She expressed that life was good and all was well.

I told her I was glad for her and then shared that I had a series of dreams about her that caused concern and I wanted to make sure she was okay.

Immediately after sharing purpose of my call, she paused. Then she told me truth.

She had left her husband after being trapped in a bad marriage for 17 years, and was afraid and unequipped to create a life for herself and her two children.

I offered my help and told her I believed I had dreamed of her for a reason.

I promised her 12 weeks of my undivided support and attention if she agreed to believe in herself and commit to doing what was necessary to create a better life for herself and her children.

The following three months were incredible. She put her heart and soul into making things happen. Although terribly shy all of her life, she worked on increasing her confidence and stepped out of her comfort zone to make contacts, follow leads, and ask for help. She pushed herself beyond her perceived limits.

By time our 12 weeks were over, she had purchased a new home, accepted many gifts offered by good Samaritans, found a vehicle that worked and had a newfound belief in her own power and potential.

She would have experienced a completely different series of events and outcomes if I had never acted on my dream and made contact with her.

I also grew as a person because of our partnership. I reinforced my conviction in power of persistence and belief in human potential.

The next time you have a dream, don’t be so quick to dismiss it. Some dreams lead nowhere, that’s true. We can’t chase every one.

Believe though that dreams can open door to great things and can be gateway to wonderful experiences we may not have otherwise discovered.

Note your disappointments of past year - list all things that you did not like about prior year. What caused you stress and unhappiness? Did you make choices that you wish you would have made differently? Did you associate with less than desirable people that limited your ability to achieve? Make list as long as necessary - get it all on paper.

At top of your list, write in big bold letters "Things I am resolved to never experience again!"

Create Your New Resolutions!

Determine what you want - not simply what you feel you need to do, but ask yourself specifically "What do I want?". Ask this question under each of following "Life Categories": Health & Fitness, Family, Friends, Career, Financial, Emotional and Spiritual.

Why do you want it? - Get clear in your own mind why you want these things. Are these goals things that will serve you well? Will these goals help you to achieve a more fulfilling life?

If not, start over and get more clearly about what you really want for yourself and what your motivation or purpose is for wanting these things. You must understand why you want to achieve these goals, because "purpose, is your ultimate motivation" to achieve your goal.

Every time you feel unmotivated, you will refer back to these statements and realize exactly why it is that you need to take another step toward achieving your goal. This really works if you apply it.

Create your M.A.P. - Master Action Plan!

Get specific! Write down necessary action steps that you are committed to taking to achieve each goal. Ensure that you include at least 2 action steps that you can do "right now" that will get you on your way. Doing something now, or within next 24 hours, will create instant momentum for you and you will be well on your way to achieving your goals.

Consider investing in a life management system such as FranklinCovey or Tony Robbin's - Time of Your Life system. Tools like these are extremely helpful in teaching you more about yourself and how to effective set goals and maximize your time.

In addition, you'll receive some wonderful tools (planner) that will assist you in connecting your everyday activities to your New Year's resolutions and life-long goals.

Sound good? Then do yourself a favor and print this article and schedule some time (now would be good) to completing quick start process.

Avoid "Someday Syndrome". Tomorrow never comes, and road to someday always leads to nowhere.

Oh yes, almost forgot - remember that long list of disappointments you developed? Those things you said you are resolved to never experience again?

Make a point of destroying that list and celebrate your new goals and resolutions. (That "ugly" list isn't anything that one little match can't make quick work of.)

"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work." - Thomas Edison