Don’t you have dreams, visions or plans about things you’d love to have or accomplish? Having the dream is the easy part.

Making it a reality can be more challenging.

However, the good news is that there are proven techniques that can get you from where you are to where you want to be.

Follow this process to bring your dreams to fruition:

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

1. Turn your dream into a goal.

When you have a goal, you have a true target. For a greater chance of success, your plan should have a deadline and it must be measureable.

• It has been said that dreams are goals without a deadline. Give yourself the gift of setting a deadline and things will start to happen.

• You want your goal to be measurable because, if you can’t measure it, how will you know when you’ve succeeded?

• For example, this goal is measurable and has a deadline: “On or before June 1, I will weigh 150 lbs. or less.”

• Make your goal as desirable as possible without being unrealistic. If you feel that your goal is unreasonable, it’s much more difficult to encourage yourself to actually pursue it.

2. Prioritize your goal daily.

Read and write your goal each day.

• You give instructions to your brain thousands of times a day. Let your mind know that your goal is something more important than, “I feel like eating a ham sandwich,” or “I need to stop at the grocery store on the way home.”

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

3. Make a list of negative associations.

You probably have negative associations with achieving your goal; otherwise you’d already have it. So make a list of all the negative stuff that pops into your mind when you think about achieving your goal.

• Examine that list and think of ways to work around those challenges.

• Each time you notice a new negative association with your goal, add it to your list. Things will tend to change over time, and new challenges will reveal themselves.

4. Make a list of all the positives about reaching your goal.

How would it make you feel? How would it change your life? How would it change your perspective of the world and yourself? What would your next goal be?

• Make your goal as attractive as possible. Envision your life after achieving the goal. This will help to keep your motivation levels high.

Turn Your Dreams Into Reality

5. What do you need to make your goal a reality?

Do you need to special license? Do you need a laptop? Is there some knowledge you must acquire? Make a list of what you need and figure out how you’re going to get it.

6. Catalog your available resources.

Who do you know that could be helpful? What expertise or items do you need that someone else might have?

• Achieving difficult goals can rarely be accomplished alone; you’re likely to need some help and guidance. Look at the list you made in step 5 and see what you already have in your life that could help you on your path.

7. Track your progress. Measure your progress each day.

• Tracking is critical to making continued progress. You can only adjust your approach if you know how you’re doing. Consider making a chart if that’s applicable to your goal.

In many ways, working toward a goal is like baking a cake: if you follow the recipe, you’ll always pull a perfect cake out of the oven.

Likewise, if you follow the above steps, you’ll find it much easier to achieve your dreams.

The path to accomplishing your dreams is often littered with obstacles. The most successful people today had to face many obstacles along the way. It took effort, determination, and perseverance to reach their goals.

You may have your fair share of the pain of the journey. Discouragement from family, friends, co-workers, and people that you know and trust can be challenging to handle. But obstacles don’t mean you can’t keep moving forward.

When you face rejections from employers, friends, and family members, or rejection by the system, remember that it happens to everyone, and there’s nothing you can do about it. Rather than allow setbacks to pull you back, use them as motivation to keep going.

How can you turn your dreams into reality? Try these proven tips:

How to Turn Your Dreams Into a Reality: 6 Ways to Deal With “No”

1. Burn the image of your dream in your mind and visualize it.

The most successful people in the world today visualized their goals every day until they got them. They imagined them as already achieved and, therefore, did what it takes to get what they wanted.

◊. Oprah Winfrey started from humble beginnings. But she had a strong desire to become successful. Today, she’s worth more than 2 billion dollars. Visualizing your dream is one of the most potent ways to make it happen.

◊. Imagine what you’ll look like when you achieve it in your mind. Visualize how you’ll feel and imagine everything that will happen once you finally obtain your goal. Couple a strong image with a positive mindset, and you’re already halfway there.

2. Have realistic goals and unrealistic goals.

Many people know how important it is to set goals in pursuing dreams. Usually, your main goal will seem unrealistic. That is because you probably can’t imagine ever attaining it.

◊. However, when you set smaller, more realistic goals along the way, you’ll be far more likely to reach your ultimate dream.

How to Turn Your Dreams Into a Reality: 6 Ways to Deal With “No”

3. Resist the need to compare yourself to others.

Many people compare themselves to others when setting goals. That often leads to discouragement and a feeling of failure. It can also lead to unrealistic expectations and plans that you cannot attain.

◊. Instead of comparing yourself to others, focus on your strengths and the areas where you excel. For example, if you’ve been working hard on your math grades, set a goal to improve by 10 percent in 3 months rather than by 50 percent in two weeks.

◊. In other words, stop comparing yourself to others and set goals you know you can knock out.

How to Turn Your Dreams Into a Reality: 6 Ways to Deal With “No”

4. Work on your dream every day.

You will make faster progress if you work on your goals every day. Rather than just dreaming about them or setting goals and then forgetting about them, work on them each day until you reach your goal.

◊. Working on your dreams each day gives you more than enough motivation to push yourself harder. Even when you don’t feel like doing much on a particular day, a simple task is better than doing nothing.

◊. And once you complete that, you’ll feel proud of yourself for not giving up and for sticking to your goal.

How to Turn Your Dreams Into a Reality: 6 Ways to Deal With “No”

5. No excuses.

It would be best if you never let anything get in your way. There will always be something holding you back, but don’t let that stop you from chasing your dreams.

Remember that if you don’t try, you’ll never know if you’re capable of achieving your goals.

◊. Successful people know the difference between excuses and genuine reasons, and they know that excuses will never help them achieve their goals.

6. Lower your expectations

This tip might sound a little counter-intuitive because you don’t want to lower your standards, but it may be the best way to achieve your goals.

◊. When you expect too much of yourself — or assume your actions should lead to a specific outcome by a set period — you’ll only set yourself up for disappointment.

◊. Instead, you can lower your standards and expect less at any point in your journey. Then, you can be pleasantly surprised when you do or get more than you thought!

Even though you may feel overwhelmed and discouraged, remember that the only person holding you back is you. The person who wants to make your dreams come true is YOU.

So, stay honest with yourself about what you want and what you’re capable of achieving. And then live that dream!

How to Turn Your Dreams Into a Reality: 6 Ways to Deal With “No”

We all make mistakes, and it’s human nature. But sometimes, we can’t stop reliving them–repeatedly. If this is you, don’t worry–you’re not alone. And there are ways to overcome this habit.

In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common causes of reliving past mistakes and some practical tips for breaking free from this destructive habit. So read on if you’re ready to live in the present and leave your past mistakes behind!

Here are some effective strategies to help you stop reliving past mistakes:

How to Stop Reliving Past Mistakes

1. Understand why you’re reliving past mistakes.

Often, this type of behavior is a defense mechanism to avoid dealing with uncomfortable feelings or difficult situations in the present.

◊. Maybe you’ve had some recent setbacks at work or in your personal life and struggle to cope with those challenges. By focusing on the past, it’s easier to avoid those feelings of anxiety, sadness, or uncertainty.

◊. How to understand why you’re reliving past mistakes: Journal about your feelings and emotions, both in the present moment and about your past mistakes. Journaling can help you identify any patterns or common themes in your thinking and behavior.

◊. Identify your triggers. What situations or activities lead you down the rabbit hole of reliving past mistakes? Once you’re aware of your triggers, you can avoid them.

◊. Reflect on experiences or traumas that may cause you to feel stuck or unable to move forward. Often, our experiences can strongly influence our current behavior.

◊. If you’re struggling to let go of a past mistake, it may be helpful to seek professional help to deal with any underlying issues.

How to Stop Reliving Past Mistakes

2. Acknowledge the feelings associated with past mistakes.

Reliving your past mistakes typically comes with negative feelings — shame, guilt, regret, and anger. These intense emotions can be difficult to manage and process on your own.

◊. How to acknowledge the feelings associated with past mistakes: One important step in overcoming the tendency to relive past mistakes is recognizing and accepting the emotions you’re feeling.

◊. Try to be as specific as possible when identifying your feelings. For example, instead of just saying “I feel bad,” try to identify the particular emotions you’re experiencing, such as “I feel guilty, ashamed, and embarrassed.”

◊. Allow yourself to experience these negative emotions without judgment or criticism. Pay attention to your feelings and don’t suppress them. Feel every facet of your emotions.

◊. Connect with others who can support you through this process, whether in person or online. Reaching out to friends and family, joining a support group, or seeking professional counseling can all be helpful ways to manage difficult emotions and work through your past mistakes.

How to Stop Reliving Past Mistakes

3. Celebrate your progress.

As you work through stopping reliving past mistakes, be sure to celebrate your progress along the way! Each step forward is a victory, so take the time to acknowledge and appreciate your achievements.

◊. How to celebrate your progress: Set small goals for yourself and reward yourself when you reach them. For example, if your goal is to stop thinking about a past mistake for one day, treat yourself to a favorite activity or food once you’ve accomplished that.

◊. Keep a journal of your progress. It can be a great way to track your thoughts and emotions over time and see how far you’ve come.

◊. Share your accomplishments with friends and family and celebrate with them. It can help solidify your progress and provide extra motivation to keep going.

◊. If you struggle to stop reliving past mistakes, don’t let it discourage you. The process of change takes time, patience, and practice. But with effort and support, you can learn to move forward and leave your past behind.

How to Stop Reliving Past Mistakes

4. Practice self-compassion and forgiveness.

One of the most important things you can do for yourself is to practice self-compassion and forgiveness. It’s impossible to be perfect, and everyone makes mistakes–including you!

◊. How to practice self-compassion and forgiveness: Try to be understanding and gentle with yourself when you make a mistake. Instead of beating yourself up, give yourself some grace and allow yourself to recover and learn from the experience.

◊. Talk to yourself the way you would talk to a friend. Would you berate and criticize your friend for making a mistake? Most likely not! Try to adopt a more supportive and encouraging attitude when facing your past mistakes.

◊. Create a self-forgiveness board. It can be a powerful tool for helping you to let go of the past and move forward. Create a board or journal with images, quotes, writing prompts, and anything else that inspires self-compassion and forgiveness.

◊. Above all, remember that it’s perfectly normal to struggle with past mistakes. But by practicing self-compassion and forgiveness and seeking the support of others, you can heal and move forward in your life.

Holding on to past mistakes prevents you from living your best life and achieving your full potential.

With the right mindset and approach, you can learn to stop reliving past mistakes and start creating a brighter future for yourself. Don’t be afraid to start this journey today–you’ve got this!

The idea of “self-development” is one that has been discussed in great detail in recent years, but exactly what does it mean?

In this article, we take a closer look at ways you can improve your self-development, and what this may look like for you.

What Is Self Development?

In the simplest terms, self-development refers to ways you can enhance and boost yourself. To become the best version of yourself, you need to focus on putting in hard, intentional work.

Self-development is a journey that will last you for a lifetime.

Let’s look at specific things you can do to increase your self-development.

Five Steps To Better Self Development

1. Inquire

The first step is to inquire. This means asking yourself about your current position in life, and the way you feel about yourself. Is there anything specific you would like to change, and if so, what is it?

In a way, you should consider this stage in the same way as you would a stock inventory. You are taking stock of where you are and considering where you would like to be.

Try journaling about your thoughts, moods, and habits. Get your mind clear and focused, and take some time to observe your habits. What crops up that you would like to change?

2. Inspire

Once you have a better idea of where you would like to change, the next step is to get inspired to make those changes. Change the media you consume and the people you follow.

Try a new group or class, or make a mood board which depicts your dream life.

At this stage of your self-development journey, you are focusing on getting ready to make the changes you want to make. You can motivate yourself to take the next step down the path.

Five Steps To Better Self Development

3. Intention

Intentions can seem a little more complicated. You must visualize what you would like your new life to look like. What feelings or emotions will it contain?

What specific goals would you like to meet?

How do you want to walk through your day? For example, you could state that your intention is: “Today, I will speak with calm and clarity in every interaction,” or “I will focus on my breathing.”

4. Imagine Your New Life

The next step is to visualize your life as if you were living it in line with the intentions you set. Essentially, this is a detailed daydream of your ideal life, fueled by your intentions.

You could complete this step by writing out your perfect day. Where do you wake up? What do you eat? Who are you with? How do you feel? What do you wear?

Don’t be afraid to go really in depth here. The more detailed your fantasy, the stronger your visualization.

Five Steps To Better Self Development

5. Implement Your Work!

Once you have done the prep, it is time to implement your goals and make real change. For example, maybe you decided that you needed a fresh start.

This is the time to move to a new city and try something new. Want to love your body? Then look in the mirror, and say your affirmations right now.

This is an important step in the process, and takes your ideas from goals to real, tangible results.

Final Thoughts

The journey of self-development is one that will last you for a lifetime, and there are no quick fixes or easy answers.

By using the techniques above, you can really hone in on your goals and bring them to life before your very eyes.

Five Steps To Better Self Development

“I can’t do this,” and “I don’t think I have enough experience.” Your brain is like a shield that protects you from missiles. Situations out of your comfort zone can be like missiles to your brain, so your first instinct is to protect your ego.

But as amazing as it is, our brain doesn’t always get it right because protection can be a stumbling block to new opportunities.

These, among others, are thoughts that pop into our heads when planning or making headway toward our goals. These voices challenge our identity and self-worth.

The closer we get to our targets, the louder the voices get, drowning our image of ourselves. Anxiety and stagnation often come with the voices.

The first thing your brain says to you when faced with a situation where there’s any doubt is “Don’t do that,” “you’ll get humiliated,” or “you’ll get hurt.”

“Your brain’s primary purpose is to protect you,” says executive coach and behavior psychologist Marcia Reynolds.

One may ask, “How do I silence the voices in my head?” Join in, and let’s inquire about such an important topic.

Here are three ways to help silence these voices:

3 Ways To Silence The Voices In Your Head

1. Positive reinforcement.

Remind yourself of your strengths and abilities. Keep telling yourself, “I can do it.” If it helps, stand in front of a mirror every morning before heading out and speak positivity to yourself.

◊. If you find your mind jumping to negative thoughts, ask yourself whether those thoughts have any truth behind them. Then look for the evidence that refutes that thought. Think about all the times when you felt incapable but succeeded.

◊. For instance, you are up for a promotion, and your mind says, “You’re over your head, you’re going to fail,” ask yourself what truths make this real. Is it because someone said you aren’t good enough? Prove the person wrong and work to better your standing.

3 Ways To Silence The Voices In Your Head

2. Share your thoughts with someone

Confiding in someone you know and trust helps you avoid making poor decisions when that negative voice runs rampant.

◊. Knowing someone is there to listen puts your mind at ease. You can go for long walks with your friends and talk.

◊. You could even engage in fun activities like dancing or karaoke, anything you enjoy doing that can take your mind off your self-doubt.

3. Be gentle with yourself.

People are often the hardest on themselves. Most often, negative thoughts are works of our own hands. We set unrealistic expectations for ourselves, and when things go south, we blame ourselves, and negative thoughts find their way back.

◊. We are a lot harder on ourselves than we are on other people. Talk to yourself the way you would to a friend in your position. So, be nice to yourself the next time you have those voices in your head. You are enough, and you deserve to treat yourself with love.

We all suffer from the binding hands of negative voices.

But try using these tricks to banish those thoughts as much as possible. Negative thoughts can exist, but they don’t have to win over us!

3 Ways To Silence The Voices In Your Head