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As the year comes to a close, I want you to take a moment and reflect on something important: What’s the big thing you’ve always wanted to do? Maybe it’s a dream you’ve cherished for years, or perhaps it’s a quiet idea tucked away in your heart, waiting for the right moment.
Here’s the truth: Time will pass, no matter what. Whether you take action or not, the clock keeps ticking. So, why not make 2025 the year you take that first small step toward your dream? Let’s explore how you can make it happen—with a little neuroscience, some practical tools, and a dose of inspiration to get you started.
Step 1: Picture Your Big Thing
What is it that you’ve always wanted to do? Write a book? Start a business? Travel solo? Maybe it’s something as bold as a career shift or learning a new skill. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you think about how far away your goal might seem, but here’s the thing: time will pass anyway.
Imagine looking back a year from now, wishing you had started today. The good news? You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Start small. Big dreams are achieved one step at a time, like Marie, who wrote just 100 words a day until she had an entire manuscript. Your dream works the same way. Small, consistent actions compound over time.
Step 2: What Your Brain Says About Big Goals
Here’s where neuroscience comes into play. Your brain loves comfort zones—it craves familiarity and safety. When you think about doing something big, your amygdala, the brain’s alarm system, triggers fear and doubt. But science also shows us a way around this.
By breaking your goal into smaller, manageable steps, you reduce the fear response and trigger dopamine—the feel-good chemical your brain releases when you accomplish something. It’s why taking even the tiniest action can create a powerful positive feedback loop. Overwhelmed by your big dream? Shrink your next step until it feels doable. You’re rewiring your brain to build momentum.
Step 3: Tools to Start Right Now
Ready to take action? Here are three practical tools to turn your big dream into a reality:
Reverse-Engineer Your Goal: Start with the end in mind and work backward. What milestones do you need to hit in a year, a month, or a week to get there?
The Two-Minute Rule: If a task takes less than two minutes to start, do it immediately. Write one sentence. Open a blank document. Make that first phone call.
Accountability Partners: Share your goal with someone you trust and check in regularly. Research shows that having accountability increases the likelihood of success.
These small actions take minutes but can jump-start your momentum.
Step 4: Time Is on Your Side
Here’s a perspective shift: Time isn’t your enemy—it’s your greatest ally. Think about Ryan, who learned to play guitar at 45 with just 10 minutes of practice a day. Three years later, he’s playing in a local band. Or my dad, who started medical school in his mid-thirties. It took years, but he went on to practice medicine for 42 more years.
Time will pass regardless. The question is, will you use it to move closer to your dream? Even five or 10 minutes a day adds up in incredible ways.
Step 5: Give Yourself Permission to FailWhat if you fail? Here’s the truth: failure is part of the process. Neuroscience shows us that our brains grow stronger through challenges and mistakes. Thomas Edison famously said, “I haven’t failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
Each misstep is a lesson, a stepping stone that brings you closer to success. So, allow yourself to stumble, learn, and grow. Failure isn’t the end—it’s the path to growth.
Your Dreams Are Waiting
So, as 2025 approaches, let me ask you: What’s stopping you from taking that first step? Time will pass either way. Will you let fear hold you back, or will you lean into courage and make progress toward the life you’ve always wanted?
Your dreams are waiting—and guess what? I’m taking my own advice and starting something new in 2025, too. Let’s make this the year we both take that leap. The adventure starts now.
Here’s to chasing your dreams!
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