Six Steps to Turn Desire into Reality

There’s a Christmas tree in my living room, which can only mean one thing: we are a mere two months away from giving up on our New Year’s resolutions. I’ve set countless resolutions over the years, and I’ll admit, I’ve often been among the 80 percent of people who give up by February. Still, I’ll never forget the first resolution I ever set when I was ten.

I was in fourth grade in Mr. Deagle’s class on the last day before Christmas break. He told us to pull out a piece of paper and grab a marker. Then he asked a simple question: “What do you want?”

At that age, my needs were simple. I had food, a warm bed, and friends to play with. I thought hard, and it hit me. My favorite show was the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and Tommy, the Green Ranger, was my hero. I couldn’t write “be the Green Ranger,” because I knew Mr. Deagle wanted our goals to be realistic. So I wrote down the one thing I didn’t have that I believed would make me just like him.

When I handed him my paper, he looked at it and actually laughed, something he rarely did. “A six-pack, huh? Better start doing sit-ups!”

There is something exciting about naming the things we want, whether they’re tangible, relational, or deeply personal. And while we can set goals any time of year, there is something about January that makes us pay closer attention to the “new.”

I’ve learned a lot about goal setting since fourth grade, and longtime readers know this is the fifth December I’ve written about annual reviews and New Year’s resolutions. This year, I want to introduce a method I haven’t covered before. If you’re interested in revisiting past articles, you can find those here.

This week’s newsletter draws from the classic personal growth book Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. In a chapter titled “Desire,” Hill outlines six steps to transform desire into reality. I’ve adapted his framework so it applies to any goal, not just financial ones.

The Six Steps to Turning Desire into Reality

1. Define exactly what you want.

Identify a clear, specific outcome. Not “I want to improve,” but “I want to run a 5K,” “I want to deepen my friendships,” or “I want to publish a newsletter each week.” Clarity creates direction.

2. Decide what you are willing to contribute.

Every meaningful achievement requires effort. What discipline, sacrifice, or learning are you willing to give? This step anchors desire in responsibility.

3. Set a definite deadline.

Choose a target date for achieving your goal. A timeline turns hope into commitment and creates momentum.

4. Create a plan, and start now.

Outline the steps that will move you forward, then begin immediately, even if the plan is imperfect. Movement reveals the path that planning alone cannot.

5. Write a concise statement of your goal and plan.

Include what you want, why you want it, your deadline, what you will give in return, and your plan to achieve it. Writing makes your desire concrete and keeps your focus aligned.

6. Review this statement twice a day.

Read it aloud morning and evening. Add belief, emotion, and expectation. This repetition trains your mind to notice opportunities and stay locked on your goal.

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If you want to see Hill’s original, money-focused version of the six steps, you can find it here.

To help you apply this process, I’ve also created a free fillable worksheet you can download.

Whether you want a six-pack like the Green Power Ranger, a million dollars, or more patience, these six steps can help turn your desire into reality.

Fact

The average New Year’s resolution lasts less than six weeks.

Action

Choose one desire you want to pursue in the new year and commit it to paper in under three minutes. Don’t overthink it.

Question

What are you willing to give in return for the goal you want most?

Quote

“...There is one quality which one must possess to win, and that is the definiteness of purpose, the knowledge of what one wants, and a burning desire to possess it."

- Napoleon Hill