Are You Afraid of Making Dreams Realities?

Are you afraid of taking those big dreams of yours and making them realities?You, my friend, are not alone.For so long, I was afraid to take big steps. I was afraid to dream bigger because I knew it would hurt more to fall from such heights.I was afraid of living up to my potential because I was afraid I would fail... miserably.This big dream doesn't have to be some grandiose vision. It can be as simple as:

• Getting a hold on your depression or anxiety
• Asking that person to go out with you
• Going to that country you've been lusting after in travel magazines
• Building a new career for yourself
• Trying that new hobby

Making your life what you want it to be is a scary endeavor. If you fail, you could hurt your pride something fierce.But what happens if you never try? What kind of life are you living if you are always acting (or not acting) from a place of fear?This big dream that I'm revealing in a couple weeks time is something I've never done before. In fact, I don't know anyone who has done this before.Because it's the path less-traveled (or actually, UN-traveled), every step isn't laid out for me. I just have to make it up as I go along. It's the scariest thing I've ever done.Even so, I've worked through most of the fear because I know that I am the only one that can make this happen for myself. No one will do this for me. And I'm happy to say that I'm pretty darn proud of the amount that I've accomplished and planned for!Today, I want to share with you the tactics I use to make sh** happen, even when every negative nancy inside of me is screaming at the top of her lungs for me to stop.You can make your life what you want it to be. You can make your big dream happen, too. Let me shed some light onto my own process that helps me through the fear...

How are you helping others with your endeavors?

The most motivating factor for me the past few months, has been thinking of the amount of people I'm going to be helping.When you tie your goals to helping others as well as yourself, the importance of accomplishing those goals increases. This, in turn, will decrease the effect that the fear has on holding you back.Root yourself in how other people will benefit from you achieving this goal:

• Writing a book? How many people will love your story, or gain knowledge from it?
• Rewiring your habits into positive, healthy ones? How many people around you will get inspired to get healthier themselves? How will the people you encounter on a daily basis feel when you interact with them, more energized and present than you would be otherwise? How will your kids grow up having you as their standard for health?
• Starting a new career? Who around you will benefit from you being a happier person? How many people will you help in your new career? How will the world benefit from having one more passionate, fulfilled person fueling others to do the same?

Thinking of doing this for more than just you can give you the mental fortitude to push through.

Take the fear as a sign that you're onto something worth doing.

I was talking with a good friend yesterday who's helping people rediscover and hone their inner James Joyce, and he told me something that made a lot of sense to me:

"When you're on the kind of path that you're on, Amy, there's a kind of comfort to be found in the fear. It's a sign that you're on the right track if you want to create something extraordinary."

When you're working to create something you never have before, you're going to do things you've never done. The body and brain are only comfortable with what they know. In order to make your new life comfortable to you, you have to train yourself to adapt to it by pushing yourself to new heights.Though the beginning will be scary, the result will feel like you're finally home."THIS," you'll say, "is what I was supposed to be my whole life."

Afraid of standing out, being different, or making others feel bad?

You can't be.This life is the one chance you have to do something amazing. You can't hold yourself back for fear of what others may think of you.Here's the thing: Someone will always have something to say about what you're doing. No matter who you are, what you're up to, or how many people you're helping, someone will find something wrong to go after.Keep this in mind when you consider trying to please everyone. You can't.Knowing this, you have to stop trying. World-changers are different. World-changers stand out. World-changers may piss some people off.Do what you want without being malicious toward others, and no one can rightfully fault you.Sure, you might be deemed weird or radical. Welcome to The Fun People Club. ;)

How badly do you want this?

Bad enough to exert this amount of effort?Bad enough to sacrifice your time and energy?Bad enough to push yourself past your comfort zone?If you answered, "yes," to all of the above, then you are ready to achieve this goal. Every time you come up against that resistance, remind yourself of how badly you want it.If you answered, "no," however, then we have more work to do. If you find that you don't want to achieve this goal badly enough to change the way you're living right now, then you might have to let this goal go.To achieve a goal that you don't already have, you're going to have to change your life around to allow space for it. Whether that means changing your habits, pushing yourself past what you're comfortable with, or giving up some of your time, something's going to have to give.Will it be your goal, or your routine? You choose.

One foot forward. Then the other.

Over the past few months, my bestie, Andrea Speir has been under quite a bit of stress as well.She was prepping to film a dvd and release an app on itunes. She had to know her lines, travel across the country and develop a killer workout! (Ready for a shameless plug? Her super-awesome pilates app is available on itunes now and it ROCKS. If you want a great full-body workout, click here to get Perfect Pilates Body on your iphone or ipad! [non-affiliate link])All that said, she knew what she needed to do: keep taking one step at a time. She mapped out exactly what needed to get done and simply checked each thing off the list as she completed it. Eventually, she got everything accomplished.When you start off with an audacious dream, it can be paralyzing looking at everything you have to do as a whole. Breaking it up into single steps can help you avoid the overwhelm and panic and get more accomplished.Take that humongous goal and break it down into mini-goals, or steps. Try to get as specific as possible, and make each step simple and check-off-able.If you need some help breaking down your goals into simple, achievable tasks, check out Getting Over Overwhelm. It maps it all out for you :)

Feel the fear. Do it anyway.

This is the utmost important tactic to remember. It will guide you through the worst of the fear threatening to undo all of your hard work. I use it as a sort of life philosophy...

"Feel the fear and do it anyway."

Fear is an unavoidable emotion. Given that we're going to experience it whether we manifest it or not, we are given an opportunity to shrink into submission, or act in the face of it.The people who make their dreams into realities are the ones who choose to act in the face of fear.Many people think "fearless" people are born that way. I think they're self-made.You can make yourself fearless if you want to put forth the effort. Start making this your own personal philosophy, and start making profound changes in your life.

30-Day Challenge Check-In & Another Big Dream Teaser

One week down, boys and girls! How does it feel to be healthier today than you were 7 days ago?Around this time, you're probably feeling über-motivated and ready to take on the world. Heck, you might even be seeing results already!Take this motivation and create a reminder for your less-motivated self.A couple weeks or months down the road, this motivation will wane. It's completely natural.One of the best ways you can re-ignite that drive is to pull out a reminder written by an intensely-motivated you!Write down how you're feeling right now, what you're looking forward to, and any words of inspiration you would give to yourself when you start struggling.You'll thank yourself later for having done so. :)So far, I'm feeling MUCH better being sugar free. I'm also thinking more clearly, and have found my focus to be stronger when I'm working. Yay all around!

How's your 30-day challenge going? Please leave a comment below for support, or to inspire others with how great you're feeling!

Looking forward to hearing from you. Until then, I leave you with a little teaser for my big reveal coming in a couple weeks...Stay strong, guys,Amy