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%, but 100%! No excuses are acceptable, either. You’ve got to go all in!
I love the story about Cortez’s landing 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.
He got them together for a pep talk just before he led his men into battle. 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 eliminated any possibility of retreat or escape. They had to win or die. And they did!
This kind of commitment is needed to reach a seemingly impossible dream. Burn your ships!
2. Remove the Blocks
Devastating Habits
If you’re drinking or drugging a lot, your mood and performance in the next 1-3 days 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 started 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, 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 constantly watch the news or hang out with pessimistic people, you’ll expose yourself to depressing chatter and have a hard time staying optimistic.
If you have friends or family who are critical of you or your dream, you must remove them from your life. I don’t necessarily mean never seeing or talking to them again, but you should drastically cut the 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 sleep.
By repeatedly imagining your dream in vivid detail, you’re giving your subconscious mind and the Universe a blueprint of what you want. Then these powerful forces can go to work on helping you bring your dream into reality.
4. Take Continuous Action
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 daily.
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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.