007 – ACHIEVING YOUR DREAMS
It is always a great privilege to share these messages each month. I am very grateful and will always dig the deepest to bring you unadulterated message, and just as I receive so will I give it. Even if this changes, inspires, or motivates just a single person then I am satisfied but if it changes many more, even better.
One of the most recurring questions from people who want to be successful in life and live their dream is “How do I achieve my dream?” More specifically, “How do I make a million dollars?” OR “How do I become a Leader?” Or “How do I become an Inspirational or motivational speaker?” And the list goes on and on. Whatever your dreams, my hope is that when you read this article, you will begin to understand the steps to get there. You may not find all the information here but I hope you will be inspired to find the missing pieces. Good luck!
In summary: DREAMS
D – Dream
R – Research
E – Engage
A – Action
M – Motivate yourself
S – Secure your dreams
D – Dream
“All men dream; but not equally. Those who dream by night in the dusty recesses of their minds awake to find that it was vanity; but the dreamers of day are dangerous men, for they act their dreams with open
eyes to make it possible.” Lawrence of Arabia
There are 2 types of dreams; dreams while asleep and dreams while awake. Both are fantastic especially dreams in your sleep as they often give you the privilege to be, do and live your fantasy. The only problem is that they disappear once you regain consciousness. Here we will discuss the latter, which we usually have at the highest level of consciousness. So what is your dream? I ask because most people live life and chase dreams they are unable to define or just carry on and hope “something” will work out soon. It is necessary that you spend some time to dream, and make sure it is very clear to you and anybody around you who cares to listen. If this is not done, then life becomes a rat race of continuous toiling with some success but without a meaning. Day dreams that will be worth pursuing are usually revealed in moments of highly consciousness self-examination. What matters most to you? What is it that when you achieve, you will achieve true happiness and greatness? Find them and write them down. If you fail to dream you will be and also remain a slave to other people’s dreams; good or bad, and life will become a game of survival!
R – Research
Now that you know exactly what dreams you have, it is time to make it clearer by researching what it will take to achieve them. Seek information from all available channels; remember that dreams that will set you apart are authentic dreams. Therefore, when you research, concentrate on discovering a road map and the components that will help you get there. Ensure that you fill up your toolbox with what it takes to achieve your dream at the end of this process. I strongly believe that we are all here for different reasons; therefore I have no doubts that if you undertake this process with great zeal, you will discover the unique building blocks to your greatness. Look for information and people who know more in these areas to get a better understanding of what it takes. When this is done, you are ready to go! Remember, success always leaves a trace and since we are privileged to live in these times when past generations have been kind enough to write history, documentaries and biographies, there is no excuse to fail. Find them, study them and be aware of the landmines and launch pads.
E – Engage
This is a critical part of the journey to achieve your dream. You can call it “The apprenticeship phase” At this stage you have to locate an organisation/individual that is closely aligned to your dream. Remember that you will only get what you want in life if you help enough people get what they want – Zig Ziglar. No wonder the greats of the world achieve their dreams by seeking to provide maximum satisfaction for all human race in their respective walks of life. They put in the hours, dedication and above all, they seem own other people’s problems. When they find solutions to these problems, the whole world will give back to them. So find this organisation/individual and help them work on their dream while learning as much as possible in order to achieve your dreams. Do not forget this is a learning process, so get a journal and make notes of what you are learning. I will say it again, success always leaves a trace! It is important to note that, most leaders will do all they can to ensure you continue to follow but it is of utmost importance to always remember that you have a dream to achieve. If your dream is to serve and follow other all your life then go ahead, but I will say it again; we are all unique with unique dreams and abilities irrespective of the number of humans on earth. In summary, go out, work and help others achieve their dreams but do not let their dream swallow yours because in the end, they alone will be remembered for their living their dreams. BE WISE!
A – Action
At this stage you have learnt enough and convinced it is time to chase your dreams. In most cases, you will still be helping others achieve their dreams (i.e. have other jobs etc.) but it is still ok to start doing the little you can to build a foundation for your dreams. But ensure that this does not affect your productivity on your current job but good time management. First, draw up a plan of action and use your journal, and apply the knowledge you have acquired but also make notes of mistakes so that they are not repeated. In the words of Tony Robbins, “Take massive action”! Now, you know what you want and how to get it; so work, work and work! Work on it with all zeal, strength and sagacity. Acknowledge your fears and face them head on. Remember that your breakthrough lies behind the doors you fear most. Refuse to accept failure as an option and believe that you deserve success. You do not have to be this or that to achieve; even if nobody like you has ever succeeded in this area, then believe you can be the first. Treat your dream as the only option, because when you have many options then it is easy to give up.
M – Motivate yourself
Unfortunately, it is tough to achieve dreams. Therefore, you will always find days that bring you to your knees and you will find no strength in everything and everybody around you. That is why it is critical to master self-motivation. The best way to motivate yourself is by constantly reminding yourself of your dreams and why you want to achieve them. I suggest the first strategy of “self-talk”. Tell yourself “I deserve”, “I can do it”, “it is possible”, “I can overcome”, “I know success is not easy so I will not stop” and similar words. They work magic! Another strategy that has worked for most successful people is printing out and pasting pictures and words that remind you of your dreams at strategic places. Some favourite places are; bathroom, laptops etc. You know your routines; place these at strategic places along your usual routes. Gradually, it will start manifesting in your life. I believe this works by reminding you of the dreams; this will keep these dreams continuously in your mind. I am sure you have heard that you ultimately become what you continuously think of. Look for success stories, study them and celebrate them even though they are not yours. If another person can achieve their dream, then “I can do it as well”! Your day will surely come.
S – Secure your dreams
Your dreams are precious and therefore must be safe guarded against attacks from Naysayers, people who are more interested in their own dreams than helping you achieve yours, liabilities who will always find a way to draw you back or even down and even your “lazy” and uncommitted self. Keep an eye on all these and anything that resemble these and protect your dreams from them. Be vigilant where you locate yourself, you are best surrounded by people who know the value of dreams and hence the urgency they demand. They will be more likely to understand you and support you in any way possible. Dreams are like gold mines, they must always be guarded as there will be many people and things seeking to steal them! Refuse to give up irrespective of the trappings along the road. Dream stealers only succeed if you let them as nobody will ride you unless you bend down for them. BE WISE, your dreams will become your stamp on this planet in the end, so it is worth all the efforts it demands.
I will conclude with these words, “Life is the only war zone where nobody escapes alive but here is the choice, you will either die fighting for the dreams you believe in OR you die cowering from them. Either way, we will all die. I believe option 1 is the best, so I say to you today, fight for your dream and die fighting for it; it is a more honourable way to loose the battle of life. You will find a place in history and it will be worth it to generations that you lived. This is the secret of living forever!!
Once again this is to your success, achieve your dreams!!
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