helped me when I was a single mom by paying-it-forward someday.

This is my someday and I want to connect single moms with other women… enriching the lives of both!”

We just love this dream.

I bet you do too!

Do you have some ideas… some encouragement… or some “I want to do that too!” comments for Cindy?

If so, let her know!

This is a wildly important dream… that’s just getting started.  But with you’re encouraging words… and infusion of ideas… it might be up and running faster than Cindy ever imagined!

Just click comments and let Cindy know!

Also… if you’d like to submit one of your own big dreams for the month of June… just click here to find out how!

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April Hauck is a long time friend of the BIG Dream Gathering.

She not only attended some of the first BDG’s but she also invested countless hours as a volunteer!

Now, she’s in Portland… and she’s walking out many of her BIG dreams.

Check out her story… and her current BIG dreams… in her own words.

“I am not even sure where to begin in speaking of my big dreams.

Dreams are like a daily vitamin for me and can at the spur of the moment, whisk me off to a new mind and heart adventure.

Who and where I am now was once a dream. I was once imprisoned in my morbidly obese body. I was once trapped by thoughts of self hatred, abused by my own hand shoveling food into my mouth stiffling any real emotions I had. I didn’t want to live like that and I thought maybe someday I would change.

One day I did.

Now that previous sentence is minimalizing years of getting healthy inside and out, but we only have so much time and space here.

The point is, I dreamed I could be happy. I dreamed I could be healthy. And I set myself in motion to chase after that dream. And I did it. My dream was a series of many and it looked like being able to walk a distance without being out of breath, then actually attending a group fitness class, then being able to shop at a “normal” sized store, then hitting my goal weight, then getting my certification to teach various group fitness classes, then running a 5K and now to being a Personal Trainer and Life Coach. You may think my dreams are all dreamed up?

Heck no!

This is a lifetime journey and I have so much left to do – in me and with others!

I recently partnered with my own Personal Trainer Meshi Chavez who has been pivitol in my 150 pound weight loss, to work together to help others be healthy. Meshi and I make a good team because I know the battle of obesity and he has the compassion from being bullied as a child. We seem to make up for what the other lacks.

My dream is to transform lives helping those struggling with serious weight to learn nutrition, new life patterns and to gain physical health!

In some instances this dream is to SAVE LIVES. I want to reach out to people struggling with morbid obesity, who often have been told by doctors “If you don’t get this weight off, you’ll die” and help them really live. Not just in the sense that there are more years before them, but to have a vibrant happy life. Because I know this journey so well, I know this dream will become a reality. It already is.

What do we have? Passion. Heart. Knowledge. A great studio space to rent. Willingness to go out to those who can’t come to the space.

What do we need? I hate to type the word. Money. It’s always money, isn’t it? Sigh. I had originally put off stepping forward in my business because I couldn’t afford it. And then I started coming in contact with people needing my help and realized their life change couldn’t actually wait for me to get my pocketbook in order.

So Meshi and I do the best we can partnering up and breaking even. We’d love to have more equipment- especially when we’re going out to homes. We’d love to have some certifications in types of exercise we know would work best with some of our clients. But we are making dreams come true – and not just our own.

We are changing lives. And that’s pretty cool.

The one thing I’ve learned in this whole process of living out my dreams is that it takes a series of goals/dreams, a little bit of ‘Are you crazy?!’ mojo, and sometimes just doing the best you have with what you’ve got.

We really lack nothing. Probably because of that daily dream vitamin.”

Okay… so do you have an idea… a word of encouragement or a “that’s my dream too” comment for April?

Click comments and let her know!  I’m sure that will be a supplemental dose of her daily dream vitamin!  And it may just give her the added boost she needs to keep going after her dreams!

And while you’re at it… why don’t you let us know about one of YOUR big dreams.  We still have a few slots left for June.  And heck, if we run over… we’ll keep dreaming BIG in July!

Click here to find out how.

Until we hit a million,

Mitch Matthews

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Image via Wikipedia

We love big dreams… especially when they come from little people!

Today’s featured BIG dream was submitted anonymously… but we can say that our little dreamer is about 9 years old.

She has a BIG dream that is all about helping… well… I don’t want to give it away.  So I’ll just let her say it… in her own words… and her own spelling.

I want to help People/animals that are sick.

I love animals.

My favoriot animals are dogs and horses.

Do you have some encouragement… ideas… or “I believe in your dream” comments for our little dreamer?

Let her know by clicking comments and by helping to spread the word.

I’m sure she’ll be watching… and I’m sure she’ll be encouraged!

Keep dreaming big and keep submitting your own BIG dreams! (Click here to find out how) We still have a few slots left for June and if we run over… maybe we’ll keep it going into July!

Until we hit our million dreams,

Mitch Matthews

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Kari Erdman and her hubby Jeremy submitted a BIG dream for our Dreaming BIG in June Project.

And this one is making me hungry (and healthier) just thinking about it!

Check it out… in Kari’s own words:

Describe one of your BIG Dreams…

One of my BIG dreams is a shared dream with my husband Jeremy.

Our dream is to create healthy, whole food products to reach people

Jeremy and Kari Erdman

through a “fast-food” cafe franchise, convenience stores, hotels, and airports. These are the places that a lot of people go to get their food and nutrition for the day. People are always looking for food on the go and we want to at least help to get tastier, healthier food into their hands! Many people have food sensitivities (many people don’t even know about yet!) and we would like to have gluten-free, dairy-free, sugar-free, free-range meats/dairy, etc. options, as well as serve as much organic as possible!

McDonald’s is the leading buyer of factory farmed meat in this country and how great would it be to change that to organic food become more of the norm of what’s purchased in our food system! My heart is saddened by the increase of obesity and lifestyle related diseases in this country that could be alleviated by returning to having a whole foods diet (which means, “way of life”) more accessible to people.

What are a few things that you have in place for this dream?

-We have recipes and ideas for food products
-We have a mission statement:
To bring real, organic food and products to all people…..to help them stay connected to their   food, their bodies and their Earth.
-Name of our company, the cafe, and food product line
-We have people who support us and believe in us
-Nutritional analysis company contact
-Contacts of other people who have created food products

What are few things that you still need for this dream?

-Guidance in developing a business plan in a way that 2 right-brained people can enjoy putting together and that is creative!
-Investors who believe in this idea and us

Okay… that’s Kari and Jeremy’s BIG dream.

Do you have some ideas, encouragement or connections for them?

Do you have a similar dream and a “me too” comment to offer?

Or… do you just want to let them know that you believe in them and want to see this happen?

Then comment and let them know… and hey… why not share this on Facebook or Twitter?  Maybe we can get Kari and Jeremy some help for this big dream!!

Thanks for dreaming BIG with us!

And remember to submit some of your BIG dreams too!  We want to hear about ‘em!

Until we hit our million,

Mitch Matthews

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