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.]

One of the injustices we can do to ourselves is not believing in ourselves and just always listening to others. And others may not always be our best supporters (even if we think they 'should'!).

But, are we the best supporters for our loved ones who have dreams and goals they want to achieve? Hmm....

We're in December and 2013 is almost over. Now is the time to have a quick look at those goals you set for the year. 

Be realistic. Things happen. They are supposed to happen. I've completed some and some I am restarting this month (my studies - after a year break!) to get a head start.

I ain't waiting til 1st January - this moment is all I have!

We are a working progress. Let this be a reflection moment and let this be a trigger to get us focused again and back on track insha'Allah. 

Now would be a good time to look at our goals and achievements so far. 

Remember though, each moment is our only real moment - this moment is all we have and this moment could be the moment you decide to make some positive changes in your life!

Always keep the end in mind - Jannah al-Firdaus.

Do something phenomenonally awesome right now. Start up your very own 'Dream Team' and become part of someone's dream team!

The Prophet (peace and blessings of Allah be upon him) said : "None of you will believe until you love for your brother what you love for yourself." Related by Bukhari & Muslim

In this dream team you have your supporters, mentors and coaches. And you would be the same in someone else's dream team.

We all need A* players in our world - on our side. God created us social beings and it is in social settings we thrive and excel.

"Help you one another in Al-Birr and At-Taqwa (virtue, righteousness and piety); but do not help one another in sin and transgression." {Qur'an; 5:2} (partial)

This dream team will be there to support you through all your ups and downs and will encourage you to excel.

What you think?

Go on, start your dream team right now :)


Action Point & Tips:

1. What do you want to achieve in your 'Dream-Become-Reality' Life?

- Grab a pen and paper and draw a circle in the middle of the page.

- Slice the circle into however many areas you want to work on in your life (for each person it is different - it could be work, family biz, or it could be work, family, biz, health, kids etc)

- Rate each slice of your circle out of 10 - so for example you know health is very important to me so right now i would give it a 6 or 7 out of 10.

- Look at the top 3 areas that you want to work on right now and for each of these ask and answer the following questions.

a) What do i want to achieve in this area of my life?

b) What three things do i need to do right now to achieve them?

c) Who can help me get what i need to achieve this now?

2. Who do you want in your 'Dream Team'?

- These could be living or dead. You know why? There's many who have passed on yet their legacy and message continues - just like Rasool-Allah, all his companions and all our pious predecessors. They have numerous works and books from the seerah all the way to their biographies and inventions - so add them into your  team.

- Living - who are they? Are they those who have already achieved what you want to achieve? Those you admire and look up to for their moral, ethics, beliefs and principles? Or are they someone living on your street who is an unsung hero and has so much to offer you in terms of advice and nuggets. Never underestimate who we can learn from insha'Allah.

- Write down the names of all these people and what they have to offer you in what you are trying to achieve for yourself.

3. Whose 'Dream Team' do you want to be part of?

- Has anyone approached you asking for advice and nuggets? Not just those who always seem to have issues but those who really want to achieve something and look up to you.

- Contact them and offer to mentor when you can. Of course you set your own time and days when you can be available but let them know that you are here to help.

- Could you teach others this message about creating a dream team? If so, go ahead and do so now - share this post.

Do you already have a dream team? Are you ready to create yours now? Comment below and let me know :)

“No one is useless in this world who lightens the burdens of another.” Charles Dickens

[Ps - I will be opening up VIP Day's where you get to work with me for a day one 2 one. To pre-enquire drop an email to [email protected]]