All things change in the moment of decision. Many people recognise this truth, yet few people make real decisions to start living the life they'd prefer and feel they deserve.

Why is that? And for those who do attempt to make a new decision, why is it that they have so much difficulty making those decisions stick?

One of the definitions I like regarding “decision” is that it is a conclusion drawn after consideration. So if now is the time you'd like to bring some of the less desirable situations in your life to a conclusion, this article is for you.

Here are three tips to keep in mind when deciding to move forward on what you want in life.

1. What you expect, you get

As you embark on this new decision you need to expect to succeed. You need to expect that people and things will fall into line to help you. You need to expect that when things get difficult you will find a way through and you will succeed.

Expecting tough moments and preparing ahead of time mentally is important. Most people stop trying to achieve their goals because they hit a difficult moment. Expect that those moments will arrive and have a strategy for breaking through. (More on strategies later.)

2. Decisions are not decisions until they have action attached

When action is attached to a decision it gains momentum. As you begin to move forward and take a step into the unknown the universe conspires to help you.

Action always has consequence and bold action towards good things always come with reward.

Your mind also recognises the forward movement into action and develops confidence that you will actually achieve what you decided to do.

In our Personal Power Mastery seminar we talk about the importance of consistent progress. If you add new and regular activities that take you in the direction of your decision you will stay motivated to continue.

People are happiest when they are progressing and there is a lot of strength gaining if you recognise your progress towards what you've decided to do. You should take five action steps towards your decision each day.

3. Own the future destination of your decision in the present tense

How we think determines ultimately what we believe and will take action on. If your decision is to achieve the goal of becoming a top sales person in your company you must begin by saying to yourself that you are worthy to be there today. You must see yourself as the person who has accomplished this goal.

More important than what other people say to us is what we say to ourselves. There is an ancient saying attributed to the Samurai which goes, "When we conquer the enemy within, no enemy from without can destroy us."

While it is true that others may encourage or discourage us, their words have limited power until we decide to repeat them to ourselves with certainty.

Your words must support this. You'll have to eliminate all fluffy conversations where you say, "I'd like to…" "I hope to…" "I should…" "I could…" "I would…"

You need to start thinking and speaking in terms of "I am."

Here's one bonus idea that can be added to this point. If you want to achieve the decisions you make quickly and in the most powerful lasting way possible, you need to surround yourself with the people and knowledge that will make it more likely you will reach that destination.

The reasons why so few people get to live the life of their dreams is not that they abstain from making difficult decisions. It's actually the easy ones that they don't make.

Rather than choose the life they want, they accept the situation they are in. And nothing changes.

Go get what you want today. It's a new day and a new opportunity!

Douglas Vermeeren is a leader in personal development and achievement psychology. He has extensively researched the lives of more than 400 of the world's top achievers and compiled the lessons he learned, along with the psychology that creates success, into a seminar series called Personal Power Mastery.