Achieving your dreams can be an intimidating undertaking, especially when the starting point is unclear. Kathy Andersen understands how daunting it can be to take that first step. Anderson survived an abusive childhood, which left deep emotional wounds that continued to haunt her as an adult. She realized she needed to make a positive change in her life and journeyed across the world to discover how.

“I decided to literally change my shoes, from corporate high heels to hiking boots,” she recalled. “I needed to step out and experience something different that might get me on a path that was more inspiring, because up to this time, I had been just surviving and getting over what I had experienced.”

Here are her tips to achieve your dreams:

1. Slow down, live in the present and trust your own intuition.

“We run so fast, and if you run through the most beautiful scene on the planet, you miss the beauty and the magic of everything that’s right next to you and in front of you,” Andersen said. “You start to wire your brain around a trusting of your inner wisdom, intuition and judgment, in addition to looking at the rational facts of the situation.”

2. Take five minutes of “meditative space” and visualize all you want for yourself.

This goes for your well-being, health, relationships, work, wealth, spirituality and fun. Allow thoughts for what you want in your life to come to you. Allow the most important thought to stay with you as you leave your meditative space.

3. Write down your biggest dreams and steps to achieve them.

Putting them on paper makes them real and helps you keep focused. Once you have written down your dreams, it’s time to think about how to achieve them. Andersen recommends breaking each one down into tiny steps, so it’s less intimidating. “Writing and breaking down dreams into achievable action steps (such as who you can ask for help) makes those ideas more real and workable than if we just keep them in our heads,” she said.

4. Resolve today to take one step.

Some of the steps you need to take may not be simple steps. They may challenge you. They may cause you to question your work, your relationships, your beliefs, your purpose, your passions and your choices. And that is the point!

5. Write your resolution affirmation.

According to Andersen, “You only need to remember one thing. You hold the choices for your life in your hands. They belong to you completely. They are yours to make with each day. And with each day, the adventures of your life await your choices and your resolutions.”

For more information, visit KathyAndersen.com.

Kathy Andersen has helped leaders, organizations and communities transform visions into realities to create impact and positive change for almost 20 years. She holds a master’s degree from Harvard University with a focus on international development and leadership. Andersen is a master class-trained facilitator in adaptive leadership from Harvard University and a certified facilitator through Jack Canfield Training Companies. Her award-winning book is Change Your Shoes, Live Your Greatest Life.