Oprah Winfrey once said, “in life you get what you have the courage to ask for.” So this holiday season, I’m asking myself — and you — what are you asking for? Not just for Christmas, but in your life?

A very wise person who I had the privilege of working with this past year asked me a similar question: was I spending as much time nurturing and honing my dreams as I was watching TV, hanging out on Facebook and reading gossipy magazines? Her question had a startling clarity to it because she wasn’t saying spend more time achieving, she was saying spend more time dreaming and making my dreams specific.

My family and I are still talking about the West Jet video: about the family that asked for a big screen TV and the guy who asked for underwear and socks. Both requests were perfectly valid but the difference in dream magnitude was powerful. I totally get it, caught unawares and presented with a giant digital Santa, we all might be flustered. Which is why it’s all so important to know — and practice — the ask.