10 Steps to Get From Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

I went from labcoats to breakdancing to dancing with fire, from white collar to social welfare to entrepreneurship.

Regardless, I knew where I was going, but I wasn’t aware of it.

As I moved through different phases of my life, I always found myself using the same framework no matter what I did.

I broke it down into 10 steps.

1. Act on Your Intentions

The biggest difference between people who achieve their goals and those who don’t is simple: doing.

People who act on their intentions see results, and they can build from their achievements and lessons learned from mistakes.

Be one of the few people who take action.

2. Build Your Identity

Who are you now? What do you do that supports that idea? If you want to become someone else, you have to act like the person you want to be.

Writers write.

Builders build. Teachers teach.

You become what you do, so choose your behaviors wisely.

3. Eliminate Envy

As great as social media can be, it also has a lot of drawbacks for mental health. Many people look to Instagram or Twitter for inspiration, only to find themselves feeling jealous and defeated.

Focus on what you can control in your own life. Don’t let the comparison trap stop you from doing what’s right for you.

4. Prioritize Systems Over Goals

Goals are destinations. You can’t reach them without a roadmap. Systems are meant to help you progress toward your goals over time. Focus on creating strong systems rather than setting goals.

If your goal is to lose weight, then your system should be following a healthy diet. If your goal is to publish a book, then your system should involve establishing a daily writing habit.

5. Stay Consistent

“First say to yourself what you would be, and then do what you have to do.” — Epictetus

Showing up is 90% of the battle. Once you’ve committed yourself to action, you just have to follow through repeatedly. Instead of thinking about major milestones, focus on small habits that build up over time.

6. Set Higher Standards for Yourself

Most people’s biggest limiting factor is their own self-doubt. Think about your greatest idea, then reverse engineer your path to success. The road might be a lot shorter than you think.

Recognize that you have just as much potential and ability as anyone else to achieve what you want in life.

7. Celebrate Others

To paraphrase a quote from John F. Kennedy, “No one is ever made better by pulling others down. Every person is made better whenever any one person is made better.”

We build ourselves up by supporting others. Find joy in what they do, and the things they achieve. The person you support today may be supporting you tomorrow. Celebrating others helps you build a community of people who you can rely on.

8. Learn the Power of Yes and No

Two of the most powerful words in the English language are “yes” and “no.” When you say yes, you’re making a commitment. And when you say no, you’re enforcing a boundary. Say no to anything that doesn’t get you closer to where you want to be. Start saying “yes” to the right opportunities, even if they scare you.

Before you can make the right commitments, learn to say no to all the wrong ones stealing your time and joy.

9. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Theodore Roosevelt once said, “Comparison is the thief of joy,” and he was right. Comparing ourselves to others only makes us feel inadequate. There is a big difference between being inspired by others and using them as an unfair standard for your own growth.

Only compare your progress to your previous self. Have you come farther than you were? That’s all that matters. Your life doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s.

And remember that where you are now is where you once wanted to be.

10. Never Stop Learning

“Wisdom is not a product of schooling, but of the lifelong attempt to acquire it.” — Albert Einstein

Learning keeps us motivated, inspired, and evolving. Henry Ford said that anyone who stops learning is old, whether they’re 20 or 80. Remember to always encourage yourself to keep learning. Your self-esteem will thank you for it.

We all have goals, but we don’t know how to reach them. Sometimes our biggest dreams seem impossible, but they’re just a matter of confidence and planning. Y

You can start working toward where you want to be with these 10 steps. Don’t get too hung up on overnight success.

Focus on long-term commitment. It’s about dedication over a week, month, or year that makes the real difference.

It’s important to keep moving toward your dreams and believe in your vision.