Quit Killing Your Dreams

If you are the kind of person who has goals, ambitions, and big ideas for your life, then quit killing your dreams. You know that taking risks is an essential component of success.

Leo Buscaglia said, “The person who risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing, is nothing, and becomes nothing. He may avoid suffering and sorrow, but he simply cannot learn and feel and change and grow and love and live.” Pretty strong words!

Risk is a natural part of life and the bigger the risk the bigger the reward. I am not talking about something foolish but taking a calculated risk with some research behind it.

You don’t jump out of an airplane without a parachute, you take the jump with proper training and a chute. Scary? Yes! But for those who do it, like George H. W. Bush on his 90th birthday, you can bet it was worth it. He did a tandem skydive out of a helicopter.

What’s the Problem?

Here is the dilemma. When it comes to risk, many people tend to “what if” themselves out of any and every positive idea that might move them in the direction of their goals. What I mean by “what if” themselves is that they imagine all kinds of disaster scenarios that may or may not occur should they take what appears to be a risky action.

When I share with others how I started a business online some people are supportive, inquisitive and admiring. Others say they wish they were as brave or bold and wish they could follow their dreams instead of staying stuck where they are.

When I ask them what is stopping them from taking that leap they quickly respond with “what if” disaster scenarios….

“What if I don’t earn enough to pay my bills?”
“What if I lose my initial investment?”
“What if I choose the wrong business?”
“What if I fail, what will everyone think of me?”

What’s the Solution?

Now I agree these are valid concerns but focusing only on everything negative that may or may not happen is the wrong approach. I tell them, “Quit killing your dreams! You need to get some perspective here and think of the positives too of pursing your dream business.”

Focusing only on negative scenarios that haven’t even taken place yet is a mindset issue. The only difference between their mindset and my own was that I was using my imagination to think of all the positive potential outcomes and weighing the risk in my favor. I was TRUSTING in my inevitable success.

There is inherent risk with every single action you take in life but we don’t let that stop us from driving to work, going on a walk or eating a meal. Yes, you could get in a car accident, get mugged, or choke on your food. But you TRUST that won’t happen. You take necessary precautions…car maintenance, stay out of dark woods, or eat slowly. But you don’t let that stop you.

Well, the exact same kind of thinking is REQUIRED by the person who wants to pursue a big life goal and take action on the risky steps required to reach that goal. Could you lose money, make some mistakes, feel like a failure at times. YES! So what. It’s happened to me. It isn’t the end of the world. It’s exciting living and the only way to fulfill your dreams.

If you are ready, willing and COMMITTED to achieving great things for your life, then you need to change your “what if” questions from negative to positive and quit killing your dreams.

Ask instead:

“What if I make it?”
“What if I overcome my fears?”
“What if I live my life to the fullest?”

Use your imagination to picture your life from that perspective and boldly walk in the direction of your dream!

Do you ever catch yourself with too many negative “what if” questions?