Have you ever dreamt of a career but dismissed it as ‘unrealistic’? I did. But then I got a job doing kids’ parties. For years I played characters like Mrs. Claus, a jester, a clown, and even a ‘Powerful Ranger’. But being a kids’ party entertainer wasn’t just about balloons and face paint. It honed my ability to think on my feet, improvise, and connect with an audience.
I loved the unconventional aspect of that job, the creativity of playing different characters, and the variety of tasks. It got me thinking, if I was able to get paid for an offbeat and unusual job like kids parties, what else was available that I hadn’t considered because I thought it was out of my reach?
I decided to pursue singing. I always thought pursuing anything in the arts was for “other people.” But, once I did something out of the ordinary and liked it, I started believing that I could carve out any path that I wanted.
Over the years, I booked national and international tours, wrote original music, even got a part in a musical – once I was on the artist track, my mind believed that so much was possible. I wrote books, I podcasted (and was inducted to the podcasting hall of fame!), I produced live shows and events, and I keep going and going.
The truth is, the only barrier between me and these experiences was my own limiting belief. Those unconventional paths seemed so outlandish, so far outside the lines of what I thought achievable.
Don’t let your dreams gather dust before you even give them a try! Here’s your permission to take a baby step towards that seemingly impossible goal. Grab a pen and unleash your imagination. Write down every outrageous obstacle that supposedly stands between you and your dream. Let it all out – “I’d need to win the lottery” or “Maybe I need a time machine!” The key is to externalize those roadblocks, to see them on paper. Once they’re out in the open, take a closer look. What emerges?
You might discover hidden possibilities. The seemingly insurmountable obstacle of public speaking could morph into a manageable first step – attending a speech class or even just watching a TED Talk. The point is to find the smallest action you can take, that nudges in the right direction. Take a deep breath, and go for it! Write down those limitations, not to be discouraged, but to unearth the hidden pathways to your dreams.
This is your invitation to break free from the mold and chase those audacious goals. You never know where that first step might lead!
ACTION: Write your list of tasks for your big, “impossible” goal. Even if you get scared of what it might reveal, work through the fear. You can always rip it up the page if you don’t like what you wrote. Take a look at the list and find the tiniest task that you can achieve today and do it.
