The Importance of Following Your Dreams
For as long as I can remember I’ve been a bit of a dreamer. Whether it was dreaming of being James Bond when I was a child or dreaming of becoming a Police officer when I was a teenager, dreaming big has always been a part of my life.
Clearly I’m not going to be the next James Bond, but it was a nice childhood fantasy. I did nearly join the Police, but after completing a work experience placement at seventeen years old I was put off by the huge amount of paperwork and lack of catching criminals that I witnessed. Why wasn’t it like The Bill?
As I moved into adulthood I continued to dream big, but didn’t really do anything to achieve those dreams. Then one day I had a bit of a lightbulb moment and decided that if I wanted to achieve the dreams I had in mind, I needed to take action.
I’d had a dream in mind for some time regarding become a therapist and helping people to work through their issues. I wanted to develop a career in an area that would be worthwhile and rewarding, but at the same time allow me to develop and grow personally. After seeing an advert for Chrysalis in a local newspaper, I decided to apply for the course and become a hypnotherapist. I was in a part time, low paid job at the time and knew that financing the course would be a difficulty. However, I wanted to do it and was determined to not let anything stop me.
After an interview to ascertain my suitability for training to become a therapist, I was offered a place on the course. My age had been a possible concern, but I had enough life experience to make up for only being in my early 20s at the time. I was set to begin when I had a crisis of confidence relating to my finances. I knew that paying my course fees would put me in financial difficulty. So I chickened out and decided to withdraw from the course.
I beat myself up about that for a few weeks, but after some time came to realisation that I needed to make some sacrifices and remain focused on the ultimate goal if I was going to succeed. I wanted to be a therapist and nothing was going to stop me.
I resolved to apply again the next year, get a place on the course and really put my all into qualifying as a therapist. That’s exactly what I did and by that time my finances were not much better. I was still in a low paid job, but decided to take on a second job to help pay the course fees. I successfully interviewed and was again offered a place on the course. This time I refused to let anything hold me back. Later that year I attended the first class and the rest is history.
Having being a hypnotherapist since 2009, I’m settled in my career and still thoroughly enjoy it. In my role as a therapist, I’ve been able to follow and achieve other dreams too, such as writing a book and becoming a hypnotherapy tutor.
I’d be lying if I said everything since becoming a therapist has been plain sailing, but I guess the point I’m making is how important it is to follow your dreams. Here’s why:
- I’m sure we can all be dreamers, but following your dreams can make you feel truly alive. They can be another reason to get up in the morning and help you make it through the bad days.
- On your dream chasing journey you’re bound to find other dream seekers. When I began my therapy training I met several people who were in a similar situation. I thrived off them and like to think they did the same with me. With similar values, interests and goals, it made the process of training even more joyous. Those fellow dream seekers helped me to keep going and striving to achieve, and I in turn aimed to inspire them.
- Speaking of inspiration, if you follow your dreams and end up achieving them, you are then giving hope to others who want to follow their dreams. You’re then perfectly placed to help them and lead by example.
- By achieving your dream you may end up creating a better life for yourself. I don’t necessarily mean financially. Achieving your dream can help you to feel much happier and healthier. A healthy life is often a happy life, and vice versa.
- Nobody is going to follow your dreams for you, so you may as well give it a go.
- It will make people feel proud of you, but more importantly than that it will make you feel proud of yourself. Your confidence will build, plus you’ll get to enjoy that feeling of satisfaction and the excitement that comes with following and achieving your dreams.
- The truth is that we only live once. Life is too short to not follow your dreams.
Of course I’m fully aware it can be easier said than done. There can be all sorts of obstacles in the way. However if there’s one thing I’ve learnt over the years, it’s the fact that there are obstacles every day. Choosing to overcome them is key to success and I believe your ability to do that.
So, what’s your dream?
