Turning Dreams Into Reality One Step at a Time
January 30, 2023
Everyone has dreams, but the process of turning them into reality can become overwhelming. When we focus on a singular end result, it can feel incredibly distant and unattainable… And that’s why so many of us give up before we ever come close to success.
Instead of overwhelming yourself with seemingly unachievable goals, break it down into realistic, attainable benchmarks. Take these steps one at a time, and one day you’ll look back on your journey with pride and wonder at what you’ve accomplished.
Define your goals. Often, we dream about accomplishments such as, “I want to make more money” or “I want to move to a prettier place.” But it’s hard to reach a destination that you haven’t actually named! So be specific about your goals. Decide upon a salary you want to earn, a town where you want to live, and so on.
Choose goals that motivate you. This step can be tricky. Often, we set goals because we think certain things are expected of us, or because we’re trying to impress people, or because we think we don’t have any other choices. But if you don’t feel passionate about those plans, you probably won’t stick with any roadmap to reaching them. So, make sure you’re truly following a path that resonates with you.
Commit to the vision. As you’re making specific plans, write them down. Anyone can daydream but committing words to paper (or screen) requires action. You might even find it helpful to make a vision board. Now you’ve taken your first actual step toward your goals.
Determine benchmarks and establish a timeline. You can’t decide to double your income and then sit back and wait for it to happen, right? You must take certain steps in order to open certain doors for yourself. Maybe you need to get a certification, finish a degree, polish your resume, apply for new positions, or network within your profession. Define the steps that will help you achieve your end goal, and then commit them to a calendar.
Be flexible, without making excuses. Sometimes life throws us curveballs, we swing the bat anyway, and we miss. Avoid adopting an all-or-nothing mentality with regard to your benchmarks. If something doesn't work out, be ready to revamp your plans. It doesn’t mean that you give up on your dreams, just that you must take a detour and then keep going.
Do something every day. Don’t let each day end without taking some small action toward your dreams. It can be as simple as sending one email, making one phone call, or reading a single chapter in a book. As long as you’re making progress, you will feel encouraged to continue.