I found myself coasting. It’s so easy to take what life gives with no hesitation and to ride that opportunity as far as you can. Plans fall into place and you follow without thinking twice. Naturally, feelings of discontentment and disappointment begin to grow inside you and you wonder why. It’s easy to drift from what you love and replace it with what makes sense.

I went through this recently and it wasn’t until I sat down and wrote out what success looked like to me and everything I wanted out of life that I began to comprehend where those feelings of discontentment were coming from. I wrote down my dreams, my goals, and where I wanted to end up. This sounds small, but it made such a huge difference in my life almost immediately. I wasn’t simply accepting what life gave me, but working for something more; I took control of my life and my future. It was easier to visualize all my life could be and the things I could achieve if I simply made a plan and worked toward it.

When I decided to pursue what mattered, the things that seemed so significant and all consuming became dwarfed. My priorities shifted to make room for what truly mattered and made it effortless to cast out the trivial. Determination came easier and my mind wasn’t so clouded by temporary troubles. The future I envisioned drove me to a place of clarity that wasn’t achievable before and I am loving every second of it.

Having a plan written down that I can look at for reference or inspiration on the days I’m dragging is continuing to make a world of difference. I am reminded of what I’m working for and of what is important. I’m also reminded that I am capable of taking control and making things happen for myself. I am allowed to decide what I want and what I think is worth chasing throughout my days; I don’t have to go down every rabbit trail life throws at me. The things I love and am passionate about can take precedence in my life without making me look absurd.

Visualizing the life you want isn’t selfish or crazy, it’s healthy. When you get a clear sense of what you desire, it’s much easier to grasp what you need to accomplish to make it happen. Dreaming big and believing it’s possible to achieve those dreams will cause a shift in you internally that can’t be stopped. A fire will burn and rage until you are so determined to choose the life you have, nothing can get in your way. Put your goals on paper, make a plan, and see how empowered you’ll feel when you take control. You deserve to live the life you want.