I recently had a conversation with a friend of mine whose teenaged daughter wants to pursue a career in the theater. “She loves it, but it’s not practical,” she said. I was surprised by her comment. My friend is a successful lawyer, who’s a black belt marshal artist, and has recently started belly-dancing classes. She is one of the last people I would think has a practical life. Her daughter is also a very good actress and a great student. Maybe she is destined for a different path.
Another of my good friends has a background in the lottery business as a high level manager. He left that job five years ago, and is buying a tile business. He has never owned his own business and knows nothing about tile. But he has studied the business and has found a bank to support his decision. It’s refreshing to see his excitement about learning something new. I’m sure a lot of people would think his decision is not practical.
Unfortunately, many of us choose our life’s work based on what’s practical and what we’re good at, instead of what we care about. Our education system gives a test designed to help us make that choice. To me, that’s crazy. Anything new we do, there’s a good chance we’re not going to be good at it. That’s where learning and adjusting comes in.
When I created Party On The Moon®, many of the industry experts said it was a bad idea and not practical. “The market will not support a 13-piece band.” Lucky for me, I stayed focused on what I wanted to create – which was the best party band in the country. On the road to creating a career, we use conventional and unconventional actions to get us where we want to go. It also takes time.
“If you limit your choices only to what seems possible or reasonable, you disconnect yourself from what you truly want and all that is left is compromise.” Robert Fritz
I’m not suggesting we can create anything we set out to create. We have to have the resources. I don’t have the voice to sing soprano or the skill to be a professional tennis player. The truth is, we never know if we can create our vision. I’m not sure if my friends will end up in the movies or on top of the tile business. But I will definitely be on the sidelines supporting them in their quest.
Don’t let fear of failure put your dreams asleep.
Keep creating!
