Journaling Your Life Challenges

Step 1: Develop a “Dreams” List

Get several letter-sized sheets of paper, and label one of the pages “Dreams.” On this page, list all of the wildest ideas you have ever had. This is the page for the really big dreams, the ones you have always talked about, but knew deep down, you’d never accomplish. These are the goals that will take years to reach. Your list might include ideas such as: climbing Washington state’s Mt. Rainier, hiking the Appalachian Trail, building your dream home from the ground up, or getting a doctorate in your favorite subject.

Go crazy with this list. Think of all the fun this world has to offer that you’d like to experience. Some people go all out and even cut pictures out of magazines to illustrate their dream, or decorate their list with yarn and glitter. Just make it yours. When you are done, put the list where you will see it often.


Step 2: Develop a “Desires” List

Now title the second sheet of paper “Desires.” This list consists of items that are achievable within a year or two, if you work hard. Dreams on this list might be: learning to snowboard, becoming debt free, writing a book, taking a big vacation, organizing a family reunion, or taking your business to another level.

Again, give your mind free rein and have fun decorating the list. These lists will probably take several days or more to complete since you will likely think of additional dreams and desires. Hang it next to the “Dreams” list when you are done.

Step 3: Develop a “Goals” List

Finally, you are to the “Goals” list. This is the list of all the little things you can get done in the next few months. Cleaning closets, landscaping your yard, starting piano lessons, taking the family to the zoo, exploring a nearby town, having a family movie night at home, organizing a pajama party, learning to roller blade, or taking a computer class are goals that might be on this list. This is the last list you will decorate, so go all out. Be sure to hang it with the other two lists.

Step 4: Take Action

Now you are ready to begin. Choose something from your “Goals” list, and in your Success Within notebook itemize all the steps you need to take to make that specific goal happen. For example, if one of your goals is to take a train trip, you’d need to check train schedules and costs, figure out how to pay for the trip (maybe your savings, or getting a second job, or selling an unneeded piece of furniture), decide where you’d like to go, choose the day(s) for the trip, have some idea of what you’d like to do when you reach your destination, and find a place to stay if you are taking an overnight trip. Remember to bring your camera!

As you accomplish each item on the list, cross it out or, if you like, put a little gold star by it. When you finally take your trip, add a big star next to where the trip is listed on your “Goals” list. Before too long, your “Goals” sheet will be full of stars, and your life will be full of great moments.

You’ll find that as you move through your goals, you’ll begin working on specific steps to make your desires happen. Remember to visualize your goals every day. Then, as your desires become realities, you’ll begin achieving some of your dreams. Before too long, you’ll be making new lists, because your original lists are full of gold stars, and you’ll have a whole new set of ideas to explore, and experiences to remember.