After writing about some of my concerns for the economic future of this country last week, I was heartened to receive responses from readers who indicated that they too, were anxious to play a part in restoring Jamaica to a prosperous state.

A few persons shared with me the development plans that had been drafted by organisations with which were affiliated. Although there are several groups of well-thinking citizens with inspired proposals, it appears that we are not as efficient in actualising our projects to create change. Why can’t we seem to move from idea stage to action phase?

In reflecting on the possible reasons for this inability to progress, I realised that our country’s financial problems are not unlike those faced by individuals. While many of us may think about how we want to improve our lives, somehow we just can’t seem to turn our thoughts into reality.

Progress begins with a vision

One of the seminars that I present as a money coach involves a four-step system that explains how to create an action plan for achieving your financial goals. I’ve recognised that many people don’t get ahead in life because they have lost their childhood capacity to dream, and are not truly passionate about anything in their lives.

Motivational author Denis Waitley declared: “We’ve got to have a dream if we are going to make a dream come true.” The reality is that many people only harbour vague wishes for a better life, but they don’t create a powerful vision that can motivate them to act. When you are fired up about a big dream, you will be driven to do whatever it takes to make it happen.

I believe that while we all wish the best for our country, there aren’t enough people who are motivated to start doing something, with whatever resources they have, towards actualising their ideas for progress. Some of us believe that our small individual efforts can never be enough to fix the myriad problems that face this nation.

History records many examples where one person, who decided to take a stand for what he or she believed in, was able to inspire other people to join a movement and create change: Rosa Parks’ desire to sit at the front of a bus; Gandhi’s passion for Indian self-determination; Paul Bogle’s choice to die for freedom; these individuals had the courage to act on their convictions.

Sharing the vision

If you have a dream for the social and economic empowerment of Jamaica, don’t hesitate to take action in whatever little way you can. If you can make a difference in the life of one person, don’t think that your contribution will be too insignificant. If your only resource is your words, don’t discount the energy that you can create by sharing your vision with others.

On August 28, 1963, Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his momentous ‘I have a dream’ speech at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. As he faced thousands of supporters, he outlined his vision of a more equitable future for African Americans in the United States. His words continue to inspire generations of people today to press forward until they attain their dreams.

A passionate vision has unlimited power, and King’s imagery motivated his compatriots to work to create a nation that truly lived the meaning of its creed, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” Despite his visionary thinking, King may not have fully conceived that just four decades later, an African American would have been elected President.

My dream for Jamaica

While reading King’s inspiring speech, I thought about my own vision for the financial empowerment of all Jamaicans. Giving credit to this great orator, I am humbly paraphrasing some of his words:

I have a dream that is deeply rooted in the Jamaican dream. I have a dream that one day, our people will honour the words of our National Pledge and work diligently and creatively, think generously and honestly, so that Jamaica may, under God, increase in prosperity.

I have a dream that one day, wealth will be created in the inner cities and that the economic divisions that separate our people will disappear. I have a dream that one day, the residents of Trench Town and Tivoli will sit down at the table of brotherhood with the residents of Norbrook and Cherry Gardens.

I have a dream that one day, persons with disabilities will not be judged by what’s wrong with them, but by what’s right with them. I have a dream that one day, people’s infirmities will not prevent them from securing a fair income, and receiving the respect in the workplace that is due to them.

I have a dream that one day, all persons in financial distress will receive free counselling to help them resolve their money problems. I have a dream that one day, Jamaican children will learn the principles of financial success in school, so that they can make smart choices with their money in adulthood.

What’s your dream for Jamaica?

Copyright © 2011 Cherryl Hanson Simpson. No reproduction without written consent.

Originally published in The Daily Observer, June 16, 2011

Read another article about Realising Your Dreams:

Five Steps to Achieving Your Financial Dreams

DON’T MISS MY NEXT ARTICLE! CLICK BELOW TO RECEIVE IT IN YOUR EMAIL:

Cherryl is a financial consultant and coach, founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at www.financiallyfreenetwork.com and www.financiallysmartonline.com. Contact Cherryl