Pursuing your dreams

"Don't ever let somebody tell you... You can't do something. Not even me. All right? All right. You got a dream... You gotta protect it. People can't do somethin' themselves, they wanna tell you you can't do it. If you want somethin', go get it. Period." - Chris Gardner, The Pursuit of Happyness

We all dream, don’t we? Not the ones we see while sleeping but the ones that keep us awake. Having a dream is one thing but going after it can be transformational for us.

They can motivate us to achieve great things, overcome challenges, and make life more fulfilling. But, many people give up on their dreams because they believe they are too difficult or impossible to achieve. Sometimes, reflecting and taking a step back is okay, but, not without trying.

Why should we push ourselves to dream with courage?

First - It can help you live a more meaningful life. To dream is to live a life of purpose. When you're doing something you love and are passionate about, happiness and fulfilment are often a by-product.

Second - As you move ahead on this journey, you grow. It teaches you new skills, challenges you to step outside of your comfort zone, and helps you develop resilience.

Third - Pursuing your dreams can inspire others. When you achieve your goals, you show others that it's possible to achieve anything they set their minds to. Becoming an inspiration to someone can change their life.

Dreams come with challenges, of course. There will be setbacks, conflicts, and tribulations asking you to give up. But, it's important to remember that mistakes and failure are a part of the journey. The important thing is to learn and keep moving forward.

How can you go after your dreams:

• Understand the “why” of your dream to align with your purpose.
• Break that larger-than-life goal into specific and measurable goals. What exactly do you want to achieve? Baby steps or leaps, knowing what you’re targeting, makes planning effective.
• Add steps and milestones to make the climb less daunting and more achievable.
• Take action every day. Even if it's just a small one, consistency is your secret recipe.
• Give yourself permission to make mistakes and experience failure.
• Build and reach out to your support system - real and virtual. If you can, find a mentor.
• Celebrate small wins to boost your confidence and acknowledge your progress.

If you're feeling stuck or discouraged, remember why you started pursuing your dream in the first place. What are you hoping to achieve? How will achieving your dream make your or someone else’s life better? Keep your goals in mind and keep moving forward.

To get you going, here are a few inspiring stories:

• Walt Disney was fired from his job at a newspaper because his editor said he lacked imagination and had no good ideas. But, he didn't give up (thank god!) on his dream of becoming a cartoonist. He went on to create some of the most beloved animated characters in history, including Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck. How would our childhood be without these stories? Glad we’d never know.
• Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, born into a humble family in a small town in India, faced significant challenges during his early life, including limited educational opportunities, the early loss of his father, and a lack of basic amenities. He overcame these obstacles and held a dream of contributing to the field of space research and missile technology. Dr. Kalam's relentless pursuit of his dream led him to become one of India's most renowned scientists and the "People's President." He played a pivotal role in India's missile development and space exploration programs.
• J.K. Rowling was a single mother living on welfare when she wrote the first Harry Potter book. She was rejected by 12 publishers before one finally agreed to publish her book. The Harry Potter series went on to become one of the best-selling book series of all time. And we don’t even want to discuss how muggle life would be without the wizarding one. Isn’t it?

These are just a few examples of people who have achieved their dreams despite facing challenges. If you have a dream, don't give up on it. Keep moving forward, and never lose sight of your goals. Above all, believe in your power to realise your dreams.