These days, it seems like life is coming at us at warp speed, and with that often comes feelings of anxiety and stress. Because of that, I’ve been concentrating on helping my clients learn how to embrace, accept and create change in their lives so they can easily reduce their stress levels.

Here’s the thing: After I had a not-so-great business project go awry, I had to find a way to overcome my feelings of failure and personal stress. I chose to focus on the good things that came from my undesirable experience, and that’s when I came up with five foundations everyone should practice daily in order to achieve everything they desire.

1. Dream big. The road to big dreams is paved with goals: achievable steps you can take to chip away at the big one. Big dreams are something we should all have. We’re all guilty of daydreaming about spending our imaginary lottery winnings, right? Why not aspire to actually achieve your lottery life? There’s absolutely no reason in my mind. So, set those big dreams, tell the universe, write them down, create a vision board and work toward making them happen by ticking items off your goal list.

2. Master your mindset. Knowing how to adjust your attitude is a learned skill and one that comes in handy, no matter what stage of life you’re in. I consider a positive mindset a superpower. Using techniques like repeating positive affirmations, journaling and meditation in your daily life helps create a mindset of positivity and abundance.

3. Become an expert communicator. The single most important element in every relationship is communication. Let’s face it, if we don’t have the tools to be effective communicators, we end up getting lost in the shuffle. It’s not just about talking. Communication comes in several forms, verbal and nonverbal. Get to know the different types. Become a good listener. Acknowledge a situation with a hug when appropriate. Words aren’t the only way to get your point across. 

4. Achieve balance. In order to achieve balance in our lives, we have to be good at time management. Having the ability to facilitate your day efficiently can make all the difference. Utilizing tools that can help you (and your family) plan your schedules and focus on your tasks can ultimately allow you better sight into your day/week/month. Once you implement a system, you will have the ability to see pockets where you can carve out time for yourself and your family. That’s a game-changer.

5. Inspire and empower. It’s true: When we’re firing on all cylinders, we’re unstoppable. We feel like we could run the world, and that’s empowering. Everything shifts when your confidence is shining through. It’s contagious in the best way possible. When you have the tools to empower yourself successfully, you’ll not only inspire others; you will naturally want to empower everyone around you.