Turn Your Dreams Into Goals
Often, the dreams we have about things we hope to achieve can come about if we simply document those dreams and create a plan of action to make them real.
Every person on this planet has a unique purpose and a unique set of gifts and talents. What are your gifts and talents? What do you enjoy doing most? What makes you happy? Whatever we enjoy doing most—and whatever makes us happiest—is often a sign of what we should be doing with our lives.
A while ago, one of my friends said something powerful: “Monetize your passion.” These words have been said before, but they stuck out to me when he said them.
Instead of spending your life getting paid to do something that you do not enjoy, get paid to do something that you do enjoy. Many of us do not realize how much of our life is spent doing things we dislike until we stop and notice.
One of my life mottos is simple: spend more time doing the things I love and enjoy, and less time doing the things I don’t. If you follow this motto, you will live a happier, more fulfilling, and more successful life. You’ll maintain a more positive attitude and higher energy by living this way.
Take Action Toward Your Dreams
Today, many people are not going after their dreams. Most spend their lives hearing about and witnessing others’ successes because those people chose to go after their dreams.
Many who pursue their dreams quit when they do not see immediate results. To make your dreams a reality, you must decide to do something—every day—that puts you one step closer to making them real.
When you consistently work on your dreams and goals, you build momentum, confidence, and stamina. Over time, setbacks will not discourage you or decrease your motivation. Instead, they’ll fuel you to push harder and think creatively about new ways to achieve your goals.
Believe in Your Potential
Take one minute to list the five most important goals in your life right now. As you write them, do not limit what you think you can achieve—just write what you want most.
Next, decide which goal is most important to take action on immediately. Write down 10–20 actions you can take to move toward it. Then, complete one of those actions right now before continuing.
There are no goals or dreams too big or unachievable. You are the sole determinant of whether your dreams become your reality.
If you ever feel discouraged because progress seems slow, don’t give up. Keep working on your goals daily, and expect the best outcomes from your consistent effort.
Redefine Realism
Never compromise between what you want and what you think is realistic. Instead of shrinking your dreams into “realistic goals,” change your strategy and the steps you take to reach them.
We are capable of far more than we think if we release fear, doubt, and insecurity. To tap into your full potential, you must first believe in yourself.
How much longer will you spend thinking about your dreams instead of working on them? Instead of watching others succeed, channel that energy into your own purpose.
Maintaining a Positive Mental Attitude
Maintaining a positive mindset is a crucial habit. Throughout life, you’ll meet events and people that can influence you either positively or negatively—but you decide how to respond.
If you commit to a positive mental attitude, you create a force that will propel you forward in life. A positive mindset can even bring healing to those around you.
Even if your day is difficult, act as though it’s going well. When you force yourself into positivity, it becomes habit. Eventually, you’ll maintain that attitude naturally, even in the toughest times.
Negativity destroys, but positivity builds. Positive people attract opportunity and growth, while negativity drains energy and momentum.
Discipline
Living a disciplined lifestyle is not always enjoyable because discipline often equates to sacrificing immediate rewards, benefits, and results. Discipline can be uncomfortable to execute consistently, but those who practice it reap long-term rewards that outweigh their initial resistance.
Once discipline becomes part of your life, you’ll notice your self-esteem, confidence, respect, and productivity increase dramatically.
Distractions That Block Discipline
Activities that often hinder discipline include entertainment (video games, movies, television), social media, aimless internet browsing, and endless texting or gossip. These activities are fun, but they aren’t priorities.
As the saying goes, “If you pay now, you can play later.” Put away the phone, turn off the TV, and focus on what you need to get done. You can always return to leisure afterward.
Discipline Creates Success
If you have a dream or goal you want to achieve, discipline will determine whether that goal is accomplished. It separates successful people from unsuccessful people.
Successful people rarely spend excessive time on low-priority distractions. They invest most of their time in their dreams and goals. They rise early, work late, and stay focused. They’re disciplined across all areas of life—relationships, health, career, and personal growth.
Once you’ve established the habit of discipline, it becomes easier to maintain and harder to lose. The productivity and success it brings will make you never want to live without it.
Peer Pressure and Boundaries
Many people lack a firm sense of identity, which makes them vulnerable to doing things they don’t truly want to do. Life is a journey, but without direction or purpose, we easily drift into fulfilling the desires of others.
Understanding Peer Pressure
When someone pressures you to do something you don’t want to, and you comply, you’ve surrendered to peer pressure. This also shows weak boundaries.
Boundaries are invisible lines that define what you allow and what you don’t—how people can talk to you, touch you, and treat you. Without them, you become a doormat.
The Lesson of Boundaries
A woman once illustrated this to me. She told me to lie face down on the floor. Then she walked over me. When she finished, she said, “This is what will happen to you if you don’t speak up for yourself.”
That lesson stuck with me forever. Many people let others walk over them in every part of life—work, relationships, family, or school—because they don’t communicate their needs or boundaries.
People who don’t speak up for themselves often end up unfulfilled and unhappy because they rarely experience what they truly want.
Protect Your Time
One of the best examples of a boundary is your time. When you maintain a schedule, you control where your energy goes.
When you’re working, silence your phone. Focus on your tasks. Many people feel unproductive because they allow distractions and other people’s problems to consume their schedule.
Set boundaries and start accomplishing more. Help when necessary, but don’t lose sight of your goals. You’ll be happier and more productive by valuing your time.
Be Yourself
“Don’t be afraid to express who you are and what you value. One of your goals in life should be to be accepted or rejected for who you truly are.” — Steven Carter
One of the most attractive traits a person can have is authenticity. Today, we’re surrounded by influences that shape how we think, act, and even dream. But not everyone has the same ambitions—and that’s the beauty of individuality.
Living Authentically
When you live according to your own truth, you experience contentment and peace. Following someone else’s standards leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction.
Live for yourself. Dream your own dreams. Believe in what moves your soul. Surround yourself with people who love and support the real you.
The Passengers in Your Life
We are the drivers of our own lives. The people you allow in your car—your journey—should uplift, support, and encourage you.
The wrong passengers drain you and steer you off course. The right ones give you energy, love, and motivation to keep going.
The Cost of Conformity
If you act like someone you’re not or chase someone else’s dream, you show that you don’t value yourself. Every day, you have a choice—to express your truth or deny it.
You only lose the acceptance of the wrong people by being authentic.
Take steps today to design the life you truly want. You are the driver. Life is richer when you express who you are.
Be a Leader
Traits of Great Leaders
Leaders are decisive, determined, patient, wise, diligent, focused, and goal-oriented. They’re active dreamers, productive planners, and masters of time management.
What Leaders Do
Leaders know how to motivate people, build teams, influence others, and handle responsibility. They know when to listen, when to speak, and how to make independent decisions.
Being a leader is more rewarding than being a follower because leaders drive their lives instead of being passengers.
Leaders dream big, stay confident, and keep learning. They invest in books, experiences, travel, and growth opportunities. They value their time and guard their energy.
Choose to Lead
Followers live average lives and spend time on low-value tasks. Leaders continually evolve, invest in themselves, and act on their goals daily.
Ask yourself: are you a leader or a follower? You can choose leadership at any moment by acting with intention, courage, and purpose.
Plan Ahead Financially
It’s never too early to prepare for your financial future—the best time is now.
Saving
Aim to save 10–25% of your income. Saving shows self-respect and financial awareness. It creates security and peace of mind. Once saving becomes habit, start investing.
Learn the basics through articles or books, and consult a financial advisor to understand your options. Think of investing as money working for you.
Giving
Giving your time, money, or resources keeps you grounded and grateful. You don’t have to give through institutions; you can help people directly.
Giving uplifts others and creates a ripple effect of generosity.
Spending
Enjoy life, but spend less than you earn. Wait 24–48 hours before big purchases to ensure you truly want them. Spending should bring joy, not guilt.
Retirement
Decide when you want to retire and how much you’ll need. Use online investment calculators to plan. The earlier you begin, the greater your freedom later.
Start preparing today—you don’t need to be a millionaire to live comfortably, just disciplined.
Do It Now!
Many people blame others for their circumstances, but ultimately, we’re responsible for how we respond to life.
Taking Responsibility
When you take ownership, you realize you create your experiences. You can’t control what happens, but you can control your reaction.
The past is unchangeable—move forward. Stop letting old events shape your present and future.
Action Over Paralysis
Most people spend their lives thinking about what they want instead of taking action. That paralysis must end. Act today. Take one step daily toward your dreams.
We determine our destiny. You are more powerful than you realize.
Your Work and Your Dreams
Each day, you have three choices:
- Help someone else achieve their goals only.
- Help others while progressing toward your own.
- Work solely on your dreams.
If you work for someone else, use that experience to learn, connect, and grow—but never neglect your personal vision.
Feed your dreams daily like a baby that depends on care and attention. Review your goals, read motivational material, and take consistent action.
Value your dreams so much that distractions and obligations can’t stop you.
Consistency Creates Clarity
When you work on your goals daily, you can measure progress and adjust quickly. The only regret you’ll feel is not starting sooner.
Stop thinking—start doing.
Final Thoughts
- Make your dreams a reality.
- Take daily action toward them.
- Redefine and review your goals often.
- Be the person you aspire to become now.
- Act now.
© 2006 Destiny S. Harris All Rights Reserved.