Dream Big, Even when it Scares You

Hey there ❤️

I want to share something personal with you today—something I’ve been reflecting on deeply. It’s about dreaming big and how easy it is to hold ourselves back before we even start.

The first time I sat down to create a vision board; I thought it would be exciting. But honestly? It was overwhelming. I found myself hesitating to put my biggest dreams on there. A little voice in my head whispered things like, “That’s too much. Who are you to want that? Be realistic.”

Looking back, I realise how much that fear shaped the way I approached my goals. I convinced myself that aiming too high was setting myself up for failure. It felt safer to keep my dreams small and manageable, so if I didn’t succeed, it wouldn’t hurt as much. But here’s the thing: avoiding big dreams doesn’t protect you—it only keeps you stuck.

The Neuroscience of Dreaming Big

Did you know that your brain is wired to support what you focus on? It’s called the Reticular Activating System (RAS), and it acts like a filter for the information your brain processes. When you focus on a specific goal or vision, your RAS starts noticing opportunities, patterns, and resources that align with that goal.

For example, have you ever decided to buy a new car, and suddenly, you see that car everywhere? That’s your RAS in action. The same principle applies to your dreams. By visualising what you want—whether it’s through vision boards or other methods—you’re training your brain to spot the opportunities that can bring those dreams to life.

This is why dreaming big matters. When you focus on the possibility of success instead of the fear of failure, your brain works with you, not against you.

Vision Boards: A Tool for Breaking Through Limiting Beliefs

This is where vision boards come in. They’re not just about gluing pretty pictures to a board and hoping the universe delivers. For me, the real power of vision boarding lies in the process.

Creating a vision board forces you to confront those little voices of self-doubt. When you hesitate to put something on your board, that’s a sign you’ve hit a mental roadblock. Maybe you don’t think you’re good enough, or maybe you’re afraid of failing. But by acknowledging that resistance, you can start to move past it.

Neuroscience also shows us that visualisation activates the same neural networks as actually experiencing something. When you visualise your goals, your brain doesn’t fully differentiate between the imagined experience and reality. This means that seeing your dreams on a vision board can help build confidence and reduce fear, because your brain begins to “normalise” the idea of achieving those goals.

Here’s the thing: your vision board doesn’t have to make sense to anyone else. It doesn’t even have to make sense to you right now. It’s not a checklist or a contract—it’s a reminder to dream bigger than your fears.

Dreaming Big Changes Everything

Once I let go of the idea that my dreams had to be “realistic,” everything started to shift. Instead of thinking, “Who am I to do this?” I started asking, “What if it does work out?”

When you open yourself up to the possibility of achieving your wildest dreams, something incredible happens. Your brain starts noticing opportunities you might have ignored before. You begin to take actions—big and small—that align with the version of you who already believes in your success.

The Next Step: Turning Dreams Into Action

Of course, dreaming big isn’t the end of the story—it’s just the beginning. To make those dreams a reality, you have to take action. That’s something I’ve been focusing on lately: aligning my daily actions with the future I want to create.

It hasn’t always been easy. Some days, fear still creeps in, and I have to remind myself that failing isn’t the worst thing that can happen. The worst thing is not trying at all.

So here’s my message to you: don’t be afraid to dream big. Even if it feels scary, even if it feels unrealistic, even if that little voice in your head says you’re aiming too high—go for it anyway. Your brain is on your side, and you’re capable of more than you know. The only way to find out what’s possible is to start.

Take the Challenge

If you haven’t already, I encourage you to create your own vision board—without holding back. Let your imagination run wild, and don’t shy away from putting your biggest dreams out there. And when you do, pay attention to the resistance you feel. Those moments of doubt are your chance to uncover limiting beliefs and rewrite the story you’ve been telling yourself.

I’d love to hear from you: what’s one dream you’ve been holding back on? Let me know in the comments—I’m here to cheer you on.

Until next time,

Annalise Rose