Resilience (2013) points the way to the true path to success. Making your dreams come true isn’t something that only happens in fairy tales; if you’re willing to put in the hard work and not shy away at the first sign of difficulty, you can pursue your dreams and live the life you’ve always wanted. All it takes is resilience – the ability to keep moving forward even when your inner voice is trying to stop you.
Mark McGuinness is an author and consultant who has spent over twenty years helping people reach their dreams. An Oxford-educated poet and licensed psychotherapist, he also wrote the popular e-book Time Management for Creative People.
Upgrade to Premium now and get unlimited access to the Blinkist library. Read or listen to key insights from the world’s best nonfiction.
Upgrade to PremiumThe Blinkist app gives you the key ideas from a bestselling nonfiction book in just 15 minutes. Available in bitesize text and audio, the app makes it easier than ever to find time to read.
Start free trialGet unlimited access to the most important ideas in business, investing, marketing, psychology, politics, and more. Stay ahead of the curve with recommended reading lists curated by experts.
Start free trialResilience (2013) points the way to the true path to success. Making your dreams come true isn’t something that only happens in fairy tales; if you’re willing to put in the hard work and not shy away at the first sign of difficulty, you can pursue your dreams and live the life you’ve always wanted. All it takes is resilience – the ability to keep moving forward even when your inner voice is trying to stop you.
Many of us had big dreams when we were young. We wanted to be athletes, musicians, astronauts or even a president or prime minister. Yet as the years go on, most of us settle for modest and unassuming jobs.
The reason most people give up on those early dreams is fear. The bigger the dream, the bigger the fear of taking the leap required to make it a reality.
For example, the dream of being prime minister or president means entering the world of politics, which requires being comfortable speaking in front people, getting votes and the prospect of giving a speech before the members of congress or parliament. This all requires a lot of preparation, not to mention familiarity with the issues that are affecting people’s lives.
Naturally, it’s overwhelming just to think of all the dedication and hard work this would take. What if you get behind a podium and freeze up? Or worse, what if you say the wrong thing? There are so many possibilities for it all to go horribly wrong.
So there are two options: you can either give up or you can face your fear. And, of these two options, one is clearly a whole lot easier. Most people give up.
Most people want to experience the dream without the fear, but this just isn’t possible. The only way to reach great heights is to stare down your fears and conquer them.
Okay, so to get yourself started, try this visualization exercise:
Let’s say your dream is to be a novelist. Close your eyes and picture yourself taking the steps to make this dream come true. As you do this, you’ll feel that natural fear emerge, but instead of avoiding it, sit with it and accept it. Now, imagine yourself working through that fear and writing your book and, after long last, typing the words “The End.”
As you picture yourself finishing your goal, you’ll feel a surge of positive energy that will keep you on the path to your dream. And the fear and excitement of the undertaking will provide you with adrenaline, the fuel you’ll need to step up to the challenge that lies ahead.