As a child, I bet you spent hours exploring, “Who am I going to be when I grow up?”

Imagination runs wild in our youth. We’re filled with fantasies and believe anything is possible.

With no fear of failure and little knowledge of what’s required to bring a dream to life, children chart course for the future, claiming their chosen role of doctor, movie star, or President of the United States, with faith they will be whatever they want!

You and I are no different.

There was a time when we believed our future role required little more than choosing.

Then we grew up.

For most of us, ‘growing up’ means dreams of unparalleled fulfillment get put on the back burner in exchange for ‘real life,’ which typically revolves around responsibility and, for many, a struggle to survive. Putting food on the table is a need that trumps a desire.

Though easy to blame our lack of initiative on societal structures, family obligations, or pragmatic thinking, people set their heart’s desires aside because humans, by nature, are quitters. Now before you get your panties in a bunch, hear me out.

Do all humans quit on their dreams?

No.

But sadly, most do.

Based on a study by the Harvard Business School, [approximately] 95% of humans will NEVER turn their dreams into reality.

Why? Because fear takes over, and most people get scared off by the mere thought of obstacles, quitting during the idea stage (dream) before they’ve even started (goal). In fact, the study shows that 70% of people have no goals in life whatsoever! At best, they have dreams, which typically equate to fantasies, i.e., never gonna happen.

While fantasies can be fun, dreams are child’s play.

Goals are for grown-ups. A dream is a wish, while a goal is a commitment to achieve something within a given timeline. A goal is clearly defined and includes a plan of action.

Let’s put into perspective the difference between a dream and a goal: if you want to drop forty pounds and be healthier, stronger, and fitter, dreaming about it may feel good, but it won’t create the results you desire. If there’s no action, it’s just a dream; your situation will be exactly the same when you wake up.

Change requires action. On average, 30% of people will commit to ‘Go for it’ . . . but they, too, will not follow through. Of the remaining 30% of people, 10% try to pursue a goal but quit when faced with the first obstacle, and 15% quit after the first few stumbling blocks.

Few have the staying power of Thomas Edison, the inventor of the light bulb, who tried and failed 10,000 times before seeing the light. He stands atop an elite group: a mere 5% of humans who follow their dream through to reality – no matter what it takes to actualize!

What sets this group of individuals apart is this: they have clearly defined goals and follow a plan of action, and if that plan doesn’t work, they come up with another. The 5% of people who bring their goals to fruition achieve more than the other 95% COMBINED!

What category will you choose to be in?

Personally, professionally and financially, only 5% of people rise to the top because the other 95% hide in the dark. Step into the Light! I promise you that just beyond that challenge is a reward more significant than any you’ve ever known.

Hear these words: you deserve optimal health, vibrant wellness, and joyful aliveness. You deserve to thrive, prosper and live a fulfilling life guided by a deep sense of meaning and purpose.

Here’s the catch, only you can create that for yourself, and you alone have the power to turn your dreams into reality.

Please take the first step today, right now.

To start, pick one area of your life that you’d like to improve. The Wheel of Life will help you discern where you will get the most ‘bang for your time investment buck.’ Take time now to get honest with yourself regarding your level of fulfillment in the various areas of your life, rating each section on a scale of 0-10, with ten signifying the highest level of satisfaction.

Start with the area of your life that demands immediate attention or brings you joy when you imagine a ‘new and improved’ version of yourself.

Now that you know what you want/need, it’s time to commit to a goal! Remember, a goal is clearly defined, has a timeframe for completion, and is trackable.

Keep your goal specific and straightforward.

Once clear on your goal (the results you desire), it’s time to choose the actions you will take (steps forward) that ensure you can gauge your progress (or lack thereof).

Suss out what you need to say, “No” to, in order to say, “Yes” to your desire, then commit! Once you’ve ‘cleared the path,’ start moving forward, one positive, life-affirming step at a time.

Small, consistent steps lead to great leaps forward.

1. Write down your goal and action plan in a notebook.
2. Check in daily to assess if you’re making the best choices.
3. Celebrate every teeny-tiny bit of progress, and quickly adjust when you get off-track (which you probably will).

The old adage of ‘getting back on the horse’ after we fall is a good one — resist the urge to give up, or worse, beat yourself up over perceived failure— simply get up, dust yourself off, and get going again! The key to success is to prioritize yourself and your goal. 

The ‘secret to success’ is simple: commit, don’t quit.

DON’T GIVE UP! Even if it takes you 10,001 tries.

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