A friend recently shared with me his lifelong dream. With emotion in his voice, he told me how he wanted to change the world by pursuing his passion. When I asked what kept him from it, he responded with a single word: "Time."
I asked what he meant and he listed all of his commitments -- work, church, family, friends, volunteering. "I simply don't have time to do what I really want to do," he explained. "I'm just too busy."
"I'm sorry," was about all I could get out. And I was sorry, because I could tell my friend felt stuck, and unless something changed, he would never realize his dream.
Everyone dreams. I'm not talking about fleeting desires, like anticipating the next season of your favorite TV show or the next promotion at work. I'm talking about dreams that keep you up at night. No matter how long you nudge them to the side, they refuse to leave you alone. They tug and pull and prod, and they just won't go away.
Dreams to start a business or nonprofit. Dreams to shift careers. Dreams to plant a church. Dreams to go on an adventure. Dreams to write a book. Dreams to create beautiful art. Dreams to do whatever it is you were put on this planet to do.
For most of us, our dreams remain confined to our mind. Trapped inside, their continued presence becomes a source of frustration and restlessness. It's only natural that over time we find comfort in excuses to justify our inaction--to somehow explain our failure to do what we really want.
We're too busy. It's too impractical. It's too risky. We're not talented enough.
While we can invent a million excuses, there's only one reason we don't pursue our dreams -- because we don't value our dreams.
Perhaps we think they're selfish. Maybe we're afraid of failing. Maybe we lack confidence. Maybe we don't know where to start. Or maybe like my friend, we don't think we have enough time. Whatever excuse we choose, our dreams quickly slip down our list of priorities until they're practically irrelevant. Although our dreams still exist deep within, they're as good as dead.
If anyone knows what it's like to make excuses for delaying a dream, it's me. For much of my life I dreamed of becoming a writer, but there was always a reason not to do it. It wasn't until ten years of excuse-making that I finally owned my dream and stepped into the unknown.
These are the steps I took to begin pursuing that dream. Perhaps it's time to consider implementing them yourself.
As you begin inching closer to your dream, a funny thing will happen. What had once been a source of frustration will transform into a wellspring of inspiration. And you will know you're finally doing what you were created to do.
What are your dreams? What's holding you back from pursuing them? Comment below.
A version of this post originally appeared at PaulPerkins.com.
Paul Perkins writes about living intentionally at PaulPerkins.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Get a free copy of his eBook, The Art of Creating , about developing your artistic craft.
from Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1phIxlp
via IFTTT
I asked what he meant and he listed all of his commitments -- work, church, family, friends, volunteering. "I simply don't have time to do what I really want to do," he explained. "I'm just too busy."
"I'm sorry," was about all I could get out. And I was sorry, because I could tell my friend felt stuck, and unless something changed, he would never realize his dream.
Everyone dreams. I'm not talking about fleeting desires, like anticipating the next season of your favorite TV show or the next promotion at work. I'm talking about dreams that keep you up at night. No matter how long you nudge them to the side, they refuse to leave you alone. They tug and pull and prod, and they just won't go away.
Dreams to start a business or nonprofit. Dreams to shift careers. Dreams to plant a church. Dreams to go on an adventure. Dreams to write a book. Dreams to create beautiful art. Dreams to do whatever it is you were put on this planet to do.
For most of us, our dreams remain confined to our mind. Trapped inside, their continued presence becomes a source of frustration and restlessness. It's only natural that over time we find comfort in excuses to justify our inaction--to somehow explain our failure to do what we really want.
We're too busy. It's too impractical. It's too risky. We're not talented enough.
While we can invent a million excuses, there's only one reason we don't pursue our dreams -- because we don't value our dreams.
Perhaps we think they're selfish. Maybe we're afraid of failing. Maybe we lack confidence. Maybe we don't know where to start. Or maybe like my friend, we don't think we have enough time. Whatever excuse we choose, our dreams quickly slip down our list of priorities until they're practically irrelevant. Although our dreams still exist deep within, they're as good as dead.
If anyone knows what it's like to make excuses for delaying a dream, it's me. For much of my life I dreamed of becoming a writer, but there was always a reason not to do it. It wasn't until ten years of excuse-making that I finally owned my dream and stepped into the unknown.
These are the steps I took to begin pursuing that dream. Perhaps it's time to consider implementing them yourself.
- Value your dream: Your dream is valuable -- not just for you, but for the world. List all of the ways people will benefit by the fulfillment of your dream. Don't be afraid to think big.
- Prioritize your dream: Even if it's only a few hours a week, set aside time to work on your dream. Start small to keep from feeling overwhelmed. As you make room for it in your schedule, its grip on your time will grow, as will the likelihood of its realization. This step requires discipline, though, so don't give up.
- Talk about your dream: We manifest our hopes by giving them voice. So in conversation, mention your dream and what you're doing to further it. This will generate excitement and a sense of momentum. It will also add a level of accountability--when you know others are watching, you're more inclined to stick with something for the long haul.
- Realize your dream: There will eventually come a time when you'll face the prospect of realizing your dream--whether starting a business or publishing a book or releasing an album or showcasing your art. This can be a terrifying moment. But it's what you've been working toward... so boldly step forward. And savor your success.
As you begin inching closer to your dream, a funny thing will happen. What had once been a source of frustration will transform into a wellspring of inspiration. And you will know you're finally doing what you were created to do.
What are your dreams? What's holding you back from pursuing them? Comment below.
A version of this post originally appeared at PaulPerkins.com.
Paul Perkins writes about living intentionally at PaulPerkins.com. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter. Get a free copy of his eBook, The Art of Creating , about developing your artistic craft.
from Healthy Living - The Huffington Post http://ift.tt/1phIxlp
via IFTTT
No comments:
Post a Comment