Five Steps to Making Your Dream a Reality
I love Martin Luther King Jr.’s quote “You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step” because so many dreams die simply because that first step was never taken. Over the years I’ve seen people become incredibly adept at explaining why something can’t be done because they’ve focused on all the things that might get in their way. I once read a quote that said something like “whatever you think about grows.” I know people who are experts at knowing why things can’t be done. Don’t let that be you. All of us have dreams, so how what are some ways that we can bring them to life? Here are a few tips that I hope will help you.
1. Identify your dream
This sounds simple, but it’s the most crucial step you can take. A question that might help you get started is “What Do I Want to Have/Do/Feel/Realize/Achieve?” Write it down and then sit with it for a few days to make sure it feels right to you.
2. Verify that it’s your dream and not someone else’s dream
So many people follow other people’s dreams for themselves. Make sure that your dream is yours and no one else’s.
3. Consider what it’ll take to achieve your dream
List a few things that are required for your dream to come to life. Consider some simple steps forward you can take right away that aren’t overwhelming. These steps can include things like talking to or reading about people who have already achieved your dream or researching requirements for a specific job. Write it all down so you have it on paper (I’m old-school in this regard but use technology if that works best for you). Put the requirements in the form of steps starting with the easiest.
4. Imagine what it’ll feel like when you have achieved your goal
Thinking as positively as you can, imagine yourself having achieved your dream. What will it feel like for you? How will it change your life? Write these things down and come back to them when you need to remind yourself why the goal is important.
5. Take the first step
Hold yourself accountable for completing the steps you created in item 3 above. Of course, we all fall short sometimes, but don’t let yourself fall short so often that you lose sight of your dream. If you need help, ask for it. People are honored to help you. If you stumble, know that everyone stumbles from time to time. Get back up and keep going for goodness sakes.
You might be wondering why a person who wrote about authenticity talks so much about goals. I believe that living an authentic life is all about knowing what you want and going for it. I know from experience that living someone else’s life isn’t very fulfilling and it certainly doesn’t lead to realizing your purpose.
With the above in mind, I’m going to share one last suggestion. Know that you deserve to have and achieve your dreams. As is true for most things in life, you’re going to have to earn the life you desire, but once you do, there’s such a sense of fulfillment and peace. In the end, I think that’s what we all strive for while here on this planet.
Never give up my friends. If you have a dream, it doesn’t matter how long it takes to achieve it, it just matters that you do. I wish you the very best.
