The method for reaching a dream is the same in most cases. Here are the four keys to achieving your dream.
1. Go All In
You need to put in a 100 percent effort to be successful. Not 90% percent, but 100%! No excuses are acceptable either. You’ve got to go all in!
I love the story about when Cortez landed in Mexico in 1519 to take on the Aztecs. Against incredible odds, his small band of 600 soldiers defeated the powerful empire of the Aztecs. Here’s how Cortez got himself and his soldiers to go all in.
Just before he led his men into battle, he got them together for a pep talk. He turned to his men and said, “Burn the ships!” He ordered his men to set the ships that had brought them there on fire. By burning the ships, Cortez was eliminating any possibility of retreat or escape. They had to win or die. And they did!
This is the kind of commitment that is needed to reach a seemly impossible dream. Burn your ships!
2. Remove the Blocks
Devastating Habits
If you’re drinking or drugging a lot, your mood and performance the next day are going to be less than 100 percent. You know that. But maybe you haven’t come up for air long enough to see the truth.
If you want to succeed in the way that you imagine, you must give up the bad habits that are destroying them.
Debilitating Fear
Fear is the number one killer of dreams. Conquering them is the number one life-giver of dreams.
When Cortez and his soldiers were starting their march toward the Aztecs, they likely felt great fear but continued anyway because they had removed their only way to flee.
You can do the same by eliminating your usual ways of giving up and escaping. Remove the option to quit by taking a “no excuses” stance. If you feel yourself giving in because you’re getting scared just say to yourself “No excuses!”
Remember that you must do what you’re afraid to do and then you get the courage. You cannot intellectualize courage in advance.
Demoralizing Influences
These blocks can be self-imposed or created by other people in your life.
If you expose yourself to depressing chatter by constantly watching the news or hanging out with pessimistic people, you’re going to have a hard time staying optimistic.
If you have friends or family who are critical of you or your dream, you need to remove them from your life. I don’t necessarily mean never see or talk to them again, but you should drastically cut the amount of time you spend with them.
3. Align Your Thoughts
Keep your thoughts on your goal. Imagine every detail as though you’re living your dream right now! Do this for sure first thing in the morning and just before you go to sleep.
By repeatedly imaging your dream in vivid detail, you’re giving your subconscious mind and the Universe a blueprint on what you want. Then these powerful forces can go to work on helping you bring your dream into reality.
4. Take Continuous Action
Each day you need to begin immediately doing the work necessary to reach your dream no matter how you feel physically or mentally. Once you get started, the motivation will come. Do this every day and eventually, it will become a habit and you’ll come to expect the motivation.
Doing is more powerful than researching, planning, and strategizing. Each of these things plays a role in goal achievement but the time you devote to them should be limited. Don’t allow these activities to become a way to procrastinate or avoid.
Generate momentum by taking meaningful and courageous action toward your dream every day!
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Most of the hard work in achieving your dream is mental. Work to get this part right and you’ll reach your dream.