This article was last updated on May 31, 2015
We all have big dreams for ourselves. We want to make an impact on the world around us, nurture our family and friends, and make our dreams come true. This doesn’t always work out the way we want it, or plan it to. We have fears, we procrastinate, and in the end nothing happens. That’s ok, it’s only human to feel that. There is always hope for a better future, and it starts with you making a decision.
When I was growing up, I had great dreams of where I wanted to go and what I wanted to do. I would dream of becoming an archaeologist, author, geologist, artist, there was even a game ranger in there somewhere. I felt I could do anything, be anything. That feeling didn’t dissipate as I began my career in IT, with my dreams moving to be the next Bill Gates or even code the next big piece of world-changing software.
Then life got in the way. I was dragged into the monotony of the daily grind, and those dreams stayed dreams. My life was filled with “I should have done this…”, and “I could have done that, but…”. All those dreams became unachievable, impossible, and “I should be happy with what I have”. I just couldn’t accept that. I decided to make a change. I decided to be better. I decided to be more than mediocre.
I’m sure you know what I mean when you read these words. So many of our hopes and dreams are lost to time because of our indecision. We go through our lives wishing, dreaming, hoping for a better future for ourselves. We think that ‘one day’, when the time is right, we will be able to do what we want.
Acting on your decisions…
That day is today. One of the strongest pieces of advice that I’ve ever received is, The time is never right to make your move. If you want to write a book, start writing what comes to mind. If you want to learn to play the piano, download a free piano app on your iPad. Or how about buying your first house? Start putting money away into a savings account.
This might sound completely daunting or too simplistic, but when you take away all the noise, all the confusion, achieving your dreams boils down to 3 simple steps;
1. Make a decision to change
2. Take action by starting small
3. Challenge yourself
Making the conscious decision to change is the first essential task
First and foremost, we need to decide whether we want to grow or change. We must open ourselves to the unknown, and in turn possible failure. Making a conscious decision allows us to prepare for the unexpected, and be more receptive to changing environments.
Take action by starting small
Nobody ever wrote a book or played piano or bought a house immediately after they decided to do so. These things take time, patience, and damn hard work. This step, and in my opinion the most critical, is to actually take action. Taking the first step (no matter how small), is essential to achieving your success.
Challenge yourself
Don’t let yourself get bored. Everyone has a comfort zone, and I challenge you to step out of yours ever so slightly. Similar to taking the first step, challenging yourself with something that gives you butterflies in your stomach is a great way to start. For me, that challenge was to talk openly to my colleagues about my blog. For you, it might be to open yourself up to a friend and ask them for advice, or stopping your Cable TV to afford your home loan.
As the age old saying goes ‘Rome wasn’t built in a day’. It was built through decisions that were made, action that was taken, and extraordinary challenges that were set. The power of progress by taking one step at a time is extraordinary.
Are you ready to make your change today? Are you ready to build your own Empire around you? Go for it, decide today, take your first step.
Photo credit: Billy Wilson
