We all have dreams. Dreams of a happier life, more money, more time to do the things we want to do rather than the things we have to do. Dreams can be like clouds: they may look beautiful, but difficult to reach.

Often, the reality of our life is vastly different from those dreams. How can we achieve the dream?

Dreams are Not Goals

Turning dreams into reality can be one of the most challenging things in life. Sometimes people give up because the challenge proves just too much.

Don’t give up! Here are some strategies for making those dreams come true:

Turn your dreams into goals, then plan a strategy for how to achieve those goals.

What is the difference between a dream and a goal? According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, one meaning of the word dream is “a strongly desired goal or purpose”. A goal is “the end toward which effort is directed”. In other words, you can desire a dream, but it will only become a goal if you direct effort towards achieving it.

Now, effort is all very well and good, but it needs to be directed in the right way for it to be effective. It does no good to put effort into lugging a heavy load down the road in the wrong direction.

Make a Plan

Time for a plan. Back to our trusty Merriam-Webster: some definitions of the word plan are “a method for achieving an end” and “a detailed formulation of a program of action”. The definition of action is: “a thing done” or “the accomplishment of a thing usually over a period of time, in stages, or with the possibility of repetition”.

Now we’re getting to the core of the matter. Accomplishing our dreams usually requires directed effort and action. Want that dream job? Make it your goal, then work out your plan of action. Put in the effort to accomplish the plan. Make it happen.

Others Can Help, But You Can do it Alone

Sometimes you need the help of others to help you in the planning stage. Seek professional career advice if necessary.

You may also need help while you are putting in the effort. If learning, either online or on-campus is needed to achieve your goal, can you join a study group, either in person or online? Study groups can be handy to exchange ideas, or simply encourage each other when things are difficult. If you don’t have access to a group, it’s still okay. I’ve finished nearly 100 online courses from my home in a small town in Australia. Some courses have online discussion boards or forums that make me feel less isolated as I learn.

Set Aside Study Time and Focus

To succeed at online learning, it is useful to set aside particular times of the day or week to concentrate on your courses. During those times, avoid interruptions and really focus.

Although it’s tempting to tell everyone what you want to do, sometimes this backfires because our brains are lulled into thinking we are actually working towards our dreams even though all we have done is tell people about them. Take a look at what Derek Sivers has to say about this in his TED talk.

A Final Thought

To turn our dreams into reality, we need to set goals that will help us achieve those dreams, then work out a plan that will bring us closer to the goals. After we know where we are headed, we can put in some focused work.

By Pat Bowden, published August 21, 2018.