How to Turn a Wild Dream into a Real Plan

Have you ever had a dream so bold, so thrilling, that it made your heart race—but you kept it locked away, convinced it was just too unrealistic? Maybe it’s starting your own business, writing a novel, running a marathon, or creating something the world has never seen. The truth is, your dream isn’t the problem—your approach is. In Success in 7 Steps, author, climber, teacher, and musician Dierdre Wolownick offers a refreshing and practical method to turn any dream—no matter how outrageous—into a goal you can reach, step by step. Based on her own extraordinary journey, she proves that the only real limit is believing that you can’t begin.

In Success in 7 Steps, Dierdre Wolownick shows us that no dream is too wild—only too vague. The key isn’t in wishing harder, it’s in planning smarter. Her method begins with transforming hazy hopes into clear, actionable goals by asking precise questions and giving your dream a timeline and a form. She teaches that true progress follows a logical path: first understand what you need to know, then gather what you need to have, and only then move into action. This structure turns chaos into clarity. She dispels the myth of waiting for the “right time” and urges us to say “yes” to life—even if we’re afraid, even if we’re not ready. Fear doesn’t block success—inertia does. Momentum, even in small steps, builds belief. And as we move toward our dreams, we don’t just accomplish goals—we discover who we truly are. Whether you’re dreaming of writing a book, running a marathon, or launching something new, this book reminds us that with the right framework, there’s nothing you can’t do.

The first shift Dierdre invites us to make is understanding the difference between a dream and a goal. A dream is an exciting idea—something that lives in your imagination. But unless you transform that dream into a clear, measurable goal, it will remain just that: a fantasy. “If you can’t state simply, in maybe 25 words or less, what your specific goal is, it’s not solid enough to work toward,” she writes. Her own mother spent a lifetime dreaming of writing a novel but never put words to paper. That dream died with her—something Dierdre never forgot. To ensure your dream survives, you must give it form. “I want to write a book” becomes “I’ll write ten pages each week and complete a draft by September.” That’s a plan. From there, Dierdre outlines what she calls the three essential categories to approach any goal effectively. First, identify what you need to know. This might include researching your dream, finding mentors, or understanding how others have done it. Next, gather what you need to have—whether that’s tools, resources, support systems, or space. Only after those two steps should you begin doing. This order—know, have, do—isn’t arbitrary. It’s essential. Trying to act before you’re informed or equipped will only lead to frustration. Dierdre learned this the hard way when her first publisher suddenly closed, forcing her to self-publish. She didn’t panic—she followed her own system. She gathered knowledge, assembled resources, and took bold, structured action. The result? A thriving publishing journey and a speaking career she never planned for.

Another powerful lesson in Success in 7 Steps is that timing is never perfect. Dierdre climbed El Capitan at 66. She created an orchestra as a single mother. She self-published before the internet made it easy. Each accomplishment began not with the absence of fear, but with the willingness to move anyway. “Saying yes when your cosmic circles collide with others can be the difference between accomplishing your dream and just dreaming about it,” she says. She encourages readers to recognize these moments—not as random luck, but as invitations. Most people miss them because they’re too focused on being “ready.” Her message is simple: you become ready by starting. Fear, of course, is a constant companion on the road to any dream. But Dierdre flips the script. “Fear is the opposite of learning,” she writes. When you learn, you expand. When you fear, you shut down. So instead of waiting to be fearless, she urges you to take one small step anyway. Even on the worst days, momentum matters. “If you can’t give 100%, give 5%—but don’t give 0%,” she advises. Small actions, consistently done, build resilience and progress faster than perfection ever could.

What makes this book stand out from other motivational reads is its hands-on approach. Where most books offer mindset shifts and inspiration, Success in 7 Steps gives you a method. It’s not about being more passionate or creative—it’s about being more organized. Dierdre doesn’t pretend success is easy. She shows it’s achievable. Through journal prompts, real stories, and hard-won lessons, she guides readers to discover who they are, why their dream matters, and how to bring it to life—no matter their age or background.