What’s Holding You Back From Making Your Dreams Come True?

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We are capable of more and most of us, myself included, know this with every fiber of our being. To make your dreams come true, you must identify what is really holding you back from making your dreams a reality.

I’m going to share the things I did to make my dreams come true. Here’s the big secret: all of these things are thought-related. I changed my thoughts and I changed my life!

By following the steps I share, you can make your dreams come true. Some things can literally change overnight!

Thought you were too old to do something? You can sign up for it tomorrow! Feel like others won’t approve–learn to not worry about others approval.

Your life is worth going for your own dreams and making the time to do it. A person who is reaching for their dreams is a person who is truly alive.

We are capable of more and most of us, myself included, know this with every fiber of our being. To make your dreams come true, you must identify what is really holding you back from making your dreams a reality.

The best part! While it may seem at times that certain things are holding you back, what I’m sharing will show you, it’s mostly in your own head.

That my friend is GREAT news! Because the one person you can control is your own self.

Identify Your Dreams

What are the dreams you want to make happen? It doesn’t matter if they are small or crazy big. They are your dreams and only you can make them come true.

  • Things you want to learn
  • Things you want to do
  • Things you want to own
  • Places you want to see
  • Jobs you want to try
  • Relationships you want to be in

What’s holding you back from making your dreams a reality?

Those invisible forces are your limiting beliefs. One of the trickiest parts of growing and being successful is dealing with the limiting beliefs of what we are capable of.

To go to new levels of being, you have to expand your vision of what is possible you have to know the subtle thoughts that are stopping you.

We all have beliefs about ourselves, that we tell ourselves, that hold us back from doing things that matter to us.

From my vantage point of knowing and working with thousands of people over the years, I see first hand how limiting beliefs hold people back.

It’s not just the circumstances that hold people back; it’s what we believe about our circumstances that hold us back.

To make your dreams come true, you have to address these limiting beliefs.

This isn’t just about success and achievement. Reaching for our dreams does something positive for us.

It invigorates not just our mind but our body. It’s GOOD FOR US to challenge our limiting beliefs and move beyond them.

What dreams do you have? What are those things that you want but aren’t sure you can do. I worked as a career counselor for eight years and know that most people harbor secret hopes about what they really want to be doing.

What is Different About People Who Make Their Dreams Come True?

In a nutshell, they don’t quit until it happens. They also don’t let other people tell them what is possible or not.

What’s holding you back is NOT impossible!

As an advisor, I could see from my point of view that those secret hopes and dreams weren’t impossible.

But for the person with the limiting beliefs, their dreams, were as unachievable as climbing Mount Everest was for me. (A limiting belief too!)

Here’s what I do know. Most things that we dream of ARE achievable.

But they can also come with a cost. You may have to give something up to get your dream. Getting your dream may take more time than you want to put into it. And yes, it may be harder than anything you’ve ever done.

And honestly, that scares most people away from even trying. However…

Ignoring Your Dreams Can Hurt You

Yet, staying put and keeping a lid on your dreams isn’t all that great either. By their fifties most people are taking some kind of medication and dealing with physical and emotional problems.

At this time, more people are overweight, sick, anxious, and depressed than at any other time.

Staying in your comfort zone is not healthy!

So, let’s get started on making your dreams happen. Let’s examine your limiting beliefs and why you are afraid to make your dreams come true.

Dreams That I Made Come True

  • I climbed mountains
  • I created a blog
  • I started a new career
  • I learned to ride a bike in my fifties
  • I fell in love
  • I traveled
  • I made myself feel beautiful
  • I lost weight and got fit
  • Went to Disney
Dreams I Made Come True

Before I could make my dreams a reality, I had to really look at and go beyond my own limiting beliefs.

The following beliefs may be holding you back too!

You Feel Selfish

Who am I to want to achieve my inner dreams and desires? With the prevalence of the news on TV and internet, we are exposed to so many people living lives that are less than ideal.

I struggle with this too. Why do I deserve to have a fulfilled life, when others seem to be living horrible lives? It feels extremely selfish to want to do and have more than I already have.

Yet, I believe with all my heart that we do our best good in the world when we are living our best lives.

We don’t serve anyone when we are unhappy, unfulfilled, and yearning for more. And for what it’s worth, we want, what we want.

I know that the better I’m doing, the more I have to give and share. When I make myself small; I really don’t share as much. When I feel expansive; I share and add to the world.

Yes, there are selfish people out there that expand at the expense of others. But in general, so many more people want to share what they have and make the world a better place.

I’m pretty sure if you’re over here at My Think Big Life, then selfishness isn’t going to be your problem.

It’s Going to be Too Hard

When you look too far into it, it can seem like it’s going to be crazy hard. But here’s a secret.

When you are moving in line with your true inner desires, there is a purpose to the difficulty. It may be “hard” but it’s not the same kind of hard as say, sitting day after day at a job you hate.

And while it may be difficult, it’s not the kind of difficult that’s going to numb you into oblivion. People are hardwired to grow, move, explore, learn, and expand their limits. You are meant to do more.

Raising three children was hard for sure. But that difficulty was nothing compared to the satisfaction and sense of purpose that came from that time.

We’ve all done things that we considered “hard” but because there was a sense of it being the right thing for us, we were able to do it.

I’m Too Old

You’re not! Of all the reasons we limit ourselves, this is the most frustrating because it is so not true in most cases.

And if it is true—it’s not because of the number of years someone has lived. It’s probably more do to physical reasons.

The number of years you have been alive should not ever determine whether you can or cannot do something. Ever.

Years ago, my dad had a friend who was a housewife, as many women of her time were. My dad went to college as an adult and it took him 11 years to complete his degree while working and raising four children.

When his friend expressed interest in going to college, he encouraged her. But she ended up deciding not to, because she would be over 40 when she completed her degree.

My dad challenged this limiting belief by saying that in four years, she was going to be 40 with or without the degree and wouldn’t she rather have the degree?

She stuck with her limiting beliefs and never followed that dream.

I was lucky that I had parents that never accepted age as a reason to not do something. Both my parents got their college degrees as adults.

They shared adventures through their 40’s, 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s. Now in her 80’s my mom is discovering the world of travel and other new adventures.

But I’ve met people in their 20’s and 30’s that feel too old to do something.

Age really is just a number. Don’t ever let age be the reason you don’t try something. I’ve started new careers in every decade I’ve lived.

It Will Take Too Long

Yep, and it will probably take longer even than you think it will. I can remember a time when I had so many dreams and no idea how I would ever get there.

I advocate getting started anyway.

Here’s what NOT TO DO. Don’t try to go at something full force, in such a way that you overwhelm yourself and your current situation. I saw this SO many times as a college advisor.

Someone would come in as an adult and feel like they were so behind that they had to take as many hours as they possibly could.

Then they crashed and burned. Classes were failed or dropped. Financial aid put in jeopardy. Even if they managed to get through, their grades suffered. In all the years I advised, I never once saw this work for anyone.

If you’re making a change or starting something new; start it in an way and amount, that you can successfully handle.

If that is 15 minutes a day—go for it. You will be absolutely surprised how much progress you can make by consistently working towards something.

And those smaller starts trick your mind a little bit. Instead of your brain thinking that you are doing some big scary thing; it happily enjoys this little not-scary bit of progress.

The result is that you move toward and beyond your limiting belief almost without effort.

Other People Won’t Approve

This starts with you—not with other people. I’m not a fan of people running out on children or other obligations. Don’t do that.

But there’s no reason to totally ignore things that you want because you have obligations. It just may look different for a while.

Start small but start. Let this thing you want into your life in some way. As you become more sure; you will exude more sureness. Other people (a.k.a. family and friends) will accept what you accept.

When people affirm your limiting belief, as in saying things like, “You can’t do that,” they are simply reflecting your own ambivalence back to you.

It may feel like you need other people’s approval to want what you want. But you don’t.

I Don’t Have Time

Make room in your life for your dreams. Far too many women, act like slaves to their families. Kids and partners can usually do more. And if they won’t, hire help.

I am a firm believer that hiring someone to clean your home pays for itself. Most cleaning ladies will do a load or two of laundry and change beds as part of the deal too.

You deserve help and support in moving beyond your limiting beliefs!

I’m serious here. Your time is valuable! If you’re at all like me, a dirty home eats up energy and time in two ways.

First, the act of cleaning takes time. Some people love to do it. I don’t. So, in addition to taking my time, it takes my energy because I’m usually stressing over the fact that I’m not doing it or that it’s dirtier than I like.

It’s a struggle I don’t believe is worth it. Start with once or twice a month. I swear, if you are a non-cleaner but clean-lover like me, this will change your life. It frees up so much time and energy.

The amazing women that have helped me over the years, clean so much faster and more efficiently than me, it’s not even funny. And they are so appreciative of being able to use their skills and earn money for their families.

And if you are thinking to yourself, “I can’t afford that!” Remember, I Can’t Afford It is a limiting belief as well.

Build Momentum

Each limiting belief that you move beyond helps build your success muscle. And you never know which one will teach you, FINALLY, that you can do more than you thought you could. And once you get that, no one can take that away from you.

Moving beyond limiting beliefs is actually kind of fun. I love challenging beliefs about age, aging, physical limits, success, and so on. I didn’t realize it at the time, but a few years ago, my limiting beliefs were literally crushing the life out of me.

I don’t recommend getting to that point!

But I do recommend connecting to what it is you want out of life and taking whatever size actions you can towards that. It’s good for your body, your mind, and your spirit.

Keep showing up my friends!

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Keep showing up my friends,

Sara

Sara

I'm a certified life and weight loss coach who helps women feel better and get the most out of their lives! The process of life coaching teaches you to love yourself and gain self confidence in a safe effective way.

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12 Comments

  1. Trish on March 19, 2020 at 12:56 pm

    Hi Sara

    In a few weeks it will be the first anniversary of my husband’s passing.

    We have talked a few times. I want to thank you for your kind words and the great wisdom in your blog.

    I hope to get through this first one without too much pain.

    • Sara on March 20, 2020 at 8:37 am

      Trish, it has been an honor getting to know you over the past year. You have been brave and honest and I know great things are in store for you!

  2. Donna A. on October 11, 2019 at 8:27 am

    Bravo, Sara! I love this post. Reminds me of our coaching conversation this week. It was so great to meet you “virtually” face to face. Thank you for your words of encouragement and tips. Thank you also for bringing out thoughts and beliefs I didn’t realize were taking part in holding me from forwardness (I made up that word just now!!!).

    Donna A.

    • Sara on October 11, 2019 at 6:51 pm

      Thank YOU Danna. Made up words are the best! I cannot wait to see your Beautiful Virtual Greetings; I’m really excited about your new venture!

  3. Bring Confidence, Inspirational Blogger on April 24, 2017 at 6:08 am

    Wow, Sara, really great advice! I love it how you found a solution to every excuse ever made up. I think that we made them up because we are scared to fail, that this is what’s really hiding behind the excuses.

    I agree with you that age is just a number and that the best way to start, is to actually start, no matter how small! It’s so important to let go of your fears sometimes and do the things you want to do. It’s your life that you are living after all, no one elses!

    Thank you for such an inspiring post 🙂

    • Sara on May 3, 2017 at 8:12 am

      I know all those excuses well! I’ve lived through every one of them. And when you can’t quite let the fears go–do something anyway–even just a little bit!

  4. How to Get Unstuck in Life on September 21, 2016 at 9:23 pm

    […] The Ultimate Rabbit Hole #85 – The Geeky Shopaholic on What’s Holding You Back? […]

  5. The Ultimate Rabbit Hole #85 - The Geeky Shopaholic on September 16, 2016 at 3:04 pm

    […] “We are capable of more and most of us, myself included, know this with every fiber of our being. Yet, it’s as if invisible forces continually hold us back. We are capable of more. To break free, you must identify what’s holding you back.” […]

  6. Daria Harvey on September 12, 2016 at 11:29 am

    Insightful as always Sara! I relate to the “I’m too old” one unfortunately. There is a lot to learn about blogging and a lot of it is technical. But I keep plugging along because learning something new and stretching myself keeps me from being old mentally. Loved your post!

    • Sara on September 13, 2016 at 6:03 pm

      Thanks Daria! If this “old” granny can do it–anyone can. I believe that stretching into these new places is one of the keys to staying young.

  7. Paula, The Geeky Shopaholic on September 10, 2016 at 1:00 pm

    Sara, your posts are always an encouragement to me! 🙂 Thank you so much!

    • Sara on September 13, 2016 at 6:04 pm

      I’m so glad Paula! I really appreciate hearing from you.

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Hi, I'm Sara Garska and I'm so happy you're here! Big changes can happen with a shift in thinking. Over time, you transform your life into the one you always dreamed of having. As a certified life and weight loss coach, I can help you create a life you love. Click here to schedule a free 50-minute coaching session.