7 Top Tips to Achieve Your Dreams
Given enough hard work and perseverance, the toughest of dreams are achievable. Sometimes, however, the path isn’t clear. Regardless of the dreams you have, there is always a pathway. Follow these 7 steps to achieve your dreams. Whether or not you have a chronic illness, these 7 tips will help you on your journey.
- Health
- Dream
- Define
- Prioritize
- Map
- Support
- Regroup
1 and 2 can be done together (and should be!)
Health
Anyone living with a chronic illness knows that if your health is suffering then little more matters than getting it back on track- which is why this is step 1. If your health is perfect, then you are very fortunate and should move on to the next step.
Otherwise, you should start by doing what you need to do to get healthy. See the doctor, get testing done, rest, exercise, start new medications- whatever you need to do to get better- do it!
Dream
Second, keep dreaming and don’t stop. Allow yourself to relish the possibilities of your ideal lifestyle. A chronic illness does not need to be the death of your dreams.
Dream big and try to keep your own skepticism in check. Save the skepticism for step 3 or 4. Do you think great inventions like electricity, the airplane or the internet were made by small-time dreamers? Didn’t think so. The greatest innovations were made by those that dreamt big and weren’t afraid to prove naysayers wrong. No dream is too big, or too little for that matter.
What matters to you? What would you do to achieve your dreams?
Write it down and keep the list somewhere close. Reflect on it often.
Define
This is where you start to get more specific and decide what you will pursue. What do you need to achieve your ideal lifestyle?
Does your ideal lifestyle involve living in a specific place? Does it involve a specific career or degree?
Who would be in your social circle?
What would you do every day if there was nothing holding you back?
Is it important for you to be close to family? Or do you need to move?
Is there a company you would like to work for? Or do you want to start your own business?
Do you want a family?
Ask yourself what makes you happy. If you aren’t happy now, what would make you happy? And if you aren’t happy, make sure you ask yourself why. Don’t be afraid to change something- your happiness is worth it. If you’re afraid of change you may want to explore this further. Change isn’t easy, but sometimes it’s necessary. Remember that the only person that can affect your happiness is YOU.
Return to your dream list and think about specific goals you can set for yourself that would allow you to achieve your dreams. The more specific, the better. Clear goals are achievable goals. If you aren’t sure what you need to do to get to your ideal lifestyle then this is an indication that you need to be more specific.
Prioritize
Fourth, prioritize. Once you have a list of goals decide which you will pursue first and make it realistic. For instance, is there a job you would like to pursue? If so, is there a degree you should get first?
Also consider limitations you might have (especially those regarding your health). Maybe it’s not realistic to hold down a job while you pursue a degree, or complete more than one item on your list at a time.
Map
Next, create a map or strategy plan for achieving your goals. Bonus points for having a step by step outline. If for instance, your goal is to get an engineering degree, step 1 could be to research schools for your desired degree, step 2 might be applying to your top 3 schools and so on.
Make sure your goals are clearly defined and prioritized before starting this step. You can’t set a strategy plan if you don’t know what you’re trying to achieve!
Support
Number 6: utilize your support system. You’re going to need it! This might include a parent, sibling, good friend, colleague or anyone you can rely on for some encouragement and support when you need it. This is especially important for someone dealing with a chronic illness.
There will likely be times when you need some extra help or at least encouragement when things get tough (it happens to the best of us). Don’t be afraid to ask for help!
Regroup
Lastly, regroup and revise as needed. If your health gets off track, get it back on track. If you start losing sight of your dreams, or if your goals have changed, reevaluate. Likewise, adjust for any changing priorities or hiccups in your strategy plan. If you need additional support- seek it out.
Summary
To recap: Remember these 7 strategies to achieve your dreams.
- Health
- Dream
- Define
- Prioritize
- Map
- Support
- Regroup
Remember that no dream is too big or too small. Your dreams are worth it.
Leave a comment or send a message on the contact page and tell us how you will achieve your dreams.
I’d love to join you on your journey!