What are your big dreams?
I’m not talking small detail here, I’m talking big, gutsy goals that stretch the boundaries.
What do you really want to do? What’s that burning dream that almost makes your heart burst with excitement when you think of it? And not only excitement, but a good healthy dose of fear, too?
I reckon that if you don’t feel a modicum of fear when you consider your goal, your not dreaming big enough.
When I was working on the first issue of *bespoke*, I would have moments of almost paralysing fear. Usually this occured late at night, when all was quiet and I actually realised what I was trying to do.
I was set to spend thousands of dollars of my own money to print this zine, and while I had felt lots of support from the community around me, I still had moments of panic. What if no-one bought a copy? What if people didn’t like it? What if I lost the money I invested in it?
And you know what? Any or all of those things could have happened.
But so what if they did?
How much better was it to go out on that limb, to take that chance – because if it was a success (and looking at where it stands right now, I’m very happy with how it has panned out!) then it would be something amazing. If not for anyone else, then for me. I would know that I’d created something wonderful, and fulfilled a big dream.
That I hadn’t let fear stop me.
Fear is a healthy thing – it lets us know when something might be dangerous. But we need to learn to differentiate between healthy fear and unhealthy, neurotic fear.
My strategy to differentiate is to first look inside myself for the answer, and then to take it outside my own head – usually by discussing it with my husband, who is a very sensible, down-to-Earth guy, not at all prone to neuroticism.
If the fear is merited, you can take steps to mediate it. If not, you can move on, and ignore it as “worrying” – which we are all far too prone to.
So – are your dreams big enough? Or do you need to take that next step?
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I understand what you mean Jess, when I created A String of Pearls I had some fears. And in the past these have stopped me. But I thought it all through, mostly on paper and decided I needed to press forward. Either I had it right which would be great or I had it wrong which mean I’d have another learning experience.And the right thing would be beyond. Of course I had been watching you and one other idea-builder. I do have moments where I think uh oh, but they pass…the response tells me I got it right. Women are writing tell me so…
LOVING your blog!! Found you through Pinterest, someone pinned your blog, so happy I found you! Good advice and a lot of inspiration here! Grabbed your button for my blog: http://michele-byyourside.blogspot.com/2009/03/blogs-i-love.html Off to check out your FB Page!!
Thanks,
~Michele
Hey Jess,
Just letting you know that this post has been PERFECT timing for me. 🙂 I’ve been really nervous about my huge masters project (a spherical, interactive quilt), and was considering dropping out cause it’s so hard. But your post has inspired me to keep going at it. Thanks.
Thank you so much, Michele!
And Talia, I’m honoured – and I’m sending a huge hit of good luck your way, I’m sure your project will be amazing!
When I saw the title to this post I actually gasped lol. I’m getting ready to jump off that cliff, hoping my wings work!
I have great fear of water because once it has snatched my breath and I could have died.