Life is too short for thinking - just follow your dreams.

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Famous American entrepreneur Farrah Gray once said,

“Create your own dream. Otherwise, someone else will sign you up to build theirs.”

It always gets me thinking. Many questions suddenly pop up in my mind about my own current position in life and where is it apparently going. Stuff like am I really doing what I like to do? Is this what I want to do for the rest of my life? Am I working this job just for the money? Am I really that type of person who would forego other important things at a job just because it pays well? Was working at this particular place my own choice or was it influenced by my parents’ notions of long-term stability and good compensation and job security?

I am sure many of you can relate. All of us go through such dilemmas at different times, particularly if we are not apparently following or living our own dream. Of course, all of us have responsibilities with regard to our families. But why does that have to be at the cost of our own dreams and passions and desires? More importantly, for how long will we keep using these “responsibilities” as an excuse for not going after what we really want in life?

So many people go through their entire lives without any plan or purpose and just doing what apparently seems to be a good thing but isn’t overly fulfilling for them. Of course, things often work out for many such people, but not everyone can be so lucky. The majority often end up a long way away from where they want to be or may have dreamed about at some point. More often than not, they seem to waste their life away building someone else’s dream for them. And it can be so frustrating and agonizing. It is also a question of bravery. Once you get stuck in the daily rut and grind of something, it becomes difficult and scary to try to disentangle yourself and you just keep on playing safe from there on.

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In my work, I often meet so many smart individuals who are just not fulfilled with their life and work. Many of these are colleagues who I see on a daily basis and they are incredibly hardworking people. Yet, they often feel physically and emotionally drained and not really sure where their life is headed or how they can add more value and fulfilment to their lives. Many of them have some nice passions and interests, things that they could work towards and build meaningful careers out of. But, it is that transition from the daily grind that seems scary as hell. Then again, nothing good and worthwhile in life ever comes easy. And sometimes you just have to take a leap of faith.

I know all of this is easier said than done. But, the fact remains. You’ll have to do something to build your own dream. Otherwise, someone else will hire you to build theirs. And is that really what you want to do for the rest of your life? Thing is, you can shoulder all responsibilities to your family and others while still leading a life of fulfilment and purpose doing what you love.

Change is never easy and almost always scary. But change is also the only constant in life. It all comes back to that same argument. You can either stay unfulfilled where you currently are or you can pledge to change your life for the better. There is a way you can start. Also, remember that it is perfectly okay to start small and take baby steps.

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As I have already discussed, one needs to be vigilant. If not, you may unconsciously be pursuing someone else’s agenda for your life. This tends to happen when we do not take responsibility for our own lives.

You can often lose sight of this in the complications of everyday life. So, just pause for a moment and think about this all over again. Try to remember your own agenda while pinpointing what is your real passion in life and how will you be going about pursuing it.

Clear your mind and figure out what you need to do. It doesn’t matter even if you take the smallest of steps. As long as you are making progress, any progress at all, it will be okay.
There really is nothing worse than having to spend your life working on someone else’s goals and dreams. Take control of your life today and take action. Go after what you want with full force. Because that is the only way you will win.