We all have dreams we want to achieve in life.

Call them dreams, goals, intentions - but we each are either growing spiritually and emotionally daily, or we are dying.

(Apparently I stopped growing physically at age 14 so I'm stuck at 5ft3!).

Our dreams and goals keep us growing - growing and transforming daily into the person we are created to be, to live out our ultimate and unique purpose here in this world.

Many times though, our 'plans' don't go as, well, planned!

You may even, like me, have many and continuous falls and failures.

Failure and success is relative and it's defined how you want to define it.

Failure is also a lesson on how not to do something and what steps to take next.

Failure is also considered a redirection.

We plan, but God is the best of ALL planners.

However, as humans, we can easily lose hope.

It's our lifetime of conditioning and environment and all that's stuck deep in our subconscious that makes us lose hope.

But, if we are still pulled towards that dream, that goal, that intention - then what does it mean?

Should you quit or keep going?

Are you crazy to keep going?

Are you crazy to quit?

When we pray and make dua (supplication), listen to the response. It may not always come to us in a dream (as in, when we are asleep) but it may come to us as an instant idea, an epiphany, an ah-ha moment, something we read or hear, or even this feeling deep within.

This feeling is like complete peace and you just know.

Seriously, you just know, and you smile knowing it's going to work out - at the right time - and exactly the way it's meant to.

And you'll know if you're either meant to go for this dream or goal or something else will pop up - something even better - or completely different that you hadn't even imagined or thought of before.

Let's remind ourselves of the following words from the Qur'an and then we'll head into our 3 tips.

"Be sure We shall test you with something of fear and hunger, some loss in goods, lives, and the fruits of your toil. But give glad tidings to those who patiently persevere. Those who say, when afflicted with calamity, 'To Allah we belong, and to Him is our return.' They are those on whom descend blessings from their Lord, and mercy. They are the ones who receive guidance." (2:155-157)

​The verse above simply covers everything we need to know about life and our dreams and goals, and why things happen when they do. It's deep and in-depth in and of it self.

Really contemplate and reflect on it and see where it has or is currently applying in your life. 

You'll discover answers to many of your questions!

And, here's 3 tips to help you in your dream/goal achieving journey:

1. Start and End - with your prayers, faith, hope, belief, and connection to God Almighty. Re-read the above verse from Surah Baqarah. Once we truly reflect on this verse, we will know that everything will work out for us. It may not go as we planned, but His plan is the best of all plans. Learn to surrender. So, make your plan, set the intention, take the action(s), and then turn it over to Him (swt). We need full reliance - tawakul - in Him. 

Admittedly, this is hard for us humans, so that's why we have to continuously try and try and try again and try some more.

Read, watch, listen to inspirational and motivational content and learn from mentors and teachers - yes, even online - there's a vast library of information, knowledge, how-to's.

Just go to our library archive here on our website or visit our youtube channel - you'll find the inspiration and motivation to help you to keep believing and keep going.

2. Plan and Prepare - take some time out to create your plan for how you're going to achieve your dreams/goals/intentions - plan the practical steps you'll need to take. I know that many personal development teachers say, 'act first' - however, personally, I do my planning on paper, in my notebook, so I can see the structure in front of me and have a map to follow and help me navigate. 

And then yes, of course, God is the best of all planners - and here is where we'll get tested. So, re-read the verse above and really connect with it deeply. Feel it to the core of your spirit.

Here also, reflect and write out why it is you want to achieve this dream or goal - what does it mean to you - your purpose with it - how it'll make you feel when you've achieved it. Take some time with this - it'll help you greatly.

3. Take Action - it's time to take the step towards achieving your dreams and goals now. In this step, we jump right in enthusiastically or have self-doubt and question our sanity, or both. Here is where we go back to step 1 and 2 to help us stay grounded. See how these three steps are interlinked?

When we take action, we'll be moving forward or we'll come upon a challenge. We may realise that our plan or the action steps are not quite working. So, what should you do? Go back to step 1 and then adjust step 2. It's the strategy that needs upgrading. You don't have to quit the goal or dream, but re-strategise and try something else.

These are the basic 3 steps. I use these too. I'm simplifying my life, and so, I'm keeping it simple with these three steps.

So, let me know, in the comments below, which of these steps resonates with you the most? Do you have more steps and inspiration to add for us all here? Are you stuck on any of the steps? Do you need help moving forward? If so, I'm here to help you with a mini one off VIP coaching session (ladies only). Just drop me a message below or contact me via the contact page and let's help you make your dreams and goals a reality now! :)

If you enjoyed today's post then do share it.

​Nadia. 

PS - here's a Hadith to further inspire and motivate you!

Ibn Abbas (May Allah be pleased with them) said: One day, I was riding behind the Prophet (SAWS) when he said, “O boy! I will instruct you in some matters. Be watchful of Allah (Commandments of Allah), He will preserve you. Safeguard His Rights, He will be ever with you. If you beg, beg of Him Alone; and if you need assistance, supplicate to Allah Alone for help. And remember that if all the people gather to benefit you, they will not be able to benefit you except that which Allah had foreordained (for you); and if all of them gather to do harm to you, they will not be able to afflict you with anything other than that which Allah had pre-destined against you. The pens had been lifted and the ink had dried up”. (At-Tirmidhi)

[BTW, if we've just met for the very first time right now on this blog post article and you resonate with my words and you want to learn more about me and how I can help you, then I invite you to CLICK HERE to join my 'Inner Circle Tribe' and grab yourself some FREE Masterclass trainings to start learning from me right away. Also, feel free to browse the website for more articles and grab some eBooks whilst you're at it too. If you're already a WBI'er then you're good for now - keep an eye out for the regular emails.]

I've recently come across a new concept.

It's new because it has been brought to my awareness, however, I realised I've always felt this deep within and I knew there was something about it.

I just didn't know how to express it.

Well, until, right now!

I was listening to a podcast (as I do, as you know I'm a personal development junkie and I'm always learning constantly, daily!) and the guest on the show mentioned how September is the new January and how, even though the year is long past the mid mark, we can start fresh in life right now.

And since you've been part of my world for a while you know what I always say;

'Each moment is our only moment...'

See, for us here in the UK, our new academic year starts in September and we've been conditioned to begin a new chapter of our lives from the age of 2!

Yes, 2, for those of us who started nursery at that young age.

And once you're all grown up and start your own family with children then the same pattern starts all over again.

It actually continues forever...

Have you ever felt a wave of newness come over you once August summer holidays are over?

It's like you want to get back to study or work and you've been reenergised after a well deserved break.

I've always felt this deep within.

This is what they call inspiration and being inspired!

I mean, I feel this about January too - because you know, new calendar year, but there's always something about September and maybe because I've always been studying and I get a fresh supply of stationary and I'm ready to get back on it.

We know that God tells us that; "Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves." [Qur'an; 13:11 - partial]

So, I say, let's begin anew right now!

I'm giving myself a 28 day challenge.

Because you know I love challenges!

Challenges push me out of my comfort-zone-comfort and help me to grow and transform into the person I want to be now.

So what is the new challenge?

It came as another reminder from another teacher - to practice more afformations!

What are afformations?

This is a term created by Noah St. John and basically what we do is ask positive questions instead of the negative ones and be open to receiving the answers.

Our mind is like a computer and whatever we input into it, it will equally output the answer (whether we like the answer or not!).

An example is if we ask ourselves; 'Why am I always broke?'

Our mind will go search within the archives of our brain to discover all the times we said we were broke and the situations we were in which made us feel that way and our mind will speak back to us and say; 'You're broke because....'

Yup!

So, afformations are a way to put a positive spin on it.

Wherever intention goes energy flows.

In other words, whatever we focus on, expands - negative or positive.

However tempting it is - and it is tempting and that's why temptation is a sin - we MUST focus on the positive so we say; 'Why am I financially abundant right now?'

Yes, I know, that may not be your current reality, but we MUST stay in the positive long enough to see the results.

And to do this we MUST repeat daily and frequently and especially when we are feeling low or ladies - you know, when our hormones are bouncing off the walls!

Remember God says He will give us the good times and the bad times.

It's all a test and trial to see how patient and grateful we are.

Everything comes with practice, discipline and determination.

Of course it's not easy.

I never said it was easy!

I've been on this path for the last 23 years and I'm still learning new things daily!

But we owe it to ourselves to live a happy and healed life now.

Here are some more examples to get you going on this challenge;

"Why am I healthy, fit and energetic right now?'

"Why is my relationship healthy and peaceful?"

"Why is it so easy for me to pray all my daily prayers?'

You can add as many as you want however do sit with each one for a moment and fully feel it in your soul and listen to the answers.

When you do get the answers - and answers you will get - don't let your rational mind brush it off.

Play with it - you've got nothing to lose and everything to gain.

And of course you don't just say these things and sit and wait and just sit and wait - don't, you'll get cramps - you have to actively be involved in doing your part of being fit and healthy and working towards financial abundance and a healthy relationship. But all these will help. 

That's our challenge - let me know in the comments below if you'll stay with this for the next 28 days because I am! :)

Lots of love, duas and light.