Like so many of the posts I write here . . . this one is really personal to me!
For the longest time I was absolutely miserable!
On the outside I appeared happy and content but on the inside I had what I called “an urgency”. In other words, a feeling that I was supposed to be doing something more, but I hadn’t a clue what.
The more I tried to find out what this meant, the more it became like that dream you know you had, but it keeps slipping away from you as you try your best to catch it and recall it.
Actually, that’s exactly what was happening to me . . . my dream was slipping away and worse yet . . . I felt trapped!
I felt trapped because I had bills to pay, obligations, and probably more than a few issues with comfort zones and a chronic case of what experts call “not having the balls to do it”!
We can’t give up on our dreams . . . it’s a lousy feeling and there’s a much bigger picture at stake . . .
The world needs your ideas, your contributions, you as a resource, an innovator or maybe even just a glimmer of hope.
Quite selfishly, you need to step to the microphone and sing the song in your heart . . . because going to your grave with your music still in your head deprives you as well!
Not to mention the feeling that something died long before the actual closing of the coffin but I’m getting really freakin dark so let’s shift gears!
Actually, I just depressed the hell out of myself . . . that was messed up but any who . . .
What do you do when you feel trapped?
Well . . .
I’m not a big advocate of this “leap and find your wings on the way down” mindset . . . I think its a great way to become one with the pavement! That’s why you have to “moonlight” as in . . .
Work your day job. Give it your all. Pay your bills and keep food on your table . .
Then get to work on taking some kind of action each day, before or after hours to move you one tiny step closer to a new reality.
Perhaps it could be “Googling” a topic that would help you learn more.
Reading a few pages of book.
Meeting someone after hours to pick their brain.
Spending some thinking time mapping out some steps.
Taking a few dollars out of your pocket and tossing it in a coffee can as your future war chest.
The point is to do something!
And that’s when the magic happens!
I’m dead serious when I say “magic” in fact I’m upgrading to an all caps, bold MAGIC!
It’s “magic” because the moment you begin to take a step of any magnitude . . .
You’ve embraced your dream again and . . .
You’re in control!
You know, I wish I could tell you that I’m writing this today as someone who is now some multi millionaire, living his dream. Unfortunately, I’m a few million dollars short of hitting that milestone but . . .
Every time I speak to one of my clients, train in a class room, speak at a sales convention and write on this blog I know I’m doing what I wanted to do for so long.
How long?
All the way back when I appeared topless in this photo! 🙂
I now have joy and a sense that I might have evicted that horrible feeling of being trapped.
I won’t ever allow myself to feel that way again!
Well enough about me folks. I do believe it’s . . .
Your turn . . . What would your advice be to someone who has this urgency to do something more with their life but at the same time, an overwhelming feeling of being trapped?
Meanwhile, I hope you’ll take a tiny step today towards getting back to your dreams . . . you are worthy!
Peace!
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Paul – I am chasing that dream now. The last thing I want to do is “should” all over myself. It was hard to step out and take the risk, but I did and I am seeing the results of my labor. After giving my ‘A game’ to someone else with very little in return, I gave it to myself. You are your best agent. You know what you can and can’t do. Take a chance, give it all you got – and smile!
Congrats Chris . . . There’s something quite liberating in making a decision like the one you made!
Wishing you incredible success!
Puts me in mind of that famous Goethe quote: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it!”
Thanks again Paul for an inspiring message!
I love that quote Kristine . . . Thank you for sharing it and of course, for taking the time to stop by.
Much appreciation my friend!
Thanks, as always, Paul, for your “kick in the pants” because this is exactly where I am and need to stop feeling burnt out and focus on my dreams again!
By all means . . . Focus on your dreams Elizabeth. They are waiting for you and we are waiting for you too!
Go get ’em!
Thanks for asking Paul — my advice, also look closer at where you are at right now—is there more you can enjoy, live in, explore about where you are at now. I’ve missed things by not being happy in the moment–it passes took quickly and is hard to recall.
I was guilty of this one big time Debbie!
Thank you for raising our awareness!
Paul- This post really hit home. I have spent the last fifteen years being exactly the man I never thought I would be. I was a bartender, a party animal, “lived” each day with reckless abandon and really thought I was living the dream. About a year ago, after countless consequences, I decided that there was more. More of what, you ask? I really had no idea. My dreams, my goals, my aspirations were all long gone. So I thought. I gave myself a chance. I decided that there had to be more to life. I took what little hope I still possessed and decided to make a change. I put down the bottle and made a fresh start. It wasn’t, and isn’t, easy. I had really made a mess of things. Instead of living in the past, I took the talents that I have and decided to move forward. I did exactly what you said; I paid the bills, worked hard and took my free time to develop myself as a man. I finally landed a job as a security consultant. I didn’t know the first thing about security, but I did know more about myself. It has been about a year since “that day” and I have more than I could ever have imagined. I don’t have a fancy car, a crazy mansion or a dream job. What I do have is dreams, aspirations and goals. I don’t dwell on the time that has passed; I embrace the freedom that is ahead. I still work on those dreams every day. To anyone that feels that dreams are unattainable, you haven’t tried. I may never have the gangster ride, house in the hills and fat pension. What I do have though, is the will to be more, do more and achieve. That is a dream that I never thought would be within my reach. Thanks for putting fuel in the tank, Paul.
You are not only a brave soul Aaron . . . you are an inspiration!
“I may never have the gangster ride, house in the hills and fat pension. What I do have though, is the will to be more, do more and achieve.” Bravo Aaron! That other stuff is window dressing . . . you achieved something that money can’t buy!
Thank you for having the courage to stop by and share this.
I salute you my friend!
Are you reading my mind???? I am taking this action and the notice goes out next week, here I go. I have been doing what I do for 9 years so making a change and chasing a dream has been frightening. I have talked myself right out of it 3 times over the last year. I have found my final decision to move forward has been exhilerating, I feel refreshed! Life is about change and taking some reasonable risks. When we graduated from high school and entered college, whew was that frightening or what???!!! It was a change and we were following our dreams. To do this later in life- chase our dreams, is simply the next change! With all this talk of change, yes do put it in a coffee can. Thanks Jedi!
Jenna . . . Sounds like the headline should read “The battle to liberate Jenna’s life has begun!”
I’m mighty proud of you!
Hey Paul,
Thanks for the post. I have read where more than 3/4 of us go to our graves with our Music still in us. All of us need to find out what makes us tick and then go after it! After all this is no dress rehearsal!
Like the old saying goes… what would you do if you knew you could not fail? That’s your music….play it out loud!
Thanks Paul! Now lets all go make some music!
Cheers,
Larry
You know Larry, I first heard something similar back in 1988 when I was just 23 years young and not that much music in me . . . today I have a few symphonies that need to be shared and will be shared.
Applaud me, boo me or be indifferent but this Jedi sings every last song before he leaves this world!
And yes . . . let’s make some music Larry!
Thanks!
You are so right Paul dreams are what got this country started and to where we are today…I have put everyone else in front of my own dreams and that is not going to happen anymore.
Now that’s what I’m talking about Dave!
That’s the spirit!
Hi Paul – I have the “15 minute” rule. I too am working hard at the day job, but I have committed to a minimun of 15 minutes a day doing something, anything that moves me toward my dream. It could be as simple as sending LinkedIn requests, or bigger, like investing in a class to fill in some knowledge gaps. Many days I find myself beyond the 15 minutes, but it is that first 15 minute commitment that gets me there.
Those 15 minutes have a way of adding up Mary Beth and I think this is awesome!
How long have you been doing this and has it made you feel better overall knowing that you are back in control?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Best post ever Paul! Thanks for your daily stuff!
You absolutely made my day Gary . . . Thank you so much and have a great weekend!