“When I grow up, I want to be a veterinarian…a baker…a singer…an actor, etc.” Sound familiar? When we were young, we knew exactly what we wanted to do and who we wanted to be. But, sometime between when we’re a child and when we’re a grown up, we tend to lose that piece of ourselves.
When I was little, I wanted to be a famous singer or a teacher, but both occupations involved writing. I was going to write Top-40 songs, best-selling books, and timelessly adored poetry. Then, at the time of college, “reality” set in.
“Who really does those things and gets paid for them,” I thought. I decided to double major in English (concentration in creative writing) and also in communication, concentrating my study in public relations (PR). I figured that it would be safer bet to go to where the money is. Truth be told, the English degree was one I worked hard at and was very proud of, but I never once thought of it as a degree that would help my career. I studied creative writing because I liked it. However, I took my PR degree very seriously, maybe too seriously at times, thinking that my entire future depended on it. I was satisfied with this decision, because in PR I could still write and be creative. This would be my life for the next 12 years.
Somewhere in this process, I lost myself. I fooled myself into thinking that writing in the corporate world would satisfy my soul. In 2008 I set out on my own and opened a PR and social media marketing company so that I could choose the projects and have a flexible schedule because I thought that would fill the void. I was wrong. The irony is that the company was initially a freelance writing company, but the first projects I picked up were PR-related. This only validated my belief that it was too hard to make money solely as a writer. It dawned on me in the summer of 2014 when I lost half of my business from clients pulling back for various reasons. It crushed me, but it also brought me to an a-ha moment. Maybe the reason my career is repeating a pattern of hardships is because I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing. At that moment I decided to make my dream of being a writer my Plan “A.”
Since that time, I have started sharing my blog with more people through social media and e-newsletters. I also started writing a book. I’m not going to lie, it’s super scary, like walking a tight rope without knowing if anything will catch me if I fall. Still, I can’t stop. It’s like gravitational force pulling me in this direction. I have also found that I am much happier and have less stress and anxiety when I write. I know it in my soul; this is the right path.
Here are some tips to help you pursue your dream life:
- Have the courage to do one thing, no matter how small, today and every day to move closer to your dream.
- Let your fear guide you. Usually the thing that is right is both scary and exciting. The key is to take action.
- Ask God, the universe, your spirit guides, and even departed loved ones to guide you in the right direction. They hear you.
- Understand that there is no timetable to “success.” If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen when it’s supposed to happen. Just don’t give up.
- Work hard and be patient.
- Always be true to yourself. There’s a reason that the universe wanted you to be a part of this world.
What’s your dream? What if you made Plan “B” your priority? Let me know in the comments!
PS: I want to help you bring your dream life into your reality. Check out the “Live my Dream Life” program to get more info on how we can work together.