Living your dreams is possible with some planning, perseverance and a positive attitude.
Flipping through travel magazines always inspired Atlanta lawyer Melinda Renshaw, who kept a list of dream destinations for herself and her husband Suneel.
Although they assumed it would take years of planning, not long after their research began the couple's dream became a reality: The duo recently returned from a six-month global tour.
Like Melinda and Suneel, if you've pinpointed your life's ambition, you've already accomplished half the battle. We're not saying it will be easy -- after all, your dream may be a six-month tour or something much more sizeable and time-consuming -- but that doesn't mean you can't reach for it!
Your Dream, Defined
The first step to living your dreams is to define what you hope to accomplish. Seriously ask yourself: "What do I dream about doing with my life right now?" You may have toyed with one or many ideas, so seize this opportunity to take the future into your own hands and run with something big.
Set aside time to define and write down your ideas in a dream journal. When you write in your journal, be specific; forget about undefined and abstract goals like "fame" and "fortune." This is just for you, so don't be shy! Nothing is out of bounds when dreaming.
Of course, living your dreams takes more than journaling, adds Leslie Levine, author of Wish It, Dream It, Do It: Turn the Life You're Living into the Life You Want. "Your dream might be very, very big," says Levine. "So it's really essential to believe in yourself."
The thought of hard work didn't deter Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Meredith Brooks, best known for her anthem "Bitch." Following the birth of her son, she was inspired to record her first children's album, "If I Could Be...," and produce a music festival for kids. "I didn't go to sleep when the idea for the festival started hitting me," she says. "I saw the vision completely." Brooks ran with that vision and you can move forward with yours too. Getting going is largely a matter of time and space.
Pursuing Your Dream
After defining your goal, the next step is to carve out a dedicated time and space to pursue your dream. For some, this step is easier said than done.
"Most people who successfully pursue their dreams understand that they can't jettison their responsibilities," explains Levine. "A lot of people go bankrupt pursuing their dreams because somebody didn't sit them down and say, 'Don't quit your day job.'"
Once you have your plan in place, you should structure your ambition by creating a calendar with small milestones to chart your progress, rewarding yourself for completing a task on time. "Set up a structure where you can't lose," advises Debbie Ford, bestselling author of The Best Year of Your Life: Dream It, Plan It, Live It.
Sure, we all want to walk out of the office or home and never look back. And it seems like it would be so much easier if only you had more money, or less responsibility. But until a miracle happens, you've got to build your dream into the life you have. Perhaps it's carving out one night a week to dedicate to your new business plan or spending your weekends at an extra job so that you have the funds for that course you want to take. Find the healthy balance and you'll be on your way.
