I have placed a lot of energy lately trying to figure out what following my dreams mean. You hear it all of the time and you know it is what you're supposed to do to be happy. I mean it makes sense but it is kind of challenging when you don't know exactly what your dream may be OR if you feel trapped where you are at and aren't sure what your next move should be. Adding anxiety on top of that and you've got a hot mess.
There are a lot of things that I don't know at 24 like how to do my own taxes, who to call when something is wrong with my car, and saving money... but I do know that if you aren't happy doing what you are doing then that is a clear sign you aren't following your dreams, even if you don't know exactly what those are.
I put together a little list to hopefully help you in finding bits and pieces to what your dream might be. Sort of like a guidebook. I like reading stuff like this just knowing that we all are in the same place at different times of our lives. Where you feel like the world doesn't want you to succeed and doesn't put the pieces in place to help you grow. Sometimes, especially so when you are a woman, and you are trying to break through those glass ceilings. But, what I have come to learn is the number one thing you need in order to help you reach those dreams is courage. Where to find that courage can be harder part.
The first place you should always look...
Inside Yourself
There’s plenty of external help you’ll be able to draw on, but all of those sources combined won’t match up to the overriding source of courage that you have: your inner being! It sounds simple to say, but it’s worthwhile looking within yourself. You probably have an idea about where you’d like to go and things you’d like to do already formed. Bringing them into the real world usually just requires an ounce of courage, nothing more. Take a look at your dream, or just things that make you smile or feel relief when doing them, and begin forming a map on how to get there. It’ll be the anchor that keeps your dreams in place.
With the Support of Friends and Family
You can’t do everything all on your own, however. To do great things requires an abundance of skills and energy, and to keep your head held high, sometimes you’ll need to call upon the assistance of your friends and family members. They’re going to want you to succeed and will do whatever they can to help you. Beware the “false friends,” however; they’re the people who secretly want to keep you down. If you’re going to move forward, you might need to be willing to say goodbye to them. We've all been there or potentially been that friend once or twice where your jealousy overtakes you and you end up discouraging your loved ones more than boosting them up. If you find people in your life like this, or see it in yourself, talk to them and see if it's something that you can work out together or like I said you might have to be willing to walk away.
In the Women Currently Succeeding
If you’re a female trying to break into a male-dominated profession, then there’ll be times when you’re thinking “I don’t belong here” or other negative thoughts. Like you aren't as talented, deserving, or worthy. Well, for starters: you do deserve to be there! But sometimes, that’s not enough. So draw on inspiration from the women already in influential positions. The Arizona Secretary of State is female. The CEO of IBM is female. The founder of the Huffington Post is female. All of these professions were once male-dominated, but not anymore.
In the Virtue of Patience It’s only when we reach the top can we look back and see how far we’ve come. Alas, many people don’t make it this far - not because they’re not talented enough, but because they give up before they get there. So, if you’re looking for the courage to carry on moving forward, look towards patience. Knowing that it takes time to build great things is sometimes all it takes to have that little bit of extra courage. Your talents and deep desires will show themselves to you. You will find that passion, that occupation that makes you feel alive. And you will continue to have bigger and better dreams, but it just takes time. xo,
Kenzie
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