When it comes to work and career, it can be a bit overwhelming to look at all of your options. You probably have many choices more choices than you think: stay at your current job, start a side-hustle, get a new job, wait for a promotion, quit and do something totally different, do multiple jobs, go back to school, join the circus. Ok, maybe not the last one.
But what happens when someone asks, “What is your dream? Are you pursuing it?”
I’ve always found follow your dreams to be a particularly annoying platitude. Follow my dreams? What does that even mean?
More importantly, it is intimidating to look at others who appear to have followed their dreams, and done so successfully. There are so many entrepreneurs whose lives have dramatically changed because they built their business in the right place at the right time (with the right people). There are even more individuals on traditional career paths who seem to have won the prize– the only prize.
In other words, the potential competition is discouraging, to say the least. It can be scary to look upon someone else’s successes; we’re tempted to think, why should I even try? She’s already got this.
I want to encourage you today to think again. If following your dream means that you will live fully alive, then you have no choice but to do it.
[Tweet “If following your dream means to live fully alive, then you have no choice but to do it.”]
But someone else has already done what I want to do, you might say. I’ll admit, I’ve said that many times. And yet, I also happen to believe that there is more need for inspired people than ever.
The market is not over-saturated.
Get this: The number of people who need YOUR contribution to this world, is greater than the number of people who are making a similar contribution. This means, the need for you– your passion, your vision, your privilege, your gifts– is greater than any “crowd” you might join that is doing something similar to what you would do.
In other words, there is room for you.
There’s no need to say that everyone is unique; we already know that to be true. But even if you join an existing industry that is already up and running, what only you are able to bring to it does not exist yet.
Furthermore, if your dream is big enough, important enough, to merit a life’s work, then the world probably needs you to work on your dream.
So, if you’re hesitant about pursuing a dream because you think the world is too saturated with other people’s dreams, then be encouraged, my friend.
The world needs more dreams-come-true: the kind of dreams that will shape it, transform it, heal it, and feed it.
The need in this world is overwhelming. If you don’t believe me, perhaps it’s time to look beyond the limits of your daily route. And if you can bring to the world the beauty of your dreams, then there will never be another meaningless day in your life.
Have you made the space?
Now that you know there is a need for your dreams– that there is space for you– the question is whether you have made space for that dream. Because there’s no reason for you to pursue anything less than the first-rate version of yourself. The world needs your very best– that which you were created and called to do. There is always room for that version of you.
[Tweet “There is still space in this world for your dreams. In fact, there’s no need for anything less.”]
Thank you so much Katie!!
This is so beautifully written. Thank you!
Aw I’m SO glad you enjoyed this. I seriously can’t wait to see you soon!!!
You’ve done it again! I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot in the past week and jotting down notes and then I come here to find that you’ve explored this eloquently and in depth! This post is so inspiring, and comes right when I need some encouragement about “making space.” Can’t wait to talk more about this, that and everything next week! XXXXX
http://www.threadandbones.com
Thanks Amber! Yes, having that long-term vision is difficult but so important. 🙂
That’s fantastic Emma!! There are so many little (and big) ways to go after our dreams. Thanks for sharing yours. 🙂
Thank you Kendel, I’m so glad that you are going after your dreams. It’s amazing how things expand and you realize you’ve been preparing for something all along. Best of luck!
What a great post! Sometimes I forget to dream because I get caught up in the every day. Thanks for the reminder!
Amber
http://www.sweetwordsprettypictures.com
I have started to make my steps this past week, I have started working harder on my blog, I have volunteered for my favourite charity who I hope to work for as an employee eventually, and I have employed a personal trainer to help get myself back on track. Plus I am going girly and finally buying more feminine clothes that I like but was scared to wear because I thought I was too big! I made space and I am hoping for some of my dreams to materialise 🙂
x
This post is so good! I needed to read this so bad. I had the “Oh, but it’s so competitive or over saturated” thought in my head for such a long time. This was the push to just do it anyway. I have a dream to work as a journalist and it has been a very active one…for about a decade, actually. I don’t know why, but I sidestepped into a PR degree for a year. Lord knows why, but I’m back on track to get a degree in journalism! 😀 Dreams are worth it! You might discover another dream while chasing the first one 🙂 You never know what could happen!
Ah thanks friend!! Dreams certainly are worth it– especially those dreams that promise to make your community a better place. Go after them!
Glad to hear this resonated with you Keturah! I’m sure your perseverance has paid off and inspired others!
Amen, girl! Write that post!
Also, I don’t think that all markets are saturated– I think all easily-identifiable money-making markets are saturated, for sure. But that’s where creativity comes in! And thinking outside the box in terms of serving the world with something it has yet to see. xo
I ridiculously love this post! I’m currently in that stage where I’m trying to contemplate my next move and figure out what I want. Dreams are worth it!
True! I learned this very young. There were some people that I shared my career dreams with, and they were shot down and diminished, but I pushed through. I couldn’t imagine doing anything different from what I do now.
Thank you for sharing encouraging words that everyone needs to hear!
I feel like people are always saying the market is over saturated. I’ve thought about writing a piece on this actually. EVERY market is over saturated! But if you want to do something-you can’t let that stop you… You have to be confident and work hard and go for it anyway.
Wow, thanks Daisy! Things will get much better on my blog once we get this move over with. The future is exciting!
Thank you so much Brittany! And that sounds like a fabulous sermon. My husband and I are continuing to dream together, even though sometimes it feels more compromising than fulfilling. I can’t wait to see where God leads you + your beloveds!! 🙂
Aw thanks Emily!! I’m so glad this resonated with you. And by the way, I haven’t seen anything in the blogosphere that’s quite like what you write– keep it up! 🙂
I have to look her up– sounds fantastic! And I’m glad this resonated with you. It can be difficult to convince others of our dreams, but we need to believe in them first!
Aw Thank you Kiki! I’m glad this was an uplifting read 🙂
Yes I like the dream list too! 🙂 Thanks for reading, Heather!
Yes Anna! I think a big part of it is trying and refining… and there’s room for that as well!
I could not love this any more, Daisy! So, so beautifully written. You do justice to a crazy important idea and a longing of so many hearts. Just this morning I heard a sermon the importance of dreaming together in marriage, so then to read this post makes me think that God has some work to do with me on this. Thanks for sharing this truth in such a powerful way!
That’s exactly what I was thinking… so many potential dreams I guess? So I’m just trying not to plan too far ahead and see where these little dreams lead me!
I like that dream list idea of yours though – maybe I’ll start one too!
“There is room for you.” Thank you for this! I’m constantly wondering, “How is what I’m doing any different than anyone else? There are a thousand others doing this same thing, why is my work special?”
Thank you Daisy!!! Dreaming big dreams can feel discouraging sometimes… especially when other people don’t understand them.
I bet you would like Marie Forleo on YouTube. She always says: “the world needs that special something that only YOU have.” #truth.
You always have a way of lifting my spirits with your words. No matter how blah or gloomy the day begins. Thank you for that. (:
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
ahh this was so encouraging! Now you’ve made me want to start a dream list 😀 I feel like that’s half the problem — I don’t know what my dreams really are because they are jumbled in my head! haha