How a Plan Turned Our Dream into Reality

Ashley Walker
11 minutes ago
2 min read

For years, a trip to Italy felt like a distant dream—something my husband and I thought about often but never quite believed could happen. The idea of wandering the streets of Rome, taking a cooking class in Umbria, or sipping wine in Tuscany was magical… but it remained just that—a dream.

Then something shifted. I received an email from an alumni group I belong to that two members were renting a villa in Umbria for one month, and members were invited to join them. This was the nudge that we needed. My husband and I sat down and created a plan. We made choices, set goals, and took concrete steps to bring that dream closer to reality. We talked about what mattered most, how to align our finances, and how to carve out time to make it happen.

And just like that, with a plan, the dream became real.

This experience reminded me how much retirement planning is about more than money. It’s about turning your deepest hopes and desires into achievable goals. Whether it’s traveling to a place you’ve always longed to see, starting a new hobby, or volunteering for a cause close to your heart—the journey begins with a plan.

If you’re dreaming of your next chapter but feel stuck or overwhelmed, here are three simple steps to get started:

Clarify Your Vision: What does your ideal retirement look like? Don’t hold back—write it down, paint a picture, or talk it out.
Set Realistic Goals: Break your vision into smaller, actionable steps.
Create Your Roadmap: Schedule, budget, and prioritize what’s needed to make those steps happen.

Remember, dreams without a plan often stay just that—dreams. When you combine your hopes with clear intention and action, you create a path forward that leads to a fulfilling, purposeful retirement.

My Italy trip taught me that beautiful things happen when we plan for them. What dream will you start turning into reality today?