by Gina Conroy
So you figured out your passion prayed about your dream, and have overcome your doubts. What’s the next step in following your dreams?
Share Your Dream with Your Parents
Chances are your parents will have to sacrifice a lot of time and energy to help you pursue your dreams so it’s a good idea to clue them in from the start. Be real with your parents and tell them why this is important to you, and when they try and dissuade you or discourage you, which they may at first if they think you can’t reach your goals, don’t attack, retaliate, or justify. Just listen to their concerns and pray that they’ll come around. If they don’t, hide your dream in your heart a little longer and continue to pray and look for little signs that they’re ready to support you.
Remember, even if you think you’re ready to pursue your dreams, now might not be the right time. Your family’s support in reaching your goals is important, but sometimes parents need time to absorb the shock and weigh the cost. They want you to succeed, but sometimes it takes them longer to see your vision.
So what do you do while you’re waiting for them to come around?
Prove to Your Parents this Dream is Important to You by Doing the Work
In the past they may have indulged your whims to take trumpet lessons or gymnastics only to have you quit after a couple of months. Maybe you’ve switched interests too often and never stuck with one thing. Whatever the reason for your parents’ lack of support you need to prove to them that you’re serious about this new dream.
My children have goals of performing on stage and for TV and film, and they are gifted, but I’m not convinced they have the drive to make it happen. I’m the one who searches the Disney casting sights and when I’ve told my children to show me they were serious about acting by taking some classes (that they had to pay ½ for) or earn money for headshots, there was always some excuse or complaint. So I knew they weren’t serious, and I’d be wasting my time to give my energy towards something they weren’t willing to do the work for.
If you want to show your parents you’re serious about your dream, take the initiative and don’t complain and blame them for not doing the work for you. Take classes in your chosen field, read online blogs, and research website, but don’t sign up for something without your parents’ consent. There are many scams and predators looking for kids with a dream. Make sure you clue your parents in on your research and have them give you permission for anything that requires you to join a website or give out your information. Get recommendations on which sites, training centers, and organizations can be trusted. And remember, if it’s too good to be true, it probably is.
Set realistic Goals
If you’re an only child, your parents may be able to devote a lot of time to your dreams, but if you’re not, then you have to be patient and realize not only will your siblings have their own dreams, but your parents’ might have ones of their own. Be sympathetic and encourage your siblings and parents to pursue their dreams. Maybe even offer to help do something that brings them closer to fulfilling their goals. Paying it forward can go a long way especially when you need their help.
Whether now is the time to share and pursue your dreams, or if you need to wait a little longer, there are still things you can do to prepare yourself for when the opportunity to follow your dream presents itself. Remember, it’s not your parents’ responsibility to do the work for you, but they can be a great encouragement if you take the initiative and lead the way. If you work at your goals little by little, you’ll get there much quicker than by doing nothing.
If writing is your dream, then I want to help you pursue it by offering a 10% discount when you sign up for my Teen Writing Course Just mention you read this post on Nicole’s site when you inquire.
Speaking of pursuing dreams…
Gina Conroy is a dreamer, author, wanna-be ballroom dancer, and mom of four who encourages her children to follow their dreams while she pursues her own. After seven years of hard work and dreaming , her debut novella, Cherry Blossom Capers, was released with Barbour Publishing, and Gina recently contracted her first full length mystery with Stonehouse Ink and hopes to see it in print by early next year. Her children have also found success as award winners in academics, writing, theatre, music, and cake baking, including her oldest son’s recent win at Disney’s Hollywood Studio’s American Idol attraction. When not pursuing her own goals or helping her children with theirs, she encourages other dreamers and writers at Writer…Interrupted to never give up. You can hear more about Gina’s encouragement for teens with dreams on Choose Now Radio. Gina loves to connect with readers. You can find her on Facebook and Twitter.
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[...] What’s the nextstep in following your dreams? Gina Conroy joins me next to talk about how to nurture those dreams and give them the opportunity to grow into [...]