So, you’re full of lofty ideas and you’ve got the fire in your heart. You have the passion and the drive. You’re ready to work your ass off, and when barriers stand in your way, you’ll kick them down.

But, for some reason, your plans just keep not quite panning out.

It’s not that you aren’t willing to work – as a matter of fact, you’re working your ass off. Your dreams are so big, and you’re struggling to find tangible, actionable steps.

I want to help you get to where you want to be. Let’s make it real, let’s make it tangible.

One way to do this is through visualization. Once I started incorporating visualization into my life, things really started falling into place in amazing, unbelievable ways.

One of the ways I use visualization to take my life to the next level is by writing out To Do lists. I know, so simple, right? Everyone talks about To Do lists. But how many people actually write them out?

When you’ve got a million things to do, you’re going to forget one or two, unless you write them down. Not only does writing them down help you keep track of everything from PTA meetings to client calls to date night, it also keeps the mood up. I know every time I cross something off the list, I get to watch my list shrink down to almost nothing, and I feel like I’m crushing it – which I am, and you are too.

So what do you need to do this week — grocery shopping, picking up the kids, making those calls? Then write it down! You’ve got the first part of your To Do list done, congratulations!

Now it’s time for the fun part. Want to run that half marathon? Write that book? Travel to a new country? Of course you do, because you’re amazing! Now that you have your big goal in mind, come up with three actionable steps you can do this week to accomplish that goal. And it’s okay to make it tangible. As a matter of fact, it’s not going to work unless you make it tangible. You don’t need to run 10 miles this week if you haven’t ever gone on a run before. Believe me, just one mile is bad ass, and you’ll work your way up. Come up with little steps you can take, and you’ll be knocking down the walls between you and your dreams in no time flat.

Another tool I use is vision boards. They are fun, beautiful, and help me really get closer to the life I want to be living.

The hardest part about making your vision board is finding the time to let yourself be quiet and peaceful. Yes, I am asking you to take a breather. So take a minute to get quiet and center yourself.

Now think about your goals. They can be personal, they can be public, they can be financial. Whatever they are, if they are important to you, then they’re worth working for.

So now that you have those physical ideas in mind, I want you to come up with physical things that represent these goals. Cut pictures out of magazines, draw something yourself, use a ticket stub from a concert you went to that blew your mind. Now glue them together, or pin them on an adorable corkboard.

Now hang it somewhere that you’ll actually look at it. Seeing your dreams in the form of a vision board every day keeps your eye on the prize, and never let’s you forget what it is that you’re working so hard for.

The last visualization tool I use is gratitude lists. And believe me, it works wonders on my outlook.

Again, it’s not hard to create a gratitude list, and everyone knows they should do it. The hard part is actually getting it done.

So turn off the tv, light a candle, and turn on your favorite peaceful music. Or put on somethin’ groovy. Whatever get’s you feeling grateful.  Get out a journal, and list all the amazing things in your life that you’re grateful for. Think about the people who make your life amazing. Think about all the things that you have that you’ve worked so hard for.

And don’t forget to be thankful for yourself! You are a fighter, and you are your biggest asset. Take some time to slow down, and remember all the amazing qualities about yourself that you’re thankful for.

Then write it out! Use a pen and write in a journal that makes you happy. Or even write it out on your computer! Feel free to throw in images of things you’re grateful for too.

When you see what you want, when you can really truly picture your goals, you’re that much closer to achieving them. So take some time for yourself today to think about what it is you want, and write it out. Draw it out. Collage it out!

Your life will thank you later for the time you put in now.