Look to the future with excited eyes using my three step guide.

I have always looked to future with excited eyes, having dreams of what might be, but now I find with elderly parents ailing it is more difficult as I wonder what the year might bring.

You might also have worries and concerns which mean you too feel you can not look to the future with hope or excitement.  

You may find you are over reactionary - becoming emotional where others seem to soldier on or that you withdraw from others and become focused on the detail; your internal voice going over and over what might happen and analysing what others have said.

Or if you have dreams you might find it difficult to know where to begin, others may distract you or tell you to get real.

Whether you like the detail or you are a big dreamer you can't predict the future so you may feel out of control, but although you can't take control of the unknown, you can take control of what's within you.  You can use that internal voice to create dreams and you can use those dreams to create reality.  Use the following three steps to make a start:

1. Decide what the dream is; you may have a sporting or fitness goal, you may wish to move house or improve your home, you may want a promotion at work, earn more money or move jobs, go on an amazing holiday, climb a mountain or train your puppy.

2.  Make your dream very detailed, decide what, when and how. It is essential to set dates.

3. Write down the steps, make them very small, again use the headings what, when and how.

Most of us find we become demotivated by outside influences; others' attitudes or life - as the saying goes:

"Life is what happens to you while you are busy making other plans".

This is when we need resilience; when we stay focused and bounce back from set backs.  Resilience comes from many sources, but strong resilience is born from our own attitude, reaction or response to these outside influences.  Accept that life happens and work with it.

While you are listing your 'what, when and how', also consider 'what stops me'.  Making list or  mind mapping 'what stops me' alongside 'my response to what stops me'. Perhaps you could predict how you might react to situations and people from previous experience.  Think about whether a different response would achieve a more positive outcome for you as well as others? Look to yourself first before expecting change elsewhere.  

Finally consider asking a friend or colleague to mentor you and help you stay on track.  It is important to find someone who believes in you and you trust.  

If there is no one yet who you feel you can ask, then tell us - leave a comment about your dreams and goals and keep us updated on your progress.

This is the most important point of all - HAVE FUN!