When we were young our imaginations were filled with dreams for our future. We wanted to be someone special - to make a difference and be remembered for achieving great things. We pictured ourselves being rich, successful, and someone that people looked up to for inspiration.
As we grew older those dreams seemed to fade - becoming more and more
bleak as we were introduced to the pressures of the real world. We
realized that when we were young these dreams seemed (in our mind) easier
to accomplish. As we grew older these dreams slipped away with our youth -
every year a little further into the distance until out of sight.
One day we woke up to a non-existent memory of what it was we dreamt about achieving. The daily stress and pressure of life that we once knew nothing about crept in ever so slowly until it took over everything we are. We worry, fight, and live in fear of ever attempting to take back what it was we felt when we were younger. We eventually believed that any dreams we had of achieving success, wealth, and happiness were just dreams and nothing more.
Instead of enjoying the excitement of achieving our dreams, or the rush involved in an attempt to achieve what we desire, we relapse into our non-existent day to day life. We have fear of failing perhaps, and become accustomed to going through life with horse blinders on - living life just to exist and survive.
Life could be so much more fulfilling - only if we decided to make the stern choice to try and take the first few steps towards achieving a little more out of life. However, for most of us life becomes a game of survival, and we prefer to instill the idea in our mind that we will never be able to do what it is we want to. We start to believe it's too difficult or impossible - making excuses and justifications as to why the way we're living is o.k. We make ourselves believe (out of fear), that an attempt to accumulate more out of life is not necessary and also un-attainable.
Just think if some of life's past predecessors had thought this way. We certainly wouldn't have all the inventions and innovations we do today. History would not show so many great accomplishments, and quite possibly, we might not even exist.
However, we should be thankful and see inspiration in those individuals who were mentally strong enough to take the steps necessary to turn their dreams into a reality - against criticism and other defying odds. Those self -actualizing individuals believed in themselves and ignored any negativity that would have potentially got in the way of them proving their beliefs or achieving their dream.
Unfortunately, in this world, there exists an extremely large group of people that suffer from the fear of failure - never taking any action to achieve their dreams - scared they will falter and be left broken hearted. Fearing failure is a disease with a cure that people are afraid to take.
If you keep limiting yourself because of self-doubt, self-limiting assumptions, and other un-inspiring notions, you will never be able to give yourself a chance at breaking the barriers of what you believe to be impossible. Accepting negative thoughts is no way to live this gift we call life.
On the flip side, if you are striving to achieve something great without having a proper goal to work towards, you are holding on to an impossible dream.
You must know what it is you want to accomplish and have somewhat of a set strategy on how you are going to get there. Outlining a plan of action, and eliminating all negative thoughts are the first steps you must take in your journey.
A Self -Inspiring Strategy Towards Achievement
On a piece of paper, make three columns.
Column 1- What I Know I Can Do
Column 2 - What I Think I Could Do
Column 3 - Impossible For Me To Do
Using the columns, list all your goals under the appropriate headings. Next, make it priority to try and accomplish the goals you outlined in the column "What I Know I Can Do"
Then, while accomplishing some of the goals outlined in "What I Know I can Do" slowly start attempting to accomplish some of the goals you listed under "What I Think I Can Do"
You will find that once you've accomplished some of the goals you thought you could achieve, the goals outlined under "Impossible For Me To Do" start to seem possible.
Using this strategy will inhibit you form setting limits on your imagination. By doing this you will be forcing yourself to strive for more achievement then you thought you were capable of accomplishing. You must focus on setting - then sticking to a goal, while taking one step at a time. This however will not come easy - you must be prepared to work diligently, putting forth 100% effort. Nothing in life of any value comes easy - don't expect things to just fall into your lap. However, tossing fear of failure to the side along with all other insecurities is the first and hardest step to achieving your dream.
Take criticism as a building block to strengthen your willpower. If 150 years ago the Wright brothers had of given in to the fear of failure or all the criticism that surrounded their attempts at inventing a successful fixed-wing aircraft, then today we wouldn't have the luxury of avionics.
If something that you feel passionate about is eating away at you from the inside - with a little confidence, perseverance, and commitment - anything is possible. Dreams can become a reality (within reason of course). You must start looking at your aspirations as a reality and not just as a far-fetched figment of your imagination. Associating your dream in the same context as reality will help you to visualize the accomplished outcome as a future possibility.
Becoming self motivated and inspired are the fundamentals to self-growth. Have a realistic idea of where your passions lye - constantly trying to improve yourself. Do not fear failure for you will only live to exist. Fear the possibility of looking back old and grey, wishing you would have made an attempt to make your dream a reality.
Do not fear the possible, for if there's a will - there's a way.
