At the start of this year, many of us have made resolutions and most of these are usually centered around our dreams. Everyone always says, “Follow your dreams!” But not everyone does it. Life interjects, bills pile up, and sometimes we have to do jobs we don’t want to do just to make it through the day. So what do we do then? Go after our dreams, just daydream about it, or accept the fact that you will never achieve it?At the start of a new year many of us feel motivated to follow our dreams, to break the trend, and to live the life we’ve always wanted.
Your time is limited so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Steve Jobs
Pursuing our dreams isn’t an easy ride. The twists and curves you’ve encountered may have left you full of negative thoughts and doubting your ability to succeed. To keep your dreams alive, you must avoid making certain mistakes. You must realize that you’re the pilot, and you can take charge of your dreams and fly to places you’ve never been.
We dream to give ourselves hope. To stop dreaming—well, that’s like saying you can never change your fate.
Amy Tan
Here are some of the mistakes I’ve learned through experience which I’d like to share today
1. Letting discouragement overwhelm you.
Take the risk. Are you going to be scared? Oh, yes, you’ll be petrified. Remember, it’s not going to be a straight path. Take mini steps and be consistent with your work.
Even if you don’t reach the goal you’ve set, you’ll learn, grow, and perhaps even find new opportunities through the process of stretching yourself.
Believe in yourself and the possibility of your dreams coming true, without letting discouragement rob you of the faith you have in yourself.
2. Denying your current situation.
If your current situation is not ideal, don’t live in denial. If you do, you won’t be able to deal with the obstacles you’re currently facing. Doing nothing won’t change your situation or bring you any closer to your dreams. Before long, you will hit the wall and crash, and possibly fall into a depression.
Instead, accept the situation you’re in and then work toward changing it. You have more power than you realize. Trust and believe in yourself. However small the change happens, be grateful.
3. Dwelling on the past.
Holding on to a painful past will fill you with doubts when you’re trying to pursue your dreams. You won’t be able to handle obstacles that arise and you’ll spend your energy on worries and regrets.
You’ll be afraid to make decisions because of past experiences. You’ll hold yourself back from claiming opportunities when they arise.
So, let the past be gone but cling to the good memories, and when things are rocky look at the past and smile. Let the bad be a learning experience, let learning produce growth, and let growth bring you closer to your goal.
4. Procrastinating.
It can be deadly. Time wasted cannot be recovered. It’s just like a river; once you touch the water flowing past you, it will never flow back toward you again. Do what you’re supposed to do, when it’s supposed to be done.
5. Neglecting your body.
Don’t ever forget to take care of your body. Treat it like a temple. If you don’t, you will get sick, mentally and physically, and this will prevent you from working toward your goal.
However hard you’re working take time off to exercise, and don’t forget to eat healthy foods. Don’t starve yourself! 🙂
6. Waiting for help to chase you.
Knock on doors. Will doors be shut on you? Sure, more than you can count.
Sometimes we ask for help anticipating getting our way. Sorry, it doesn’t work that way. If doors close, go in through the window. If that means changing the course of your plan, please do so; change will not mean losing your dream.
7. Taking it personally when people judge you.
Everyone will judge you by how you look, what you eat, how you live, everything! When people judge, it has more to do with their own fears and insecurities than you
Turn a deaf ear to these judgments. Feel proud of the journey you’re taking.
8. Dwelling on the negative.
It’s impossible to only focus on the positive, but dwelling on the negative all the time is like a bomb waiting to explode. Your thoughts will hold you hostage from making progress and your mind will be filled with doubt.
Allow yourself to feel the negative. Cry if you have to, but don’t let it take over you.
Releasing your negative feelings will leave you at peace and you will be able to focus on the positive even in tough times.
A positive attitude will help you decide the best strategy for achieving your goals.
9. Comparing yourself to others.
Comparison leads to jealousy and envy. It can kill friendships if not tamed.
Celebrate the success of others instead of being jealous. Let them know you admire them. Turn the focus on what you have instead of what you don’t have and be grateful for it.
10. Trying to get approval for your dream.
Your dream is a vehicle, and you’re the driver. Don’t let the passengers map the road for you. Stop trying to win over the people who don’t believe in you and criticize you. Only seek help from those who support your mission and encourage you, because they will cheer you on along the way.
Hold fast to your dream.
Gear up to fight the storms.
Keep that banner shining.
Never give up, and never give in.
Stand up and face the fear!
Your dream is counting on you.
Do you believe you can pursue it?
Kenrick Vaz 