To achieve your goals and manifest your dreams, having an action plan is essential. When it comes to fulfilling your dreams after 60, however, your run of the mill action plan will not cut it.
You will want an inspired action plan.
This is a uniquely personal plan that is not only aligned with your innermost desires, but that it also excites you, fuels your passion for your dreams, and dissolves even the most stubborn of obstacles.
In the fifth article and video of a six-part series on “Living Your Dreamlife in 2024”, we are going to explore 10 steps to creating your inspired action plan for this year.
Are You Following Through?
Creating an inspired action plan can be fun, but there are challenges that can hinder progress and prevent you from following through. Knowing what those potential challenges are ahead of time will help you get through them a lot easier.
Here are eight common challenges to be aware of:
Lack of Clarity
Vague goals or undefined dreams make it difficult to create specific action plans. Without a clear vision, it is easy to lose inspiration.
Fear of Failure
The fear of making mistakes or not achieving desired outcomes can paralyze your dreams, preventing you from taking inspired action.
Overwhelm and Procrastination
Ushering your dreams into reality after 60 can be overwhelming, leading to anxiety and procrastination.
Lack of Belief
Negative self-talk, a fixed-mindset, or external skepticism from people can erode motivation and hinder the creation of an inspired action plan.
Limited Resources
A belief in limited financial resources, time constraints, or lack of access to necessary tools or support can suffocate the life out of your dreams.
Shifting Priorities
Life circumstances after 60 can lead to shifting priorities. Balancing your responsibilities for others and yourself is essential.
Lack of Accountability
Without an external or internal mechanism for tracking progress, it becomes easier to postpone your goals or abandon your dreams.
External Challenges and Setbacks
Various external factors – from gloomy stories in the news to unexpected events, financial crises, or personal obstacles – can disrupt progress if you choose to focus more on the negative areas of life than on the positivity of fulfilling your dreams.
Creating Your Mental Blueprint
To overcome these challenges and ensure follow-through, it is essential to address the underlying reasons you may choose not to pursue your dreams.
The video above offers 10 things you can do right away to overcome these challenges.
For now, let us look at 10 steps you can take to create your inspired action plan for manifesting your dreams in 2024.
Reflect on Your Dreams
Taking some time to reflect on your dreams and aspirations, visualizing how they make you feel, is the ideal first step.
Set SMART Goals
Make sure your goals are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely (SMART goals). For example, if your dream is to travel, a SMART goal could be “This week I will start planning to take a trip to Hawaii before the end of 2024.”
Break It Down
Break down big goals into small, manageable steps. This makes them less overwhelming and helps you see the progress you’re making.
Prioritize and Organize
Determine the order in which you want to achieve your goals. Prioritize them based on importance or urgency. Consider the time, resources, support, and effort required for each goal.
Seek Inspiration and Guidance
Look for role models, mentors, or people who have achieved similar goals or dreams, before and after sixty. Read books, listen to podcasts, and enroll in online courses that cater to your areas of interest.
Take Consistent Aligned Action
Don’t confuse activity with accomplishment. Aligned action is the opposite of wasting time. It is less about staying busy and more about doing things that are fun and specifically relevant to your dreams.
Overcome Challenges and Setbacks
Don’t allow obstacles on your path to discourage you. Instead, view them as opportunities to learn and grow.
Celebrate Achievements and Milestones
Acknowledge and celebrate your achievements and milestones throughout your journey. Celebrating your successes will keep you motivated and inspired to continue moving forward.
Stay Focused and Committed
Stay focused on your goals and remind yourself of the reasons why they are important to achieving your dreams. Keep your vision and purpose in mind, especially during challenging times.
Enjoy the Journey
If you don’t enjoy the journey, how will you appreciate the achievement? Embrace your growth and celebrate the experiences that come along with manifesting your dream life.
By following these steps, you can create an inspired action plan that will help you manifest your dreams and live a fulfilling life on your terms. It is never too late to pursue your passions and make your dreams a reality.
As C.S. Lewis wrote, “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.“
I invite you to join me in the video where I will guide you through five eye-opening journal prompts to integrate the 10 steps to creating your inspired action plan.
Let’s Have a Conversation:
Have you thought about the things you’d like to achieve this year? Would an inspired action plan help you move toward your dream life? What small steps have you drafted that will help you on your journey?
