Amy has a dream of writing an amazing best-selling novel. She has all the characters in her mind and the storyline too. With a natural creative ability, Amy can turn any project into a work of art. She definitely has the talent and creative ability to write a book. What she doesn’t have is the confidence to put all of her creative genius ideas down on paper and share it with the world.
Amy suffers from “I am overwhelmed and scared as hell by my dreams and goals” syndrome. Yes, that’s a real thing because I just wrote about. Every time she gets the nerve to start writing her book, this little pesky voice comes up and says, “Who’s gonna want to read this?” Or it says, “This is too much work, you’ll never finish!” Then this little voice becomes a huge bully in her brain that she gives in to and then quits.
There are two ways that this story can play out. The first way is that Amy finally tells the voice in her head to shut up and then she writes her book. The other way is that Amy lets the voice continue to bully her and she doesn’t write her book. This second way has some pretty sad consequences. Let me explain:
What Amy doesn’t know is that this unwritten book inside her brain is going to inspire millions of other people to write their own best-selling novel. This book that she may never write will provide humor, laughter, joy, suspense, and entertainment to millions more. People will line up in bookstores to meet Amy and tell her how much her book has inspired their hearts and lives.
But none of this will happen if Amy doesn’t write her book (it’s the very ghost of Christmas future”). There are many stories like Amy’s, people with great talent not living their full potential. Just think of what life would be like with no Star Wars, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Marvel Comics, The Walking Dead, or whatever book or movie you love that has inspired you in your life. What if Apple was never created, I gasp as I type on my Mac and use my iPhone!
The point is that somewhere somebody is waiting for you to follow your dreams so that they can be inspired to follow theirs.
7 Reasons Why People are Scared to Follow Their Dreams
- Lack of Confidence. The best way to build confidence is to actually do the thing that you aren’t confident about over and over again. Sometimes it is just a matter of practice and exposure to what you are dreaming about.
- Lack of Patience. This idea of “I want it and I want it now.” That’s not going to fly with these bigger dreams and goals. The best things come to those why wait with patience.
- Lack of Faith. When it comes to your dreams, you don’t have to have things figured out right away. That will come. What you do have to have is faith that you can do it!
- Lack of Knowledge. If you don’t know anything about how to accomplish your dream, then research it. This might take some time and effort, yet is it totally important to your success.
- Lack of Planning. If you have no plan, you have nowhere to go. Dreams and big goals have to be broken down into little pieces so that you can do them a little bit at a time. This is how the most successful people do it because it works.
- Lack of Support. Surrounding yourself with people that believe in you makes this process of turning your dreams into reality much easier. You can do it alone, yet it will be more challenging. These supportive people will be there when you want to give up and remind you of why you started.
- Lack of Drive. While some people have these awesome talents and abilities, they lack the drive and motivation to use them for whatever reason. Sometimes you just have to start and hope that the momentum drives your motivation.
Final Happy Thoughts
Whether you are writing a book, starting a business, or following another dream, you have to start somewhere. Take small steps. You will get there. Here are some inspiring thoughts from Stephen R Covey, author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change:
Every human has four endowments – self-awareness, conscience, independent will and creative imagination. These give us the ultimate human freedom… The power to choose, to respond, to change.
Want to Start Meditating and Journaling?
Click here to order a copy of “Just Breathe: A 90-Day Meditation Journal and Coloring Book
