Many times in life, people are always looking for ways in which they can start something new, or start doing something that will help them make more progress or reach a desired goal in their lives. It’s usually a venture that starts with the words, “I’m gonna start.”

I’m gonna start eating more healthy.

I’m gonna start going back to the gym.

I’m gonna start spending more time with the people I love.

I’m gonna start reading that book.

I’m gonna start that business I’ve been planning for.

I’m gonna start going after my dreams.

The list goes on and on, and all of it is great for making progress in one’s life. However, the stop is just as important as the start in most cases. If you are going to reach the life you’ve been dreaming about, then there are a few things that you should consider stopping while you’re on the journey to reaching your dreams.

1. Stop worrying about stuff that is out of your control.

Sometimes people spend countless hours of worrying and stressing out over an outcome that they have absolutely no influence or control over. When you are worrying over a situation outside of your control, it can take a toll on your emotional and physical state of being. You must come to terms with the fact that it’s beyond your control. Let it go and focus on moving forward and continue to trust that no matter what, you are going to be allright.

2. Stop trying to make everybody happy.

This action is typically driven by the fear of what others will think of you. It will only enslave you to the opinions of others. If you’re too busy trying to make others happy all the time, then it will distract you from moving forward with your own life and your own well being. You are not called to make others happy. They must find happiness on their own. Freeing yourself of this burden can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever experience. Be free. Be happy. Be you.

"Fear of man is a dangerous trap, but to trust in God means safety." - Proverbs 29:25

3. Stop complaining about your current situation.

Complaining about something all the time never changes anything. Complaining also distracts you from taking the necessary action steps in order to change the situation for the better. If you want change, you have to create it yourself. Stop complaining and start thinking of ways that you can change the situation. Start connecting with the right people who can offer advice on how you can make things better for your life. It’s time to ditch your complaints and take action on building the life that you have been dreaming about.

4. Stop comparing yourself to others.

Sizing yourself up to others can bring frustration and disappointment about what you don’t have, and you’ll fail to recognize what you do have. It’s natural for us to look at someone we admire or someone who is already a success at what we want to do and think that they got there without any struggles. In truth, you have no idea what it took for them to get to where they are today. Instead of asking people about their success, ask them for their pre-success story. I’m sure it’s filled with ups and downs as well as minor and major setbacks along the way. We make the biggest mistake when we only compare ourselves with their end results and not their beginnings. This leaves us weary and defeated before we even start the journey.

Don’t waste any more time comparing yourself with another person. You don’t have time to get caught up in that web of distraction.

“The problem with comparison is that you envision the other person as better than they really are.”

5. Stop knocking on a closed door.

We’ve all had those times in our lives when we were expecting something to happen and it didn’t, only to leave us disappointed.

You thought the relationship would work out and it didn’t.

You thought you were next in line for the promotion, and to your surprise, it went to someone else.

You put your trust in someone and they let you down.

You thought a door of opportunity was opening for you, and then all of a sudden, for reasons out of your control, it closed.

“You have to learn to let go of what didn’t happen so you can get ready to experience what can happen.”

When a door closes, quit standing there looking at it. This is not the end of the world, no matter how you feel about it. How you respond is the key to overcoming this moment. If a door suddenly closes, you’re now in a good position to turn around and start looking for the next opportunity coming your way. Keep your head up and your emotions in check. Don’t start blaming others for the closed opportunity—blame shifting will keep you stuck. And quit trying to figure out all the reasons why it didn’t happen. Relax! You are right where you are supposed to be. A closed door can lead to a greater opportunity for you.

6. Stop procrastinating.

Procrastination is an invisible force that has the power to keep you from ever advancing toward your Next. It can stop you in your tracks, all the while giving you the illusion that you are making progress because you are still thinking about doing it some day. You spend hours imagining yourself living your dream, but for some reason you are not doing anything to get there. You keep putting off doing those daily, weekly, and monthly action steps that are designed to get you closer to your destination. Before you know it, your dream has drifted farther and farther away and you are exhausted just thinking about all the things you have to do to get there.

Don’t get in the habit of saying, “I’ll get to that tomorrow.” Sooner or later you will realize that when tomorrow shows up, you’ll feel overwhelmed with a growing to-do list and not enough time. And what will that make you want to do? Put it off until tomorrow!

7. Stop doubting yourself.

People are typically their own worst critic. Doubting in yourself and your abilities will only cause you to stay stuck in a life of fear, while always wondering what if. You have to be your biggest cheerleader in life. You must believe in yourself if you are ever going to reach your dreams. Stop thinking you can’t, and start thinking that you can.

The list of things to stop is different for everyone. Make sure to take some time and write down a few things that you feel like you need to stop doing in order to start making more progress in your life. There might be some things that you will need to stop permanently, or there might be some things that you will need to stop temporarily in order to reach a short-term goal. Whatever it is, don’t waste any more time doing an activity that is keeping you from making the progress you desire. It’s your time to stop so that you can start getting closer to reaching that goal.

On your mark, get set, stop!