Have you ever had a dream that seemed too big, too impossible, too ... whatever... to come true? Think about it for a moment. Of course you have. Most of us have.
Those dreams can sometimes seem so unacheivable, so far away, so impossible to attain that we often tell ourselves "Why bother?". We choose instead to place them on the dusty back shelves of our busy lives and tell ourselves we can't possibly get around them. Someday perhaps, but not now... and we proceed to convince ourselves as to all the reasons why NOW is not a good time.
Sometimes, we fear taking that first step towards that dream. Sometimes we fear the unknown; the what-will-happen-if-this-comes true scenario. Often, we are guilty of being our own worse enemy and holding ourself back from making our dream a reality.
As a perennial goal setter, I can assure you that making a seemingly outlandish dream a reality is absolutely doable. For example, in 2007, I was honored to have once again been selected as paddler and member of the Canadian National Dragonboat Team and race in the 2007 World Dragonboat Racing Championships. My goal at these World Championships was to win multiple gold medals and surpass my previous medal count at the last World Championships. Win we did...three times over!
Big goal? You bet. How did I do it?
ONE STEP AT A TIME
Let me explain. I didn't always have the guts to dream so big and really believe such things could be possible. I went about my busy life, happy, busy and sometimes...okay, often feeling as though there was something more, something missing. Then I decided to take that risk, that chance, and do my best to make my dreams come true. Like so many, I had nothing to lose and loads to gain, as the cliché goes. I took the steps necessary to make things happen...to live my life the way I choose: pursuing passion and living each day to the max.
Guess what? In the process, I've discovered my inner strengths....AND weaknesses. I continue to test my physical and emotional limits; to seek new challenges and enjoy the opportunities presented before me. I've never felt so alive, so curious and eager to experience new things and share it with others.
Some cool things I never thought would become possible have become a reality for me. For example, I enjoyed every step in the journey of planning and executing a climbing expedition on Mt Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. More recently, I backpacked the entire 220+km East Coast trail in eastern Newfoundland.
I also discoved the sport of dragonboat racing and was multiple medalist at not one, but two World Championships.
I've met countless wonderful people along this journey and feel more than ever that success breeds success. Opportunities are presented to me daily to enjoy.
ANNE JEANNET taking a break after trekking the 220+km East Coast trail in NL.
DO SOMETHING
I challenge you to get out of your comfort zone, your daily routine and get out there and do something that you perceive as challenging and positive for yourself and/or your world.
I dare you to take that first step, then share lessons learned, with the rest of your community. We can all benefit from each other's life lessons.