From the earliest age, you probably enjoyed daydreaming about your future. Maybe you would be an astronaut and travel to Mars or be a teacher, doctor, or lawyer that helps people. You may have yearned to travel the world or own a vintage hotrod, but you realize that things don’t just fall into your lap. It would help if you worked hard for them.
Whatever your aspirations are, you are in the driver’s seat. Your dreams are the key, and you can’t go anywhere until you put them in the ignition. Putting actions behind the desires of your heart is what moves you to your destination.
Twelve Ways to Go from Wishing for a Better Life to Making It Happen
Are you ready to bring your hopes and dreams to life? The only limitations on your potential are the ones that you create. Here are six helpful suggestions to help move you from dreaming about the good life to living it.
1. Define Your Dreams
Imagine that you’re going to the grocery store to buy ingredients for a fabulous recipe. Unless you’ve made a list of the recipe’s ingredients, you’ll feel helpless in the store. You’re surrounded by just about any delicious food you can think of, yet you don’t know what to buy.
Likewise, dreaming about a better life is just the beginning. It’s the recipe for the finished product. You can’t have what you want until you know what you desire. Take time to consider your goals and write them down for daily reference.
2. Use Visualization
Every great accomplishment starts as a spark in someone’s brain. Once you’ve defined your goals, use your imagination to bring them to life. An article published by Forbes Magazine emphasizes the importance of using all your senses in visualization. Per the article, try to give your aspirations as much detail as possible.
For example, maybe you’ve been hoping for a better job. After you’ve outlined your options and necessary steps, start visualizing. Picture yourself in your dream career and doing all the things it entails, instead of just wishing, acting, thinking, and speaking as it’s already occurred.
3. Believe in Yourself
Wishing has no power unless you put faith behind it. Are you tired of your dreams stay in your mind and not coming to fruition? Maybe you need to believe in yourself and have more self-compassion.
According to an article published in the Journal of Investigative Surgery, Luis H Toledo-Pereyra discusses the importance of believing in yourself. Pereyra states that it becomes significant support when using it with confidence, trust, and self-worth. You must be your own greatest cheerleader.
4. Give Yourself Some Space
There’s a fascinating link between a cluttered space and an overwhelmed mind. Whether the external clutter causes mental anguish or vice-versa is up for debate. However, you need to clear some space for whatever your heart’s been wishing.
Part of your action plan should also include any necessary space. If you’ve always dreamed of publishing a novel, you need a dedicated room for writing and editing. The next step to realizing a successful business may include searching for a storefront.
Whatever your aspirations are, clutter will only distract and depress you. Determine that you’re going to declutter your home and office to create an environment more conducive to visualization. You need to sell, donate, recycle, and pitch with a vengeance to clear an area.
5. Share Your Aspirations
It isn’t easy to keep what you wish a secret. Companionship and validation are among basic human needs. Sharing your dreams with others and speaking them into the Universe creates a powerful force. It’s this positive force that works to bring your desires to reality.
Consider sharing your thoughts and plans with your mate and other trusted people in your circle. Those who are genuinely on your side will be supportive, regardless of your dreams. You may disagree on the game plan, but they will still have your best interests at heart.
6. Create a Timeline
Focusing on achieving your goals requires a reasonable timeline. Instead of just wishing for “someday,” you’re identifying your dreams and a definite time. It provides you with accountability and reduces the temptation to procrastinate.
A simple way to do your timeline is to divide a sheet of paper into sections. You can easily incorporate it onto your vision board. Divide your goals into tasks and expectations on one side and your target completion date on the other side.
Of course, you may need to adjust your timeline for unexpected events or circumstances. Still, you’ll have a tangible reminder of your expectations and responsibilities. Mark off each task as you complete it, so you see how much closer you are to succeed.
7. Put Your Dreams into Action
Wishing on a star or birthday cake candles isn’t enough to make your dreams come true. If you want to further your education, you can dream and wish on every star and candle you see. It’s not going to happen until you put action with your affirmations.
While you’ll attract whatever you agree with the Universe, you’re still required to work for what you want. Use your vision board and the steps you created to accomplish your dreams. Your Higher Self will work with you as you do your part.
8. Celebrate Each Accomplishment
Have you ever watched a toddler learning to walk? They’ll stumble and fall for a while until they get the hang of balance and movement. Their young confidence is boosted with each successful step, and they continue that momentum.
Consider accomplishing your goals as if you’re that toddler. You’ve divided an effective plan into smaller steps so you’re not overwhelmed. When you’ve checked off one mini-goal, celebrate and move on to the next one.
Let’s say you want to establish a profitable home business. Perfecting your product and identifying your customer base is an exciting achievement. Your first sale encourages you to get more. Step by step is the only way to climb a ladder.
9. Enjoy the Trip
Part of forging your best life is the process. Your positive experiences will probably outweigh your difficulties as you reflect on them. Each step toward your dreams offers valuable insights you’ll never forget.
Journaling is an excellent tool for recording events, thoughts, and ideas. Reviewing past entries helps you understand your dream journey and where you’ve been. It cultivates gratitude and a positive spirit.
10. Ignore the Naysayers
For all the positive people in your circle, you’ll have a few bad apples in the bunch. These pessimists aren’t the ones with whom you want to share your dreams. They have a snide rebuff no matter how you explain your game plan.
It’s a difficult realization that some people feel threatened by your potential success. Pessimists often have low self-esteem and may get a false sense of superiority by discouraging your plans. Some may be so toxic that they try to sabotage you.
Sometimes, these toxic people are long-time friends or family members you can’t avoid. In this case, keep conversations short and sweet and make your exit as soon as possible. You don’t need anybody in your circle who can’t be supportive.
11. Embrace Setbacks
Talk to anyone who’s realized their dreams, and they’ll tell you that it wasn’t all perfect. It’s a given that you’ll have a few setbacks and failures despite your best planning. When you fall, get up, dust yourself off, and keep going.
Try to view your setbacks as tools for learning. Taking lessons from small mistakes can often help prevent more serious ones. Instead of criticizing yourself for a blunder, turn it into something positive and stay focused on your goals.
12. Talk to a Mentor
It’s usually much easier to go on a tour if you have an experienced guide. The same principle applies to setting and achieving your goals. A seasoned mentor can gently guide you toward your destination and point out pitfalls.
Do you have a close coworker, friend, or family member who you can trust to give you honest opinions? Maybe they have experience in different aspects of your goals. Some mentors have connections that could be helpful to you in discovering more about your aspirations.
While a competent mentor won’t make decisions or do the work for you, they offer a wealth of knowledge and recommendations. Their story of how they took wishing to another level can inspire you to do the same.
Final Thoughts on How to Go from Wishing to Achieving
Dreaming and wishing about your best life plants the seeds of potential. Your plan of action and determination provides the water and light for them to grow. The best time to cultivate your dreams into reality is today. You can live well and have everything you want if you’re willing to do the work to get there.
