Don't let your dreams become a living hell
Follow your dreams without turning them into a nightmare
Congratulations! You've taken the first step towards following your dreams: opening a blog post about it. The internet is full of helpful articles like this one. If you follow their advice to a T, you're sure to achieve everything you've ever wanted in life. Just kidding. But seriously, sort of.
Just follow these six simple steps to turn your dreams into nightmares, and before you know it, you'll be curled up in a ball under your desk, trying to hide from your demons. So let's get started, shall we?
Get yourself a fancy degree from a prestigious school. This is essential for making your dreams come true! The more debt you're in, the better. Bonus points if you can't find a job in your field after graduation. That way, you can really live the dream of being a starving artist!
Work hard— REALLY hard. After all, if it was easy, everyone would be doing it, right? You have to sacrifice sleep, socialization, and maybe even your sanity if you want to make it big. Be sure to hustle 24/7 and never take a break. You can do it! I believe in you!
Shoot for the stars! But not too high...you don't want to disappoint yourself (or anyone else). Just aim for the mediocre and hope for the best. That way, when (not if) you fail, you won't be too crushed.
When people give you constructive criticism or feedback, take it all to heart and let it consume you. After all, they must be right—they're the experts! Let their words inspire self-doubt and insecurity in every area of your life.
Are things going well? GREAT! Time to mess it all up! Make some impulsive decisions and watch as everything falls apart. It'll be fine...probably...hopefully...at least you're entertained, right?
And finally...enjoy the ride! Embrace the chaos and learn to love the constant feeling of being overwhelmed and out of control. This is what living the dream is all about!
Okay, if you've read this far, you probably want some REAL advice on following your dreams WITHOUT turning them into nightmares, right?
Getting Started
The first step to following your dreams is deciding what they are. And don't worry if you can't quite put your finger on it yet—that's normal! Just ask yourself what you're passionate about, what makes you excited, and what you would do even if you weren't getting paid for it. Once you have a good idea of what your dreams are, it's time to start taking steps to make them a reality.
It doesn't matter what age you are, either. The point is to take some time to really dig deep inside and figure out who you are and what YOU want to do with YOUR life. You'll have plenty of advice to ignore from everyone around you. This is your life, and you'll need to figure out how you want to live it.
In the book Good To Great, the author, Jim Collins, introduces the "hedgehog concept," which basically outlines three things:
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Where these three items intersect is where you should invest your energy to achieve your dreams.
Now that you've identified what to focus on, it's time to begin setting your goals. One way to do this is by setting small goals to help you get closer to your dream job or lifestyle. For example, if your dream is to be a writer, your goal could be to write 500 words every day. Or, if your dream is to own your own business, your goal could be to start saving up money each month. Whatever your dreams may be, there are always steps that you can take to make them happen.
Of course, it's not always easy to stick with your goals—life has a way of getting in the way. Your dream will likely take longer than you think and require more energy than you expect, so plan accordingly. It's okay if it doesn't happen overnight (success rarely does).
Desmond Tutu once wisely said:
"There is only one way to eat an elephant: a bite at a time."?
He meant that following your dream may feel daunting or even impossible but can be achieved by gradually taking on just a little at a time.
This is where having a support system comes in handy. Whether it is friends, family members, or even strangers on the internet, surrounding yourself with people who believe in you can make all the difference. So don't be afraid to reach out and ask for help when you need it!
Remember: following your dreams isn't going to be easy. Not everyone will understand or support your vision - and that's okay. There will be days (or maybe even weeks) when you feel like giving up. But if you stay strong and keep fighting for what you want, eventually, you'll get there. So go out there and chase those dreams—the world is yours for the taking!
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