Last weekend, Sarah Fuller did what others told her she could not do. She made a historic kick-off for a Power 5 NCAA football team. She is the most famous walk-on in US College football this season and a great story for all young children (specifically girls). I can’t imagine how many times people encouraged her to give up her fight to play men’s football. She never gave up and did it anyway.
Colleen Barrett started with Southwest airlines in 1978 as a corporate secretary, and in 2001 was the President and COO for seven years.
How many times have you thought that you wanted to do something that others told you was impossible? Did you ignore them, or do it anyway?
[ctt template=”3″ link=”4b54d” via=”yes” ]How many times have you thought that you wanted to do something that others told you was impossible? Did you ignore them, or do it anyway?[/ctt]
Did you ever dream of being a professional athlete or COO for a major airline? It’s okay if you didn’t dream of those; I certainly didn’t. But I have had dreams that I’ve talked myself out of at one point in my life. I’ve changed my attitude and approach, and you can too!
1. Get perspective. You are looking at your situation too closely. Perhaps when you read about Sarah or Colleen, you didn’t skip a beat. Your reaction was, “of course they did!” Do you do the same for yourself, or do you look at all the obstacles that only you see? Take a step back and look at yourself from the outside. You are capable, and you are willing.
2. Focus on past successes. This is not the first goal you’ve ever had in life. Look at your past accomplishments and focus on the fact that you were successful. When I was a freshman at college, I was invited to my high school to talk about college life and how it was different from high school. I was petrified, but I did it anyway. I didn’t die; I didn’t fail. It wasn’t amazing, but it wasn’t a disaster either. I remembered when I had done the requisite book report or public speaking assignment while still in school. I could speak in front of others. I had the capability. When I moved into training other admins on how to use computers, I focused on the fact that speaking in front of them was similar to speaking in front of my high school friends. I learned from my past successes.
3. Think positively. Constant reinforcement of positive thoughts will help. Be confident in your abilities. Don’t talk yourself out of your dreams because of “stinkin’ thinkin’.
You likely won’t accomplish your dreams on your original timeline. It took Colleen almost 20 years to make it to COO. She still did it. In her college experience, Sarah made her first kick when she probably thought about it years earlier. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dream and do it anyway!
[ctt template=”3″ link=”jJ8W6″ via=”yes” ]You won’t like accomplish your dreams in your original timeline. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t dream and do it anyway![/ctt]
2021 is right around the corner. It is time to set your resolutions for the year. Make 2021 the year of reaching your dreams!
