“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
― Winston Churchill
Stop Giving up on Your Dreams
Life can be difficult at times. But it becomes especially more challenging when I go against my deepest desires.
As a kid, my dream was to become an artist, specifically a painter. I enjoyed drawing landscapes, particularly bamboo trees and mountains.
Naturally, I had a strong affinity for making art. My innate ability to replicate what I see onto paper seemed effortless. Hours would pass by and the thought of stopping rarely occurred. I had tons of fun stepping into my creative inner self.
As a big fan of looney tunes, I always enjoyed drawing my favorite character Bugs Bunny. All these pictures were portrayed in my room for me to cherish and enjoy.
But as I grew older, my amount of playtime diminished and eventually evaporated entirely. Filled with schoolwork responsibilities, I rarely found myself drawing on a canvas.
Now as an adult and to keep my dreams alive, I incorporate a different kind of creativity – my ability to meticulously articulate my ideas by writing and making videos. Whether it’s expressing my monologue on paper or speaking my perspective in front of a camera, I have the opportunity to practice my artistic side.
I make it a priority to become a creator rather than a consumer. This allows me to think for myself, instead of being told what I should do.
Through my imagination, I’m keeping my childhood dream alive. Whether or not I make an income from my artistic skills is irrelevant. The fact that I enjoy being creative is what truly matters.
Commit to Mastery
Deep down, you have a dream.
But over the years, it may have been dampened and blurred by the numerous obligations and self-imposed responsibilities you have obtained over the years.
But now, it’s time for you to rediscover it. Close your eyes and think back to when you were a carefree child. Ask yourself:
- “What did I dream to do?”
- “What activities did I enjoy doing that I no longer make time for?”
- “How can I incorporate more engagements that put me in a happy state?”
Meditate on those ideas, then choose one and start doing more of it.
Focus on that thing and dedicate your full attention to it. To have a strong “why” behind your endeavor, do it for the right reasons.
This means doing it for yourself.
Instead of trying to prove something to another person, choose the purpose for your own satisfaction. Because by practicing that very thing, your quality of life will increase with more fulfillment and enjoyment.
When you dedicate your life to something meaningful, you’ll unavoidably create great work. Although progress and results may not come sooner than you’d like, you continue to perform your craft because you’re playing the long game.
The mere fact that you’re in the arena and actively pursuing your significant goals already makes you a success.
Despite having external validations and achievements, they are not your motivators. But rather, it’s your love for the process and the growth you’re experiencing.
That’s because you’re reaching your ultimate goal – to become your most powerful version.
Make Pivots When Necessary
No matter how perfect your action plan may be, there will always be setbacks and pitfalls. Although doing your best every day, you will inevitably face hardships. Perhaps your day didn’t happen according to plan, or you didn’t get as much done as you have hoped.
Understand this is part of the journey.
You will undoubtedly have bad days here and there. Express self-love by accepting the fact. After making peace with the minor problem, you can strongly move forward. This will allow you to avoid a downward spiral – the tendency to keep the momentum going in the opposite direction.
For example, perhaps you made the choice of eating a sugary donut instead of a protein-rich breakfast in the morning. This doesn’t mean your entire day is ruined. You still have the power to salvage your day by making healthier food selections for lunch and dinner.
There can be times when you feel a strong urge to give up on your dream, especially when difficult obstacles arise.
First, understand this is not uncommon. Then analyze your situation intelligently and objectively.
Sometimes your best option is to stop. However, this doesn’t equate to fully abandoning your goals. You may just have to adjust it or focus on something else. The magnitude of alterations may vary, but you’re still fiercely going after what you want.
This is only a small change in direction along your path.
You make modifications because you have learned what hasn’t worked. Now with more wisdom, you make pivots to get your desired outcomes. The only time you truly fail is to fully quit on yourself and lose the will to go on.
Closing Thoughts
Success leaves clues.
To make your dream into reality, you must take consistent action. Nothing of excellence was created overnight as it requires a high level of commitment and dedication. Ask yourself:
“Am I willing to put in the necessary time of ten years, fifteen years, or longer?”
The amount of time needed to achieve your unique goals and dreams may vary. But unless you’re ready to play the long game, you won’t attain any substantial progress and positive results.
If you can continue to strive and run toward the illusionary finish line, then you’ve already arrived.
That’s because the destination is not found somewhere in the future.
It has been and always will be here – within you.
By engaging in the process, you have already reached it.
I am on a mission to help 1,000,000 people, and I can’t do that without your help. Please share this article with anyone who you may think will find it valuable and helpful.
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