Having dreams and goals in life is an indicator that you value your existence and that you have high self-respect. But it is not enough to let these thoughts remain as thoughts; you have to work on your goals while pursuing your dreams, so your life will become meaningful.
Spending time thinking about your goals is just the first step among the different steps you will encounter. Moreover, the road to pursuing your dreams may not always be smooth and easy. That’s why you must shift your gears and be prepared to take on various external challenges as you battle your internal shortcomings and insecurities.
It’s always possible to start pursuing your dreams! Whether you have an existing passion that you’d like to take further or you have yet to discover what it is that truly drives you, setting SMART goals and taking the first steps is crucial in achieving success. This guide teaches how to stay motivated and make your dreams a reality.
1. Accept that there’s no overnight success.
There’s no such thing as a shortcut when it comes to success. The harsh truth is that those who you think became successful overnight spent many years honing their craft. So if you want to chase your dream, you must be patient and persistent. And that also means you have to go through trials and hardships.
If you don’t have enough money to finance your dreams, you might have to stay and work for a job you hate. If you are not particularly talented, you might spend more years than others honing and developing your skills. Pursuing your dreams means burning the midnight oil and going to great lengths.
2. When pursuing your dreams, you have to create an impact.
Success without any trace of impact and difference is nothing but a fairy tale. Your success should always impact any aspect of someone’s life, no matter how minimal it is.
If you want to chase your dreams, you have to envision your goals. How will your goals impact other people? How will it impact society?
Consider yourself a gift to the world. Everyone wants to see, hear, and feel from you, so they can decide whether they will support you.
Keep in mind that in this day and age, you have no excuse not to pursue your dreams. Everything you dream of can start with the device in your pocket. So might as well start now.
3. You will experience getting turned down before you get there.
Before you actually pursue your dreams, you will have to receive so many no’s before getting the yes that truly matters. While it might sound scary, you must overcome your fear and learn the grand art of asking. Sure, it will take a lot of personal courage, and some people will turn you down. But you have to keep asking until someone finally says yes.
4. Talent is not the only real deal.
There are a lot of less talented people around you who were able to chase their dreams. At the same time, there are more talented people than you who lag because they are slacking.
Your talents are not the whole battle — it’s just a small portion of it. Always show up with your talent, but don’t rely solely on it. You have to learn as much as you can, work as much as you can, and don’t stop. It is both simple and difficult.
5. Don’t let discouragement overwhelm you when pursuing your dreams.
As you are on your way to chase your dream, there are times when you will feel petrified. But you should take the risk either way. Take small steps and work hard and consistently.
Even if it might take a long time for you to reach your goal, such experiences will help you learn, grow, and even find new opportunities.
Don’t let discouragement slow you down. Instead, believe in yourself and the possibility of pursuing your dreams becoming true.
6. Waiting is a tedious job.
Pursuing your dreams requires two things: working and waiting. You have to wait for your moment. And while you are doing that, you must keep working, digging, and learning. Collect new skills as if they are coins. After all, you never know when they will be worth something.
7. You don’t have to wait for help when pursuing your dreams.
Not all will open up for you when you knock on all the doors in a street. But, not all will shut on you.
This means that you have a lot of connections to seek help from. If one door does not open up, you can try to knock on the house next door.
And if worse comes to worst, and no door opens up for you, you can go through the window. This only means that you have to change the course of your plan. After all, change does not automatically mean losing your dream.
8. Execution is the way through it.
Of course, you already have an idea of what your dreams are, and identifying them is the first step. But if you want to pursue them, you must bring those ideas to life.
So go ahead and execute them. Breathe life into those ideas by acting and executing, and, as Seth Godin says, “ship.”
Before you carry on with your goals and vision, I want to remind you about something. If none of your dreams has come true yet, it doesn’t mean you are incompetent. Remember that successful people spend years incubating while quietly making decisions that affect their future.
9. Make a Plan.
The first step in achieving your dreams is to make an actionable plan. Consider the objectives you’d like to reach and break them down into achievable goals and milestones. Set SMART goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, and Timely. This will help keep you focused on what needs to be done and give you a sense of accomplishment as you progress toward your dreams.
10. Define Success for Yourself.
Success may mean different things to different people. Perhaps success means a big promotion at work, or you would prefer to take a break from your current job and move abroad to learn a new language. Regardless of what it means to you, define success in terms that will motivate you and ensure that each task aligns with this definition. This will provide the direction necessary for your goals and enhance your overall motivation.
11. Get Rid of Negative Self-Talk and Limiting Beliefs.
Self-limiting beliefs can keep you from taking risks and forming habits that help you reach your goals. Identifying self-defeating behaviors and replacing them with positive affirmations is essential to overcome any negative feelings you may have. Doing this can increase your self-confidence and help you stay motivated to achieve your dream. A few examples of actionable affirmations include telling yourself, “I am capable of anything I put my mind to” or “I am fully in control of my destiny.”
12. Focus On Building Your Skills and Developing New Ones.
To reach your goals, start by focusing on the skills you need to develop and the ones you already have. Start building on them and learning new ones. Develop a more robust skill set that can propel you to achieve your dream. For example, if your goal is to become an illustrator, think about how you can teach yourself digital art or how to use Adobe Photoshop. Test your skills and learn from mistakes, as both are essential parts of the learning process.
13. Find Inspiration from Others Who Have Succeeded in Their Dreams.
It’s helpful to follow people who have succeeded in whatever field you aim for. They can offer valuable advice and show you a clear path to reach your goals. Find stories of successful people who inspire you, then take their advice and learn from them to begin creating something unique. Additionally, read books, watch documentaries and listen to podcasts related to the field you’re interested in. This will provide added perspective and insight into how to achieve your dreams.