Making Things Happen in 2021
By: Astrid Manzo
Tags: Immigration, Visualization, Goal Setting, Life

I am an immigrant and I just celebrated my 4th year in the US. Not only with drinks but by thinking about everything I have accomplished since that first morning when I woke up in a completely different country. Ready for a new life but scared and not knowing how things were going to turn out for me.

Since late 2016 I have managed to find a good job doing what I love, I got married and I own my house. Apart from many other great things. I’m not a millionaire but I am where I told myself I was going to be a few years ago — and that is the key to everything.

Now I’m ready for more.

It’s easy for life to turn into a routine and be on autopilot for a long time. You know you can do better but you’re comfortable and just settle. How do you get somewhere if you don’t know where you’re going? — You simply won’t.

I know for a lot of people it just sounds like a lot of BS, but there’s definitely some power in visualizing what you want. Things happen when you have your mind set on them — but first, you need to know what you want.

And you can’t stop there. Things are not going to magically happen to you. A million dollars are not going to appear in your bank account. The love of your life is not going to knock on your door.

You have to make it happen.

Write down your ideas

I’ve been carrying a notepad with me for the last 2 months. Some ideas don’t sound great anymore five minutes after I write them. Some other ideas though, have opened a world of possibilities for me.

So how can you turn ideas into reality? Make a plan. As simple as that. Literally, sit down, get a notepad and a pen. Write down your goals and what you have to do to accomplish them. Now, you probably won’t have all the answers at once but it’s amazing how you start getting all kinds of ideas when doing this simple exercise.

Be specific

Particularly when thinking about the ‘hows’ and the ‘whens’.

Make a list of actionable steps that will get you closer to your goal and start with immediate things you can do today and that will have the biggest impact on your long-term goal.

I believe we are all capable of doing great things. You don’t need a college degree or a lot of money. Visualize how you want your life to look like 6 months from now, a year from now, 3 years from now, you decide. It all depends on your goals and how long you think it could take you to get there. Think big and be ambitious but don’t forget to be realistic.

Taking action.

Okay, so you have a plan. Now it’s time to get things moving. Don’t just close that notepad and forget about it forever. Read your goals again at least a couple of times each week and write anything you have done that is getting you closer to them. I believe that keeping goals fresh in your mind every day will make it more likely that you will do something to get there. Remember, choose first the things that you can do now and will have the biggest impact.

It finally happens

Growing up, I always knew I was going to live in a different country. Simply because I wanted that, I wanted to see what life was like in other places. I didn’t know how or when but I knew I was going to be able to get out of a country that didn’t make me happy.

I spent a lot of time learning English since I was probably 8 years old. I picked my career, visual design because I knew I could do that anywhere. I was getting ready for this vision of my future which is my reality now.

You can do it too

Moving countries with no money to start a new life is not easy. It’s the riskiest and most difficult thing I’ve ever done. If I was able to do that and get to where I am in less than 4 years. Imagine all the amazing things you or anyone can do if they really want it and work for it.

Use this ’method’, or whatever you want to call it, in your life and things will happen eventually. Me personally, I’m ready to keep growing and turn my dreams and ideas into reality.