“You can be anything!” “Follow your dreams!” “You’re a superstar!”
Growing up, my dream was to be an astronaut. But somewhere along the line (perhaps it was after my second failed attempt at space camp or the first time I flunked a math test), I realized numbers weren’t easy for me. Becoming an astronaut wasn’t exactly a practical life dream for me. Instead I turned to writing, something I was decent at, but also something I enjoyed. And here I am today, sitting here typing up a new batch of posts as a professional writer.
What’s your dream?
So maybe it’s your dream to be the next “famous” personal style blogger, or a professional street style photographer, or a specific niche blogger — but in reality, is that your calling?
In other words, maybe it really isn’t about your dream, but more about finding what you’re good at — even more so, what you’re good at and like doing.
Feasibly, the question isn’t really “what is your dream?,” but rather “what do you usually gravitate towards?”.
Are you the one usually planning the birthday parties? Or do you naturally gravitate towards organizing the bills? Maybe you’re always the person your friends come to for advice, or the one that always volunteers for charity on the weekends. What small everyday challenges do you actually enjoy facing? What seem like average or mundane tasks can be essential in pinpointing your natural abilities.
What it all comes down to, however, is the time, the practice, and the care.
If you’re only mediocre at writing, but have a staunch desire to be a writer, and above all are completely passionate about its practice, then it would be beneficial to take courses on the weekends or at night to improve your skills. If you’re passionate about photography, but don’t know how to work a camera, perhaps it’s time to find a professional and ask some advice. If you want to style professional-type photo shoots on your blog, look for internships in the field and find a mentor.
Logistically, channeling your energy into something you have a knack for will create a greater “success” rate; for example, leaving your job in finance to be a famous actor may not pan out so well if you aren’t a naturally good at acting and don’t bother to take classes. The same is true of blogging. If it’s not a natural skill, it means you have to work that much harder to get ahead.
Frankly, if it’s something you really desire, working hard for it should feel good. If you get your mind set on something, you no longer need to be average at a handful of things, but simply be extraordinary at one thing.
It’s healthy to aspire to goals and dreams, but if those goals don’t particularly match your natural skill set, it may be time to reevaluate where you are focusing your energy.
It’s ok to dream big — but make sure you’re ready and willing to put in the hours and effort to make those dreams a reality.
What are your thoughts about following your dream versus finding what you’re good at, both in blogging and in life?
[Image credit: Shutterstock]
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Refreshing post! It’s always a great idea to sit back and rethink – because doing what you absolutely love as a blogger is what will bring long-term success. I look at Emily and Scott from Cupcakes and Cashmere and The Sartorialist respectively; they have more than their last name in common but a real passion for their content that is very evident.
http://rhythmandruffle.com <3