By: Abby Dizon
Recall the first career you dreamed of pursuing. Was it perhaps becoming a doctor, a firefighter, a dentist or a veterinarian?
Some of you may have held onto that first dream all the way to college, where it became the foundation of your college major. Or maybe you have opted for the safe route of abandoning those dreams to pursue a more practical and obtainable field. As Pahal Agrawal, a blogger published on Medium, observed, “Although society repeatedly told you how unrealistic chasing those dreams may be, ‘You were the one who held the knife and ended their existence in your heart.’”
This article is an important reminder that it is never too late or impractical to pursue your professional dreams. Here are the steps to get started.
Design a plan and stick to it
Committing to a plan becomes challenging when you lack clarity on your goals and fail to put into detail the steps needed to achieve them. It becomes more manageable and attainable once you meticulously work out the details and understand what it takes to get there. By creating a vision board, researching the courses needed to learn and identifying the resources needed, you create a clearer roadmap for your journey.
Be courageous and committed
Chasing your dreams is no walk in the park. There will be times when you feel you are on cloud nine, basking in excitement and motivation towards pursuing your passion. However, there probably will be challenging times in which you are overwhelmed with doubt, questioning whether this was your true calling and whether you should just give up. Remember that the dream in your heart is persistent for a reason. God would not put a dream in your heart if He didn’t have a plan to bring it to pass. Successful people had times of struggle on their journey to where they are; so trust the process, have faith in what you are capable of and remain steadfast in your goals. Each step, regardless of how small it is, brings you closer to turning your dreams into reality.
Use negative words as fuel
There will always be times when people will doubt your ability to succeed. Careless words such as “incompetent,” “undevoted,” or “just quit” will fly out of people’s mouths. However, negative statements most often come from those who failed to pursue their own dreams or are envious of the steps you are taking. Rather than allowing these statements to beat you down or hinder your process, use them as fuel to prove the naysayers wrong and drive you forward. Channel any negativity and doubts into the fuel of motivation.
When you reach the finish line, you can look back and see how far you’ve come and recognize those who doubted you. Each negative comment can become a powerful catalyst for personal growth, driving you to work harder and achieve what others thought you couldn’t.
According to a 2020 Valentine’s Day article in Forbes Business, only eight percent of the world’s population manages to turn their dreams into reality. Step out of your comfort zone, be different and become a part of the eight percent. By pushing through the highs and lows with resilience, courage and commitment, you will turn your dreams into reality.
