Transitioning Your Dreams Into Actions

by Marilia Ortiz

Life is a beautiful complex subject, hard and sometimes unfair no matter how difficult your life has been. Don’t ever doubt that there is a purpose, whether you like it or not. Finding that purpose and moving towards it can change your life and the life of those around you.

There’s a bible verse that has transformed my mindset “Everything is possible for those who believe” Mark 9:23. Being honest with you, I forget this very easily. How to get back to it is something I’m still learning. I’m not writing this because I’m a scholar or I know it all. On the contrary I’m a normal person, like you, living a normal life, someone who survived not only a fatal car crash but also survived cancer in my late 20’s. I am  someone who’s full of unaccomplished dreams, who tries to survive everyday like you and everyone else. The only thing that has kept me going has been my faith, the love of my family and myself. Life’s too short and too beautiful to live full of regrets wondering what if…. What if I did that or what if I tried that?

I want to live a purposeful life. You see, some people are dreamers and some are doers. I personally believe everyone, without an exception, has a special dream in their hearts and the ability to do something about those dreams. It is only those brave enough to take action steps towards their dreams who will truly see them come true. After all, everything is possible for those who believe!

One of the most common dreams I’ve seen among friends, clients and colleagues has been the one to start their own businesses. For some it is a calling they have upon their lives, to build empires, to change the world, to motivate and inspire others. For others building a business, or side hobby, is just a mere vehicle for them to pay off a debt, to gain some flexibility in their schedule so they can spend more time with their kids and family, to travel the world and to live the “laptop lifestyle”. No matter what your reason is of why you want to start a business, the one, you have been dreaming with for a long time. It is time to put your foot out, take the first step and begin. Your why starts with you. Simple as that.

Now, I invite you to walk into your God-given purpose. It’s time to take action and start doing something towards that dream, the one that’s imprinted only in your heart. People need what you have. The question is, are you ready? If Yes. Congratulations! I celebrate you!

There’s no more time to waste so here are three actionable steps for you to ponder on and do…

// Work on your mindset //

Instead of focusing your thoughts on past failures flip the coin and learn from your mistakes. Get to really know your strengths, work hard to improve your weaknesses and never, never give up. You can write affirmations or get a quote that will truly inspire you to action.

My personal recommendation is to build a business with a Godly mindset. Godly mindset is a mindset that is rooted in God’s word and develops in your prayer time with your relationship with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. “Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he’s the one who will keep you on track.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (MSG). That’s a solid foundation. Simple as that!

// Set up goals //

Your dream… At the end of your journey what is your ultimate goal? What do you envision accomplishing? Write down the big picture. Break it down into segments of time, like three to five years, one year, and 90 days. Having your goals in order and dividing them into chunks of time periods will help you achieve them by being laser focused on a specific goal/task without feeling overwhelmed. At the same time it will allow you the time to review them as time passes. Beware, life happens and when it does, have the flexibility to update how you continue to progress towards your goals. By the way, when life happens, give yourself grace.

Use the SMART technique to write down and to clarify your goals. Be specific with your details, measurable on how to evaluate your progress, achievable for you to take action, relevant and realistic, and time-based to help you keep yourself accountable. Be very intentional at the moment of writing your goals.   

// Accountability //

You cannot depend on others. You’re the only one responsible for the actions that will propel you further and closer to your dreams. You’re the only one that can accomplish each goal and cross them off your list but you don’t have to do it alone. After all we are called to live in community. We are never alone and there’s people everywhere but sometimes we need to be intentional.

This is the step where you seek within your community an accountability partner. You need someone you can share your dreams, goals and plans with. This is the person  that will celebrate your success and will also encourage you to keep on going despite rainy days. It can be someone at work like a mentor, a friend that has gone through a similar journey before you, can understand the process or you can seek a life or a business coach. You want someone who’s intentional with you, guides you and supports you on your journey, helps you gain clarity and checks in with you periodically to see how you are advancing. Before making the final decision, be sure your accountability partner is someone whom you can trust and feel comfortable sharing your pain points and life details with. Don’t overthink it, pray about your decision and go with your gut feeling.

Now go on, work on your mindset, write down your goals and invite your accountability partner for coffee, wine or both… Regardless it’s time to take action, time to make it happen!

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Marilia Ortiz is a vision catalyst!  A dreamer, a doer and a kingdom entrepreneur at heart. She’s a Business Coach and a Marketing Strategist with over 15 years of experience working in communications, specializing in multicultural advertising and marketing. She approaches business principles and marketing strategies with a high level of thinking developing strategies that will deliver results. Her passion is to see female entrepreneurs walk into their destiny and build successful businesses while making an impact in the marketplace with their God-given talents.

Marilia’s commitment is to empower each lady by sharing her testimony, business expertise, providing tools, guidance, support and the accountability they need for their entrepreneurial success. After surviving child abuse, a horrible car crash and cancer, Marilia is fervent about making every day count and turning dreams into a reality.

You can connect with Marilia and subscribe to her website at http://www.mariliaortiz.com/