As my career with Dilbert took off, reporters asked me if I ever imagined I would reach this level of success. The question embarrasses me because the truth is that I imagined a far greater level of success. That’s my process. I imagine big.
I’ve never admitted this before, but my favorite imaginary scenario involves being elected President of the United States. I choose that job as the target of my imagination because I am spectacularly unqualified to hold public office. If I can successfully imagine being a great president, I won’t have trouble imagining I can succeed at lesser tasks.
I’ve always thought you owed it to your prospective employers to have your résumé show the things you aspired to and fantasized about as well as your actual accomplishments.