At one time or another, you've probably had dreams about how you wanted your life to be. Perhaps you've wondered why others make achieving goals look so easy, while attempt you make at something seems to end in failure. Eventually, you may just give up because it's too hard trying to change your circumstances.

You may chalk it up to some people are just lucky in life and you're not one of those people. You may spend the rest of your life dreaming about achieving the goals you want, while other people are busy creating their dream life. So what's the difference between achieving goals and spending your whole life only dreaming about them?

The difference always and only comes down to desire. Achieving goals has nothing to do with where you've come from or where you currently are; it has to do with how bad you want it. If you want it bad enough and make the choice to do whatever it takes to get where you want to be, goals can and will be achieved. That doesn't always mean it's easy to get there, but it is only as difficult as you allow it to be.

Most of us don't believe achieving our goals is possible because we don't know how to get from where we are to where we want to be. Here's a little secret: you don't have to have a master plan, you only have to have a goal and desire. Most of us spend our entire lives only dreaming about achieving our goals because our desire doesn't outweigh our complacency. We take the path of least resistance, which usually means settling for where we are and find a way to be happy with less than what we want. It is common for most to assume it is more difficult to achieve goals than it is to settle for what we currently have. This is exactly what happens when we don't want it bad enough - everything seems impossible.

However, when we want it bad enough, the steps that must be taken in order to achieve goals simply become a series of choices. There are no struggles or challenges - only choices. It is easy to let go of the things that are holding you back when your level of desire is stronger than the complacency to stay where you are. The moment the decision is made to let go of the things that are holding you back from achieving your goals, the journey becomes much easier.

Try this exercise. Think about something you really want. Maybe you want a better job, improved health or a million dollars in the bank. Whatever it is, make sure it's something you really want. Close your eyes for a moment and imagine living in the moment of your achievements. How do you feel? Excited? Happy? Grateful? Can you imagine yourself surrounded by friends, family and loved ones as they cheer you on? Picture yourself getting pats on the back, big hugs and handshakes from people you love....feels good, doesn't it?

Life is not about settling for less than you deserve - it is actually the opposite. Life is about identifying what you want, finding your desire and committing to the choices that will get you there. Anything is possible and you have the power to create whatever it is you desire. Achieving goals is not dependent on your age, culture, geographic location or background - they are only dependent on your level of desire.

Here's how you can get started - right now. Make a list of goals you would like to achieve. Start with the goals that carry the highest level of desire and put them at the top of your list. Even if your most desired goals seem out of reach, rest assured they are closer than you think.

Break them down into smaller steps that can be achieved day by day, week by week and month by month. Breaking them down into smaller pieces helps them to be more manageable and easier to believe they can be achieved. Organize your day with those goals in mind and remember that every step you take between now and then counts.

Choose your actions wisely and realize each step you take either supports your goals or sabotages them. If the process seems overwhelming, just start where you are. Don't worry about the past - what's done is done. Focus on the future, put one foot in front of the other and just start walking - metaphorically speaking.

Is it scary? Of course, but fear is no reason to stay in a life you don't even like. It's a lot easier to get going when you realize that where you are right now, isn't even where you want to be. You can't get what you really want and stay in the same place where you've been stuck for so long.

There's a saying that sums it up nicely, "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always gotten." If you want something different, you're going to have to do something different.