Olmurewa Akande.   

As the year comes to a close, we all have various dreams and aspirations for our lives however, it can sometimes feel like those ambitions are far-fetched and out of reach, especially when our current circumstances do not match our dreams. Whether it is an academic, spiritual, or personal developmental goal, negative thinking can hinder our progress and this instils a terrifying fear of failure leading to thoughts like; “It is too late to begin working towards these goals”. The reality though, is that with the right mindset, a bit of effort and confidence in one’s ability, achieving one’s goal is attainable. Here are a few pointers to help you along your journey to fulfilling your goals.

The first step is to cultivate a positive mindset that allows you to believe that your dreams can become a reality.  Simply put,  have faith in yourself. Also, do not be afraid to dream big. There is nothing new under the sun. Remember someone has likely achieved whatever goals you have in mind, so there is no reason you can not. As  exams approach and might seem scary and overwhelming, the key is to dream of success because as Malcolm Forbes said, “You cease to dream, you cease to live”.

After embracing a positive mindset, take small, manageable steps towards those grand dreams. As a student,  the tasks of reading, studying, and revising can be draining and daunting but creating a study schedule can make the workload easier and less daunting. This approach of breaking down goals into smaller tasks is not just for academics, it applies to many other aspects of life. These small baby steps will later pay off in the long run.

Another crucial step to take into consideration is to write down your goals. Document your plan and how you will feel when you eventually achieve the goal. Do not just write, visualise the joy and satisfaction of accomplishment. For instance, picturing yourself getting an A in a challenging course makes you spend hours reading and finishing  at the top of your class. This definitely could serve as a motivation when the going gets tough. You do  not necessarily have to spend hours visualising, it could be 15 minutes in the morning or night and would be highly beneficial as it should be flexible. This will help you stay eager to pursue your dreams as it is vital just like Lea Brown notes, “You gotta be hungry.”

In addition, keep track of your successes. Mark off the goals you’ve achieved so you can focus on those you’ve not. Break down your long-term and short-term goals,  write out your target, and set a deadline to achieve each goal. It can also be useful to have an accountability partner, this would help you in the long run. Surround yourself with good and positive people who believe in your dreams more than you do. People who offer nice advice and encouragement push to keep moving. Their support can make a significant difference when you feel like giving up.

Moreover,  it is essential to read about those who pursue similar goals and aspirations aligned with yours. This can help you in avoiding common mistakes and it can provide clarity in your direction and useful tips. Once you find yourself making a terrible mistake,  learn from the mistake because it’s okay to make mistakes but it’s crucial not to repeat the same mistake. Reading about one’s goals can provide valuable guidance and foresight. Also, be foresighted, think, and read ahead, all these make the path to achieving them much smoother.

While striving to reach your goals, do not forget to celebrate each milestone along the way and enjoy each process, do not be too hard on yourself. Once you have accomplished and achieved your goals, give yourself some rewards and accolades. Do not forget to teach others by sharing your experiences and some life lessons because we also learn when we teach others. After ticking off your achievements, go back to dreaming and aim even higher, aim for the most ridiculous things, keeping in mind that you can achieve it.

Also, remember that staying true to one’s goals is not an easy task. There are a lot of distractions and there are a lot of mistakes to be made.  There will be obstacles, there will be rejections however, do not give up! Stay focused even when you fail, don’t let it stop you because failure is a part of the journey to success but not the final destination. As Edgar Cayce said, “Let your dreams drive you because dreams are today’s answers to tomorrow’s questions”. Stay persistent and keep negative thoughts at arm’s length as they will not lead you anywhere.

Finally, keep in mind that dreams would not come to you; you must pursue them.  Chase them until they become reality, and once you achieve them, hold on tightly.