As early as the age of 5, I can remember my mother telling me that "if you wish for something hard enough, it will come true". I'm also the one who read "The Little Engine That Could" over and over again as a child. Remember the mantra repeated by the little locomotive? "I think I can, I THINK I can, I THINK I CAN . . ." said the little engine.
Today, we approach the topic of achieving our dreams in much the same way - but with different buzzwords. We're encouraged to write down our "goals" and "objectives". We're told to repeat them in the form of "affirmations" three times a day. We cut pictures from magazines representing our dreams, i.e. a new home, fast car, dream vacation, etc. and post them on our 'fridge or over our desk.
Remember the quote from "Illusions" by Richard Bach? "There's no such thing as having a dream, without also being given the power to make it so - you may have to work for it however!" Repeat that last part - "You may have to work for it however!" Think there might be a clue there somewhere?
If you want to enjoy a banner year in 2000, do two things: 1) Make a list of your dreams, and 2) write down what you plan to do to make them happen. Nothing happens without first acknowledging that you have a dream. It's OK - not selfish - to have more than one dream you want to achieve. You must write each of them down, acknowledging their presence and giving them credibility. If you refuse to acknowledge them, do not be disappointed when they fail to materialize in your life. Remember another quote: "Think you can - think you can't - either way, you're right!"
Once you see your dreams on paper, breathe life into them. Write down the dates by which you would like to achieve them. Spell out the steps you must take before they are likely to occur, then implement some action every day to build excitement. Look back once a week on the individual actions you have taken which collectively have stimulated an unstoppable wave of new achievements.
It's that simple. "Think you can!" Then, do it!
Paul Christian, CRS, is a nationally recognized real estate author, trainer, and broker. Affectionately known as the "GHOST", Paul publishes "ghost written" newspaper columns for agents and brokers throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Paul also has been an instructor for the Council of Residential Specialists and remains active in council activities.
