Believe in yourself because you have no idea what all you’re capable of. Until you have confidence in yourself and in your work,  no one else can truly believe in you. Of course your family and friends will be there to encourage you, but there’s not much they can do if you don’t even believe in yourself. This is why many people end up unhappy with their lives, and unfortunately remain in their current situations for quite some time. However,  if I could get out of my situation and chase my dreams, then so can you.

People ask me all the time how I managed to get where I am today. However, they say this as if I am at the top of my career. The truth is, I’m nowhere near where I want to be because I’m actually at the bottom of the totem pole right now. Although I’m just a production assistant, at least I’m in the field that I love.  I know that I wouldn’t be here without a lot of faith and a big risk. When people asked me what I would be doing after graduation, my answer (which I said with extreme confidence) was, “I will be moving to Los Angeles in June, and hopefully I will get a job in my field”. This had to be a slight shock to people since I was graduating from a small University in Waleska, Ga; however,  if I managed to get an internship the previous summer in Los Angeles without any connections, then I would figure out a way to move there and acquire employment in my field.

As graduation came closer, fear and stress began to eat away at my confidence.  If no job was available at the internship site, and there was no other work available in my field, then I would have to move back home. Success, for me, was and still is not an option. It will happen.  I ignored the fact that we are in a recession. I ignored the fact that the unemployment rates are steadily rising. I ignored the fact that I would not be able to survive in Los Angeles if I couldn’t find work.  I ignored the fact that my current job at AT&T was stable and paid extremely well.  Instead, I focused on what my goals really were. I focused on what few connections I did have in Los Angeles. I chose to embrace my flaws and flaunt my many strengths. I tried to save as much money as possible. I requested encouragement from family and friends. I strengthened my faith. I exuded confidence even when I was at my lowest point. Finally, I told myself that no goal or task was too great for me to accomplish.  The move was expensive, stressful, and tiring, but  I’m glad I didn’t settle for my current situation and took the risk.

Of all the people I have ever known, those who have pursued their dreams and failed have lived a much more fulfilling life than those who have put their dreams on a shelf for fear of failure. – Unknown

You won’t know what will happen until you try. So do it!  Consider me as one of your many friends encouraging you to chase your dreams. How can you expect to accomplish your goal if you never take a risk? Stop letting fear hold you back. Run towards your dreams, and you will be there soon enough. Until next time, be blessed.