Creating Your Dream Life Requires Action (PODCAST EP 15)

So many people spend their lives dreaming of the perfect life, but never take the actions to make it a reality. In this episode of The Digital Dreamer, we'll discuss how to push past the planning and dreaming stages and actually make things happen. A lot of times, we don't take action because we're waiting for the perfect conditions or the perfect plan. But there's no such thing as a perfect plan. 

If you're ready to push through the barriers that are stopping you from achieving your goals so you can create the life you've always dreamed of, this episode is for you! 

If you don't take that action today, where are you going to be a year from now?

What does your dream life look like? Your ideal dream life might change throughout the stages of your life as you have different goals related to what you want out of life. What do you value? How do you want to spend your time? Who do you want to spend your life with? Where? Doing what? What causes are important to you? All these things factor into creating a life you love.

It's not about the hustle

We've been taught: you gotta hustle, you gotta hustle, you always gotta be working towards your goals. But Kim says, "I don't think it's all about the hustle. I think that you need to be motivated, you need to have goals, but you also need to have time to create that space so that you can think... and so you can be creative. If you're always going, going, going, going a hundred miles an hour, you don't have time to be creative. You don't have time for those really creative ideas to develop. And if you're always going and going a hundred miles an hour, are you really enjoying the journey? The destination is one little blip. But the journey, the journey is what we're here for."

Would a younger you be in awe of your life?

Sometimes, the struggle you're facing is all about perspective. Abby says she finds it helpful to take a step back and ask herself what 15 year old Abby would think about the life she's living. "When I'm having a hard day or I feel like I haven't accomplished as much as I would like to at whatever age I'm at,   I think about how 15 year old me would just think I am living the dream right now. Fifteen year old me would be like, 'What the heck are you upset about? You're living the dream, girl.'"

Questions to ask yourself

• Are the things that you're doing today going to get you to where you want to go?
• To look at that another way, if you changed nothing about your life today, where would you be a year from now? Would you be where you set out to go? Would you be on the same path? Would you be completely often left field?
• What would your life look like if you changed nothing? 

You don't ever wanna be someone who wakes up when they're 80 and thinks, "Wow, I never changed anything about my life. I've, been doing the same thing every single day for 80 years."

Show up as the person you want to become

Create your alter-ego who is the best version of yourself - and start taking the actions that person would take every day. 

This is more than "fake it till you make it."  Instead, you're adopting the successful behaviors of that persona, and in doing so, you are surrounding yourself with the mindset and the behaviors of someone with the sort of success you want. You are essentially immersing yourself in an environment that will foster success. 

Abby says, "Another thing about the whole alter ego thing and becoming the best version of yourself is that it helps you start to believe in yourself. Because if you have this alter ego and you're like, 'Okay, this is what I envision the best version of myself to be,' you're already halfway there.

It's About Consistency

We all know that anything worth achieving requires consistent action toward the goal. Consistent action comes from creating habits. And it can be hard to make habits stick. Kim shared a way of thinking about HABITS:

H - Does it make you happy or healthy? (Does it improve your life?)

A- What actions can you take to ensure success?

B - What barriers are limiting your success? What can you do about them? How can you create a work around?

I - Are you being intentional with your time and desires? Are you keeping the goal top of mind? Do you have someone to hold you accountable?

T - Are you committed to doing this over time? 

You probably know that we are big on journaling. You can journal about these 5 things daily to help keep you on track to reaching your goals. 

Your environment matters

The people, places and things you spend time around matter. Are you surrounding yourself with people who believe in your goals? Are you spending time with people who build you up? 

• Do the influences in your life believe in possibility?
• Do the influences in your life encourage you to think out-of-the-box?
• Do the influences in your life challenge you to be your best?
• Do the influences in your life make excuses about their limited success or opportunities?

If you have naysayers in your life, you don't have to cut them out - but it is important to limit your exposure to their negative, pessimistic, or toxic thoughts and behaviors.

Enjoy the journey

It's cliche for a reason: we need to take time to enjoy the journey. The "finish line" is a blip in life, but the process, the journey... that's where the living takes place. Even when life isn't going your way, look for one moment of joy or wonder in each day. Notice nature's beauty. Be amazed by the little things. And always take time to celebrate even the tiniest success. 

Getting started

1. Just start. Take the leap.
2. Celebrate the baby steps.
3. Keep a journal of your progress. It will serve as your "highlight reel" when you're feeling discouraged and will remind you of all you have achieved so far.
4. Reflect on your progress weekly. Take time to course correct.
5. Find a mentor or coach as needed.
6. Keep growing, going, and challenging yourself.

Listen to the full episode anywhere you listen to podcasts or in the player above.

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