Article: JUMP IN | Braving Your Dreams

Sep 20, 2017

JUMP IN | Braving Your Dreams

Tides are caused by the gravitational pull of the moon and the sun on the Earth and her oceans. Their constant cycles are predictable and dependable. Even though we may be about 75% water, the pull of the tides do not affect us. However, that is not to say that our lives do not have their highs and lows.

The ebb and flow of life can’t be put on a schedule; it is constantly in a dynamic state of motion. Change is inevitable, no matter how hard you try to sit still, so why not take back some of your control? Why not create movement for yourself rather than waiting for it to find you? The phrase “Good things come to those who wait” is fine when applied to teaching the virtue of patience, but when it comes to building a life you love, we must replace that phrase with “Good things come to those who work their asses off and never give up.”

What ocean of doubt are you standing on the edge of, just waiting to jump into? A long dreamed of adventure? A journey of self-love? A new career? What feels just beyond your reach?

We know that whether or not it’s something you’ve said out loud, deep down everyone wants to be living their best life. We just have to find enough drive to go for it! If taking charge and chasing down your dreams isn’t something that comes naturally to you, we have a few suggestions on how to get started.

Set goals. At this point it might sound cliche, but writing down specific, attainable, measurable goals is the first step towards achieving them. If writing isn't much your thing, use whatever creative outlet suites you. Make a vision board and set an intention for each image. Post them on your fridge or in your room, and look at them often. They will help keep you accountable!

Create habits. Whatever your goal is, be it career, health, or personal, you need to stay consistent. It’s like flossing: it doesn’t really help all that much to do it every few months when the mood strikes you, you have to do it daily. Whether you need to start getting up 30 minutes early, making a To Do list every morning, or dedicating an hour a day to working on an idea, commit to it and stick with it.

Ask for help. We can’t all be experts in everything. Or more to the point, we don’t have to be. Specialize in what you know you can be great at and ask for help with the rest. Even the most impressive success stories include a cohort of supporters who are there in the wings ready to lend a hand, or just cheer you on.

Be braver than your excuses. This step is the first, last, ongoing, and most important. Fear is the number one reason we hold ourselves back. If the consequence isn’t some sort of extreme physical danger, then the fear isn’t real. Somewhere along the lines, we teach ourselves that we aren’t capable or that the potential for something bad outweighs the potential for something amazing. It’s hard work, but unlearning these lessons and pushing past the fears hiding in our excuses could be the most rewarding thing you will ever do for yourself!

If you have a great idea, run with it. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have all the steps in line yet, if you don’t take the first one, you’ll never get started. You need to just take the leap. Jump in with both feet. You might flounder or stumble. Guaranteed you will learn. Eventually you will be your own tide, the gravitational pull of your courage sweeping up those around you into their own adventures!

"Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all."

- Helen Keller

Written by Emily Williams

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