Getting what you want in life can be a challenge, especially when it’s not within reach. It requires great determination and a whole lot of dedication in order to claim all the things you have ever wanted. I like challenges. I think they are healthy for the soul, good motivation for the spirit, and a very productive way to exercise your mind. I also believe that any challenge can be accomplished in four simple steps.
- Passion
- Ambition
- Dedication
- Success
Passion – I’ve said it once and I’ll probably say it a thousand times more. It’s hard to accomplish something when you lack the passion for it. Passion is the foundation for your overall success. It’s the thrill that motivates you to chase after the things you want and the drive to push you to see the journey through.
No goal I have ever set has been simply out of wanting to have something to check off of my list. Every goal I have ever set has been created out of some level of passion. Not all goals have to have passion behind it, but goals seem to be easier to strive after if there is an emotional connection to it. At least that’s how I see it in my eyes, but everyone is different, I do keep this in mind.
Ambition – This closely relates to having the passion to see something through, except ambition is more about the journey itself. To have the ambition to do something means to really have a strong desire to achieve whatever it is you are chasing after. I truly believe that ambition is what either makes or breaks a person’s dreams and spirit.
If our ambition is strong enough for us to continue to push forward no matter how many obstacles come our way, no matter how many times we are told “no”, or how many times we fail, then we are on the path of claiming exactly what we want. But if we let any small thing, such as something not going according to plan, be the reason we have given up, we have become our own downfall. Ambition is the key that unlocks the door to your future.
Dedication – This one is a no brainer. In order to claim what we want we have to be dedicated to the process. It’s sucks but it’s true. With dedication comes hard work and I think for most people this is the part that sucks the most. With hard work comes time.
It takes a while before all the hard work you have put towards something gets recognized. However, it’s just part of the process. You have to prove to yourself that you are dedicated to reaching your goals. You have to see all the hard work through and through until you have achieved what it is you have been striving for.
Success – A.K.A. the finish line! This is the moment you thrust your hands into the air and let the confetti shower you in praise. It’s the moment that you know all your hard work has paid off and you are finally taking claim of your prize. This truly is one of the best feelings in the world.
Think back to any moment you can remember where you worked really hard for something. When you finally got it, think of that feeling you felt. Think of all the tears of joy, the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment. Think of all those thoughts and emotions that were running wild in your head, and just appreciate that moment for what it was. You worked hard to make it, and because of your dedication you made it!
This is a simple formula that is easy to follow. I don’t preach this as the way to pave the way for your life, but I do believe there is something magical about these simple steps. Life is all about living, not just existing. And what’s the point of living if we are not going to challenge and allow ourselves to achieve greater things?
All too often we wait for opportunities to come our way. We have to make our own opportunities. We have to say “yes” to ourselves.
If you have the passion for something acknowledge that. Acknowledge it and let it be the drive to get your feet moving in the right direction. Once you have acknowledged that passion let the ambition come naturally. Passion exists in a lot of areas and aspects of our life. You don’t have to be ambitious towards everything you are passionate about. Just ambitious about the passions you want to turn into something more.
Once that ambition is up and going become dedicated to the process of seeing your journey through. The whole point of a journey is to live and learn. You learn to overcome your downfalls, how to maneuver around obstacles, and most importantly how to never give up. You live your truth and foster it into a story to share with others. Once you see the finish line in sight, allow yourself to cross over with the overwhelming feeling of success.
You’ve earned it.
Don’t limit yourself to the things you can have in life. Don’t let your insecurities be the reason you don’t see something through. It’s a process, it takes time, it requires a lot of hard work, but is always worth it in the end.
Be passionate, be ambitious, be dedicated, and be successful. Sounds like a challenge? Well, challenge accepted!
-Xo
Kimora