Daring to Dream: How Talking About Your Secret Goals Can Totally Transform Your Business

Hey friends! After reflecting on the recent Naples Experience and some downtime for myself, I was struck by just how powerful our “secret dreams” can be—those goals we don’t always say out loud, but that truly light us up. In this post, I’m sharing my honest thoughts on why bringing those dreams into the open isn’t just inspiring, it’s essential for building the business (and life!) that actually works for you. Let’s get honest, get motivated, and get dreaming together!

Why Are We Really Hustling?

Okay, real talk. Running a business is not for the faint of heart! There are so many moving pieces—juggling clients, paperwork, organizing vendor partners, putting out daily fires… sometimes, I stop and wonder: “Why am I actually doing all this?”

I know, a big piece is supporting my family, bringing in income, and hitting those goals we all talk about. But I had a big “aha” moment after taking a little getaway post-Naples Experience. I realized there’s often a deeper, much more personal reason that keeps us going. The kind of secret goal you might not even say out loud—sometimes, not even to yourself.

The Power of Secret Dreams

Something magical happened at the Naples Experience. I sat down with a bunch of seriously brilliant designers, and out of nowhere, we started talking about our “secret dreams.” You know, the stuff we really want. Not just more clients or bigger paychecks, but those real, personal dreams. And you know what? Every single person had one!

I heard things like:

• “I want to buy and renovate my dream house, exactly how I want it.”
• “I want my home to actually look like the homes I design for my clients.” (Can I get an amen??)
• “I want to travel the world with my family and raise a global citizen.”
• “I’d love to spend a couple months a year as a digital nomad, or heck, buy a place in Italy!”
• “What if I could ski for a whole month every winter?”

Hearing these out loud was… electric. Seriously, the whole vibe in the room changed. Suddenly, we weren’t just talking about business strategy, but about creating a life and career that really mean something to us.

From Hiding to Highlighting: Making Dreams Your North Star

Here’s the biggest takeaway—none of these dreams are impossible. What makes them feel that way is, honestly, most of us don’t ever say them out loud!

So here’s what I recommend, because it’s what lit a fire under me, too: Articulate your dream. Not just to yourself in the shower or your journal, but out loud, to someone you trust. A friend, a coach, heck—DM it to me!

Then, start connecting your business goals to this North Star. If you want to travel each summer, make that part of what success looks like for you. If you dream of finally living in a home that feels as great as the ones you design for clients, mark that project on your own calendar. Don’t push it off for “someday,” because friends, that day has a way of sneaking past us.

It’s SO motivating to have that vision in mind—way more than just “I want to do more projects.” Now it’s, “I want four awesome projects this year so I can take my kid abroad.” So much juicier, right?

Why Sharing Your Dream Matters (For Everyone!)

Here’s the coolest part: When you bring your dream out into the open, you don’t just inspire yourself—you inspire literally everyone around you. It’s infectious! You’ll catch your peers or your clients getting curious about their own North Star, and suddenly, you’re all leveling up together.

Don’t be afraid to own your dream, whatever it is. Whether it sounds “out there” or simple or totally luxurious—it’s yours. And trust me, saying it out loud is the first step toward making it real.

Let’s Do This: What’s YOUR Secret Dream?

So here’s my challenge for you: Take a quiet moment and ask, “What’s MY secret dream?” Go beyond just business goals. What do you want your actual life to look like? Write it down. Whisper it, shout it, share it with a friend, or honestly, shoot me a message—I live for this stuff!

Because at the end of the day, the to-do list will always be there. But the reason you’re building this business should be about feeling fulfilled, energized, and alive. Your North Star isn’t silly or selfish—it’s what will keep you going even when things get tough.

Let’s do this together. Dream big, say it out loud, and let’s build a business (and a life) we’re obsessed with.

Make sure to listen to the full podcast episode here and check out my other blog posts! 

Ready to share your secret dream? Drop me a note—I’m cheering you on every step of the way!