by Tina Murray

August 20, 2017

Do you have dreams? Of course you do. Everyone does. You probably have one special daydream, right this minute, that you wish would come true. Perhaps you wish to go back to school, start a business, or lose weight. Maybe you long to write a book, create a work of art, or compose music. Whatever your dream, it is important to you. So, let me ask you a second question.

Do you believe you can turn your dream into a reality? Not everyone believes that. If you do believe it, I applaud you because not only are you imaginative, you are creative, as well. More power to you!

To fuel that power, I would like to offer you five common-sense suggestions to aid you in realizing your dream. These five essential steps, along with other steps specific to you and your situation, will assure that you are headed in the right direction: up!

Believe me. I have been there. I have trekked the trail of self-motivation more than once.

As someone with three college degrees and three published books on my Dreams-Come-True Done List, I have learned a thing or two about hiking the creative hill. Although I have not yet attained all my own dreams, I have learned how the process of accomplishment works–and I have realized something else. This process can be applied to any creative endeavor. I am still using it, and you may use it, too.

To those authors and thinkers who have inspired me, I thank you. The following steps represent ideas drawn from various sources, combined with lessons gleaned from my own observations and experiences–the result of trial and error–namely, what works for me. My five essential steps for attaining your heart’s desire are:

— Turn your dream into a goal with objectives.

— Believe and go for it.

— Encourage yourself.

— Stay focused.

— Finish what you started.

Sounds too easy? Not really. Please follow along as I explain each step. If you want to create a dream come true,

Turn your dream into a goal with objectives. This first, crucial step takes place inside your conscious mind. You alone are in control of it. Decide to change your life by focusing on how to bring about the result you desire rather than by crying, “If only blah-blah…” When you receive your first inkling of how–that is, what action steps are possible–you will change from being a dreamer to, a goal-setter.

Consider all options. Keep those ideas coming. Formulate the how’s into a specific plan of action. But be flexible. A meme I read on Twitter declared, “If your plan doesn’t work, make a new plan. But never change your GOAL.”

The list of actions–the behaviors needed to reach your goal–are called objectives. When I studied Education in grad school, we learned how to write lesson plans. A lesson plan was comprised of an overarching goal with measurable objectives for reaching that goal.

Objectives can be checked off the list as you complete them. The lesson-plan concept can be translated into everyday projects, as well as, big dreams.

For example, if my goal is to bake a cake, my objectives include such actions as purchasing ingredients; assembling utensils and bake ware; preheating the oven and so on. On the other hand, if I wanted to write a book, I would develop a different list of objectives. One of my objectives might be, “I will write three pages a day for the next six months.” This would help me complete my manuscript. That is how objectives guide you to your goal.

If you want an in-depth explanation of such goal-setting strategies, read “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Reaching Your Goals” by Jeff Davidson. Once your plan is established, however, implement it, and work hard at achieving results.

Believe and go for it. Activate your faith. “The Power is Within You,” wrote Louise Hay, in her book by the same name. As you embark on your journey, hold your goal in your imagination, as recommended by Neville Goddard, Wayne Dyer, Ernest Holmes, Mitch Johnson and even loftier spiritual leaders. Keep the goal uppermost in your mind. This practice helps to actualize your goal–but you must not stop there!

For the mental work to pay off, you must act. Do not give into fear, doubt. despair, or ridicule. Do not second-guess yourself. In his gripping book, “Dare to Succeed,” Mark Burnett, the wildly successful creator of “Survivor” and “The Voice“ stated, “Success is about results, not intentions. It’s about action, not inertia. It is about wanting something so badly you refuse to quit, no matter what.” This type of drive is generated by intense focus. You can develop that, too.

Stay focused. Mental focus creates desire. Desire is the foundation of stamina and perseverance. Results come to those who persevere. To carry your plan to fulfillment, you must persevere, no matter what obstacles you encounter. Perseverance is nurtured by visualization, hope, faith, and belief. Sounds too intimidating? Really, it is not. It is just a mindset. Raise your own awareness by realizing that every obstacle can be overcome if you work in tandem with the infinite intelligence. It helps to–

Encourage Yourself. A most important step to take when advancing towards your goal is to become your own encourager. What you say to yourself matters. Positive self-talk will carry you through hostile, rough terrain. Negative self-talk can derail your efforts. “Attitudes are more important than facts,” wrote Dr. Norman Vincent Peale, author of perennially popular books such as “The Power of Positive Thinking” and “You Can if You Think You Can.” Above all, maintain your internal flame. Make sure your thoughts, words and actions align with the higher power.

Seek out humans, too– mentors, believers who are like-minded and ambitious, as advocated by Napoleon Hill in his classic book, “Think and Grow Rich.” Ignore the negative comments of people around you who may want to see you fail–or who don’t know how to bring dreams to pass. Whatever the source, negative thoughts are debilitating. Shut them out. Override them with positive, encouraging affirmations in your own mind. If it helps, think of this practice as running a powerful, new software program in your brain. You are in charge of which thoughts you choose to entertain. Finally, be grateful for the folks who encourage and support you. Such people can be invaluable to your success. Reciprocate wholeheartedly..

Finish what you started. Once you have reached the summit, this final step can feel as though you’re slogging through snow. But without it, failure is assured. You do not want failure. After all your effort, you want success. If you have dropped a project, pick it up again and work on it until it is completed. Resting is okay. Quitting is not. Do the very best you can. Do everything you can think of, and lovingly attend to each detail as you work to achieve your goal. In the end, standing on the peak, you will be triumphant. Even if you are exhausted from the struggle–even if you have to limp your way there, wounded and weary–keep going. Even if you think the thing is no good, finish it.

Please ponder this statement attributed to the sage, Lao Tse. “By being as careful at the end as at the beginning, failure is averted.” I learned that lesson the hard way. I urge you to develop the lifelong habit of finishing what you start. If you do, you will never be mired in regret, regarding what might have been–and you will be free, always, to move on to your next, exciting bout of dream-creation. Besides, you will love the view from the mountaintop. If the end result is not what you had hoped, then learn from your mistakes and apply your hard-earned wisdom to next-time.

Looking back, let’s review our essential five steps. Dreams come true if you turn your dream into a goal with objectives; believe and go for it; stay focused; encourage yourself, and finish what you started. You can learn to turn dreams into realities, one dream at a time.

Remember, like everything in life, this procedure will take practice. I believe in your dreams of good. If you do, also, and you would like to share your results, I would love to hear them.

One of my dreams–now a goal–is to make a difference in the world. “In fact, the easiest way to get what you want is to help others get what they want,” wrote Deepak Chopra in his book, “The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success.” What’s the connection? If I can help you to realize your dream, it will go a long way towards helping me realize my own. Therefore, I hope you a have happy and fulfilling journey from Dreamland to Manifestation.