Are You Struggling With Your Dreams?

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4 Things to Do When You're Struggling with Your Dreams


"Remember that sometimes not getting what you want is a wonderful stroke of luck". -- Dalai Lama

When I was a junior in high school I was stressed out about applying to colleges. I had my heart set on this one particular school that, apart from being difficult to get into, was perfect.

A few weeks later I got a letter from the school. I remember getting excited and grinning like a maniac - until I opened it. The school declined me because my predicted grades were not good enough, while the rest of my classmates had been accepted or put on the waiting list.

I don't think I ever cried as hard as I did that evening. I'd put so much hope on going to this perfect school that the sudden and final rejection hit me pretty hard.

I LOST FAITH IN MY ACADEMIC ABILITY. MY BEST WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH; I WASN'T GOOD ENOUGH!

The thought of telling my friends filled me with dread. Even though I was proud of them for getting in or on the waiting list, every time they mentioned going, I had to pretend that it didn't bring back the feelings of shame and disappointment.

My exams approached, and even though I was absorbed in my revision, the news that on results day I could reapply if my grades were high enough gave me something to hope for, another chance to prove myself.

Results day arrived and my grades were high enough, so off I went to the school with my friends.

We received forms to choose our subjects. I just checked the ones that still had spaces left; that's how desperate I was to go to this school. Some of the courses were: What was I, aspiring film director, applied chemistry, math, business.

In the end I still didn't get a place, but no tears this time. The 6 month ordeal had finally come to an end.

Here are four things I'm thankful to have learned about going after the things you want.

1. Check Your Ego.

Is what you're going after really what you want? Are you going after it for yourself, or for other people? How will you feel when you do (or don't) achieve it?

As much as I hate to admit it, the reason I was so intent on getting into that school was to prove to the people around me that I was smart enough to get in. I'd spent most of my secondary school life feeling as though others didn't take me seriously academically because I was a bit of a class clown.

My ego was ready to have me study subjects that didn't interest me. I'm sure the initial high would've worn off pretty quickly upon realizing that I was stuck with them for 4 years and if I didn't do well it would have affected my university application.

Make sure that your goals are yours. Don't follow the crowd and don't feel the need to prove yourself to people who make you feel inadequate, because chances are that you'll always have "Just One More Thing" to prove to them.

I think we often get so caught up in the race against others that we forget why we are running it in the first place.


2. Persevere until the end.

If you want to accomplish something, you have to give it everything you've got.

Although I wasn't persevering for the right reasons, I did absolutely everything I could to get into the school. I went to every single one of my teachers and asked them for my predicated grades. I sent an appeal letter to my local council, and as I mentioned, I made one final attempt on results day.

So despite being unsuccessful, when it was over I was able to accept it because there was absolutely nothing else I could have done. If you know in your heart that you did everything you could and you still didn't succeed, you have no reason to feel bad. You can hold your head up high and say, "I Gave It My Best Shot".


3. Embrace Failure.

When you're going after a big dream, the road will never be perfect. You will fall down and it won't be pleasant, but don't let that stop you from going after what you want.

Often people worry about others laughing at them if they fail, and so they never attempt anything that they aren't guaranteed to succeed at. But remember, nothing GREAT comes from staying inside your comfort bubble and playing it safe.

If you want to achieve something you never have, you have to do things you've never done.

The next time you're stressed because you might fail, imagine what you could learn from your failures. Think of someone you know who is successful. They failed at one point, but you don't remember them for that because their attempt didn't end when they failed; it ended when they SUCCEEDED.


4. Explore Your Options.

There's more than one way to reach your goal. If you're not succeeding, try another way. Initially, I refused to allow myself to believe that I could do well at my second choice of school because I was too caught up in the perfect idea of the first choice. It wasn't until I actually got there that I realized how great it was.

Don't turn down opportunities because they're not what you were expecting or because you think you're above them. You never know where they could lead. Embrace the opportunities that come your way and enjoy your journey to success.

" CHOOSE A JOB YOU LOVE AND YOU WILL NEVER WORK A DAY IN YOUR LIFE".

Confucius

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Recent Comments

17

Yes, perserverance is one of the key to success in anything in life, thank you Marian dear. ;))

This was a huge inspiration, thank you for sharing. Failure doesn't exist as long we have learned something from the experience. I'm bookmarking this to help dispel those future 'low moments'.

Thanks for the post Marian. It's just what I needed to hear today!
Bill

I'm glad it helped. Now I know my wanting to help others is working.

Two good quotes from Dalai Lama and Confucius!!! Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for following me. I hope you have a great week.

When one door closes, another one opens.
We need to step out of our comfort zones in order to succeed.

You are so right. Something better always came into my life when a door closed. Hope you are having a great week. Thanks.

Well done and inspiring!

Thanks for the follow. I love this community!

I do too

Inspiring as ever -thank you

Thanks, Rich. I hope you're having a great week!

I know how it felt as I've experience all these. Well, the last point which is exploring options, I'm working on it at the moment. Thanks for sharing the post. I agree with all what you have said.

I'm working on that one too. Thanks for the follow.

Good post, we have to stay with the format and try our best.

You're so right. Have a great week.

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