It may be difficult to lock down exactly what your dreams are, but you will need to be able to set them in stone in order to devise a plan that helps you achieve them.  Sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of what you want out of life.  Then use that list to create a singular mission statement.  Try to narrow your dreams down to one solid statement that encompasses the change you want to make in your life. Some examples could be: I will become a cartoonist, I will live in California, or I will start a newspaper. Now that you have identified your overarching goal, you need to determine what skills you have that can help you accomplish it, what sacrifices you are willing to make, and how much you may need to risk.  Think about the skills you will need to achieve your dream; do you currently possess them or will you need further training or education? Try to determine a ballpark figure for how much your dream will cost to pursue.  If your dream is to open a business your budget requirements may be much higher than if your dream is to learn to play the guitar. Depending on the scope of your dream, you may be a long way away from being a position to achieve them, but don’t get discouraged; a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You probably face challenges in your life that can directly affect your ability to pursue your dreams.  Assess those challenges and consider what sacrifices you are willing to make to overcome them.  Money is the most common limitation when it comes to chasing dreams.  You may need to wait for some time in order to Save Money, or you may have things you are willing to sell in pursuit of your goals. Other limitations may include job security, having time, or a lack of skills or training. Make a list of possible solutions for each problem you come up with. This step will provide you with the basic framework of your plan moving forward.  Start by establishing a few broad goals, then identify a few smaller goals within each one.  Some examples could be:  If your dream is to open a restaurant, your first goal could be to learn to cook.  Within that goal, sub-goals may be to attend culinary school, If your dream is to become a musician, your first goal could be to perform a live show, with a sub-goal of purchasing the amp and other equipment necessary for a concert. Now that you have identified your goals and the obstacles you face, it’s time to establish your plan to chase your dreams.  Create a step by step list of what you need to accomplish in order to put yourself in a position to achieve your dreams.  Start with the very first task you will need to complete.  It may be to begin saving enough money for your next step, or it could be to start looking into necessary training or education programs. Use your goals and sub-goals to guide your checklist so that by the time you have it completed, you will have reached your ultimate goal.

Summary: Break your dreams down into an action statement. Assess your current situation. Identify the obstacles preventing you from chasing your dreams. Make a list of goals associated with achieving your dreams. Complete your plan.


These sets of rules will govern where you can and cannot build a house. They’ll also restrict architectural aspects of the house like its structural support, the slope of the roof, and the electrical setup. At some point, you’ll need to have a county inspector visit the build site. You should be able to find these rules online without too much trouble. Use a web browser to search for your county followed by the words “building codes.” Once you’re familiar with the building codes, you’ll need to work with the county to obtain actual building permits. You’ll need permits in order to build any structure with plumbing, electrical connectivity, and heating and air conditioning. A county or city inspector will review your building plan and issue permits once the building plan is approved. If the county inspector does not approve of the building plan, you’ll need to revise the building plan as the inspector directs. All houses—unless you’re building illicitly in an extremely rural area—must be able to be accessed by known roads. If you’re following county codes and building on a relatively remote lot, you’ll need to work with the county building inspector to make sure that your house can be reached by emergency and mail delivery vehicles. Road access shouldn’t be a problem if you’re building in a suburban or urban lot. If you’re planning to build in an undeveloped, rural area, connecting your house’s plumbing with a water supply network can be an unexpected challenge. Work with your builder to find an efficient way to connect your house to a water supply. This may involve modifying your building location. If you’re building on a vacant lot in a suburban area or small city, this won’t be a problem since a water system will already be in place (although you’ll need to dig a few trenches for water pipes). On average, it can take from 4 to 6 months to build a new home, from when the foundation is poured to when you move in. During that time, the builder may encounter unforeseen problems, or you may decide to make cosmetic changes to the house layout. Keep in contact with the builder and visit the site frequently to make sure all goes according to plan. Keep in mind that any changes you make to the house plans—or problems encountered by the builder—may increase the amount you’ve budgeted to spend.

Summary: Research local city and county building codes. Contact your county government and obtain the necessary building permits. Determine how the property will be reached by roads. Plan how you’ll get water to the house. Work with the builder while construction is underway.


You might see your teacher as only being a teacher, but keep in mind that they have a life of their own. Your teacher may be going through problems in their personal life, be stressed out from bad students, or be tired from working so much. Don't be too hard on your teacher and remember that they are a person too. Ask your teacher about their weekend, or what their favorite movies are. They'll appreciate you making an effort to learn more about them. You and your teacher don't have to be best friends, but you should be able to work together in a stress-free environment. Don't be a nuisance or give your teacher a hard time, and they'll most likely stop giving you a hard time. If you focus on your schoolwork and treat your teacher with respect, they should have no reason to dislike you. If your teacher seems to dislike you, it may be difficult for you to treat them with respect. However, if you're able to be respectful with your teacher while discussing schoolwork or personal issues, they may start to develop a mutual respect for you. When issues arise in the future, talk to your teacher respectfully, and in private, to hopefully resolve the issue.
Summary: Get to know your teacher. Don't give your teacher a reason not to like you. Speak to your teacher respectfully.