“Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.” — Henry Ford

When you’re a kid, you think anything is possible. Over time, the world teaches you to embrace “reality.”

As a child of the ghetto, I know all too well how realism sucks dry life’s passions. But deep inside your gut, hopes never die. They linger and cloud the surface of crappy placeholders.

You give up your dreams once you fall for the idea “impossible” goals aren’t worth the effort.

To rekindle your desire and achieve your dreams, transform your beliefs.

Once you’re ready, three powerful steps will guarantee success.

Awareness

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” — C.G. Jung

Before you can drive to your destination, you must know where you are. Situational awareness is your current location. Without it, the best plan on the planet won’t take you where you want to go.

Start by dropping a few markers. The only way to measure growth is by tracking it.

Here are a few questions you can ask yourself:

Do I have a growth mindset? If not, what beliefs limit my ability to move forward? What words do I tell myself that reinforce those beliefs? How can I use my personal struggles to my advantage? Who do I spend most of my time with? Do those people push me outside my comfort zone or lock me in? What do I read and watch? Do those things build me up or tear me down?

Add a few more questions unique to your goal. Mark your location, then track your way to success.

Automobile University

“You are what you are and where you are because of what has gone into your mind. You can change what you are and where you are by changing what goes into your mind.” — Zig Ziglar

Famed Zig Ziglar called commuting while learning, automobile university.

Midway through my life, I found myself bankrupt, divorced, and nearly homeless. Turning off the radio and turning on uplifting podcasts and audiobooks transformed who I was.

A few weeks later, I gave up alcohol. 44 weeks later, I lost 44 pounds and kept off the weight. A year after that, I wrote a book that’s changed countless lives. Since then, I’ve been fortunate to share my strategy with thousands more.

Customize your audio time to suit your lifestyle. But the simple act of listening while driving will change your life in ways you’ve yet to imagine.

Course correct

“Sometimes you need to slow down to go fast.” — Jeff Olson

Unless you want to drive into a ditch, stop and reflect. Take it seriously, and do it often.

I reflect nightly and weekly. I also have an accountability partner who keeps me honest. I journal. And I share parts of my journal with the world.

Take time to learn from your challenges and search for ways to overcome them.

You don’t have to do everything I do. But weekly reflections and an accountability partner dramatically increases your chance of success.