From Wishes to Reality by Ladi Dyvine

Chapter 1: Defining Your Wishes

Before you can fulfill your wishes, you need to understand what they are. While this may sound simple, many people struggle to articulate their true desires. Wishes are often buried under layers of societal expectations, personal fears, and self-doubt. Defining your wishes clearly is the first critical step in making them a reality.

What Do You Really Want?

We all have things we say we want: more money, a better job, a bigger house, or even a stronger relationship. But are these desires truly your wishes? Or are they things you think you should want based on external pressures? The truth is, wish fulfillment begins with a deep understanding of what you genuinely want, not what others expect from you.

Take a moment to ask yourself:

- What do I really want in life?

- What excites me and makes me feel alive?

- What would I pursue if I knew I couldn't fail?

These questions dig deeper into your personal desires, helping you move beyond surface-level wants. Your true wishes come from the core of who you are and what would bring you the most satisfaction in life.

The Importance of Clarity

One of the most significant barriers to fulfilling your wishes is a lack of clarity. If you can't clearly define what you want, how can you possibly achieve it? Clarity transforms vague desires into concrete, actionable goals. It turns "I want to be happy" into "I want to wake up every morning excited about my work." It turns "I want more success" into "I want to build a successful business in the next two years."

When your wishes are clearly defined, they become easier to visualize, easier to break down into steps, and easier to pursue with intention. Ambiguity is the enemy of progress.

Exercise: Clarifying Your Wishes

Here's a simple exercise to help you define your true wishes. Grab a notebook or open a document and write down the following questions. Answer each as honestly as possible, without thinking about what others might think or what feels realistic right now:

1. What are the three things I want most in life right now?

2. If I could wave a magic wand and instantly have what I desire, what would that be?

3. What would I pursue if money, time, and resources were not an issue?

4. What has been a recurring desire or dream throughout my life, something I keep coming back to?

Once you've written your answers, take a look at them. Are these things truly aligned with your core values? Do they excite you? If not, dig deeper. Sometimes, the first thing that comes to mind is not the full picture.

Aligning Your Wishes with Your Values

Another important aspect of defining your wishes is making sure they align with your values. For example, if you value freedom and creativity, pursuing a corporate career may not bring you fulfillment, even if it's financially rewarding. If you value family and connection, building strong relationships might matter more to you than chasing material success.

To ensure your wishes align with your values, ask yourself:

- Why do I want this?

- How will fulfilling this wish make my life better?

- Will this wish lead to lasting fulfillment, or is it driven by external pressures or short-term desires?

This process will help you identify wishes that are not only attainable but also meaningful.

Vague Desires vs. Actionable Wishes

One common mistake people make is confusing vague desires with actionable wishes. A vague desire is something like, "I want to be successful" or "I want to be happy." These desires are too broad and unspecific to guide you toward a clear path of action. An actionable wish, on the other hand, is precise and detailed. It might be, "I want to start my own graphic design business within the next year" or "I want to save $10,000 for a down payment on a house."

An actionable wish has three characteristics:

1. Specificity - It is clear and detailed. You know exactly what you want.

2. Measurability - You can track progress toward achieving it.

3. Achievability - While it might be challenging, it's within the realm of possibility with effort and focus.

Take some time to turn your vague desires into actionable wishes. Instead of "I want to travel more," clarify it as "I want to visit Japan within the next 12 months." Instead of "I want to be more confident," rephrase it as "I want to improve my public speaking skills by taking a course and practicing with a group weekly."

The Wish Compass

Think of your wishes as a compass that guides your life. When you are clear about what you want, you are better equipped to make decisions, set goals, and take meaningful action. Without clarity, you may find yourself wandering aimlessly, never quite sure why you feel unfulfilled.

Your wishes are deeply personal, and they may evolve as you grow. That's okay. What's important is to start with the wishes that are most meaningful to you right now and to be willing to pursue them with intention and passion.