Stuck in a dead-end job? Smothered by society’s expectations? Feeling anxious and trapped in an unsatisfying existence? Guess what – there are plenty of ways to put yourself on the road to change, boost love, happiness and fulfillment in your life and make your dreams come true. And here are seven great tips to do so right away!

1. Let go of the negative

When life gives you a hundred reasons to cry, show life that you have a thousand reasons to smile.

We have heard it a million times: negative thoughts lead only to more negative thoughts and then form a circle of negativity hard to escape from. As corny as it sounds, If we want to improve our existence, we don’t need this in our lives.

If you automatically throwing your hands up in the air when things start to go lousy, you are never going to get anywhere, you will never change your life, you will always be miserable. Remember, the first step to a happier life is to think positive no matter what life throws at you!

You may deal with people and things that seem terrible on a daily basis, but it is up to you how you will perceive and react to them. For example, instead of thinking how much you hate your job, reflect what are the things about your job that you like and how you can improve your current situation. And if your work still makes you unhappy, think positively about your future career and don’t be afraid to look for more satisfying employment.

2. Leave the past behind

When one door of happiness closes, another opens, but often we look so long at the closed door that we do not see the one that has been opened for us. Helen Keller

Let go of the past – old wounds, bad choices, big regrets, painful mistakes, broken relationships, haunting fears, lost opportunities, failed expectations can’t be your excuse for not moving on and leading a happy, fulfilling life. The past can be a great source of life lessons… or it can be an anchor, holding us down.

We can’t change what happened in the past, but we can learn from it, turn it into a positive experience and make a difference for the future.

3. Every day is a gift

Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around. – Leo Buscaglia

Instead of thinking about what you don’t have, be grateful for what you do have. Instead of always complaining, focus on the things to be thankful for. Sometimes it is easy to feel bad, especially if you are going through tough times. However, no matter how desperate your situation may seem, there are still thousands of things that are wonderful in your life. Food on your table, healthy family, happy kids, good friends, a great book to read, movie to watch, the life itself… Little things can be the big things!

If you are esperate for a change, at this point it is important that you avoid naysayers. You want to keep your glass half full, not half empty, and other people’s skepticism about changes in your life can be very contagious, in a negative way.

4. Just ask for it!

And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it. Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

Get excited about your future. If you are in a desperate need of change, go for it! Don’t let small minds convince you that your dreams are too big or that you are too old to start from scratch. Visualize what you want, write it down, do everything you can to achieve it and keep your eyes on the prize.

When you really want something, nothing will ever stop you from getting it. And you will finally see that along the way, your life has dramatically changed for better. When there is a will, there is a way.

5. Be courageous!

Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary. Steve Jobs

Don’t just pile your big future plans without doing anything more about them. Be courageous and take the first step toward your new, improved life.

Stop waiting for the right moment to get started – postponing your changes for later will only serve as an excuse not to make them. Make a decision, plan every step of the way and don’t be afraid to make your dreams come true.

6. Do it your own way

The only thing all successful people have in common is that they’re successful, so don’t waste your time copying “the successful strategies” of others. Seth Godin

It takes courage and determination to stand out from the crowd and start something new. Don’t be afraid to be different – it’s our differences that make us unique and beautiful. The moment you start living your own life, freedom and happiness will come knocking on your door and you will be better and happier person. Individuality is a key factor to make sure that you are satisfied with your work and happy in your life. Don’t underestimate yourself by comparing yourself with others, your life is yours, don’t waste it walking in somebody else’s shoes.

7. Allow yourself to make a mistake

Just because you’ve made mistakes doesn’t mean your mistakes get to make you. Take notice of your inner critic, forgive yourself, and move on. Robert Tew

Not making mistakes could actually be the biggest mistake of your life. If your heart and mind are eager for a change, if you seriously want to turn your life around and try something new, don’t let the fear of failure intimidate you. If you are not failing, you are not trying. Playing it safe is probably the reason why you want to make big changes in your life.

With every mistake you will learn valuable life lessons, gain experience, know more about yourself, your limits and capabilities. And if you run into trouble, ask for help. You will be surprised how many people are there for you, willing to give you a hand.