We all have dreams. When we are young, we want to be firefighters and astronauts. As we get older, we want to be athletes and rock stars. Eventually, some of us dream of wealth, others dream of travel, some dream of retiring early, others dream of meeting Mr/Mrs right and having a family. We all dream, but what are you doing to make them come true?
Recognize Your Dream
The first step to making all of your wildest dreams come true is to realize what they are. If you daydream in the shower or think about your life when lying in bed at night, that is fine. Wherever you find inspiration, go there.
I took the time to write down a list of my dreams. As I said above, everyone’s dreams are different. Never judge someone else’s life goals and never feel ashamed of yours.
Writing a physical list is the best way to keep tabs on your ideas and you can use that list later on when coming up with a dream plan.
Come Up With a Real Timeline
Be realistic but do not be overly generous with the timeline. I set concrete deadlines to accomplish the things on my life list. I gave myself a tough set of goals for 2011, but I was half way there when the year was a third over. I should be done with the entire list for the year by August.
I wanted to be conservative to ensure I could really achieve each goal, but I was too easy on myself. It turns out that you can do a lot more than you realize if you give yourself a deadline and put your mind to it.
Take Concrete Steps
Want to go to London? Schedule a date and buy a plane ticket. Want to learn to golf? Sign up for a class. Want to lose weight? Start a diet and exercise routine.
You get the idea. Talk is cheap. You can say you are going to do something for years and never make any real progress. This is true in all aspects of life. The reason some people are successful and others fail is most commonly linked to hard work.
Create and action plan and follow it.
Live Your Dreams
If you followed the simple steps above, you can’t help but be successful. You really do have the power to do anything. It is that simple and it is that easy. The only thing stopping you from living your dreams is you.
There are always excuses. You can say that you don’t have enough money. Earn more. You can say that it is not a good time. When is it a good time? The real reason people do not follow their dreams comes down to one of three things. You are too lazy, don’t really want to do it, or are afraid of some consequence or result.
It is time to move past your excuses and start your action plan. What are you waiting for? Start today. Let me know when you did something about it (in the comments or by e-mail). If you don’t send me a note, I will know that you are in the majority of people who will always dream but never see them come true.
Image by Melody Campbell.
I have learned from experience- if you desire something, just stop thinking and take that first, even small step.
I work towards my goals of building a community and a name for myself each day, in both small and big ways. I know that nobody’s going to push the envelope for me, nobody’s going to light my fire, I don’t need a guru- I just need to motivate myself and I do that in small ways that lead to bigger things.
For instance, I wanted to adopt a dog. I had a rough time of finding a pug (long story) that was adoptable and right for my situation. I took action by searching the shelters (didn’t pan out so well), then I reached out to a Pug owner meetup group and they suggested I offer to foster. I emailed the Pug Rescue they mentioned and got a rescue pug in less than 3 weeks…great things about fostering? If he’s a great fit for you, you get first dibs, if the pup would be better with another family, you get to help place him/her in their best home, plus the vet bills are covered during the foster period (money was a concern for me).
I reached out to my blog readers and got money donated to repay the Rescue for covering the expenses and really enjoyed the process of fundraising and helping a good cause, it’s lead me to further leading my ideal life and being the person I want to be.
One dog, one small action, one better life for it. 🙂 Great post, keep ’em coming!
Great story! That is exactly what I am getting at. Don’t wait for anyone else to make your dreams come true. Just go for it!
It really is something we need to do before time passes us all. Live them dreams!
I like the Golden Gate bridge banner!
There is no better picture of my life and a post about dreams than one of me on a trip. I was seeing a new city and spending time with good friends that day.
I think I’m going to get up off my ass and pursue my dream, because I LOVE what I want to become and right now……I’m going to make a change in my life by letting my DREAMS FINALLY COME TRUE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Great! Stop back by and let us know how it went.
Renee,
Just tell us to what extent you reached toward your dreams. It’s been a bit long since you got firm on them.