Making Changes Stick: 3 Tips To Help You Turn Dreams Into Reality

Why Dreams Often Fizzle Out

One of the most fascinating parts of being human is our endless desire for more. We dream of new experiences, accomplishments, and changes—and imagining those possibilities is the easy part. The hard part is turning those dreams into reality. Too often, the excitement fades, overwhelm sets in, and we slip back into old routines.

As both a professional and a person on my own journey, I’ve seen how important it is to focus not just on the dream but on the small steps that make it achievable. With the end of the year approaching, many of us are setting intentions for the next one. This is the perfect time to think about how to keep momentum alive so that by next year, your goals aren’t just wishes—they’re accomplishments.

A Game-Changing Resource

Recently, I listened to Atomic Habits by James Clear, and it gave me practical tools for creating lasting change. If you’re interested, I highly recommend reading or listening to it. But if you’re here for the highlights, I’ve pulled out my top strategies below—each one tested in my own life and with patients.

Atomic Habits by James Clear

Start Small

When beginning something new, enthusiasm often pushes us to go “all in.” But diving headfirst can lead to burnout. Imagine deciding to work out six days a week for 45 minutes right from the start. Or switching overnight to a strict Mediterranean diet. Within weeks, exhaustion and frustration set in, and the plan collapses.

Instead, start small. If your long-term goal is exercising six days a week, begin with one short workout—say, 10 minutes every Monday. It’s easier to commit to, harder to skip, and builds consistency. Over time, you can add more days and lengthen your sessions.

The same applies to diet changes. Rather than overhauling everything, try one Mediterranean-style meal each week. This gives you time to plan, experiment, and adjust without feeling deprived. Small steps create sustainable progress.

Habit Stacking

Habit stacking is about linking new habits to existing ones. You use something you already do as a cue for the new behavior. For example:

• After finishing dinner, go for a short walk.

• After bringing in the garbage can on Monday, do your weekly workout.

• After prepping dinner, squeeze in a quick exercise session.

This approach works because it builds on routines you already have. You’re not reinventing your schedule—you’re enhancing it.

Identity Over Goals

This mindset shift is powerful. Instead of focusing on a one-time goal, focus on becoming the type of person who achieves it.

For example, don’t just set a goal to “run a 10k next year.” Instead, adopt the identity: “I am a runner.” When you see yourself as a runner, your choices naturally align with that identity. You’ll train consistently, pay attention to nutrition, and prioritize recovery. Acting in line with who you believe you are makes habits stick—and it spills over into other areas of life, like how you care for your body overall.

Closing Thoughts

Dreams are exciting, but habits are what make them real. By starting small, stacking habits, and shifting your mindset from goals to identity, you create a system that keeps you moving forward—even when motivation fades. As we step into a new year, remember: lasting change doesn’t come from giant leaps, but from small, consistent actions that compound over time.

So, what identity will you embrace this year? The answer could shape not just your goals, but your entire future.