One of the most powerful habits you can build as an aspiring entrepreneur is surprisingly easy to do: take a moment each night before you go to sleep to picture your biggest goal—what you want to achieve in the next 10 years.
This simple mental exercise comes from Discipline #10 in Chapter 16 of Entrepreneurial Leap by Gino Wickman. But this isn’t just daydreaming or wishful thinking. It’s a daily discipline that can actually help guide your actions, boost your focus, and dramatically improve your chances of reaching that big dream.
Why does it work? Because when you clearly see your goal in your mind, you start to believe it’s possible. Your brain begins to notice opportunities, connect ideas, and steer you toward actions that align with that vision—even when you’re not consciously thinking about it. This daily habit keeps your goals front and center, helping you stay motivated and make better choices.
Think of it like setting a GPS for your future. If you know where you’re going, you’re much more likely to get there.
In his book Entrepreneurial Leap, Gino Wickman shares a set of powerful habits called the “10 Disciplines for Managing and Maximizing Your Energy.”
These are practices that help entrepreneurs stay focused, energized, and on track. The tenth discipline is about doing something simple but incredibly effective: spending a few moments every night thinking about your long-term goal—where you want to be 10 years from now.
Here’s why this nightly habit can make a big difference:
When you take time to picture your future success—whether it’s owning a thriving business, helping lots of people, or creating something meaningful—your brain starts working on ways to make it real.
Even when you’re not actively thinking about it, your mind begins looking for ideas, solutions, and connections that can move you forward. It’s like giving your brain a clear target to aim for.
When you remind yourself every night where you’re heading, it helps you feel more sure of yourself. You’re no longer just reacting to the day—you’re moving with purpose. This kind of clarity gives you confidence, helps you make better decisions, and keeps you from getting lost or distracted.
There’s a great quote from entrepreneur coach Dan Sullivan: “Our eyes only see and our ears only hear what our brain is looking for.” That means once you set a clear goal, your mind starts noticing the people, opportunities, and ideas that can help you get there. Without even trying, you become more aware of the things that support your dream.
Read related article: How To Clarify Your Vision
The idea of visualizing your goals isn’t new. In fact, many successful people throughout history have shared the same message: what you focus on every day shapes your future. When you think clearly and often about where you want to go, you’re much more likely to actually get there.
Here are a few timeless pieces of wisdom that explain why this works:
Earl Nightingale, a well-known motivational speaker, said this in his famous recording The Strangest Secret. He believed that if you keep thinking about something—like starting your own business or reaching a big goal—you naturally begin to move in that direction. Your thoughts shape your actions.
Napoleon Hill, author of Think and Grow Rich, explained that whatever you pay the most attention to will grow stronger in your life. If you focus on your goal every day, you’ll start putting more energy into making it happen—and less into distractions that pull you off track.
In his book You Squared, Price Pritchett wrote that when you concentrate on your end goal, it’s like turning yourself into a magnet. You start pulling in the ideas, people, and opportunities that can help you succeed—even without trying. It’s not magic—it’s focus and intention.
And finally, Yogi Berra, a famous baseball player known for his humorous quotes, put it simply: if you don’t have a clear goal, you could end up anywhere—and maybe not where you want to be.
If you’re ready to give this practice a try, here’s a simple way to get started. It doesn’t take long, just a few quiet minutes each night before bed, but over time, it can make a big impact on your mindset and your success.
Start by asking yourself: What do I really want to achieve 10 years from now? Don’t be vague—be as specific as you can. Think big! Maybe you want to run your own business, publish a book, help thousands of people, or live in a certain place. Write it down. The clearer you are, the more powerful this practice becomes.
Before you go to sleep each night, take a quiet moment to close your eyes and imagine your goal as if it’s already real.
Picture the scene: Where are you? What are you doing? Who is with you? What does it feel like? Use all your senses—what do you see, hear, and feel? This mental movie helps your brain take that dream seriously.
The last step is to really believe in your goal. Make sure it’s something you deeply want and are excited about. This isn’t just a fantasy—it’s a future you’re working toward. And here’s the exciting part: when you keep seeing it clearly and believing in it, you’re much more likely to actually make it happen.
If you take away just one thing from this, let it be this: your mind is your most powerful tool. What you focus on today shapes who you become tomorrow.
So take a few quiet minutes right now—yes, today—and write down your 10-year goal. Be bold. Be specific. Choose something that excites you and lights a fire inside. Maybe it’s owning your dream business, making a difference in the world, or creating a life filled with freedom and purpose. Whatever it is, write it down.
Then make a simple promise to yourself: every night before you fall asleep, close your eyes and picture that goal as if it’s already happening. Feel it. See it. Believe in it.
This small nightly habit doesn’t take much time, but over weeks, months, and years, it will shape your mindset, guide your decisions, and bring your goal closer day by day. It’s how entrepreneurs train their brains for success.
The path to building your dream life doesn’t start with money, connections, or luck—it starts in your mind. Start visualizing tonight, and you’ll already be one step closer to making it real.
You’ve got this. Now go dream it—and then go build it.
Start your journey today at e-leap.com – and take your first real step toward building the life and business you were born to lead.
