Are you living the life of your dreams? If so, you can completely skip this post and move on to other things with your life.  But, if you feel like your life isn’t quite what you want it to be, perhaps these tips can help.

1. Know what your dreams are.

In my coaching practice, I am amazed by the number of people who aren’t live the life of their dreams, but they also have no idea what that life should look life. If you can’t imagine it, can’t see it, and don’t know what it should be, then how can you live it?

So, the first thing you should be doing is creating a list of everything you want in the life of your dreams. Write it down. Be specific. Keep each item on your list simple. And keep your overall list simple. And make everything in your list positive and in the present tense. This is not a “wish list”. This is a reality list. Write your list as though you are already living that life.

Does the life of your dreams require that your dream house be yellow? Is it really necessary that you have a corner office on the 17th Floor? Or, is it important that your home be safe? comfortable? modern? etc.? This is important to focus on these specifics, and to really narrow your list down to those things that are absolutely necessary for your life to fulfill your dreams. Separate out the different aspects of your life: work, relationship, family, home, vacations, free-time pursuits, etc. This makes it easier for you to focus on each area of your life.

2. Determine what feelings everything on your list creates for you.

Visualize yourself having everything in your life that you’ve described. Focus on what you feel while you visualize your dream life.

Are you happy? Do you feel safe? Do you feel secure? Or is love the overwhelming feeling?

Spend five to ten minutes every morning and every night doing this visualization until you reach the point that you can easily go directly to the feelings created through the exercise anytime you would like. And try to spend at least 30 minutes per day feeling those feelings. This could be 5 minutes at a time whenever you have a quiet break. Or, this could be during a specific set 30 minute period each day. The important thing is to be consistent about practicing this every day.

3. Act toward your dream.

As you engage in this process, opportunities and ideas will come to you. Follow them. Act on them. This is important. The only way for your life to become the life of your dreams is for it to change from being what it is today. And the changes will come. They will come quickly. And that is exactly what you want. Celebrate the changes and be grateful for everything that comes to you in your life.

When you act, don’t talk about it. With anyone. This is your life and your dreams. The more you talk about it, the less you will act toward your dream and the more other people’s ideas about your life will influence your life. We are all connected. By keeping the dream you are working toward to yourself, you are becoming more personally responsible for your own life. This means that other people will be less responsible for it.

And that is the most important point: You are ultimately responsible for your life. And you will get from the universe whatever you put into the universe. Be careful of short cuts and of attempting to make your life better at the expense of others. You will receive in return whatever you put out into the world. You can–and should–have everything you desire in your life.

First, know what you want. Second, visualize and feel that life. Finally, act on it with full responsibility.

Rinse and repeat as necessary. :-)