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{Note from Jessica: Today’s post is shared by my dear friend Kelly Matsudaira. Kelly is passionate about personal development and reflection on life and often pops in to share words of wisdom! I hope you enjoy today’s article!}

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by Kelly Matsudaira

When you were little, I’m sure you had lots of dreams and desires – maybe you wanted to be an astronaut, rock star or movie actor. Then you when you got a little older, you started realizing what you were good at and what you loved doing. You felt happy and alive, living your life full of passion. You didn’t have a care in the world and just did what you wanted to do.

Are you still doing those things now? Are you still living a life full of passion?

Or have you shelved your dreams, trading them in for practicality? Have you given every excuse in the book to avoid really looking at what your life has become?

If you’re like millions of people, you lost your spark for life years ago. No longer do you dare to dream. Your life is more about surviving than living.

Well, I’m here to get in your face by telling you to STOP IT!

Life is too dang short to give up just yet. It’s never too late to live an amazing life!

Common Excuses People Use

It’s so easy to make excuses for not doing things. You may feel like it lets you “off the hook” for the moment, or act as a sympathy card. But in reality, those excuses are just holding you back.

These are common reasons people give when asked why they are not chasing their dreams. Can you relate to any of these?

  • “I don’t have the time.”
  • “I don’t have the financial means.”
  • “I don’t have the drive or passion anymore.”
  • “I don’t have the support.”
  • “I don’t have the skills.”
  • “I’m not good enough.”
  • “I don’t have the experience.”
  • “I don’t know anyone in the industry.”
  • “I’m too old.”
  • “It’s too risky.”
  • “It’s too hard.”
  • “I’m not ready.”
  • “I don’t know where to start.”
  • “I don’t know what I’m doing.”
  • “I don’t have the resources.”
  • “I don’t have the work ethic.”
  • “I’m not clever or creative enough.”
  • “I’m too scared.”
  • “I might not succeed.”

Quit Making Excuses and Chase Your Dreams // deliciousobsessions.com

How to Stop Making Excuses and Chase Your Dreams

You were meant to live a grand life. It’s true! You weren’t meant to struggle, be unhappy and depressed, or live a mediocre existence. Somewhere deep inside of you, I’m sure you know that. But somehow along the way, you got lost…really lost.

Now is the time to take back your life and chase after those long forgotten dreams. Here are 5 ways to light that fire inside of you again:

  1. Face your fears. There comes a time when you must tackle the obstacles in your way, whether it’s in your head or outside circumstances. It may be tough but you can manage your way through it and find yourself again. Don’t let negative thinking, naysayers or your own fears hold you back from your grand life. Take time to work through your inner demons, which will help clear your mind.
  1. Shift your mindset. Stop feeling sorry for yourself or playing the victim. Life doesn’t happen to you, it happens for you. You have to make that mental shift in order to move forward. Making excuse after excuse won’t get you anywhere. You may feel stuck, but you always have choices. Think outside the box and see what you can do to change your current circumstances. “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”
  1. Do your homework. If lack of knowledge, skill or confidence is holding you back, then do some research and seek out the information you need. There are many free resources at your disposal: research online, go to a library, talk to someone in the field or familiar with the subject matter, or join groups or organizations. There are also many affordable options as well: classes/courses, programs, books, etc.
  1. Make commitments to yourself. Take a moment to sit quietly with yourself and go deep within. Self-reflection is a great way to figure out what you really want. If you’ve lost sight of your dreams, being with alone with your thoughts for a few minutes can give you such clarity. Then make reasonable goals and commitments to yourself, and then work on accomplishing them. Make yourself accountable by sharing your dreams or goals with a loved one who will support you, or making it public by posting on social media what you’re planning to do.
  1. Make a plan of action. Don’t get caught up in the “paralysis by analysis” syndrome, where you think about everything you have to do, and then get so overwhelmed that you freeze up and not take any action. Doing nothing feels so much worse than trying and failing. You don’t want to live with regrets. So, prepare yourself and plan out doable, bite-size steps you can take every day to make things happen. It also helps to accept that failure is part of success. If you never fail, then how do you grow, develop and learn from your mistakes, which ultimately makes you a stronger, better person?

Life is not supposed to be easy breezy all the time. Where’s the fun in that? If dreams were easy to achieve, then everyone would be achieving them, and they wouldn’t be as worthwhile.

Life is challenging but don’t let it distract you from what you truly want out of it. Stop sabotaging yourself. Stay focused, persistent and passionate towards your dreams and goals. If you keep at it, you’ll eventually get there…and it’ll be SO worth it!

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