It’s something that will inspire you to think about your big dreams and goals in life… and then get some help and inspiration to go after them!

DATE:

Thursday, February 23rd

THE SCHEDULE:

• REGISTRATION: 6 to 6:30 pm
• TALK: 6:30 to 7:15 pm
• DREAMING BIG: 7:15 pm to 9 pm (Stay for a bit or for the full time!)

THE TALK:

BIG Dream Gathering Co-Founder, Mitch Matthews will be kicking things off at 6:30 with an inspirational (and fun) talk about how the BDG got started and some of incredible dreams that have been launched because of it!   Plus, he’ll walk you through the logistics of how the BDG works.

DREAMING BIG:

During this time… Mitch will cut you loose to dream big and connect with the other cool peeps in the room. It will be fun… inspiring… safe… and different from just about anything you’ve experienced before!

We’ve seen amazing things happen at these gatherings in the past and we know that UIU is ready! In fact, we can’t wait to see all the BIG dreams that will get launched as the result of this!

NO COST AND NO HIDDEN CATCHES!

Thanks to the support of UIU… this event is completely FREE to attend!

THE LOCATION:

• Student Center Ballroom -
• Upper Iowa University Campus,
• Fayette, Iowa
• Click here for directions

COME AND BRING YOUR FRIENDS!

Come to think about some of your own dreams and goals… and to inspire some big dreaming in others too!

Bring your friends… invite your professors… and grab total strangers on your way!

You won’t want to miss this!

We can’t wait to see you there!

Related articles

• So what’s been happening with your BIG Dream? (bigdreamgathering.com)
• BIG Dream Gathering – University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (bigdreamgathering.com)
• BIG Dream Gathering Podcast with the Chuck Norris of Branding… John Morgan. (bigdreamgathering.com)
• How do you shift your thinking? (bigdreamgathering.com)

Melissa Brunner

As she did… she posted a few of her own big dreams… including the idea of writing.

Well, here’s a fun update in her own words!

The update:

“A new adventure came to fruition this week.

The February issue of MVP Magazine includes articles written by…. drumroll…. me!

Click here to read Melissa's story in MVP Magazine

It’s the result of a conversation I had with publisher Tara Dimick at the Big Dream Gathering last September. I told her I was interested in writing and we got to talking about how she recruits writers for the magazine. By December, we were having lunch and talking specifics about how I could get involved. Tara (and her husband) are behind both MVP, which focuses on Shawnee Countyhigh school athletics and TK, which looks at Topeka‘s business community.”

To continue to read the story from Melissa’s own blog click here…

How cool is that?

Melissa’s going after one of her big dreams.  What does that inspire you to do?

Join in the conversation:

Click comments and let Melissa know you believe in her big dream!  Plus, let us know about your big dream journey.

Plus, if you’ve got an update on a BIG dream that you’ve posted at a BIG Dream Gathering, let us know.  Just shoot us an email at contactus@bigdreamgathering.com.

We’d love to hear from you!

Keep dreaming big and helping others to do the same,

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• So what’s been happening with your BIG Dream? (bigdreamgathering.com)
• BIG Dream Gathering Experience – San Antonio, TX (bigdreamgathering.com)
• BIG Dream Gathering – University of Wisconsin – La Crosse (bigdreamgathering.com)
• Get the word out about your BIG Dream every time you click send! (bigdreamgathering.com)

(Thanks to Courtney Kay for the great photos!)

This BDGE involved some of the best and brightest from around the country and it was an absolute privilege to get to dream BIG together!

Plus… I can guarantee you that many of the big dreamers from this room with change the world!

Can’t wait to see that happen,

Mitch Matthews

Have you ever had one of those things happen that could instantly put you in a bad mood?

Maybe it was something somebody said.  Maybe it was bad weather on a day when you needed it to be clear.  Maybe it was something that went wrong with your big dream.

Well… recently… I was hit with one of those situations that could have instantly put me in a foul mood!  (Seriously… you won’t believe it.)

Here’s the story and a strategy I used to change my thinking (because I had to right away).

Mitch’s Dream BIG Achieve More Radio Segment:

Click here to download the mp3:  Mitch Matthews – dream big achieve more

So how about you?

How do you shift your thinking?

What questions do you ask yourself?

Whether it’s when you are going after your big dream or just navigating your day… how do you intentionally change your perspective?

We’d LOVE to hear from you.

Yup.  We’d love to hear your ideas.  Click on comments and share your ‘em.  And hey… you can even share a few things that you’re grateful for too!

Keep dreaming big and helping others to do the same,

Mitch Matthews

“How can I get the word out about my big dream?”

In other words… they might be asking…

• How can I get some help with my big dream?
• How can I spread the word and get people on board with my big dream?
• How can I let people know about what I’m wanting to do?

Great questions.

Obviously, in some cases… it can really help to spread the word about your big dream.  Maybe it’s to see if someone else has a similar dream… so you can team up.  Maybe it’s because you need a lot of people’s input.

Or maybe… it’s simply about drawing a line in the sand and letting the world know that you’re working on a big dream.

Whatever the reason… there are times when you need to spread the word.

So… how can you do it when you don’t have the budget to buy a commercial during the super bowl or put a billboard along a busy freeway?

Well… recently I rolled out a simple concept to a group of the country’s top college students… and they took it and ran with it!

It’s simple.  It’s cheap (actually, it’s free).  And you can do it every time you click “send.”

Here’s the concept:

You include the synopsis of your “BIG Dream project” in the footer of your personal email.

Yup… that simple.

Here are some elements to consider:

1. THINK “BIG DREAM PROJECT!”

That’s right.  Keep it simple.  Be able to explain the current season of your big dream journey and define your current BIG Dream Project.  So, you may have a big dream of writing a book about parenting and that’s great.  In that case, your “BIG Dream Project” might be to collect people’s favorite stories about parenting.

Or… you may have a big dream of traveling to Australia.  Perfect!  Maybe your current “BIG Dream Project” is to collect information on the best places to visit while you’re down unda.  Or maybe to ask for help with ideas on how to get there cheap!

2. BE CONCISE WITH WHAT YOU HAVE AND WHAT YOU NEED

This is in the footer of your email.  So being concise is important.  Now, granted… if people are going to scroll down to read what you have to say under your signature… there’s a good chance that they’ll be curious.  So they will stay engaged enough to read something… but you can’t offer a novel.

So if you have some things in place (like a plan… or some passion… or some stories already collected), let people know.  But keep it short.  And if you need some help, ask for it.  But be specific and to the point.  Again, if you need stories ask for them.  If you need advice, ask for it.  If you need contacts, ask.  But don’t ask for a bunch of different things.  It will get confusing.  And people won’t know how to plug in.

3. STAY HUMBLE

For the college students I mentioned… I told them to let the world know about their dream project but to stay humble.  For example, I suggested including something to the effect of “Hey, I know that I may not be able to make all my income from this project, but some day I hope to.  In the meantime, I really need your help.”

This tips the hat to a couple of things.  For those parents who all of a sudden see a “Dream Project” pop up on their kid’s email footer… they won’t automatically think their child has quit everything to pursue this dream.  But at the same time, they’ll see that their son or daughter is taking a risk and going after something.

For our BIG Dreamers who are a little older than the typical college student… it can pay to stay humble too.

I mean, it takes a little humility to ask for help doesn’t it?  I mean in our day and age, we all want to appear like we’ve got it all put together.  We don’t want to admit that we need some help.  But let’s be honest.  We do need help… don’t we?  Especially when we’re going after our big dreams.  So why not just stay humble and ask.

I mean… really… when someone humbly asks for help on a big dream… who can say no?  (OK, in this case anyone can say no.  BUT… someone who is willing to read your footer might just say “yes,” and get you some of the help you need to see your BIG Dream Project through!

4. ASK ABOUT THEIR BIG DREAM

Why not inspire the world to dream big with you?

Why not wrap up your new email footer with…

“By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?”

You might just find some things out about your friends and family that you never knew!

EXAMPLES:

Needing some specifics?  Let me offer up some living breathing examples…

Here’s one from Katie Weiler…

—— Forwarded Message
From: Katherine Weiler
Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2012 19:52:59 -0600
To: “Mitch@mitchmatthews.com” <mitch@mitchmatthews.com>
Subject: Re: Big Dream Gathering

Mitch,

Thanks! You absolutely can use my footer for whatever examples you want! I know that it’s already made a difference, three people at work today said they’d read my blog which is awesome!

Hope things are going well, talk to you soon!

Katie Weiler
Drake University, 2013
319-###-####

My BIG Dream Project: Make America healthy

First of all thanks for checking this out. If you do, you will know about one of my life’s big dreams.

My BIG Dream Project is to transform the food industry in America in order to put an end to childhood obesity and improve the health of our nation as a whole. It’s ambitious, but change has to begin somewhere. Food and health is something I’m passionate about, which is why I want to spread the joy of living a healthy lifestyle  and help improve people’s lives.

Click here to hear more of my story:

www.katieweiler.wordpress.com/my-dreams/ <http://www.katieweiler.wordpress.com/my-dreams/>

By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?

Here’s another one…  from college student Jeff Mitch.

From: Jeffrey Mitch
Date: Mon, 30 Jan 2012 16:14:56 +0000
To: “Mitch@mitchmatthews.com” <mitch@mitchmatthews.com>
Subject: RE: SUCCEED FASTER

Check it out Mitch!  Thanks again for the help.

-Jeff

My BIG Dream Project: Inspirational Author & Speaker

First of all thanks for reading this. If you do, you will know about one of my big dreams.

My BIG Dream Project is to become an inspirational author and speaker. I know I may not be able to make all my income from this right now, but I’m starting to write a book about embracing creativity from within the walls of a cubicle because I have had some interesting experiences within the walls of a cubicle and I believe I can help people achieve their dreams!

Some of the things I still need are contacts, opportunities, and other inspirational stories about life within a cubicle to make this dream a reality. So if you have someone that is looking for a motivational speaker or has any stories about their life within the walls of a cubicle and you’d be willing to connect me with them I would really appreciate it.  Also, if you have an event that you need a speaker to present at, think of me. I might be able to present on a topic and enhance your event, and you’ll be helping me to go after my big dream in the process.

Since you have this, then you obviously have my email address. So if you have ideas, connections or encouragement for me… I’ll take the help! And no matter what… thanks again for reading this!

By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?

Here’s an example of someone who applied this concept to their business email…

Here’s to you,

Jackie Smith

Jackie Smith
Life Coach

P: 414.###.####
E: Jackie@UnstuckYou.com

My Mission and big dream is to help people to get unstuck!

Are some of your friends stuck… and you
need some help to inspire them? Let me help you help
them.  www.unstuckyou.com

I believe in helping people to get unstuck and I’ve gotten pretty darn good at it.  I need some help in connecting with people who might need my help.  Don’t worry.  I won’t hit them with hard selling tactics.  Those just don’t work!  Nope.  I’ll just send them some free strategies on how to get started with getting unstuck.  If they want to find out more… we can take it from there.  Plain and simple.

Thanks for reading this and thanks for helping!

By the way, I believe we all have big dreams… what’s one of yours?

Okay… those are some examples.

PS – NOT EVERYONE WILL READ THIS!

Yup.  It’s true.  As I wrap this up, I want to concede this point.

Not everyone is going to scroll down and read about your BIG Dream Project in the footer of your email.

It’s true.

But… what if?

What if someone does?

What if just one person reads it and they’re able to connect you with someone that can help?

What if just one person reads it and they send you a piece of advice that you’ve needed?

What if just one person offers you a bit of encouragement to keep you on your big dream journey?

What if?

Not only that… but what if your BIG Dream Project inspires just one person to think about their own BIG dream?

That might make it worth it… right?

Well, not everyone will do it.  And that’s okay.  Not everyone should.  But… if you read about this and think… “Maybe I should.”  Or you think… “What if this was a way for me to put it out there?”  Or if you read this… and your heart races at the thought of the world knowing just a bit more about your big dream… then maybe just maybe you want to consider it.

And if you do… send us an email.

That’s right.  Shoot us an email at contactus@bigdreamgathering.com.

Show us your footer and we’ll include it as an update to this post!

Sound good?

Hope so.

Keep dreaming big and helping others to do the same,

Mitch Matthews

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• Succeed Faster and BIG Dream Project Sample Signatures! (mitchmatthews.com)
• Marketing Tip for your BIG Dream or Idea! (mitchmatthews.com)
• BIG Dream Podcast with Dr. Mollie Marti – Walking with Justice (bigdreamgathering.com)
• The Science of Dreaming BIG: The power of looking forward! (mitchmatthews.com)

Dr. Mollie Marti

Well… this week… Dr. Mollie Marti is launching her new book called “Walking with Justice.”

It’s an amazing book that features uncommon lessons from Mollie’s greatest mentor… Judge Max Rosenn of the United States Court of Appeals from the Third Circuit.

And since this book is all about…

• Dr. Marti following one of her biggest dreams
• Someone like Judge Rosenn (or “Judge” as Mollie came to know him) coming along side her in that big dream
• Since Judge changed her life (and her heart) in the process

The Big dream behind the Story

I thought you guys needed to hear the story behind the story, as well as some of the timeless truths and wisdom that Judge shared with Mollie over the years… I wanted to make this interview available to you.

It’s my hope that the conversation will inspire you to…

• Think about and pursue some of your own big dreams
• Think about some of the people you could mentor (yes… you) in the same way that Judge did for Mollie
• Learn from some of Judge Rosenn’s wisdom along the way too

So listen in… and enjoy!

Click here to find out more.

Podcast with Dr. Mollie –

Plus… make sure you check out Dr. Mollie’s book… “Walking with Justice.”

In fact, you can click here to download two chapters for free.

And you can click here to order the book itself.

John Morgan

He’s also… now… a best-selling author.

He’s worked with the big dogs like… Disney… Starbucks… Seth Godin and Gary V.

And now… he’s talking with us about how we can apply critical branding concepts to our BIG dreams.

That’s right…

Today’s BIG Dream Gathering Podcast is with John Morgan.

Click here to listen:

Now… I know you’re also going to want to find out more about his book…

Brand Against the Machine.

Click here to find out more about John's book

So… you can dig in by clicking here or by checking it out on Amazon.

Plus… just as John mentions in the interview… if you grab a copy of the book… you can let John know at his website (by clicking here) and his team will send you some free goodies to help you even more!

BIG Dream Gathering Podcasts

We hope this interview gives you some inspiration… and some tools to help you think about some of your own big dreams… and keep going after them!

Because… as you already know… we’re all about inspiring and inspiring you to dream bigger… but we’re also all about equipping you to go out and get those BIG DREAMS DONE!

So dig in… have a listen… and then feel free to share this with a friend who might need it or enjoy it!

Thanks!

Keep dreaming big and helping others to do the same!

Mitch Matthews

Related articles

• BIG Dream Gathering podcast with YouTube Sensation Alix Lapri! (bigdreamgathering.com)
• BIG Dream Gathering Podcast with NBC Daytime’s Patrica Rossi (bigdreamgathering.com)
• Brand Against The Machine – John Morgan’s New Book Redefines Branding (rizzotees.com)

Thanks to the support of some amazing sponsors like Northwestern Mutual…

along with our University of Wisconsin – La Crosse on-campus support from the Campus Activities Board, the College of Business and the American Marketing Association…

we were able to bring the BIG Dream Gathering to campus!

It was an amazing night of dreaming BIG and connecting.

If you were there… you know that we had some fun and launched some big goals and dreams!  Plus, we had fun encouraging each other and helping each other on our big dream journeys!

So we invite you to check out that amazing pictures from the event taken by Casey Cole!  See if you can find yourself and make sure to tag yourself in our FACEBOOK photo album too! (Click here)

Lastly… we want to say a BIG DREAM THANK YOU to Brittany Bozmoski and Kailey Charlton!  They were our BDG Student Ambassodors on campus and they helped to make this whole thing happen!  Why? Because they believe in the big dreams of their fellow students and they want to see as many of those big dreams happen as possible!  I can tell you… the world needs more freakishly cool people like Brittany and Kailey!

Thanks to all who came… and thanks to all who were rooting for us along the way!

Here’s to more big dreams being launched!

Mitch Matthews

I don’t know about you… but in some ways it feels like it was just yesterday… and in other ways it seems like it was a year ago!

How about you?

Well… we wanted to check in to see how things have been progressing for you?

We wanted to hear what you’ve been up to.

Now… I’ll admit… I do this with a little bit of caution.  Why?

Well… over the years of doing BIG Dream Gatherings… we’ve realized that all those big dream sheets that get posted on the walls are a lot like seeds.

Yup… when you tape those dream sheets up on the walls… it’s a lot like putting seeds in the ground.

BDG Topeka

And what happens with seeds?

They start to grow… some fast and some slow.  BUT sometimes… even though there’s growth under ground… it doesn’t look like anything is happening.

But there is.

So… likewise… for some of you… you might be experiencing some significant growth.  Something might have popped up out of the ground already… and you’re seeing things happening with some of the dreams you posted.

For others… your dream might be taking root… but you’re not seeing any “real growth” above ground yet.

Well… we need and want to celebrate both!

We want to celebrate:

BDG - Topeka

1. That you planted some big dreams
2. You’re letting them grow (fast or slow)
3. Things are happening (big and small)

Yeah… it’s with expectancy AND caution that we ask.  With expectancy… because we can’t wait to hear some of the fun stories of things that have been going on for you and your big dreams.  And… with caution… because we don’t want any of you with some of the dreams that are taking root but growing a little slower to feel bad about that growth.

Let’s celebrate it… no matter what!

Please send us an update.

Let us know how things have been going.

Here are two questions to help:

• What’s something (small or big) that has happened with one of your big dreams so far?

or…

• What’s something (small or big) that you’ve been able to do to help someone else with one of their big dreams?

  

  BDG - Topeka

Now… you can submit your response by either clicking on “comments” and leaving your update here.

Or… you can send us an email at contactus@bigdreamgathering.com.

Either way… we’d love to hear from you!

Lastly…

Just to help the process along… and to encourage you to send an update (big or small)… for everyone who submits something… we’ll give you a copy of my e-book called “The Power of 3 Project.”  This e-book will not only help you to put a plan together to go after your big dream… but it will also give you the opportunity to possibly have it be featured here on the BIG Dream Gathering website.

So let us know about your big dream… and we’ll send you a copy of the e-book for free!

That’s it for now.  We can’t wait to hear from you!

Keep dreaming BIG and helping others to do the same,

Mitch Matthews

PS… We wanted to say thank you again to our amazing sponsors for the BIG Dream Gathering in Topeka!

BDG Sponsor

BDG Sponsor

BDG Sponsor

BDG Sponsor

• Heartland Visioning
• Washburn University Small Business Development Center
• WIBW TV
• Washburn School of Business

(Now… just to be clear… a plan is a GOOD thing.  But a mission tends to stand the test of time better than a plan ever does.)

We’d love to hear from you.