Almost everyone has dreams, aspirations for the future; a
dot on the map to go running after. However, if you don’t have a plan, how do
you expect to move closer to it? What direction do you start running?
A goal without a deadline is just a dream.
Let me write that one out again.
A goal without a deadline is just a dream.
Let’s compare this to a road trip.
They are long, and the world is wide. You need experience, discipline, skill,
and time. Let’s say you have never driven a road trip, and then this is a bit
more difficult for you to comprehend what’s ahead.
Who is going to be driving the
car? You. There is only one person who
can take you to your dreams, and that is you. People can give you good
directions, or bad ones. Some can help you rest, some can encourage you on. But
no one can drive for you. You have to want it, and you can’t stop.
So where is your destination? A
blurred dot on a blotched map, and you have to figure out a way to get to that
location. The way to clear the map so you know what paths need to be taken to
reach your dream? Research. Let’s say you want to be a teacher. What is
required of a teacher? A license, a Bachelor’s, experience. How do you get
these things? The internet is a beautiful thing, and so are your coworkers,
friends, family, teachers and professors. Not everyone knows everything, but
everyone knows some of something. It’s a good start to lighting your way.
Exhaustion, traffic, possible car
failure, accidents, varying terrain, weather: the list goes on of things you
will experience. But that experience will only make you better, just keep
going.
There are also going to be
obstacles in the way: but they are there for a reason. They are there to prove
how badly you want something. Other people that get to that wall will let them
stop, but if you really want something, you will find your way around.
If there weren’t obstacles, then everyone would be a doctor.
Everyone would be a professional model, or photographer, and for that the work
quality would diminish. Obstacles are there for a reason, so only the people
who truly want those jobs will get those jobs.
Let’s use me as an example here.
I have been drawing since
kindergarten. I remember teachers going around with my art and showing the
other classes what I did for years. Sounds like the beginning a great artist,
right?
Not really.
I have a lot of talent as an
artist: I notice too many things for it not to be true. But for me, it’s not my
calling. I have trouble create what’s in my head onto paper with paint – a lot
of trouble. I know what it takes to be an artist, to practice. Constantly. I
even have connections through art professors and opportunities, but I know it’s
not what I want to do.
That obstacle to become a professional artist did its job
with me – it made me turn away. To my own brick wall – writing.
I’ve had a dream since I was a
little girl, 13 to be exact, that I wanted to be a writer. A novelist exactly,
my escapism of reading books atop a labyrinth of fallen trees in the woods.
Although, I don’t just say that I want to be a writer. I write. And I read more
than I write. I research. I watch interviews, I go to readings, I do everything
I possibly can to get better.
My dream to be a professor: how I am making it a goal.
I found a graduate program with a
teaching fellowship where I will be able to teach college classes and in
exchange they waive the tuition – I am poor and on my own. This program alone
is a dream for people like me. Although, this program is competitive; highly
competitive. How am I going to get ready for this? Its one thing to like
something – now I have to prove to them why I would be a great applicant for
this program.
What I am going to do:
- I am applying to tutoring.
- I’m talking to my professors.
- I’m trying to job shadow not only
my professors but high school teachers, as well.
- I’m keeping all of my school work
for class planning examples.
- I’m touring the school and asking
as many questions as I can about the program.
- I went to the faculty page and am
reading the books that my MFA professors wrote (this is actually how I picked
the school I want, if their writing style was what I wanted mine to mold into).
- I plan to meet the professors and
getting them to put a face to my name, and hopefully show them how badly I want
the fellowship.
This video is actually a great example of making your dreams
come true, and it is funny. So pour yourself some tea and get a notepad, I
watch this video frequently and highly recommend everything he says.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo
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