You Closer Than You Think To Living Out Your Dreams
When you think about doing work that you love, does it just seem like a fantasy to you? Why is that?
Is this what you feel like?
The bigger question I have for you is: are you willing to keep being miserable for 40 hours or more every week until the end?
You might not even think you're miserable; do you just tolerate your work? You may think that tolerating is getting you through but it's affecting you in ways that you don't even know about.
Why is it that we tell our kids to shoot for the stars yet we ourselves shoot for the clouds? Actions speak louder than words, when you're children see you "settle" what do you think they have a strong potential to do? Settle just like YOU.
Do you want to move to some beautiful exotic place? Don't you know that you could get the same job you have now at that exotic place? This isn't extreme, people do it every day, did they win the lottery? NO! The difference between those people and you is they've had enough and aren't willing to settle anymore. Maybe you're there and ready but don't know how, this post is for you.
It all starts with proper planning
You can do all the things you want to do in life, you can live out your dreams, you just have to have a good game plan. Like anything, it starts with doing the research. Let's say you want to move to that exotic place, how much are houses? How much does it cost to rent? More importantly, how much money will you need to save up to move there? These all should be a part of your plan; it should be laid out step by step.
Do you want to get your dream job? How much money will you need to save until you can get that job up and running? What companies would fit the criteria for your dream work? How much money will you need to start the business of your dreams? You get the point, you have to do the research and you have to lay out a game plan to execute these dreams. We do this when we want to lose weight, right? We do this with all sorts of other things in our life, it's no different when you're planning out our dreams.
You have to fight doubt
Even with a proper plan, you'll always have doubt, be prepared. You just have to realize that those doubts are unfounded because you have a solid plan. Doubt will come from the voices in your head but it will also come from other people, even friends. Even when you start to see some success in the path to your dreams, you'll still have doubt. Just be constantly aware of it and don't let it win, if doubt wins then you go back to the things you've been trying to get away from, is that what you want?
You have to stop making excuses
Are you the kind of person who gives every reason why something won't work out before you've even tried it? If you are, then you're in for a life of disappointment and unhappiness. Look, I know you have bills, I know you have kids, I know things seem impossible, THEY"RE NOT! You've made enough excuses to not go after all things you've dreamed of in life, why not try another way? If it doesn't work out you can always go back to the way things were.
Reach out for support
I wrote a post about the importance of a close group of friends (http://talesofwork.com/blog/2012/01/one-key-to-success-a-close-group-of-friends/). They can push you to new heights and encourage you when you feel like giving up. If you don't have a group like this, watch out for negative people (http://excitingfamilyjourney.com/2012/02/14/avoid-negative-people-at-all-cost/). One key to fulfilling your dreams is to have this group helping you every step of the way.
Take action
You can talk about your dreams, you can come up with a step by step plan. You can have friends encourage you and you can fend off doubt, this is all good. At some point you have to take the first steps. Talk has to end, action must begin.
Our dreams seem so impossible in our mind, it just doesn't seem realistic. Why can't you be one of the success stories we read about on the news? Why can't you find your dream job and make more money then you ever dreamed of? Why can't you move to some amazing exotic place near the ocean where you surf everyday? You can, you can, you can.
The biggest enemy in us following our dream is US, we are the biggest obstacle in our way. Get out of your own way and start on the path to what you truly want to do. Life is way too short to coast through and have a few moments of joy.
How close are you to your dreams? Do you know what they are?
