Here we are – part 2 in a timely fashion! See what happens when you dream big, yet also set an achievable goal? I hope you took some time to work through the questions I left you with in my last post. If you’re here, and you’re reading, you’re ready!

Here are my Top 10 tips on how you can start fashioning a new reality for your life and career.

1. 1. Start Today – No time like the present. Whether or not you know what you want, taking action is imperative to moving forward! If you’re switching careers or starting a new business venture, do as much research as possible to see what options are available to you. This can also spark ideas you might never have considered.
   2. Share Your Vision – Start talking with your people about what you’re planning to create! However, be intentional about sharing. Make sure the situation is positive and supportive. I speak from personal experience when I say that often the people closest to you may be the ones who react most negatively, because they’re fearful of the unknown. Start building your “thick skin” now and share with passion and excitement. The sooner you do this, the less abrupt the changes you make will seem as you dive in deeper!
   3. Do the Work – You won’t get from where you are to where you want to be overnight. It took me almost three years of networking, reading personal development books, attending events, conferences, sharing the travel club, being told “no” 90% of the time, being criticized, and using my product (aka taking vacations, yes this one was hard) before I started earning residual income that paid my bills. The path to success will take you longer than you expect. Your personal development will dictate how long it takes to get to where you want to be. This means, you might be the type of person who is gung-ho, crazy-fast and ready to go, and in a short amount of time, are kicking butt and taking names. Or, this might mean you take your time, reflect, and slowly work toward your goal in a way that feels good for you – This was the case for me when I started out. In short we all start at different places, so just enjoy up the ride!
   4. Invest time in YOU – Your personal growth and development is what will get you where you want to be. You have to invest in the product – YOU. My investment was reading one personal development book per month. My mindset and level of confidence grew by leaps and bounds the first two years. I regularly had family and friends tell me that I was walking taller and talking differently about my dreams. Of course I was, I knew they were achievable the more I expanded my mindset. I recommend starting with Les Brown, John Maxwell, and reading up on the Law of Attraction.
   5. Find Your Mentor – This is essential. To get to somewhere you’ve never been, you must do things you’ve never done. But guess what, others have! Seek out mentors in your industry to glean wisdom from those who’ve accomplished what you’re looking to do yourself. I introduced myself to top income earners in the company when I started out in the travel business, and I hired a Success Coach when I was starting out as a coach. In the beginning, I didn’t know what I didn’t know. Now, I’m all the wiser for it.
   6. Walk the Walk – We’ve heard people say “fake it until you make it,” right? While you don’t want to go around talking nonsense, you can start talking about what you’re doing, where you’re going, and what you see happening for yourself. Law of Attraction anyone? If you’re not familiar with the term, I highly suggest you pick up a copy of The Secret, by Rhonda Byrne. Get ready to have your mind blown!
   7. Fail Forward – Don’t be afraid to fail, because you will. The key is to get back up, learn from your mistakes, and do it again. It was true when you learned to ride a bike, and it’s true now. The recipe for success is repletion. It takes about 10,000 attempts at doing something before you will be a master! The reason most people fail is because they stop trying. Overcome the odds and keep on trucking when the going gets hard! Remember what Yoda said, “do or do not. There is no try.”
   8. Ignore the Naysayers – You will encounter them. They may be disguised as your uncle, your husband, best friend, parent, coworker, or even a total stranger. Regardless of who they are, it’s essential that you learn to channel their negativity into fuel to grow and move forward! In the beginning, it was hard for me to take these words with a grain of salt. This is where that tough skin comes in. The more I heard the same snide remarks, the more I realized that these were just “talkers” and not “doers.” The “talkers” sit on the sidelines and watch the “doers” do. Whenever someone would tell me that it wouldn’t work, I’d smile and think “watch me!”
   9. Embrace Fluidity – I hate to break it to you, but things will change. This I know for sure. Whether it’s the vision you have for what your life will look like one, five, or 10 years from now, or the business plan you wrote out, know it will change. Be patient and embrace the changes. Be willing to accept and move with them. So much has changed for me since I created my first vision board back in 2011. The great thing is, I’ve created a new one every year and it’s empowering.
   10. Create a Vision Board – I saved the best for last. This is the fun part! I challenge you to create a new vision board every year, and keep it posted somewhere you can see it every day. Whether you craft a collage made from newspaper clippings, a Pinterest board, or desktop screensaver, take a few moments at the beginning of each day to feel into the things on your board. Imagine how it would feel to have or experience those things. Be sure the things you include on your board are very important to you. These will be the main emotional drivers used to keep your head in the game when the going gets tough. Believe me, friend, it will. This is a fun project to do with your significant other, child or immediate family. It will help them understand and become positively invested in your vision, goals, and dreams. This will make a BIG difference in the long-term. Have some fun and refresh your vision at least once a year!

There you have it. Easy, right? Ok, I hope you laughed at that. It’s not easy, but it is rewarding. Great news, you’re not alone on the road to creating your best life. I’m here. Anyone reading this blog post is here. Leave a comment below. Let me know where you are on your journey. How can I help?