Living Out Your Dreams

One of my wife's favorite movies, Pretty Woman has a line in it where the guy yells out, “welcome to Hollywood, what's your dream”. That line has stuck with me all of my adult life as I have pursued my dreams one at a time. How do you live out your dreams? Do you have dreams and what are they? We all have something we want to accomplish and they can be really big or really small. Some want to be a movie star, be rich, be successful and have money. Some want to achieve a certain career like a teacher, lawyer, accountant, business owner, etc.

I had a dream growing up of being a professional football player. Most young boys have imagined themselves catching a touchdown in the super bowl, making a free throw to win the national championship, kicking the winning goal in a major league soccer game or hitting a grand slam in the baseball world series. I talk about sports because for over 45 years of my life sports has been my thing. Your dream may be more inline with acting, art, drawing, traveling or whatever it is. So now that you know what your dreams are how can you pursue them and realize it.

God wants us to be a dreamer, he wants us to have a winning attitude in life. He wants us to live out our dreams, passions and goals while on earth. Many of you have achieved your dream. For me, being a professional football player came up short and did not happen. However, I was able to adjust my goals and achieved a few things I could only have dreamed about. I got to play college football and win a national championship. I got to coach at the high school and college level and was part of several title teams. As a wrestling coach, I have had individual state champions, conference, regional and state championship teams.

I achieved those dreams by following these basic principles of success. I wanted to share them with you. You likely have your own set but have you honestly worked hard enough, long enough and smart enough to attain those dreams.

1- Construct a plan of action- To attain anything, you have to put a plan together with your goals, actions and steps to achieve dreams.

2- Focus your attention- Focus on the things that will get you to achieve your dreams. Be consistent and focused on the outcomes of your actions.

3- Put a system and process in place- I won championships by having a system that works on a consistent basis. I had to analyze it and make adjustments along the way. But having a system that creates opportunity for success is the key to living your dreams.

4- Accountability is a must- Hold yourself and those around you accountable. Accountability in your actions, thoughts, behaviors and results will allow you to follow those dreams and give you a better chance to achieve those results.

5- Be willing to work hard- You have to outwork people to be the best. My championship wrestlers won because they worked harder in practice, prepared for bouts and did what others were not willing to do. Are you willing to do what others will not. Professional athletes become so by doing what others will not.

6- Avoid excuses and the blame game- If you fail to achieve your dreams it is your fault. I have seen so many wrestlers or football players fall short in life and they blame the referee, their parents, or the coaches. Those that do will live a prosperous life, those that don’t will live a life of blame as it is always someone else’s fault.

In closing, to live your dreams and achieve them it will take hard work, focus, a plan and the guts to pursue it. You have to push through the tough times, the no’s, the setbacks and adjust accordingly to find that edge you need to live your dreams. God can help you live your dreams. He can guide you and lead you to success in life and success eternally in heaven. We are not guaranteed tomorrow so chase your dreams, live life wide open and try your best to accomplish a life you consider living your dreams.

Romans 12:2, Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Philippians 4:13, I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Lord, allow me to live a life that pursues accomplishing dreams. Give me the knowledge, ability and strength to overcome all things that get in the way. Help me achieve my life of dreams, goals and visions. I pray I seek your counsel in that pursuit of happiness. Amen

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