LIFE

Illustration by Natalie Catania

What are your dreams: Do you want to be a prima ballerina? Get an “A” on your next math test? By setting goals, creating a dream board and surrounding yourself with like- minded people, your dreams can come true.

First, think what you really want—it can be anything. Then, write them down as goals. Your goals should be written in very clear, detailed sentences, be specific! If you want to have a solo in your next dance company show, one of your goals could be: By June 12th, 2010, I will be on stage in a pink tutu with my hair up in a bun dancing on stage to Swan Lake.

Make sure that you are very descriptive from what you will be wearing and doing to where you will be and the exact date by it will be accomplished. You can write out as many goals as you like, there is no limit to what you can achieve when you have the desire.

Once your goals are in print, place them where you can see them every day, like on your bathroom mirror. Read your goals out loud to yourself five times in the morning and five times before bed. This will be a constant reminder to help you take action.

Next, break your goals down into a daily to-do list. Each goal should have small steps. If your goal is to be a published author, then your daily to-do list could be to research one hour per day and write another hour per day. It’s far easier to achieve your goals if you break them down into small, manageable pieces.

Take out a large piece of paper or a corkboard. This will be the base of your “Dream Board.” A Dream Board is a collage of anything and everything you dream of having, achieving, being and doing. For example, some of your pictures may include schools you might like to attend, books that you want to read, places you want to go, jobs that you may want to have—it’s totally up to you! 

Gather your dream images from magazines, drawings, etc. and cut them out. Visualizing what you want in your life keeps it on your mind at all times.

Surround yourself with friends who are success-minded and dream big, just like you. These friends will make you feel confident and good about yourself. Friends who are negative and complain will only bring you and your mood down. 

After you’ve found positive pals, help one another achieve each of your dreams. Start a group meeting, once a week or as many times as you can meet, and go over all of your goals together. During your meetings, each of you should write out all of the successes that you have achieved from birth until now.  It can be anything from the awards you have won to volunteer activities you have done. By doing this, you’ll be encouraged by what you already have accomplished.