Turning Dreams Into Reality: Why Action is the Missing Ingredient

Hey there, possibility seekers! After an incredible weekend at our Women in Leadership luxury retreat, I’m on fire with insights and takeaways that I can’t wait to share with you. This wasn’t just a four-day getaway filled with spa treatments and relaxation – though we did enjoy those perks! It was a chance for dynamic women to dig deep, connect, and push each other towards real, actionable goals. You know I’m all about that trio: intention, planning, and ACTION. Because without action, let’s face it, nothing actually happens.

Now, let’s break this down. I’m sure you’ve heard me preach this before, but here’s the reality: dreaming big is fantastic, setting intentions is great, and creating plans is absolutely necessary. But the magic only starts when you actually put one foot in front of the other. Without action, your dreams stay in dreamland. So, what does that look like? Let’s dive in…

1. Set Your Intention – But Don’t Stop There

Intentions are the starting point. They’re that little spark, the “why” behind what you want to accomplish. But if all you do is sit around setting intentions and envisioning, well… sorry, that’s where the story ends. You have to decide to DO something about it. Intention is like announcing to yourself (and the world) that you’re going somewhere. But just announcing a trip isn’t the same as packing your bags, is it?

2. Make a Plan – Seriously, a Real Plan

This is where the rubber meets the road, folks. Planning means breaking down that big audacious goal into smaller, doable steps. Think of it like reverse engineering. Want to get to the top of the mountain? You’ve got to map the path, gather your gear, and know what obstacles might pop up along the way. But let’s be clear: a plan isn’t worth a hill of beans if it never leaves the paper.

3. And Then… Take Action!

Here’s the part where most of us trip up. You’ve got the intention, you’ve sketched out a plan – but the plan just sits there, staring back at you. Sound familiar? Action is the fuel that drives the vehicle. You can wish and journal and manifest all day, but until you actually start doing, nothing’s going to change. And yes, action can feel awkward. You’re stepping into something new, maybe even something intimidating. And guess what? That’s where growth happens.

Reflection Time – What’s Serving You, and What’s Not?

During the retreat, we took a hard look at what each of us was doing that was either pushing us forward or holding us back. You can’t expect to level up without getting real about what’s working and what isn’t. Are you crushing it in certain areas but falling flat in others? Do an inventory: figure out what habits, people, and projects are serving you, and which ones need to go.

Reverse Engineer Your Goals

You know I’m a big fan of reverse engineering. Once you know where you want to be, work backward. What steps do you need to take today, this week, and this month to get closer to that destination? And here’s a kicker – once you know your goals, check in with yourself often. Are you making progress, or just doing busywork? Don’t confuse movement with achievement.

Get Grounded in Your Identity

One of the exercises we did at the retreat was identifying three words that define who we want to be. Mine? Grateful, intentional, and bold. I even set my phone alarms with these words – so every time it rings, I get a reminder of what I committed to being. Want to be confident? Set up systems that make confidence a daily practice. Want to be proactive? Build in routines that make you act before things get out of hand.

Action Means Creating Support Systems

It’s not enough to want something; you need to build an environment that makes success inevitable. Hacks, visual reminders, calendar blocks – whatever it takes to keep your goals top of mind. Your dreams deserve more than good intentions; they deserve a well-structured plan backed by a fortress of supportive actions.

Embrace Discomfort

Here’s where I get real: if you’re 100% comfortable all the time, you’re probably not growing. Growth requires discomfort – that’s just a fact. Feeling like an imposter? Good. That means you’re pushing beyond your limits. Nothing great ever came from sticking to the cozy, predictable zones of life. So, if you’re nervous, uncertain, or even flat-out scared – congratulations. You’re in the right place.

Check Your Calendar and Checkbook

My coach once told me, “Show me your calendar and your checkbook, and I’ll show you your priorities.” Think about that. If your time and money don’t reflect your goals, then you’re just paying lip service to them. Be ruthless with your calendar – it should reflect what truly matters, not just what you “kind of” want to do.

Roadblocks Will Happen – Plan for Them

Finally, let’s talk roadblocks. They’re inevitable, but they don’t have to derail you. Whether it’s a person, a distraction, or just plain fatigue, know that obstacles will arise. Successful people aren’t the ones who never face problems; they’re the ones who get creative and find ways around them. So, when you’re making your plan, include some strategies for dealing with those inevitable bumps in the road.

Action is the Secret Sauce

So there you have it – action is where the magic happens. Dreams, plans, intentions… they’re all just preludes to the real work. I hope this is a kick in the pants (in the nicest possible way) to get you moving. Put on your sneakers, make that call, send that email, start today. Because at the end of the day, nothing happens if you do nothing.

Ready to go? Let’s make it happen, possibility seekers. I’m here for you – drop me a DM, send an email, whatever you need. Now go out there and make something great happen.

Love, gratitude, and as always – make it a great day! ✨

Monique DeMaio logo

Connect With Monique

Stay In Touch

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 Monique de Maio. All Rights Reserved.

Let's Stay in Touch

Please note that your personal information will never be shared, traded or sold to anyone. This is our way of being able to share new content and resources with you and stay in touch!