9 Secrets to Achieving Your Wildest Dreams – Revealed!

Let's be honest – life can often feel like a maze, a never-ending labyrinth of challenges and responsibilities that we must navigate. It's easy to become overwhelmed and lose sight of our passions in the midst of our daily struggles.

But fear not, you are not alone. As someone who has faced their fair share of obstacles and triumphs, from scaling the treacherous heights of Mt. Everest to raising seven children and running a successful finance business, I know firsthand the importance of having a plan and clear strategies for success.

So let me share with you some of my most valuable tips and tricks for structuring your life and achieving your goals.

Whether you're a student juggling a packed schedule, an ambitious professional striving for greatness, a busy parent trying to balance it all, or simply looking to improve yourself, these strategies can help you take ownership of your life and move forward with confidence.

Make It Real

To achieve anything worthwhile in life, a vague idea of what you want to accomplish simply won't cut it.

It's like going to the grocery store without an ingredient list for a recipe – a disaster waiting to happen.

In order to turn our dreams into reality, we need a clear and precise plan of action that will guide us towards our goals. Without it, we risk wandering aimlessly and wasting precious time, money, and energy.

To make our goals more tangible and achievable, nothing beats a visual representation.

A vision board filled with –

• Inspiring images
• Motivating quotes
• Or other graphic illustrations

– will help solidify your aspirations in your mind and serve as a constant reminder of the future you're working towards.

Whether it's a physical poster, a notebook, or a digital document, the process of creating a vision board is a powerful tool for bringing your dreams to life.

But don't stop there. Writing them down is equally important.

When I set out to climb Mt. Everest, I prioritized my responsibilities: family first, my business, and then the mountain. I put them on paper and posted it on my mirror as a constant reminder of my focus and purpose. And it worked.

To take things to the next level, a to-do list or planner can help keep you organized and on track. This might seem like a no-brainer, but it's amazing how many people skip it.

Having a clear plan for the day, week, or even month ahead enables you to prioritize your tasks, manage your time more efficiently, and make consistent progress towards your goals.

Be SMART

The SMART goal-setting framework is a simple yet effective tool to create goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound.

Don't be intimidated by the acronym – I promise that using it is easier than you think.

SMART goals provide a clear understanding of what you're aiming to achieve, how you plan to achieve it, and when you expect to achieve it.

Let's say you want to improve your communication skills:

• Specific: A vague goal would be "become a better communicator." Instead, a specific goal would be to "deliver a clear and concise presentation in front of a large audience within the next three months."
• Measurable: Set benchmarks for your progress. For example, you could measure it by the number of people you successfully communicate with or the amount of positive feedback you receive.
• Achievable: Break it into smaller, manageable tasks. This could include practicing public speaking, joining a public speaking group or class, or seeking regular feedback from colleagues.
• Relevant: Make sure it applies to your life and aligns with your values. Ask yourself why this goal is important to you and how it will help you in the long run. For example, improving your communication skills could help you advance your career or build stronger relationships.
• Time-Bound: Set deadlines for your goal, and the steps needed to get there. Doing so will help you stay accountable. Make your deadlines realistic and give yourself enough time to complete them without feeling overwhelmed.

Master Your Attention

Distractions are everywhere: the incessant pinging of our phones, the never-ending stream of social media notifications, and the pull of Netflix. It's a wonder we ever get anything done! But let me tell you this: mastering your attention is not only crucial for accomplishing daily tasks, but it's also the key to making significant progress toward your long-term goals.

Remember the saying, "A chaotic mind equals a chaotic life?" Well, that won't cut it when it comes to chasing your vision.

While we don't need to be perfect machines of efficiency, imagine the possibilities if you could eliminate distractions and laser-focus on what truly matters.

So, picture this: It's Tuesday afternoon, and you're supposed to be working on your project. Instead, you're constantly checking your email, responding to texts, and taking phone calls. You know you're not being productive, but the urge to stay connected is hard to resist.

What to do? Fear not, I have some solutions.

1. Time block your tasks: Set a specific time block for a task and use a timer for that duration. During this time, focus solely on the task at hand without any distractions. Once the timer goes off, take a short break before moving on to the next task.
2. Use the Pomodoro Technique: This time-management strategy boosts productivity by dividing work into focused intervals, typically 25 minutes long, called "Pomodoros." After each Pomodoro, take a short 5-minute break to recharge. Longer breaks are taken after completing a set of four Pomodoros. This approach balances focused work with necessary rest periods.
3. Accountability is key: Partner up with a friend or family member to stay on track when no one is watching. By committing to a specific goal and agreeing to consequences if you don't meet it, you'll have a stronger motivation to follow through.
4. Be prepared with a backup plan: Have a menu of options to choose from in case you run into unexpected distractions or obstacles. For example, if you're trying to write a book but can't stay focused, try stretching, listening to music, or changing your surroundings.

And to prevent distractions from happening in the first place, set up barriers to entry like turning off notifications on your phone, closing distracting tabs on your computer, or using specialized apps to block social media or other distracting websites.

The bottom line? If you want to achieve success, you need to master your attention.

Distractions are the enemy of progress, and they will derail you if you let them. But with the right strategies and a playful mindset, you can overcome distraction and stay focused on your goals.

Here's more advice about how to conquer distraction and master your attention. Don't let distractions hold you back – take control.

Acknowledge What's Not Working

When we set out to achieve a specific goal, it's easy to get caught up in the excitement and enthusiasm of pursuing our objective.

We may feel that if we just work harder, longer, and more diligently, we'll be able to reach our target.

While there's certainly merit to hard work and dedication, it's equally important to recognize when our efforts are not producing the desired results.

Acknowledging what's not working in our lives can be a challenging and humbling experience. It requires us to be honest with ourselves and to recognize that the habits and routines that once served us well may no longer be effective.

It can be tempting to ignore these warning signs and push through the obstacles, but doing so can lead to frustration, burnout, and ultimately, failure.

Here are some points to consider:

• When aiming for a specific goal, like training for a marathon, we might realize that our usual routines, schedules, and social circles aren't quite in sync with what we want to accomplish.
• Making adjustments doesn't always require a complete overhaul of our lives. It can be as simple as reallocating our time and resources to better suit our immediate needs.
• While these changes don't have to be permanent, they are necessary for now. No matter the size, these adjustments can help us connect our lives with our aspirations and bring us closer to achieving our desired outcomes. Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone and make healthy changes.

Don't forget to take a break. Breaks are vital in life, serving as interruptions or periods of rest and recovery. Taking breaks is essential; if we don't, life can force us to stop and reconsider our direction. Believe me.

To succeed, we need to evaluate our situations, adapt, and learn to recharge. Breaks don't have to be elaborate vacations or spa days; small, intentional moments of rest can be equally effective.

• Make time for yourself
• Engage in a relaxing activity or hobby
• Enjoy a favorite snack or drink
• Disconnect from technology
• Find peace in silence and solitude
• Reconnect with a childhood interest
• Regularly prioritize and allocate time for rest

By doing this, you'll restore your energy, allowing yourself to return to your goals with renewed focus and determination.

Get Stacking

Staying committed to our goals can sometimes feel like a lot of extra work, especially when you have to make routine improvements. If only there was a simple way to bring everything together without feeling overwhelmed?

Enter habit stacking – the technique that involves connecting new habits with existing ones to form powerful routines.?

The beauty of habit stacking is that it leverages habits you already have, making it easier to build momentum in the direction of your desired results.

Consider this example: let's say you've wanted to start meditating daily but need help to fit it into your busy schedule.

The solution? Link it to an existing habit, like brushing your teeth.

Commit to meditating for two minutes when you brush your teeth, and watch as this new habit becomes a natural part of your routine.

When I decided to pursue Mt. Everest, I already had a full plate. As a mom with demanding work responsibilities, I couldn't follow the same training routine as my fellow climbers.

So, I got creative with my stacking. I became the mom at my kids' soccer games with a 12-inch step, and I even used every single one of my zoom meetings as an opportunity to squeeze in more steps.

By linking my workout habits with my daily routine, I was able to make progress towards my goal despite my busy schedule.

Remember, starting small and staying consistent is key. By stacking tiny habits on top of each other, you can create powerful and sustainable routines that support you in the long-run.

If you notice that you’re struggling to introduce or maintain new behaviors, give it a try.

Have An SOS Call

Having a support system is like having a secret weapon in your back pocket. It's that extra boost you need to keep going when the going gets hard.

We all need people who can offer encouragement, advice, and a listening ear, especially when chasing our goals.

Think about the people in your life who you trust, have your best interests at heart, and are in alignment with your vision. These people could be:

• Friends
• Family members
• Mentors

They can serve as your sounding board, offer encouragement and motivation, and help you navigate any challenges that come your way.

To make your support system even more effective, come up with a code word or phrase that signals to your people that you need their assistance. It's kind of like having your own personal Bat-Signal. Your SOS calls could be the extra nudge you need to get through a tough day or boost your resolve to keep going.

Know that your support system can come in various forms, and can be required at different times. This is okay and normal.

You should have different people you rely on for different types of support, whether it is emotional during a challenging moment or practical for a specific problem. Be open to establishing diverse relationships with those who can assist you on your journey.

Need more support in learning how to ask for help? Check this out.

Revamp Your Inner-Dialogue

Changing your inner-dialogue involves adjusting how you think about yourself and the problems you encounter.

Thoughts can either push us to achieve our goals or keep us from realizing our potential. By developing a growth mindset, increasing self-awareness, and adopting a "Yes I Can" attitude, you can break free from limiting beliefs and gain control over your life.

A growth mindset encourages you to:?

• Treat challenges as opportunities for growth
• Understand that success requires effort, learning, and persistence, not just innate talent
• Learn from failures instead of feeling defeated

Self-awareness is essential for improving your inner-dialogue. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses lets you accept who you are, boosting confidence and resilience. Being self-aware helps you recognize and question limiting beliefs, allowing for a more balanced outlook on life.

Adopting a "Yes I Can " attitude supports your growth mindset and self-awareness, helping you tackle obstacles, counter negative thoughts, and chase your goals with determination. This attitude involves:

• Trusting your abilities
• Welcoming new challenges
• Learning from mistakes

Unfortunately, many of us struggle with negative self-talk, which can limit our abilities and leave us feeling stuck.

But there's good news! We have the power to influence our brains to think more positively and combat negative self-talk. One effective technique is practicing positive affirmations. Choose a few statements that resonate with you and repeat them to yourself daily, even and especially when you may not believe them.

Here are some examples:

• I am capable of achieving my goals and creating success for myself
• I am confident in my abilities to lead and make strategic decisions
• I have a clear vision for my business/career and take the necessary steps to bring it to fruition
• I am open to learning and growing, and use my failures as opportunities for growth
• I am focused and productive, and make the most of my time and resources

Another powerful strategy is practicing gratitude. Allow yourself a moment each day to reflect on the things in your life that you are thankful for. This can help shift your focus away from negativity and towards the positive aspects of your life.

By embracing challenges with a growth mindset, cultivating self-awareness, adopting a "Yes I Can" attitude, and practicing positive affirmations and gratitude, you'll unleash your full potential and increase your productivity.

Say No

Saying "no" can be daunting, but it's a necessary skill for staying focused on your priorities. Even the most accomplished individuals sometimes struggle with it, and I am no exception.

The allure of saying "yes" to every opportunity that comes your way can be strong, but it can also lead to burnout and exhaustion. By mastering the art of setting boundaries and communicating effectively, you can prioritize your time and energy and make meaningful progress that is in line with your vision.

As you grow, you'll undoubtedly encounter more opportunities, which is great, but some will be distractions in disguise, such as:

• An unrelated new hobby or activity that takes up a lot of time and resources
• Taking on too many commitments or projects
• Accepting too many invitations for social events

This is a crucial point to be mindful of how you allocate your time and energy. Go back to your defined priorities, what drives you, and what you want to accomplish. Revisit your vision board, or written list, and determine what truly matches your goals and what does not.?

It's also important to set boundaries with yourself. It's easy to overcommit and lose focus, but by being mindful of your limits and knowing when to say "no" to yourself, you can remain focused on what's important. Whenever you say "no," you say "yes" to something else.?

Look For Early Wins

Deciding to invest in yourself and your goals is major, and each move you make deserves recognition.

Many people never take the first step toward pursuing what they want in life, so if you've already done so, you're ahead of the game.

Of course, when we have a dream, it can be easy to fall into the mindset of "How do I get to the finish line as fast as I can?"

We should instead realize that?the whole point of fulfilling our vision is to experience the journey—to relish the failures, sacrifices, progress, and personal discoveries—along with the ultimate achievement of that final step.?

To keep yourself excited and confident, it's essential to notice your early wins.

These small accomplishments you make along the way might not seem like a big deal at first, but they all add up to your ultimate success.

Let yourself appreciate and celebrate them.

Maybe it's finally finding the courage to have that difficult conversation and say "no," taking a course to develop a new skill, crafting your vision board, or simply completing a task that's lived on your to-do list for ages.

Remember, success isn't just about reaching the end goal; it's also about everything that contributes to your journey.

Look for those early wins, be proud of them, and allow yourself to feel invigorated by everything you’re doing as you pursue your vision. You deserve it.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Jenn Drummond is a successful entrepreneur, mother of seven, and accomplished mountaineer. She founded and led a thriving financial services company before moving to Park City, Utah, where her family's passion for the outdoors ignited. In 2018, Jenn survived a near-fatal car accident that taught her the importance of living life to the fullest. With a renewed sense of vigor and enthusiasm, she is now on a mission to inspire others to embrace life's challenges and opportunities. Today, Jenn is about to make history as the first woman to climb the world's Seven Second Summits, and she is just getting started. Click here to be a part of her journey.