Every single one of us has a dream inside of us; something we want to achieve experience or have. Yet, not all of us know how to move forward to make our fantasy a reality. Many obstacles can get in the way of you obtaining what you truly desire: fear, doubt, and perfectionism, feelings of unworthiness or of not being enough. Negative thoughts and emotions can stop you in your tracks before you even take a first step. Lucky for you, today is the day for change. Read below for a list of tools that will help you think and feel differently about your goals. You can achieve anything you want, here’s how!

1. Write them down!

First of all, it is very important to get clear on exactly what it is you want to create in your life. Start by making a list (and shoot for the stars!). Don’t begin by telling yourself that what you want is silly or unrealistic. You are allowed to yearn for whatever it is you desire. Once you list is written, it helps to post it in sight, in a place you will see it often (like your bathroom mirror or by your bed).  You want to be continually reminded of your goals so your intentions can remain in your consciousness.

Keeping a journal is also a fantastic way to conjure up your dreams. Write about what life would be like having achieved your goal. How do you feel? What are you grateful for? Write as if you have already made it happen. How are you proud of yourself?

2. Share them out loud!

Share your dreams with others. Talk about them with enthusiasm. Ask close friends and family to support you in your goals. If you feel comfortable, ask them to hold you accountable by checking in from time to time to see how you are doing on your action steps.

Also, just saying them out loud to yourself works. Recite what you want in front of your mirror, or in your car on the way to work, or in your head while exercising. Tell yourself you are worthy of getting what you want. Affirmations are powerful positive sentences we tell ourselves that train our brain to believe that what we want is in the process of being created already.

3. Picture it!

Dream boards are a creative and fun way to stimulate your visual side. Cut out pictures and words associated with your dream. Paste them on poster board and hang them in your house.

Visualization is a way to create a picture of what you want in your mind. Lie down in a quiet place and close your eyes. Paint yourself a mental picture of yourself doing or having exactly what you want. Run a mental movie of yourself doing it perfectly or enjoying it to the fullest.

4. Take baby steps!

Ask around and find others who have done something similar to what you want to achieve. Read about them, meet them, talk to them or study them. Get inspired by the knowledge that it can be done!

Break your goal down into baby steps. Commit to one baby step a day, week or month (or however long is realistic for your specific goal). Acknowledge yourself and your efforts after every little accomplishment. This will help you build of confidence as the bigger picture evolves.

The most important aspect behind all of these tools is to believe in yourself! If negative thoughts are running rampant in your head, remember, you don’t have to believe everything you think!

Deirdre Bundy is co-founder of The Little Ladies Sports Club, a mentoring service for adolescent and teenage girls ages 8-18 years of age serving the Los Angeles Area.