Dream Big

Know What You Want, Why You Want It, and What You’re Going to Do About It

by Bob Goff

4.8(3,825 ratings)

9 min read

Brief overview

This book helps you uncover your true ambitions and challenges you to face doubts, remove distractions, and take bold actions. Through personal stories and practical examples, it shows how to stay anchored in deeper beliefs so you can move forward with clarity and find the courage to dream even bigger. By the end, you’ll feel equipped with strategies to pursue your ideals and make positive changes in your life.

Introduction: Setting the Stage for a Bigger Life

Imagine stepping behind a waterfall even though the rushing water looks intimidating. That’s exactly what happens when you commit to exploring your dreams. Rather than merely gazing from a safe distance, you decide to see what’s on the other side.

This book opens with the idea that you already sense there’s more to life than your current routine. You’ll be prompted to get real about what you want, why you might be stuck, and how to map out the next steps so you can fill your days with purposeful goals.

It’s much like standing on the edge of yikes—the author’s phrase for living beyond comfort zones. In the face of discomfort or setbacks, you’ll find the rock-steady anchor guiding you toward real change.

True ambition starts when you leave your comfort zone at the door.

Discovering What You Really Want

Sometimes, we get so busy that we forget to ask the simplest question in the world: “What do I truly want?” The first major step is clarifying your ambitions, not stifling them out of fear or doubt.

One practical tip is to make a rough list of absolutely everything you can imagine doing—no matter how big or small. Don’t edit yourself. From there, identify which items fill you with genuine excitement or meaning. Those are worth pursuing further.

Having clarity about your hopes makes it easier to form intentions. Instead of vaguely wanting success, you pinpoint what success looks like: starting a non-profit, writing a book, or learning an instrument. Desire alone won’t carry you, but it’s the starting point for real progress.

You can’t steer your life if you don’t know which direction you long to go.

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What is Dream Big about?

In "Dream Big: Know What You Want, Why You Want It, and What You’re Going to Do About It," Bob Goff presents an invigorating manifesto for anyone feeling sidelined by life's challenges. This empowering book offers a roadmap to identifying your deepest ambitions, confronting self-doubt, and clearing out the mental clutter that holds you back. Through rich personal narratives, Goff reveals how to harness clarity and courage to chase your most audacious dreams, ensuring readers are equipped to define, pursue, and achieve their lifelong goals.

"Dream Big" touches on themes of self-discovery, intentional living, and resilience. By employing heartfelt anecdotes and practical strategies, Goff emphasizes the importance of aligning your actions with your core values, developing a supportive community, and persistently pursuing your ambitions even when faced with setbacks. It's not just about reshaping your dreams; it's about reshaping your life with strategy, passion, and a little bit of whimsy. Readers will find themselves inspired to transition from mere daydreaming to actualizing their best selves.

By the book's end, you’re not just encouraged to imagine bigger dreams; you're emboldened to take tangible steps toward them. With "Dream Big," Goff provides the compass while the reader charts their course, ready to transform their longing into living.

Review of Dream Big

Bob Goff's "Dream Big" serves as a navigation tool for all individuals caught in the tides of doubt and inaction. This book's key strengths lie in its genuine relatability and transformative storytelling, making it an invaluable resource for both personal and professional reinvention. Goff's infusion of personal anecdotes lends authenticity, while his engaging prose ensures accessibility to a wide audience irrespective of their starting point on the self-discovery journey.

The foundational strengths of "Dream Big" are its actionable insights and a clear, strategic framework for overcoming internal limitations. Readers will find themselves equipped with techniques to identify pressing fears, embrace failures boldly, and incrementally advance toward their aspirations. Mixed with the author's unique charm, each chapter encourages the reader to vet their dreams critically, ensuring they align with enduring values and contribute positively to others.

Above all, Goff’s refreshing perspective on the necessity of building a supportive circle gives a practical nudge towards genuine connectivity, encouraging readers to share their paths with others for mutually reinforcing growth. This book not only opens doors to dream bigger but provides a clear call to action: confront your doubts, lean into your core values, and step decisively into your future. Highly recommended for anyone ready to turn their wistful hopes into purposeful reality.

Who should read Dream Big?

Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Seeking to develop resilience and clarity in pursuing business goals.
Career Changers: Desiring practical advice on transitioning to careers aligned with their true passions.
Growth Seekers: Focused on personal development and overcoming self-imposed limitations.
Community Builders: Wanting to foster meaningful connections while enhancing personal motivation.
Life Transitioners: Navigating significant changes such as relocating, entering new phases, or post-retirement planning.

About the author

Bob Goff is an American lawyer, speaker, and author known for his New York Times best-selling books. He has written several influential works, including "Love Does" and "Everybody, Always," and has founded the non-profit organization Love Does, which operates in multiple countries to promote human rights and education. With a background in law, having recovered approximately half a billion dollars for his clients, he transitioned into a career in writing and speaking, leveraging his experiences to inspire others to live purpose-driven lives. His book "Dream Big" offers practical guidance on rediscovering and achieving one's dreams.