“The world needs you to share your gifts and go for your dreams. There aren’t enough people who have the courage to go for it.” Lewis Howes
As your friend, I want to ask you a question, “Do you have courage?” I mean, really, do you have the courage to do the thing you keep talking about, wishing for or hoping one day will come true? I sincerely hope you do, and I celebrate your success if you are living the dream. That being said, I also know, by watching countless people run to the edge of success, look into the wide expanse of darkness and see the twinkling lights that seem so far away, but for some reason or another talk themselves out of making the leap of faith (or wishing on a star) to do what they say they have always dreamed of doing.
If I could just figure out why so many good people don’t make the leap, I’d bottle up the opposite of their fear and sell it on every street corner in America so others could have what it takes to do the thing that needs to be done.
Case in point, I work with people all across the nation who want to be speakers; they dream of bright lights and big cities, and they want to be recognized on the national stage. Many of them start out great. They do what needs to be done, and they have some successes along the way…and then they stop. Seriously, they just stop. When I ask why, there is always a pause, a deep sigh and then a line of excuses as to why they cannot continue, or how they can’t seem to get there, or they have a sudden onset of amnesia when it comes to accomplishing the dream they so clearly expressed to me when they started on their path to their dream job, dream life, and dream adventure in the first place.
Sometimes, from where I sit, I can see that issues with family, finances or friends can cause some hiccups on the journey, but that’s to be expected. Those good-hearted people are not called to the same dream as you, so it is incumbent on you to share your vision and bring them along wherever your journey may lead.
I often remind speakers that, while success appears to be a long, arduous path, it really is a simple formula: you have to believe in your dream, do the work and keep walking until you find the right exit that leads to where you want to go.
For those of you who are discouraged or even doubting your calling, think back to the first conversation you had with a friend about your “gift” that you felt compelled to share, give or contribute to the world around you. Try to remember the joy and excitement you once felt when you first heard the applause of the crowd (and got paid) for doing what you loved, felt called to do and ultimately believed your dream was finally coming true.
Whether it is speaking or something else, can you remember the reason you stopped? Can you remember when and why you stopped doing the hard work of building a business, working towards your calling or crafting your talk for the stage? I can tell you this, when I ask that question of so many good people, I hear the most amazing excuses dressed up as reasons that they perceive are blocking them from the goal of making it big.
But in reality, the odd thing is that nothing is blocking them; the only thing there is air and space, and time, and the lack of courage to do what needs to be done and do what they say they wanted to do.
As a coach, I am disappointed when clients back away from their dream. No doubt, as budding entrepreneurs they are disappointed that they allowed something to stop them, and I’m guessing the world is disappointed because they never got to enjoy the benefits of my clients’ heartfelt message, product or business. This is why I believe that the quote by Lewis Howes is so relevant,
“The world needs you to share your gifts and
go for your dreams. There aren’t enough people
who have the courage to go for it.”
Today, I want to simply encourage you to go for it – whatever “it” is.
I know you hear this refrain a lot, and I know that some people take it to heart, and I also know that many more do not. If only I knew the reason why they didn’t make a go of their idea! Well, that is the million-dollar question.
Here is what I do know based on years of experience. The world needs you to share your gifts, and they need to see you go for your dreams because if you can do it, they perceive and believe that they can do it too.
How cool is that? By watching you, others will find within themselves the strength to do the great thing that they have been called to do. By following your example, others will see how it can be done, and by emulating your path, others will learn how to create a path that is right for them…all because of YOU.
So if you’re reading this post today or are listening by podcast, let me make a broad statement. You have a responsibility to keep on keeping on and not allow the fear of failure or success (or whatever fear you have) hold you back from your destiny, your calling–your big, hairy audacious goal.
No doubt, many of us have had someone at some time come to us and say that, because of the work we did, they were able to accomplish a goal that they had because they believed that, if we could do it, so could they. I don’t know about you, but there is no better feeling in the world than to be a part of another’s success. And the greater feeling is to know that they succeeded in the footsteps of our path forward.
So today (and every day), let me remind you that “The world needs you to share your gifts and go for your dreams.” You must push through whatever obstacle you have allowed to stop you. And, yes, I said that you allowed it to stop you because if you’d done otherwise, you’d still be on track to accomplishing your goal.
Friend, you have got to figure out how to go under, over or around whatever obstacle seems so big you can’t conquer it so you can complete the task at hand.
Dale Carnegie is famous for having said, “Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home and think about it. Go out and get busy.” I completely agree! If you sit around and wait for just the right time, you will most likely miss the opportunity that was waiting for you to take action to complete the task you set out to do.
Action breeds confidence; that is why the hard work of doing your job daily, weekly and monthly really does pay off in the end because you didn’t sit still–you took some action to make something happen.
You have probably heard the phrase that Courage is like a muscle. You have got to use it daily, so you can build it strong. Occasional courage won’t cut it in today’s rough and tumble world. You’ve got to build your muscle daily for a lifetime of success.
So what will it be? To continue to hide from your calling, or to step onto the track and race against yourself to the end (or at least to the next exit) for your success?
Choices. I know, I write about that topic a lot, but, friend, only you can choose the direction of your dreams. Think about it. You have the power within you to set a path and choose a destination that meets your need for success, a sense of accomplishment or victory. You have been blessed with intellect, understanding and a muscle that is waiting to be strengthened called “courage”. But YOU have to do the work to make it a reality.
No one builds muscles by doing nothing. It is a daily activity that stretches, tears, builds and strengthens over time. You need to start now to build yourself strong before your time runs out.
Your life will be greatly rewarded when you share your gifts, and the lives of those who watch, follow and admire you will be strengthened when you go for your dreams.
The writer Anna Quindlen says, “Acts of bravery don’t always take place on battlefields. They can take place in your heart, when you have the courage to honor your character, your intellect, your inclinations, and yes, your soul by listening to its clean, clear voice of direction instead of following the muddied messages of a timid world.”
So be brave my friend, because, without a shadow of a doubt, you now know that “The world needs you to share your gifts and go for your dreams. There aren’t enough people who have the courage to go for it.”
