1. Your "best" goals arise from a field of both inspiration and action; both are required for ultimate success. Choose goals that "scrill" ­ a combination of scare and thrill ­ you. Ask: at the end of my life, what would be the successes that I would look back on with the most pride and pleasure? What goals would be a great expression of the unique and wonderful person I am? What would be most meaningful? What would I like my great-great grandchildren to know about my life? If my fairy godmother told me I could do anything with guaranteed success, what would I choose to do? What would a wild woman do, think, be?
   
2. Understand that achieving your cherished goals will take you out of your "comfort zone," defined as "that barren area that surrounds you and within which nothing new will grow." The boundaries of your comfort zone are always fears and fear exists only in your thoughts. You are in charge of your thoughts and can change them at any moment to suit yourself, your goals, and desires.
   
3. "Failure" also exists only in your thoughts. Failure is simply a label we apply to experiences that don't create the results we want. Change your label to ULOs ­ Unique Learning Experiences. Ask what did I learn from this? How can I use it on my next try? Watch a baby learning to walk. Babies all know how to fail. Simply adopt the fall down/get up attitude you had while learning to walk. You’ll never fail again. Wild women fail with enthusiasm.
   
4. If there is any part of you in the habit of thinking of yourself as a failure, a loser, someone who is not deserving of good things and the realization of your dreams, recognize that you learned to think of yourself that way. Resolve to change your thought habit into one that serves you and your goals. If your thought habit is deeply ingrained, particularly if it was learned under stress or searing emotional conditions, it will take time and focused effort to change. Please persevere! Wild women don't quit.
   
5. Believe in your goals more than you believe in "reality." Likely your reality is a motivator for your goals and dreams. If you focus on, and believe in, "reality," you will simply perpetuate the status quo. Spend time everyday visualizing, nurturing and loving your dreams and goals. . . and yourself.
   
6. Accept the fact that the road to success is rarely, if ever, straight, well-lit, and freshly paved. The bumps and potholes are blessings in disguise. As you overcome them, you GROW in competence and confidence.
   
7. Recognize that your best dreams and goals may (probably will) rattle the boundaries of the comfort zones of family, co-workers, and friends. Gently and lovingly remind them and yourself that you retain the right to be mistress of your own life. Wild women choose their own standards and rules for living. Refuse to give anyone else your power by sacrificing your cherished goals for anyone else's psychological comfort.
   
8. Spend some time with your heroes ­ people you admire who have overcome great odds. If you can't meet them in person, find them at your local library. All of us need to be inspired. Dose yourself often.
   
9. Be willing to let Spirit, God, Allah, Higher Power or whatever name you use partner with you. With Divine inspiration and connection to Ultimate Source, you are unbeatable. Give thanks repeatedly and often for the realization ("I'ze makin' it real.") of your goal, as if you had already accomplished it.
   
10. Frequently and often, imagine how you will feel when the goal is realized. See it in vivid color, hear the sounds you will hear,what people will be saying to you, feel the hugs and pats on the back, see yourself and what you will be wearing, what you be will smelling. Play that mental movie over and over. While struggling (for years!) with my doctoral dissertation, I visualized putting on that brilliant scarlet robe with the deep black velvet bands on the sleeves hundreds of times.
    
11. Develop "bi-ocular" vision ­ the ability to keep one eye on your goal and one eye on the task of the moment. What can I do right now, even if it's only the tiniest step? Let it be okay if all you can do is think about your goal. Thinking about it will advance your progress.
    
12. While hiking the Appalachian Trail, I sometimes found myself struggling up the side of a mountain that seemed overwhelmingly hard. I learned to remind myself, "No mountain goes up forever." There are certainly times when they seem to, but with continued steps forward toward your goal you will achieve it. Congratulations!
    
13. Set another goal!

Rita Losee is an InspirACTional speaker, coach, and consultant.