Being a dreamer is hard. Why? Because whenever you take the road less traveled, people from the road most traveled are going to look at you weird — ask you why you’re doing things differently, and then most likely discourage you from continuing down your chosen road.
I talk about dreams and goals a lot on this blog. Dancing to your own tune, not fitting yourself in a box, and making a living doing something you love — but it’s not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it’s hard; especially when you’re first getting started. Because that’s when the discouraging voices are the loudest. You’re still close to the fork in the road…you could turn back. BUT YOU’RE NOT GOING TO. You have grit! And you have what it takes to create a life you love.
I recently got an email from a fellow dream-chaser who had a great question: how do you stay focused on exploring your dreams and talents when everyone thinks you’re making a mistake with your life? This is a big question, and it sparked a lot of thoughts for me, so I wanted to share some of these thoughts with you. Because when I first started on this “unconventional” journey of taking the road less traveled, I had to work through some rough places. I had to learn how to deal with rejection and unsupportive people, all while staying focused on MY path. So if this sounds anything like your journey, keep reading my friend. You’re not alone.
3 THINGS I WISH I KNEW WHEN I FIRST STARTED CHASING MY DREAMS
Chasing your dreams is a risky, scary business. But if you’re already beyond that fork in the road and you’re chasing your dreams, stop for a minute and give yourself a pat on the back. You’re awesome! It takes a lot of bravery and confidence to take that first step, to decide that you want something different for your life, not just the same old thing everyone else does.
But there are a few important things to remember when you’re starting out on this journey…
#1. FIND YOUR SUPPORTERS AND KEEP THEM CLOSE
Here’s the thing: yes, there are going to be unsupportive people who look at you weird and discourage you from chasing your dreams, but those people are the ones you shouldn’t be thinking about. The only people who deserve your time of day are the people who actually care about you.
You have to constantly surround yourself with people who are rooting you on — people who want to see you succeed and will push you to grow, learn, and become your best self.
Find these supporters — perhaps it’s your mom, dad, sibling, or teacher. You probably only have one or two people in your life who REALLY believe in you. And if you can’t find one person…EMAIL ME. Because I believe in you! I believe that you can live your dream.
#2. BE CONFIDENT IN WHO YOU ARE
Even if you don’t know what you’re doing! If I could go back and change anything I did in those early days of chasing my dreams, it would be confidence. Because even when I felt like I had zero experience and no idea what I was doing, I was actually doing great. And I wish I had just owned it a little more.
I like to see it this way: if I’m going to put myself out there, do I want to do it with an insecure laugh and a thousand question marks floating over my head? Or do I want to do it with boldness, clarity, and ambition? One of my favorite quotes says it most eloquently:
Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do.
– Marianne Williamson
#3. IF THEY AREN’T IN THE FIGHTING RING, LET IT GO
There are going to be lots of people who discourage you and think what you’re doing is a mistake. But they aren’t the ones in the fighting ring. YOU ARE. You’re the one who is taking this opportunity, chasing your dreams, deciding what your future is going to be.
When people are jealous, they often channel that overwhelming feeling into judgement. It’s easier to point out what someone else is doing as wrong than to realize that you’ve made mistakes in your own life. Sadly, that’s the case with most people who judge you. They’re jealous of you. Even your failures, even the times you don’t win. Because they don’t know what that feels like, to put up a fight.
So why should you take seriously anything someone says from the sidelines, when you are the one in the fighting ring?
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.
– Theodore Roosevelt
STAY ON THE ROAD LESS TRAVELED
It’s not going to be an easy road, but that’s okay. You’re not here for easy. You’re here because you know that there’s something special for you, something you were meant to do. And even if you haven’t figured out what that thing is yet, you have an advantage on most people. Why? Because you’re pursuing what makes you happy. You’re focusing on your dreams and goals and creating a life you’re going to love.
Don’t waste a moment’s thought or a drop of energy on people who are unsupportive and not happy for your success. You are not making a mistake and you’re not living in a fantasy, either. There are thousands of people out there who achieve their dreams and goals — it’s 100% possible if you have the grit to see it through.
I hope you do. I hope you stay on the road less traveled. Trust me, there are no traffic jams.
TALK, BRO
Are you a dream-chaser too? What is the hardest part of taking YOUR road less traveled? What advice would you give to new dream-chasers who are discouraged by unsupportive people? If you feel this way, YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Share your story and struggles in the comments below! This is a safe, loving community of dreamers just like you and I would love to hear about YOUR dreams and goals. Stay invincible.
LOVE THIS POST? PIN IT!
