“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure. When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

— Paulo Coelho

Throughout my decades of working and talking with people all over the world, there is one topic that comes up with some regularity. That topic is whether or not we have dreams for the future.

I’ve always found it interesting and inspiring to hear the range of hopes, wishes and goals that come from those conversations.

What I’ve found to be surprising, though, is the number of people who don’t allow themselves to have a dream beyond, “I just hope to earn enough money to make ends meet.”

And there are those who have dreams, big or small, but for one reason or another aren’t doing anything to pursue them. They are often rooted in fear, even without being consciously aware of it. The most common reasons I’ve heard are these:

• “I don’t have time.”

• “I don’t really believe I could do it.”

• “I don’t know how I could make it happen.”

• “I’m too old.”

• “Dreams don’t really come true.”

• “I don’t have the money.”

• “People would think it’s stupid.”

At the end of the day, these are nothing more than excuses to give up without first trying.

If you fall into one of these categories, or any other one that is keeping your from pursuing your dream, ask yourself this: Do you want that dream or not?

Let’s Take a Closer Look

1. “I don’t have time.” If something matters to you enough, you will find time for it. Whether it’s a hobby, your sleep, your family, or that dream you say you have, if it’s important enough you will carve out time for it. Don’t blame the clock if your dream isn’t happening. Ask yourself if you really want that dream. If you the answer is “Yes,” start figuring out where you can create some time to take steps toward making it happen.

2. “I don’t really believe I could do it.” Like the others on this list, this is entirely within your control. Beliefs are not facts. They are opinions and they can be changed. Begin with changing your language. “I don’t believe” shuts the door on possibilities and keeps you stuck. Try shifting to something you can believe, like, “I’m willing to believe it’s possible.” Or even, “I’m open to believing I could do it.” Anything that opens that door a crack will move you from an “I can’t” position to one that allows forward movement. Baby steps count.

3. “I don’t know how I could make it happen.” The dreaded “how” is a complete and utter dream-killer. Banish it from your vocabulary when thinking about your dream! That nasty little word keeps you thinking and playing small. It keeps you stuck and unable to see beyond it. Brianna Wiest, Senior Contributor at Forbes, says, “The point is that life will always surprise you with how things come to fruition. Instead of being obsessively attached to every little detail working out the way you think it should, be open to potential and possibility, even if it’s something you never imagined before.”

4. “I’m too old.” Well, as I always say on hearing that, “If you’re breathing and conscious, you can still try.” I don’t think I need to elaborate.

5. “Dreams don’t really come true.” Perhaps this hasn’t been your experience of life so far but this statement is a huge leap that wipes out anyone’s dreams ever having come true. Look at all of those successful movie stars and globally adored musicians. Check out the artists who make millions from their paintings. And what about those who have climbed Everest or swum with dolphins or finally taken that incredible Alaskan cruise? Dreams come true every day. Do some research, find people who have realised your dream — or any dream. If they did it, it’s possible for you, too.

6. “I don’t have the money.” This one trips up a lot of people. There are a few approaches that can help. For example, be open to your dream happening in a way you hadn’t considered. Look at the essence of what you want to achieve or enjoy doing, and brainstorm other ways you could experience it. Ask trusted friends to help with that (only friends who support your dream!). And see numbers 2 and 3 above to help you start shifting into thoughts that are more in alignment with your dreams.

7. “People would think it’s stupid.” As we say in Canada (and they say it in the US, too), who gives a rat’s ass?? You have every right to your dreams and yours is the only opinion that matters. If you want to go for it, then go for it. And when you achieve that dream and you’re super happy and loving your life because of it, are you going to worry that people are thinking how stupid that is? If anything, they’ll envy you for having been brave and done it anyway and achieved something that they wouldn’t dare try.

And while we’re on the subject of what other people might think about your dreams:

“Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great.” — Mark Twain

Why “Dreaming Big” Matters

Your dreams are precious. They make life worth living. They allow you to think outside the box and to create goals for yourself that will enhance your life when you reach them. They allow you the freedom to create a fulfilling life that will bring you and your family happiness.

If dreams are supposed to do all of that, how can any of it happen if you don’t dream in a way that is bigger than your life is at the moment?

If your only dream is to get a job you like better than the current one, or to pay off your credit cards, or to take a family holiday every year, then the most you can hope for is the job you like better, the credit cards to be paid off and the family holiday every year.

If you’re not thinking about any more than that, you’re not trying for any more than that. And if you’re not trying for any more than that, you won’t get any more than that. Life will be about plodding along, day after day, never knowing what great things you could achieve, what adventures you could have, or just how far you could really go.

We have imaginations. We are creative beings. Even if you’re not creative in the traditional sense, such as art or music, you still have the ability to create your own world. You are still able to carve out a life for yourself that makes you happy, one that you find to be fulfilling and rewarding.

If it leaves you feeling fulfilled and blissful to have that job you like, being debt-free and enjoying a family holiday every year, then that’s great. More power to you.

But what if you find yourself sometimes being a bit wistful, wishing for that big house in the country, those exotic travels, the pursuit of hobbies that you think you can’t afford in time or money? What if there is anything else you wish you could do or try?

Then there’s a door with your name on it and a dream on the other side.

Whether or not you choose to open that door is entirely up to you because you are the creator of your life, the master of your destiny, the weaver of your own dreams.

No one but you can make them come true.

How To “Dream Big”

Don’t reduce your dreams to fit your reality now. Expand your reality now to fit your dreams.

If you restrict your dreams by thinking you will only ever achieve the mundane, the usual, or the average, then that’s exactly what you’ll get.

But if you lift yourself out of what you already have and allow yourself to imagine the possibilities, your life will begin to open up, to blossom and unfold in a way that begins to take you down new and exciting roads.

Dreams don’t cost anything. No matter how big or small they are, they cost nothing. They ask only to be heard, to be acknowledged.

And what they give you in return will be amazing.

Go on. Open that door. And see where it leads you. It can only be somewhere wonderful.

Read: The One Thing That Will Destroy Your Happiness

Spiritual Arts Mentor and Master Teacher, Liberty Forrest, guides you in discovering who you are, why you’re here, and how to follow that path.