How to price a dream before you commit

Pricing a dream can feel unromantic, but it is one of the kindest things you can do for it. A vague dream can only ever feel too big. A dream with a number on it can be saved for, shrunk or scheduled.

Four figures are enough to begin.

1. Money. The realistic total, plus a margin you would be comfortable defending to a sceptical friend.
2. Hours. The total time, divided by the hours you truly have in an ordinary week, not your best week.
3. Energy. Which seasons of your year can carry this? Some goals need your best mornings.
4. Trade. What will you pause to make room? If the answer is “nothing”, the plan is not finished.

Once you have the figures, three moves appear: shrink the dream, stretch the timeline, or drop something else. Each is a real decision, and each is better than quietly waiting for a perfect year. Our Dream Costing Sheets walk through this on paper.