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The older you get, the more you are expected by society to settle down and not dream big. Your aspirations should revolve around doing well at your job and increasing your possessions. In that context, I am not entirely sure we use the term “dreamer” on a positive note anymore.
If you’re one of the dreamers, you’ve most likely been told that your aspirations are too crazy or unrealistic. This article will give you all the juicy information on how to chase your dreams and turn down the disbelieving voices.
Cultivating The Right Mindset For Chasing Your Dreams
1. Don’t Fixate On Success
Cultivating the right mindset for chasing your dreams begins with understanding that success is a journey, not a destination. This means recognizing that the challenges and setbacks you encounter along the way are not failures. Under the correct light, they become valuable opportunities for growth and learning.
2. Believe In Yourself
Believing in yourself and your ability to achieve your dreams is essential. If you don’t have faith in yourself, you essentially undermine your entire endeavor. Also, if you don’t believe in yourself, it’s unlikely others will either. Cultivate self-confidence by celebrating your achievements, no matter how small, and surrounding yourself with positive, supportive people.
3. Don’t Get Discouraged By L’s
One of the primary reasons people don’t even try to take action for their dreams is their fear of failure. Failure is the bid bad boogie man of every successful person’s story. Or is it not?
Every good success story includes at least one big L. Mistakes are the gems of the human experience! Jameela Jamil (the wonderful actor and activist!) was invited to an episode of Women of Impact, where she gave us this beautiful quote: “You can’t find out who you are if you don’t make mistakes.”
4. Don’t Be A Pessimist
Dreams have an essence of something futile and elusive. So, being the person who sees the glass half-empty isn’t the most helpful mindset when going after them. On the contrary, fortifying yourself with a positive mindset is one of the most pivotal actions.
A positive attitude empowers you to see the good in every situation, keeps you motivated, and attracts positive outcomes. Cultivate positivity by practicing gratitude, engaging in activities you enjoy, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
5. Attract Your Dreams, Don’t Chase Them
I don’t really like the phrase chasing your dreams because it makes me picture an endless hunt after something unattainable. I much prefer the term attract your dreams. This phrase entails that you are taking action to create the circumstances that will bring your dream to reality.
How To Chase Your Dreams In 11 Actionable Steps
Now that you are equipped with the right mindset, it’s time to learn how to chase your dreams, or rather how to achieve them:
1. Explore Your Dreams
Most people have a vague idea of what they want in life. But most of us don’t know exactly what we want. For some, it is even scary to explore their dreams due to shame or embarrassment stemming from societal expectations or judgments from peers.
So, the first step to chasing your dreams is to dare to define what they are.
You can begin by practicing mindful reflection. Take some time in your day to sit quietly and contemplate. Consider your passions, your values, what excites and fulfills you, and then think about why that is. Identifying what you love and the motivations behind it can shine a light on your true ambitions.
Why not also try journaling these thoughts? I believe journaling is a roadmap to your mind. It will help you understand your thoughts and desires on a much deeper level.
Visualization is another helpful tool. This might involve imagining your dream life, visualizing the steps for getting there, or even creating a vision board.
Most importantly, be patient and accepting of your own desires. You owe it to yourself to listen to your inner voice and follow it, no matter where it leads. Your dreams are yours and yours alone, and they’re valid, regardless of how big or crazy they are.
2. Realize What’s Holding You Back
Have you ever wondered why it often feels like you’re the one holding you back from realizing your dreams? Discovering the reasons you are getting in your way is crucial for making any progress at all.
Often, what’s holding you back is nothing more than your own deeply rooted, limiting beliefs. It’s that pesky voice in your head whispering, “I’m not good enough,” or “I’ll never succeed.”
Other reasons might be poor self-confidence and adherence to societal expectations or familial pressures that don’t align with personal ambitions. In fact, the more we seek others’ approval, the more we strive to satisfy their expectations.
Finally, fear is another powerful roadblock. The fear of judgment or failure can stop you in your tracks. The uncertainty and insecurity these factors instill in you make you cling to your comfort zone with no prospects of growth.
Uncovering these realities is undeniably harsh but also necessary for your personal growth. Taking to a therapist will help you navigate your shadow and find healthy coping mechanisms.
3. Find Inspiration In Success Stories
It can be incredibly motivating to immerse yourself in the journeys of people who have achieved dreams similar to yours. Reading or listening to success stories can help you understand that the road to success is never linear. Everyone, even the most successful people, must overcome challenges to reach their goals.
It’s also great to find a role model, someone you can look up to. It doesn’t necessarily have to be someone in the same field as your dream. Just make sure to resonate with their spirit, determination, and drive to realize their dreams.
4. Make A Realistic Action Plan
When learning how to chase your dreams, it’s important to create a solid plan that fits your unique situation. You need to take a hard look at yourself and consider what you’re good at, what you struggle with, what resources you have, and what obstacles you might face.
It can be helpful to ask yourself questions such as, “How can I use my skills?” Or “What commitments do I have to keep in mind as I chase my dreams?” These questions can help you see where you are in the present.
Creating a timeline can be really helpful in your journey. You can pencil in times for learning, seeking advice, taking first steps, and even when you predict things might get tough.
But remember, while plans are a great guide, life happens, and things change. You can and should adjust your plan as needed. What’s most important is to stay dedicated to your dream and be flexible enough to change your plan as life dictates.
5. Set Achievable Goals
Now you’ve begun to understand what your dreams are, it’s time to break them down into manageable pieces. Setting effective goals is essential in learning how to chase your dreams. After all, a dream without a plan is just a wish.
When setting goals, it’s important to be mindful of the SMART technique. Ever heard of it? SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Here’s how it goes:
- Specific: Be clear and precise about what you want to achieve. The more specific your goal, the easier it will be to stay focused and take the necessary steps to achieve it.
- Measurable: Every good goal needs a yardstick; without measurable outcomes, it can be hard to know if you’re making progress. Ask yourself, how will I know that I’ve met this goal?
- Achievable: It’s great to aim high, but it’s also important to ground your goals in reality. Does this goal challenge you without overwhelming you?
- Relevant: Each goal you set should align with your larger dreams and aspirations. Is this step relevant to the bigger picture?
- Time-Bound: Deadlines promote urgency and can create momentum. When do you want to achieve this goal?
Just remember, your time is valuable. When you’re deciding how to allocate your time, you must reflect on each goal and assess how it fits into your busy schedule. Setting effective goals involves distinguishing between what is urgent and what is essential and prioritizing accordingly.
6. Enhance Your Knowledge and Skillset
Have you ever imagined a dream so vast and exciting it feels almost unattainable? Say, for instance, you’ve always fantasized about owning a chic bakery. Yet, the sheer thought of running a business can be scary and alien to you, particularly if you lack prior knowledge or experience in business administration.
Your dream may initially seem unrealistic precisely because you currently lack the necessary tools to actualize it. That’s where continuous learning and self-education come in.
Preparing to open a bakery might require enrolling in online commerce classes, reading books about small business management, or even working in a bakery to hone your craft and understand the operations.
So, don’t fret when your dream seems a skyscraper tall. With the right knowledge and skills acquired through consistent learning, you can be sure to bring any dream within your reach.
7. Stay Consistent
Learning how to chase your dreams should always include mastering the skill of consistency. Ambitious dreams are not realized in a day. They need regular work, effort, and determination. But what’s the best way to stay consistent?
An effective way to stay on track is to set daily reminders. We’re all busy with our roles in school, work, family, and society, and it’s easy to get caught up in the whirlwind of tasks and responsibilities. That’s why having a daily reminder to spend time on your dreams can be really helpful. Something as simple as an alert on your phone or a sticky note can remind you to focus on your dreams each day.
Sharing your dreams with a supportive group can also be a big help. Also, there’s no harm in a bit of friendly competition! Setting similar goals with friends can give you that extra bit of motivation to stay consistent.
Finally, having a daily plan can keep you on track as you work towards your dream. By following a plan, you can visually track your progress and celebrate small victories along the way. It shows your commitment and dedication and lets you know if you’re falling behind and must pick up the pace.
8. Find Motivation and Practice Self-Discipline
Motivation is the spark that fuels your actions, and self-discipline is what pushes you forward when that fuel runs dry. In reality, you need both to chase your dreams with passion and determination.
You can draw daily inspiration to boost your motivation. You can be inspired by a mundane scene in town, a book, a podcast, or a story of personal strength. Also, don’t forget that motivation grows as you celebrate each small win. Each triumph proves that you’re moving towards your dreams. It’s really rewarding and encouraging to see your efforts bear fruits.
So, how do you boost self-discipline? Start by defining your goals clearly and assigning deadlines. Then, form habits that support these goals. For example, if you aspire to be a well-known author, get into the routine of writing for an hour each day. Every small step that you take gets you nearer to your dream!
9. Become More Resilient
There’s no denying that the journey to chase your dreams will be filled with ups and downs. Resilience is the attribute that will help you stay on your feet even with obstacles placed in your path. But how do you cultivate resilience?
The first step is to change your perception. See challenges as opportunities to learn and grow, not as roadblocks. Instead of getting stuck in failure, detach your self-worth from your progress and reap the powerful lessons your mistakes have to offer.
The bottom line is that failures are inevitable and important for your growth and success.
Another helpful characteristic of resilience is flexibility. Life doesn’t always go as planned, and you may fall back if you are slow to adapt to the changes. Try not to cling to your perception of ideal progress. Accept that life sometimes has its own plans that may work out better than you’d ever expect.
10. Build A Supportive Network
Building a supportive network is crucial in learning to chase your dreams. The journey towards success can sometimes be overwhelming. So, having a solid group of friends, mentors, or like-minded individuals can provide valuable encouragement, advice, and positivity, keeping your spirits high.
At first, turn to the people around you. Talk to your friends, family members, and colleagues about your dreams and aspirations. You’d be surprised at how many people are willing to lend a hand, offer advice, or connect you with others.
Then, you can expand your search to find mentors with enough experience to offer invaluable guidance and insights. Having someone who has been through a journey similar to the one you want to take can help you navigate challenging situations and stay motivated.
11. Have Fun While Chasing Your Dreams
While knowing how to chase your dreams is vital, enjoying the journey is equally important. After all, happiness is the ultimate goal and reason we are on this planet, is it not?
Sure, there will be moments of struggle, doubt, and even failure on the path to your dreams. But remember, these are also the times when you’ll be learning, growing, and experiencing life at its most raw and real. So why not make it fun?
Try to infuse joy and humor into your pursuits. Do things that make your heart sing. Celebrate small victories along the way. Remember, the beauty of the journey is as much in the travel as it is in the destination. So, take the time to make it enjoyable.
Conclusion
Remember, chasing your dreams is a journey, not a destination. Enjoy the process and celebrate your progress. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Be patient, stay focused, and keep going. You have the power to master your destiny and make your dreams come true!
