Throughout life, and particularly when you’re starting out in business, there will be numerous people who try to steal your dreams. I call these people Dreamtakers. Sometimes they are cleverly disguised as people who love you and care about you. Well, maybe they’re not disguised… they really do care about you and are often only acting out of concern.
These are the people who try to tell you why you can’t do something, or they only see all the problems you may encounter.
When I was writing my first book, Ready, Set, Go For It! (the complete women’s guide to operating a small business in Australia), there was one day that I remember so clearly. I was visiting one of my relatives and one of her friends was visiting too. My relative was telling her about the book I was writing and this friend then went on to tell me how hard it is to get a book published… how everybody has that dream and most people never succeed… and how there was no way I would get mine published. She carried on for nearly an hour, asking me questions then telling me why that wouldn’t work.
I went home quite disappointed and had almost given up. My son, then aged 11, came home from school and wondered why I wasn’t tapping away on the keyboard writing the next chapter, like every other day! When I explained why, his reply was: “So how many books has this woman written?” (None). “And how long has she worked in the publishing industry?” (She doesn’t). “So why on Earth would you listen to her?” He then pointed to my desk and demanded that I get back to work. (Yeah, I sometimes wonder who the parent is too).
The Dreamtakers tried to tell me I couldn’t run a successful small business… my business is almost 10 years old and has supported us this whole time.
The Dreamtakers tried to tell me I couldn’t publish a book… my first book came out in 2004 and that was just the beginning!
Now the Dreamtakers are telling me another project I’m working on won’t work… and I thank them for their words – that’s just the incentive I need to prove them wrong, yet again.
So, next time the Dreamtakers try to steal your dreams, hold on tight. If you’re truly passionate about something, by all means listen to their advice as there may be something useful in it… but do what you believe is right for you. And if your idea doesn’t work, at least you know you tried.
Here’s an inspirational video that I thought you might like, all about dreams.
So dream on… and here’s to your success in business…
Donna-Marie
