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Monday, April 6, 2015

A Piece Of Peace: 5 Things To Consider Before You Give Up On Your Dreams

Hello and welcome to a piece of peace, your weekly dose of motivation and inspiration. I would like to say a happy Easter to everyone and I hope the joy and blessings of God continues to be with you as we remember the sacrifice he made in order for us to have a better promised future. 

Today I would like to share on the topic “5 Things to consider before you give up on your dreams.”

I have been pondering this topic for sometime now, mainly because I came across a young man who really wants to be software developer. 

He is in his final year in university but there is one module that he keeps failing and as a result he has decided that being a software developer might be too hard so he will be an IT teacher instead.

I immediately had a problem with this and I asked him one simple question, what do you think would have happened if Bill gates gave up on his dream of being a software developer? He looked at me with a confused look on his face and once he registered my point, he told me he would work harder on the next exam.

This naturally got me thinking about how many other young minds have given up on their dream in pursuit of a much simpler, hassle free alternative.

We all face several obstacles in life on the path to achieving the greatness God has destined for us. That journey can be most often a confusing one. We think we are on the right track and then suddenly realize that we’ve chosen the wrong approach. 

We’re enthusiastic and hard working, but our support system disintegrates when we need them the most. We’re just about to make significant progress when we run out of time or funding.

No matter how much ambition and drive that we may have, there always comes a point with all of us where we feel like we have reached our wits end. The moment where the potential rewards no longer justify the effort we have put in. 

It just seems like no matter how hard we try, we are still in the same place and there is really not that much point doing this. I know exactly what that feeling is like, but I sincerely urge you, before you give up on that dream. Consider these points:

1. What’s the worst that will happen if you keep going and don’t reach your goal? The number one reason why most people decide to turn around is because of failure. The fear of failure is something that can leave us crippled. It comes in various forms, disappointment from friends and  family, fear of wasting your time and fear of not receiving the acknowledgement that we so badly want. But the truth is, we are our biggest critics because we are the only ones in possession of that dream and how amazing we know it can be.

By giving up on our dreams, we deprive ourselves of a process to grow and learn through striving and endurance regardless of what we attain. If you don’t keep going, you’ll never know how far you could have gone and you’ll miss out on being the person you’d become through the effort itself. If you do keep going, well, it’s like this quote: “Shoot for the moon, for even if you miss you’ll land among the stars.”

2. Did you set a smart goal? SMART goals are: Specific—you know exactly what your world will look like when you achieve    this goal. Measurable—you have a specific plan to mark your progress as you go. Attainable—you have the attitude and aptitude to make your goal reality. Realistic—you’re willing and able to do the required work. Time-bound—you’ve set a concrete timeframe for completion to create a sense of urgency.

How can you possibly make something happen if you don’t know exactly what you want, or didn’t really believe you could do it? Are you really willing to walk away when you didn’t give yourself every opportunity to succeed?

3. How much have you already put in? A concept studied in social psychology called “the sunk cost principle” indicates the more we’ve invested in something, the less likely we are to prematurely walk away. How invested are you? How much money and time have you devoted? How many sacrifices have you made? Are you really willing to chalk it all up as a loss because you’re not feeling confident in your abilities?

4. Why did you want to pursue this goal to begin with—and has anything changed? You had a good reason for committing to this plan. Maybe you visualized a financially free future once you started this new business, or you realized you’d live longer and healthier if you lost forty pounds. 

Chances are, you still want those things as much as you did before; you just stopped believing you could have them because your attempts have yet to yield results. Now you have to ask yourself: If you push through the discomfort, will it be worth it in the end?

5. Are you acting on impulse or emotion instead of thinking things through? Sometimes our emotions give us hints about what we want and what we should do, but other times they’re just responses to stress, and maybe even indications we’re on the right track. If you act in that moment of intense emotion—be it anger, fear, or frustration—you may regret it once the wave has passed. So sit back.

Take note of what you’re feeling. Feel it fully, without judging it or yourself. Then act when you’ve gotten to the other side. At least then you’ll know you made your decision in a moment of peace and clarity.

Now one last question for all my beautiful dreamers and faith builders that may be currently considering giving up on that dream you started with. Is the alternative really that much better than sticking through this difficult time? If the answer is yes than I believe you have already made up your mind on what works for you and no one can fault you. 

But if the answer is NO, then roll up your sleeves and prepare to go through a turbulent ride knowing confidently that it will all be worth it in the end.

Remember, persistence beats resistance and always .. remember to be yourself because everyone else is taken.

Happy Easter,

Peace Hyde.

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