You are the architect of your life. Here are 4 ways to design the life you've always dreamed of.

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Have you ever heard someone say, "I'll believe it when I see it?" Not only is this phraseology common jargon, but it is also common thought. Many of us think knowledge comes first. We often yearn for data, evidence, and irrefutable proof of something before we believe it exists.

However, our history is littered with examples of those who did not. Countless famous innovators believed in the power of their ideas, even when there was no evidence to back them up. Many inventors have been told they were crazy, reckless, or insane. They were told that their beliefs were wrong and that their ideas would never work. Thank God they didn't listen. Without Alexander Graham Bell, , and , and their perseverance and dedication to their ideas, we wouldn't have the telephone, the light bulb, the motor vehicles or KFC.

Successful people act differently when it comes to belief. They know that belief comes before knowledge, not the other way around. They run the typical "I'll believe it when I see it" cliche in reverse. It changes everything.

As humans, we have an incredible power that no other animal possesses: imagination. We have the power to imagine what we want, and that's a gift we should all use. We have the agency. We can design and create whole new realities. We can change almost everything about ourselves and our lives. It's an amazing ability. Yet too many of us fail to use this great gift.

You are the architect of your life. Here are four ways to act on it.

Related: How to Get Your Aware Mind in the Driver's Seat and Create Control in Your Life

1. Match your words to your actions

With almost everything in our lives, there are two creations. This concept came from Stephen Covey. There is mental creation - when an idea exists in our mind - and there is physical creation, where an idea manifests in the real world. When our mental creations align with our physical creations, that is when we experience true happiness and fulfillment.

But sadly, many are too engrossed in reactive complaints about what they see in their physical world that they take almost no time to proactively explore how different it might be. When there is congruence between what we say is important and what we do to achieve it, that is when we find true inner peace and joy.

2. Schedule dedicated time to sit down and strategize

Many of us don't do that. We don't stray from the daily routine of work and home to frequently and systematically schedule time to strategize on how to improve our current state. This is why things rarely change for many of us. We live in a reactive state, simply responding to emails and requests from our bosses, clients, and families. We are slaves to the daily hustle and bustle of cleaning, cooking, and just surviving without exploring the possibilities.

If you want to create a great life for yourself, you need to take time each week to step back from the menial tasks of each day to think about the big picture, the kind of life you want to create in the future, and the way you I'll do it.

Related: The One Common Denominator Between Successful People

3. Truly believe in yourself and your ideas

Henry Ford said it well: "Whether you think you can or you can't, either way, you're right." If you believe you can do something and you're about to do it (even if you have no reason to believe you'll be successful), you're more likely to emerge victorious. Our brain doesn't like to make us liars, and our body often does what our mind tells it to do. So if you believe in a dream you have, you are much more likely to figure out exactly what actions you need to take to make that dream a reality. Our power of conviction is very strong.

4. Take actions that align with your beliefs

If you think you're qualified for a promotion or a new role, you're likely to take the exact steps you need to get there. You will be looking for the right mentors to guide you. You will work very hard on projects that have visibility. You will improve your resume. You will arrive earlier...