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By Nicole Marie Cato ·
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Be still and listen to your heart

It’s a new year and you’re ready to get started on your big dreams! Before you get started, spend some quiet time going over your plans and searching your heart. “Sit back, relax and listen to your inner to lead you to what God has for you,” advises empowerment coach Celena Gill. “Once you slow down and listen to your heart, you can take your time to pinpoint your desires and create a vision.” By moving too fast, you could end up pursuing something that’s not truly your passion.

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Think about how you can serve others

“What do other people always ask you for? What areas of advice to do your friends repeatedly seek from you?” Gill says these are questions that can easily lead you to discovering your gift. If your coworkers always ask you to lead the office community service activity, or your girlfriends always reach out because they love your cooking, those could be telltale signs of your natural gifts and how your passion serves others. If you enjoy the task, that’s further confirmation that this could be your true passion.

03
Do what you can with what you have

You don’t need Oprah’s money or Michelle O.’s fame to make a difference. “You can find ways to serve others and work in your passion in your everyday life,” says Gill. “Whether you serve at church or are a bus driver, your energy and vision can be used to help someone else.” If your goals seem to require more time, money or resources than you have, break down your plans into small steps and just start. The more you get moving, the more momentum and resources will come your way over time.

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04
Set a realistic timeline

There’s no such thing as an overnight sensation so patience with yourself is key. “Working in your gift will take time, so keep working at it,” says Gill. With the advent of social media, it may seem like some ideas go viral in a matter of days, but rest assured that when it’s your time, nothing will stand in your way. “It may take you months or years before your idea takes off, and that’s okay. Nothing is predictable, but anything is possible.”

05
Take a look at your budget

If your 2015 vision requires more cash flow than what’s in your bank account, it’s time to get creative and take risks. “If you want to quit your 9-to-5, your style of living may have to change, but your happiness is worth it! You’re working an unfulfilling job just because it affords you a certain lifestyle, but are you really enjoying that life? Sometimes, we end up buying material things to make us happy, and that’s why we can’t save money. It’s a never-ending cycle,” says Gill. Think of ways you can decrease your monthly expenses and see how long you can go without visiting the mall this year. Create a “vision account” and start stashing away money you can use to fund your dream. It’ll be worth every penny in the end.

06
Get support
Don’t try to go at your dream alone. “Everyone needs a mentor or a circle of friends you can confide in when times get hard, because it won’t always be easy,” advises Gill. Conferences are great places to meet other women who have similar goals. Whether it’s an art fair or a business expo, attend events in your industry and surround yourself with like-minded people. If you can’t find a group you mesh with, create one! Facebook and Google Groups both offer free ways to create an online community. Plant the seed and it will grow.
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Connect with Celena Gill

Celena Gill is an empowerment coach and a bliss expert based in Washington, D.C. She specializes in helping women recover from their past, uncover their fears, and discover their bliss. She pushes women to find their purpose, passion, and prospects. Connect with her via Facebook and Instagram.