I have this big dream, a vision of owning a beach house, and having a family. I know I want to be a successful business owner, and I want to help people all over the world.
Maybe you have big dreams. They may be deep down because people around you have also dimmed theirs, but you have them.
What stops you from achieving your biggest dreams and goals? What stifles some people into complacency, while others live the dream and take charge of their lives?
I’ve dedicated a lot of time to figuring out not only how to define your vision but how to get closer to it every single day. Here are three actions I’ve discovered make it a lot easier to create the life you want, because it is possible for anyone with a little help*.
(*This means being committed to do what it takes in the long run. Overnight success usually takes an average of 7-10 years.)
1. Find a Supportive Community
Most societies have rituals, structures, and processes when it comes to different stages of life. Somehow, with our busy schedules and deadlines the sense of community in North America has been lost, especially when it matters most. Of course, most people show up to funerals and weddings, some show up to birthdays and anniversaries. But what happens day to day, as you take the small actions that lead to fulfilling your bigger vision? Do you have a community to depend on?
While we’re in school we have teachers and friends, we go on to work and we have departments and teams, but are those communities encouraging you to achieve your (authentic) life vision? Where is the community that will support you to pursue something that goes beyond the 9-5 assembly line and says it’s encouraged to design your career and lifestyle, on your terms?
When I first started business school, and again when I finished my coaching degree I thought I could create whatever I wanted on my own, that I didn’t need the support of anyone else to make it happen. I was severely wrong and hindered my progress for over a year because of my resistance to finding a community, and support.
No matter what school you’re in, or job you do, we all need a community that supports us to go beyond what we’re comfortable with and pursue our bigger goals. Without that, you are at a severe disadvantage compared to those with a community that supports creating a life that is authentic to what is important to you.
2. Ask for help
Getting help doesn’t make you weak, it makes you stronger than the “tough” guy who thinks they can do it all alone. Who decided we have to post these perfect lives on Instagram and then actually navigate the challenges alone?
We all act like we have it figured out (I’m totally guilty of this) when really we’re all fearful of the unknown. There are many uncertain outcomes in our careers, relationships, and health. With coaching, I’ve worried about what people will think, what their judgments will be and if I should just do something conventional so I don’t ruffle too many feathers. The problem with that became that unless I went outside of the norm, and challenged the status quo, I didn’t feel good about the work I was doing. If I stayed on the conventional track, how could I support anyone to go after their big (scary) goals? When I started asking for help, found mentorship and truly realized that I don’t have to do everything on my own, everything became not only a little easier but actually more successful as well.
3. Focus on Daily Actions
Maybe you want to be more productive, or start your own business. It may sound exciting to buy your first home, get that dream job or travel the world for a year. What separates people that reach their goals and those that continue to dream is the willingness to take small actions daily to get there. Sustained effort over the long run is what creates change.
Take your big goals, the ones that seem too big to even get started and break them off into bite-size pieces.
- I want to buy a house in 5 years
- I want to change careers
- I want to save more money this year
Turns into
- I save $ ___ of my weekly/daily income
- I am applying to ___ jobs every day
- I am researching new jobs/careers for ___ minutes every day
- I wake up at ___ every day so I can be more productive
- I go to the gym ___ times per week
By acting upon small daily changes, you make your way toward your goal. Instead of focusing on the end result shifting the focus ensures the small steps forward are being made.
When using these three strategies, you’re far more likely to follow through with that bigger vision. This may seem like common sense, but check in with yourself:
- Do you have a community that supports what you’re working toward?
- Is that goal authentic and if not, what community would support your authentic goals and vision?
- Have you asked for support with the parts of your vision you’re unsure about?
- Have you set daily goals that will move you closer, one step at a time, to that bigger vision?
If you need support or have feedback, please reach out or comment below. I’m very interested to hear about how these three actions help you live your dream life!
