Whether its staying in a job we dislike, an industry that bores us to tears or a relationship that doesn’t make us happy – there can be a multitude of reasons why we may choose not to follow our dreams.
Can you relate to any of these?
We don’t have enough money
We may have mortgages, spouses and children to support, financial commitments and responsibilities. We can not afford the cash to start a new venture, to educate ourselves in a new profession or to follow whatever path leads us to what we want.
We are afraid we won’t make enough money
We worry we won’t be able to pay for the roof over our head and for the food on our table.
We are scared of failure
It would be impossible to know how many great businesses or ideas never got off the ground simply because people were just too scared of starting and failing.
We feel safe in our comfort zone
Our comfort zone can feel like a very safe place. The zone sees us with regular incomes and well known processes for going about our days.
We think our family will not approve
They may say we are being silly, being irresponsible. Being unrealistic.
We don’t know what our passion is
Some people may have not yet discovered their passion. They have interests they love and are passionate about but perhaps not enough to forge ahead.
We know it will be hard work
And most likely it will be. If you are starting your own business. you will have to work hard. The hours will most likely be long. Starting a new job can be a similar experience, trying to prove yourself to your new employer.
There is too much competition
If you want to be a singer, actor, dancer or writer you will be up against a LOT of other people all chasing the same dream who may be more talented than you.
We don’t want it badly enough
When it all comes down to it, you don’t really want your big dream. Maybe its the idea that is more attractive or how is makes you sound to other people.
We are too old or too young
This is a common one. Particularly when it comes to the second option – being too old. You hear people say – at your age you can’t possibly think of doing that?
We tell ourselves we will do it LATER
Are you a procrastinator? If that is the case, later could be one of your favorite words. The problem with putting things off till later is that they often do not happen at all. I think this one can be particularly dangerous.
Before we know it we end up with a life of would have, should have, could have.
The answers?
I could add a lot more fears to this list. If we let it, this list could be endless.
Did you notice I didn’t provide answers? Originally that was my plan, to state the concern that was holding us back and then to supply a remedy for each one.
What I realized however is that the answer is different for each of us. The answers are as individual as we are.
The question to be asking yourself is can you relate to any of these? Do you feel a deep resonance with any of them? Did any of them tug at your insides and make you think to yourself – That is me. That is what I tell myself. That is what I have been telling myself for years.
Don’t get me wrong, many of the concerns above are very valid. Some naturally are easier to overcome than others. What we need to understand is what are our own triggers? The demons that hold us back from doing what we really want.
This leads us back to my opening sentence. To the pivotal word that hides easily but holds the secret. Why we may choose not to follow our dreams?
We choose. We have a choice. Make yours count!
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