Kotodama Issue 9: Dream It, Plan It, Do It!

By Stuart Stephen Clifford

1. Positivity + Vision + Action = Success Having a positive mindset is the first step to success. Believing in yourself not only builds self-confidence but also inspires belief in you from others, creating a reinforcing cycle of confidence and faith in life. When you combine positivity with vision (your goals) and action (the steps to achieve them), success becomes inevitable.

In my own life, I’ve seen this equation in action. At the beginning of each new year, I used to set ambitious goals—some I achieved quickly, while others took years. For instance, earning a black belt or completing my degree took time, perseverance, and consistent action. Now, I constantly have goals in progress, so I no longer need to wait for a new year to set them—I am always in the “taking action” stage.

Let me share a personal story about how this mindset helped me. When I first moved to Singapore ten years ago, I had big dreams but faced significant challenges. I wanted to become a speaker and share my knowledge of positivity, but I needed to build confidence in public speaking. I reached out to friends for guidance and pursued opportunities to grow my skills.

At the same time, I had another goal: teaching fight choreography and stage combat, something I was passionate about in Melbourne. After many rejections, a breakthrough came when a theatre company referred me to LASALLE College of the Arts. That meeting led to my first lecturing role, teaching Stage Combat—a career that lasted seven years and expanded into multiple teaching opportunities across the arts.

This new career allowed me to quit a full-time job that wasn’t fulfilling and embrace a life of purpose. While I still found speaking gigs challenging, my growing expertise gave me the confidence to pursue another goal: writing a book to complement my workshops.

The lesson here? Positivity, vision, and action are the cornerstones of success. You must dream it, plan it, and most importantly, do it.

2. Dream Big, Why Not?

When it comes to setting goals, I’ve always believed that you should dream big. Why not? The bigger, the better—but only if it’s attainable. Dreaming big fuels motivation and opens up pathways you hadn’t even considered. Take my journey to becoming a speaker, for instance. It’s still a dream of mine, and although I’ve achieved some success, I’m not quite where I want to be yet. However, by aiming high, I’ve found myself enjoying opportunities I hadn’t originally planned for.

By keeping my sights set on big goals, I've opened doors to teaching, lecturing, writing, and more. Those “unexpected opportunities” didn’t just appear by chance—they were the byproducts of having a big, clear vision. The key is to keep pushing forward, and the bigger the dream, the more powerful the pull.

While dreaming big is essential, turning that dream into reality requires planning. One approach I’ve found helpful is looking at others who’ve already walked the path I want to follow. By studying their steps, I learned strategies that helped me avoid unnecessary pitfalls.

But sometimes, you don’t need to map out every step from the beginning. Sometimes, just focusing on the first step is enough. And when that’s done, focus on the next one. Keep the momentum going, and before you know it, you’ll have created a strong foundation for success.

Of course, obstacles will arise. Life rarely goes exactly as planned. However, the key to success is resilience: never give up. When you believe in yourself, others will start to believe in you too.

I’ve encountered countless obstacles in my journey, but I always reminded myself that success is built by persistence. One strategy I’ve adopted is to always be prepared for opportunities. For example, before I even get a job, I have a workshop already written. I can customize it quickly, practice it, and be ready when the moment comes. Being prepared allows you to seize opportunities at the right time—and that’s when the magic happens.

3. Vision & Action

I like to start the year by reflecting on my achievements from the previous year. It helps me celebrate my wins and recognize how far I’ve come. But I don’t stop there. I also take the time to list future achievements—goals I know I will hit. Writing these down reinforces my belief in them and reminds me of the possibilities ahead.

In addition to celebrating past wins, I create a vision or a detailed list of the goals I’m actively working on. I make it a point to regularly assess where I am in terms of action and steps towards achieving those goals. Having a clear picture of what I’m striving for makes it easier to stay on track and measure progress.

As life changes, so do my goals. Every six months, I update my affirmations to reflect the evolving nature of my journey. If I’ve hit certain milestones, I adjust my affirmations to reflect the next steps. Affirmations aren’t static—they should grow with you.

This approach helps keep my mindset aligned with my changing aspirations, making it easier to stay motivated and focused. When you update your affirmations and goals regularly, you allow your mind to stay in tune with your evolving path.

Similarly, I adjust my expressions of gratitude to match my current reality. Life’s stages often prompt a shift in the things I’m thankful for, so I make sure to update my gratitude practices every so often. It’s important to appreciate not just the accomplishments but also the ongoing process.

By tracking what I’ve accomplished, staying focused on what I want to achieve, and updating my affirmations and gratitude, I’m able to move forward with clarity and purpose. The goal isn’t to focus solely on the end result but to actively enjoy the journey and honor the progress along the way.

Conclusion: The Power of Consistency

As you move forward in your own journey, remember that success is not a single event, but a series of actions. You’ll experience moments of doubt, but by maintaining a positive mindset, staying focused on your goals, and taking consistent action, you’ll build momentum.

Dream big, but stay realistic in your planning. Keep track of your progress, adjust your goals when necessary, and remain open to unexpected opportunities.

As you look to 2025 and beyond, know that each small step you take towards your dreams adds up to a life of accomplishment, fulfillment, and success. The future is in your hands—dream it, plan it, and do it!