Your Magic Lantern Awaits

Aladdin

As children, we learn the story of Aladdin and his magic lantern with the Genie who has the power to grant wishes.

We fantasized about what it would be like to have the services of a Genie to make our wishes come true. We imagined what we might wish for.

Fantasy or Reality?

As we progress to adulthood, we abandon our dreams of finding a magic lamp and Genie. After all, pursuing impossible dreams is a futile activity. So we suppress our desire to dream.

While it’s healthy to suppress our expectations for an all-serving and powerful Genie to appear. It’s not healthy to abandon our desire to dream and make wishes. Isn’t that really about abandoning hope? Keep that up and you literally become hopeless.

Since genies don’t exist, isn’t it up to you to find a way to grant your own wishes?

Magic Words

Whether we’re talking about self-leadership or formal leadership, leaders must formulate a vision for something better, higher ground, that better place.

Process For Dream Fulfillment

Here’s my recommendation for becoming a more hopeful person. List 101 Wishes.

• Start with a blank piece of paper (either physically or electronically).
• Title it “101 Wishes”.
• Start your numbered list with #1 and let the brainstorming begin.
• Create your log of big things and little things: What would you like to have better? What would you like to have that you don’t have now? List tangibles and Intangibles.
• Don’t be concerned with others’ expectations. This is solely your list.
• Most people struggle to list 101 in one sitting. That’s OK. Sleep on it, and come back to add more.
• Review the list regularly.

The Magic Part

As you review the list over time, you’ll find that your wishes are granted. Not by some magic genie, but by your awareness and initiative.

The exercise can also apply to your organization and can be most effective when you engage others.

“If you had just a minute to breath, And they granted you one final wish, would you ask for something like another chance?”

– Steve Winwood & Jim Capaldi – Low Spark of High Heeled Boys

Your chance is now. Who’s responsible for building your hope?