how to achieve your dreams

4 Steps to Achieving Your Dreams

“A ship is safe in the harbour, but that’s not what ships are built for.”

The first time I heard this quote it inspired me to start my own business. It was something I had always dreamed of, but never really committed to, for fear of failure. So it had always been just that. A dream. But I decided that if I didn’t turn my dream into a goal and pursue it, I would regret it for the rest of my life.

Whenever you talk to the older generation, and ask them what they have regretted in their life, it is hardly ever the things they did which they regret. It’s the things they didn’t do. I realised I didn’t want to wind up on my death bed, regretting the fact that I had never been true to myself, never pushed myself to achieve what I really wanted in life.

So I went for it, and never looked back. Three years later I am a different person, and love waking up every day to this amazing life I created for myself. A friend recently asked me, “How do you do it? How did you know where to start?”

So I thought back to those early days, where I really didn’t know what I was doing, and thought about what steps I took to get here. So I thought I would try and break it down for you. Take a look at the following 4 steps and begin your journey to achieving your dreams.

#1. What is it that you really want?

Sit yourself down with a notepad and think about what it is you really want in life. Where does your dream come into this? Why do you want it? What will change for you? What do you need to do to get there?

Don’t be afraid of thinking big. Almost anything is achievable if you want it badly enough. Once you get a clear picture in your mind of what it is you truly want start writing it down, everything that comes to mind get it down on paper and watch your dream start to turn from a dream into a goal.

#2. Imagine it.

Once you have started turning your dream into a goal think about living it. Picture yourself living that dream. Imagine a day in the life of the you living that dream from morning til night. See yourself being that person. What does it feel like?

How have things changed? Is it just as amazing as you knew it would be? This will not only help you start to turn that dream into a realistic goal, but give you a taste of what that life could be like when you take that step and make that decision to go for it.

#3. Plan it.

Now you have a feel for what it is you really want, and what it might feel like to live that dream, you have to take the first step and start to plan it. Grab your notebook again and start to think about what you need to do to make this dream happen. Think of every eventuality.

Don’t worry if you get stuck on something and don’t know how you might achieve it, we will get to that later, for now just get everything on paper. Keep a notebook dedicated for this purpose, because along the way you will need to do this again and again as you move forwards.

#4. Find people who are already doing it.

There are so many online groups these days, where you can share your experiences and help each other. I recommend you join some of these groups, they are an invaluable asset. Not only is it a source of support for you from people in the same situation, but when you get stuck you can ask questions, solve problems together. I joined a few of these groups when I first started out and I learnt nearly all I know now from those wonderful people.

how to achieve your dreams

I joined Entrepreneur groups and Small Business groups, and they were there with me every step of the way, celebrating my successes and commiserating my failures. They taught me how to work out tax, how to market myself, how to advertise, their help was paramount to my success. Try finding groups like this, either online or in your local area.

These 4 steps will take you from daydreaming about a life you could have to sitting on the precipice about to jump into that life. The only thing stopping you now is you. Stay focused on your dream, and go back to Steps 1 and 2 whenever you feel stuck or hit a bump in the road. There is no such thing as being born successful, you have to work at it and make it work, but when you do the reward will be worth it a thousand times over.

About the author:

Lucy is a NLP Practitioner and mindfulness coach. She offers a range of services including NLP Therapy, Hypnotherapy, time based processes and Mindfulness training in the Cambs, Beds and Herts area. Visit her website to learn more: http://www.hartfordhealth.co.uk/

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