Dreams aren’t easy to achieve.  If they were, people wouldn’t dream because they would already exist in a dream world, thereby nullifying any need to hope. Dreams begin initially because it seems as they they are intangible, but with hard work, a good plan (as discussed in the second part of the series) and strategies to tackle any hiccups that occur along the way, success is inevitable.

Today, in the third part of the series of Achieving Your Dreams,  I’d like to share with you four strategies for successfully conquering the land mines that may lay in your path.  By laying the framework for just about any scenario (based on knowing your strengths and weaknesses), you will allow for the best outcome, the outcome you had dreamed about from the beginning, to become the reality that will soon envelope you.

On the Offensive

Being a dreamer is a very applaudable quality when it comes to desiring something that seems impossible, but when it comes to achieving your goal and turning it into something tangible, it is best to be a realist.  What I mean is that in order to give yourself the best chance possible, plan for what could happen to derail your plan and prepare a plan before it even occurs.  By putting yourself on the offensive and knowing beforehand what to do when a pitfall takes place, you eliminate the possibility for the absolute derailment of your plans.  For example, if your dream is to earn enough money to live in Provence for a month, but you know in the interim saying no to beautiful clothes will be almost impossible to do each time Vogue arrives in your mailbox, even though you know you can’t afford both, have a plan for what to do when the urge to splurge occurs.  Maybe it is to cut up your credit cards for a year, so no matter how tempted, you couldn’t spend money even if you wanted to, or how about having the foresight to realize there are beautiful clothes in France and how amazing would it be to be able to afford them while living there? Do something that you know for certain will keep you focused and not deter your plans, and, as mentioned last week, write these plan of attacks down.

Tell Someone You Trust

One offensive move you can make is to tell someone whom you trust what you are aspiring to achieve.  Choose someone that is supportive, uplifting and optimistic and wants you to live your best life. Knowing that someone else is aware of what you are trying to achieve holds you accountable, so even if you could talk yourself out it, you know you will have to also answer to someone else who knows how capable you are and won’t let you slack.

Have Patience

I came a cross a quote yesterday from The Daily Love that read “The most important time to never give up is when it is the hardest. The harder and darker it seems the closer you are to a breakthrough.” So often we expect our dreams to materialize with the blink of just a bit of effort, but in reality the reason only a small percentage of our population truly feels fulfilled is because they persevered when everyone else let go and became tired of trying. Believe me when I say, stay the course, keep striving forward, and you too “will meet with success unexpected in common hours”, to borrow a piece of advice from Thoreau.

Have a Taste

And as a bit of reward for remaining patient, staying focused on the goal no matter how difficult it may become at times, allow yourself a taste of what it is you are trying so ardently to achieve.  If you are aiming to buy your own home, visit some open houses in neighborhoods you might be interested in, or if you are saving for a trip to New York City, purchase a book at your local bookstore where the setting is Manhattan and it is portrayed as the beautiful wonderland you have been imagining.  In other words, whet your palette, remind yourself of the reason why you are being so disciplined, and this will bolster your resolve to continue until you have reached your destination.

Victory will arrive and along with it, these five added benefits.  I know you have what it takes to be successful because with true passion anything is. So let’s all get started.