What if sometimes, we’re our own dream crusher? Never let anyone stop you from pursuing your goals and dreams. And just as important, never tell yourself you can’t do it! So if you’re worried you’re “too old,” or that it’s “too late,” stop. Be strong, be bold, be brave and above all, be happy and pursue your dreams.
I’m not a huge fan of social media, but every now and then, a particularly insightful and inspirational pearl of wisdom makes its way across Facebook or Twitter. A friend recently shared just such a piece with me and I’m happy to now share it with your readers:
Never Tell Yourself You Can’t Do It
A great reminder:
At age 23, Tina Fey was working at a YMCA.
At age 23, Oprah was fired from her first reporting job.
At age 24, Stephen King was working as a janitor and living in a trailer.
At age 27, Vincent Van Gogh failed as a missionary and decided to go to art school.
At age 28, J.K. Rowling was a suicidal single parent living on welfare.
At age 28, Wayne Coyne (from The Flaming Lips) was a fry cook.
At age 30, Harrison Ford was a carpenter.
At age 30, Martha Stewart was a stockbroker.
At age 37, Ang Lee was a stay-at-home-dad working odd jobs.
Julia Child released her first cookbook at age 39, and got her own cooking show at age 51.
Vera Wang failed to make the Olympic figure skating team, didn’t get the Editor-in-Chief position at Vogue, and designed her first dress at age 40.
Stan Lee didn’t release his first big comic book until he was 40.
Alan Rickman gave up his graphic design career to pursue acting at age 42.
Samuel L. Jackson didn’t get his first movie role until he was 46.
Morgan Freeman landed his first MAJOR movie role at age 52.
Kathryn Bigelow only reached international success when she made The Hurt Locker at age 57.
Grandma Moses didn’t begin her painting career until age 76.
Louise Bourgeois didn’t become a famous artist until she was 78.
Whatever your dream is, it is not too late to achieve it. You aren’t a failure because you haven’t found fame and fortune by the age of 21.
Hell, it’s okay if you don’t even know what your dream is yet. Even if you’re flipping burgers, waiting tables or answering phones today, you never know where you’ll end up tomorrow.
Never tell yourself you’re too old to make it.
Never tell yourself you missed your chance.
Never tell yourself that you aren’t good enough.
You can do it. Whatever it is that sets your soul on fire.
– Author unknown
All of these highly accomplished people and so many of them reached the heights of success later on in life. Being a positive person means we should strive to always keep faith, hope and inspiration in our heart. Reaching for the start isn’t a bad thing — its a marvelous thing, because it keeps us motivated, dreaming and always moving forward. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do it — you can!
Here are some pointers on how to take action to bring your goals/dreams to reality:
1. Write your goal(s) down
Get your goals out of your “dreams” and more into reality by actually writing it/them down. Computer is fine, but the truth is, using pen and paper is really best. Adapt as necessary and it can develop into a statement of intent.
2. Set a deadline
Having a deadline is important, but it shouldn’t be so rigid that it throws you off track. Try by putting in some deadline goals – this can be as simple as setting a date to have the first few “steps” done. Also, if your goal(s) are particularly involved, it’s probably a good idea to break it down into steps or phases.
3. Take the first step
It’s important not to spend all your time thinking (dreaming), because at some point, we have to actually put something into action – not everything has to be just perfect to start and taking that first step is often motivation enough to keep it going.
4. Energize your mindset
Psyche yourself up! Self-motivate and use a positive mentality – if you truly want to reach your goals/accomplish your dreams, then you have the power to make it happen. Be mindful that there may be set-backs, but as long as you face that from the beginning, you shouldn’t let them hold you back.
