We’re pretty busy here, just “livin’ the dream.” “Sure, Boss, I can do that before I leave . . . No problem, I’ll pick up the kids . . . Yes, of course I can do that. I’ll fit it in . . . Have you finished your homework?” Good grief! Sometimes we get so caught up in the demands of daily living that we forget to take time to make sure that the dream we are living is our dream. We’re so busy pleasing other people and meeting their expectations of us that we neglect to satisfy our own needs.

Most of us limit ourselves, deciding that we will only focus on our jobs and/or our families, rather than carving out the time and space we need to satisfy what really matters to us, deep down. We think that what we’ve got is all we’re going to get. But, some dare to go beyond those limits, testing themselves and the rest of the world to see how much possibility really exists. They have vision, and you do too—if you just open up your eyes. You don’t have to go out and win a Nobel Prize or an Academy Award, you don’t have to fight your way to the top of the corporate hierarchy, and you don’t have to get yourself elected to public office in order to fulfill yourself. What you have to do is explore what you want out of life and move forward with your own plan so you don’t let other people and external influences control how you live your life.

If you want to do something outrageous, spectacular or different with your life, do it! Seize your moment. Just focus on what you want, figure out how to make it happen, then make that the dream you live. Your dream. Fill it with passion and energy, and decide whether it will be the new direction where you will lead your family or career. Your reward becomes something much larger and more personal than a paycheck. It’s fulfillment.

Stretch and dare to live your own vision, despite what you think you are supposed to be doing to impress or please others. It is time to live for yourself, to stop waiting to get permission and to start defining who you are as an individual.

It all begins with vision, and with vision comes self-awareness. Even though you can’t always control what happens to you, you can control who you are. And as you become more aware of this true center in yourself, you will have a greater command over what occurs around you, defining your dreams and goals, and owning the responsibility for growing into them. Listen to that voice inside of you that tells you when something isn’t working for you, when you’re wearing down, or when you are feeling held back. Whenever you catch yourself thinking “If only this would happen, then I could . . .” write down the idea. If you ignore your dreams and turn off your imagination, you let go of what you really want in life. So, instead of saying, “If only I could . . .” or, “I could never . . .” ask yourself, “Why not?” You are allowed to dream! This doesn’t mean you should abandon your job or family or your current life. It means you should focus on yourself, listening to that inner voice, because it will tell you what matters most.

It always comes down to endurance, and when you feel exhausted or like giving up, calm down, reassess and tap back into the energy that put you on your path. Even when it’s tough, you are still living your dream. Keep that dream—your vision—right in front of you so you find the inspiration to persevere and make it come to life. With true commitment and determination, you can fight another 10 rounds. You just have to believe you can do it. Make up your mind. Remind yourself you are not quitting.

So, even though we are all sick of self-help gurus that promise us our dreams will come true if we only believe in ourselves and visualize, visualize, visualize, we need to buy into the concept: Vision is all powerful, especially when it is bolstered by our passion. It doesn’t matter who you are, where you were born, what your economic circumstances are or your age. We all have the same power to create and re-create ourselves into extraordinary women by focusing on those callings we hear inside.