How to turn your dreams into reality

Many of us want to be, do and have more - but how do we achieve it?

Last week I found myself writing a list of thoughts I've had about a new product. These thoughts have been bubbling for a while. They generally come into my mind when I am out running and there is little else to think about. But I arrive home, find myself distracted, and continue with life.

However, I recognise that goals are met by action. As Benjamin Franklin once said:

“Well done is better than well said.”

If you have dreams, how can you action them?

Start now

Our brains feel safe with familiarity so coasting along a familiar path often feels the most comfortable. However, putting pen to paper is the first step to turning your long-held dreams or concepts into reality. Brainstorm your thoughts so the dreams start to become actions.

Spend an hour journaling, reading, or writing about your big ideas. The thoughts in your mind might not be the next winner on Dragon’s Den but seizing the opportunity you have now will be time used well.

Check your mental and physical health

To continue with your plan, you need to ensure your mental and physical well-being are a priority. Embracing a growth mindset gives you the power to grow a little each day. Spend 20 minutes on a morning workout. This is something accessible to all – for example, an easy walk around the neighbourhood with your family or a free exercise class on YouTube. If you belong to a health club, try a new class. Small consistent habits make a big impact over time and, if you’re anything like me, the movement will cause the creativity to ooze out of you.

Check your thoughts

Your brain is malleable, the pathways change in alignment with your thoughts and experiences. Continued negative thoughts make negative thoughts easier to access and less noticeable. Start to take notice of the things that come into your mind. When you notice a destructive thought, say to yourself 'STOP' and replace the thought with something that enables growth. If the replacement feels too difficult, simply stop the negative by focusing on all the blue things around you, then the green, then the red, etc. Shifting your thought patterns will improve your mental health and help you achieve goals.

It can be habitual to focus on the noise in difficult situations. Whenever you spend time reading or talking about things you cannot control, you take time away from yourself and your personal growth. Knowledge is power but only when we can use the knowledge to benefit our own situation. Gain knowledge and use it to grow.

Surround yourself with people that help you to grow

You have control of your thoughts and actions – embodying this gives you an internal locus of control. External circumstances don’t make things happen, however, surrounding yourself with friends you learn from, those that inspire you and ones that build you up will help you to grow.

Focus on the powerful influences in your life. By respecting yourself and saying no to the people who bring you down, you can evolve in the way that you want to. Looking after yourself increases your self-esteem so that you can be who you want to be, do what you want to do and achieve what you want to achieve.

Respect your own boundaries

Boundaries are the space between you and another, marking the place where one person ends and the other begins. When you say no, stick to it. If you find your boundaries ignored, change something so that your boundaries become stronger. For example, if your friend always leaves your house an hour later than planned, meet somewhere mutual so that you can leave when you need.

Take control

When you moan, you refuse to acknowledge you have the power to change. Growth requires consistency, commitment, and effort. Commitment works best with consistency. Treat yourself as you would others and, when you make the decision to do something, action it.