DARE TO DREAM, CHASE YOUR

DREAMS

BY : T.K.SURYA PRAKASH
Ever wondered how successful people make it happen? What makes
them different from everyone else?
Its not as complicated as it seems. In fact the knowledge for how to chase
your dreams is surprisingly straight forward . So lets get to the good stuff,
shall we?
Making the decision to chase your dreams can be a frightening one. Making
large changes to your life and how you live it is never easy, but by breaking
the path to your dreams down into manageable goals, you can make the
transition a much easier one. Achieving your dreams is possible, you just
need a good plan.

Create a Mission Statement for Your Life

PART 1 MAKING A PLAN

1. Break your dreams down into an action statement.
It may be difficult to lock down exactly what your dreams are, but you will
need to be able to set them in stone in order to devise a plan that helps you
achieve them. Sit down with a pen and paper and make a list of what you
want out of life. Then use that list to create a singular mission statement.
Try to narrow your dreams down to one solid statement that encompasses
the change you want to make in your life.
Some examples could be: I will become a cartoonist, I will live in California,
or I will start a newspaper.
2. Assess your current situation.
Now that you have identified your overarching goal, you need to determine
what skills you have that can help you accomplish it, what sacrifices you are
willing to make, and how much you may need to risk. Think about the skills

you will need to achieve your dream; do you currently possess them or will
you need further training or education?
Try to determine a ballpark figure for how much your dream will cost to
pursue. If your dream is to open a business your budget requirements may
be much higher than if your dream is to learn to play the guitar.
Depending on the scope of your dream, you may be a long way away from
being a position to achieve them, but dont get discouraged; a journey of a
thousand miles begins with a single step.
3. Identify the obstacles preventing you from chasing your dreams.
You probably face challenges in your life that can directly affect your ability
to pursue your dreams. Assess those challenges and consider what sacrifices
you are willing to make to overcome them.
Money is the most common limitation when it comes to chasing dreams. You
may need to wait for some time in order to Save Money, or you may have
things you are willing to sell in pursuit of your goals.
Other limitations may include job security, having time, or a lack of skills or
training.
Make a list of possible solutions for each problem you come up with.
4. Make a list of goals associated with achieving your dreams.
This step will provide you with the basic framework of your plan moving
forward. Start by establishing a few broad goals, then identify a few smaller
goals within each one. Some examples could be:[3]
If your dream is to open a restaurant, your first goal could be to learn to
cook. Within than goal, sub-goals may be to attend culinary school,
If your dream is to become a musician, your first goal could be to perform a
live show, with a sub-goal of purchasing the amp and other equipment
necessary for a concert.
5. Complete your plan.
Now that you have identified your goals and the obstacles you face, its time
to establish your plan to chase your dreams. Create a step by step list of

what you need to accomplish in order to put yourself in position to achieve

your dreams.
Start with the very first task you will need to complete. It may be to begin
saving enough money for your next step, or it could be to start looking into
necessary training or education programs.
Use your goals and sub-goals to guide your checklist, so that by the time you
have it completed, you will have reached your ultimate goal.
PART 2 TAKING THE LEAP
1. Start completing the tasks on your checklist.
With each task that you complete, you are one step closer to accomplishing
your goals and living your dreams. Some steps may take much longer than
others, and you may be able to complete more than one at once. Use the
checklist to keep you task oriented and on track.
Make a commitment to yourself to complete the tasks on your list within
certain periods of time.
If you find yourself having trouble focusing on the task at hand, investigate
different ways to Get Motivated to get each step done.
2. Be a person of action.
It can be easy to remain in the planning stages for a long time. Eventually
though, there will come a time when you need to start taking action and
making your plan into a reality. Dont allow yourself to fall into simply talking
about your dreams, you must go after them.[4]
Make a habit of doing what you say you will do. Holding yourself to your word
is not only a good habit, but it will translate into your personal pursuits.
Imagine what your life will be like once you achieve your dreams and stay
focused on what you are working for.

3. Dont be afraid to let go.

One of the biggest challenges facing a person that chooses to pursue their
dreams is the fear of the unknown. You cant know if you will be successful in
your pursuits, nor can you know what your standard of living will ultimately

be like if you begin making sacrifices on the road to your dreams, but you
cant get to where youre going without leaving where you are behind.[5]
You may eventually need to leave your job or move to a new area. These
changes can be daunting, but they may be necessary in order to follow your
dreams.
You may need to give up on hobbies or spend less time with your family or
friends as you work toward your goal. You will need to be able to accept that
as you strive to accomplish each task.

4. Seek others that can help.

You may know people that are already working in the industry you hope to
pursue, or maybe you have friends already living where you dream to move.
These people can be valuable resources as you begin to take steps toward
reaching your dreams.[6]
Network to find people with similar passions. They may be able to provide
you with guidance or support as you continue along your checklist.
Look to people that have already succeeded in the arena you dream of
pursuing and model your efforts after theirs.
PART III FOLLOWING THROUGH
1. Dont lose sight of your dream.
As you begin working toward achieving your dreams, you may find yourself
losing your motivation in the drudgery of the day to day efforts. Its
important that you remember what youre working for and what youre
working toward to remain productive.
Use your checklist as a daily reminder of what you are working toward.
Focus on where you will be once you have accomplished your goals and have
successfully attained your dreams.
2. Be grateful to the those who support you.

When you receive help from someone in accomplishing your goals, make
sure they know how much you appreciate their effort and assistance. People
are more likely to help you again if you demonstrate your appreciation and
you may find that showing gratitude leaves you feeling better about yourself
as well. When someone goes out of their way to assist you, send them a
thank you card or thank them in person as soon as you can.
Demonstrate an appreciation for those that support you by telling them how
grateful you are to have them by your side.
3. Change your plan as necessary.
You may find that some aspects of your plan need to be changed along the
way. Maybe youll gain new information or need adjust the scope of your
dream slightly as you come to have a better understanding of what it will
entail. Dont be afraid to adjust your goals as you pursue them to keep them
attainable, realistic, and beneficial to your overall cause.
If you find that a goal you listed is unnecessary or will inhibit your progress
toward your dream, do away with it or adjust it until it would benefit you.
Dont be afraid to change any aspect of the plan necessary as long as it
continues to point you in a beneficial direction.
4. Try to enjoy the process.
Dont forget to live your life while pursuing your dreams. If you devote all of
your time and energy to a singular cause, you may burn out and lose your
momentum. Instead allow yourself to enjoy being with friends and family
from time to time and try to devote yourself to a line of work you find
satisfaction in.
Remember that the journey is as important as the destination; allow yourself
some time to enjoy life on a regular basis.
Make your dream-chasing life a sustainable one, so even if you never
accomplish everything you set out to do, you will still enjoy your life.
Never Give Up

There will of course be days where you dont believe in your dreams,
question them, rethink them, lose sight in them or even deem them a failure.
But failure is good it makes the next attempt better. Try it again and fail
better. Fail until you succeed. Fail for the sake of failing. Dont be afraid of
failing it is undeniably the biggest drawback to success because if you
dont try, youll never know.
Never give up on your dreams. If you dont chase them, someone
else will.
Where theres a will, theres a way.

CHALLENGES TO BE FACED
Lets just get real and honest about a few things you can expect when you
take the big risk to pursue your dreams.
1. You are going to be very scared, more than once.
Fear may be paralyzing at times, yet the desire and passion to do what you
love has a stronger hold on you than fear ever could.
2. There are times you're going to be uncertain.
And it may be really, really uncomfortable. Its OK.
3. You're going to get way out of your comfort zone.
This is a good thing, because youre going to need to in order to grow and
expand the way your purpose asks you to.
4. Doubt will inevitably creep in.

You'll eventually learn to either laugh at it and yourself, or spend way too
long entertaining it and making tons of meaning out of it when you could be
chasing your dreams instead.
5. Youre going to piss some people off.
Not on purpose, of course at least I hope not! Sometimes people around
you are afraid of change, and they can certainly be intimated by happiness,
so if they try to create drama or conflict, remember: you cant control that
and you dont have get involved. The only thing you can control is how you
react to it. Choose wisely.
6. Youre going to learn what you're made of.
There will be times when you want to give up, when you question every
decision you made that day. Eventually you'll just decide to roll with it and
know that its part of the process. This will end up being incredibly rewarding.
7. You will get comfortable asking others for help.
Because you'll need to do it at some point along your journey.

8. There will come a day when you'll want to stop taking risks and
settle for something with more security.
You'll ponder it, you really will, then quite quickly you'll realize that living in
your genius is far more rewarding than a false sense of security. There is no
going back, because youve come this far and its simply time to just keep
going.
9. You will feel vulnerable.
You'll feel like you dont know if youre ready to share your art with the world
yet. Because its scary and so close to your heart, you almost believe it, or
maybe its simply you arent ready for it to be judged. This is normal.
10. There will be a day when youre as happy as a kid who just
discovered their first jump house, all smiles and laughter.
In this moment, you'll wonder, Why the hell did I wait so long? I've never felt
more alive in my entire life. The ups and downs are just part of this crazy
ride, and man, am I glad I didnt quit last week.

At the end of the day, the risk is always worth it. So have fun as you jump off
the cliff and enjoy the ride for what it is: a wild adventure.

HOW TO BULLET PROOF YOUR DREAMS

1. Be Passionate
2. Have the highest commitment.
3. Be self-disciplined.
4. Have a Never Say Die Attitude
5. Be Persistent.
6. Be Patient.
7. Be Resilient.
8. Be Adaptable.
9. Never Never Give Up.

INSPIRING STORIES LANCE ARMSTRONG

Diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer at the age of 25, doctors gave
Lance Armstrong less than a 40 percent chance of recovery. Tumors were
discovered in his lungs and stomach along with multiple lesions on the brain.
His biking career was over or so everyone thought; but no one counted on
the indomitable belief Armstrong had in himself and the lessons which his
mother, Linda Walling had taught him.

One of the first things that he did was to acknowledge the disease that had
captured him in its talons and learn everything he could about it. He
devoured books, resources and found help in support groups with people
going through similar difficulties. One of the first things that he did was to
acknowledge the disease that had captured him in its talons and learn
everything he could about it. He devoured books, resources and found help
in support groups with people going through similar difficulties.
Lance sought strength in three things his mother had instilled in him. His first
comeback after beating cancer was not a success and he finished fourteenth
in the race. He returned from his training a transformed man and never let
the constant difficulties plough him down again.

INSPIRING STORIES ARUNIMA SINHA

Arunima Sinha lost her leg when some robbers pushed her out of a moving
train. Two years later she became the first woman amputee to climb the
Mount Everest. From battling the difficult days in the hospital to chasing her
dreams of scaling the highest peak, Sinhas story is all about courage,
passion, dedication and respect. She was a former national level volleyball

player from Uttar Pradesh, lost her leg three years ago when some burglars
demanded her gold chain, and on her refusal, pushed her out of the moving
train. She was hit by a passing train and suffered severe injuries.
The ugly incident in 2011, which she describes as her darkest hour,
changed her life completely. But 26-year old Sinha stood tall and converted
this challenge into an opportunity, becoming the first woman amputee to
climb Mount Everest.

She joined Eco Everest Expedition group in the Tata Steel Adventure
Foundation-run training camp in Uttarkashi and got trained under ace
mountaineer Bachendri Pal. While going through a year-long rigorous mental
and physical training she would sometimes feel disheartened when she could
not catch up with normal people, but her strong dedication kept her going.

Sinha had climbed 21,110 ft up Mt Chhamser Kangri (21,798 ft) of Ladakh in

September 2011, but had to abandon the expedition 690 ft short of the
summit due to bad weather conditions. But her aim was to scale the Everest.
And, after immense hard work, training and 52 days of a difficult climb from
Kathmandu to the top of the peak she fulfilled her dream as she conquered
the highest summit which was 8,848 meters above the sea level on May 21,
2013.
She hated the look of pity and sympathy in everyones eyes. She didnt want
to be looked upon as a handicapped person and wanted to live a normal life
like before. She yearned to do something that could help her regain what she
had lost her confidence. She now had a prosthetic leg and a strong will to
succeed.
She took on one challenge at a time and defeated every challenge she faced
on her way. There were many instances during her climb when the coach
advised her to give up and go back due to extreme conditions.
At one point of time she started to sweat so extensively that she felt that her
artificial leg would come off. But she couldnt take off her gloves to support
the leg for fear of frostbite, so she dragged herself till the camp. Not being a
quitter, she continued her journey with high spirits and positive thoughts.

I would not have climbed Mount Everest if I had not met with the
accident. Though I lost my leg in the incident, it made me much
stronger. When I was going through a tough time, I remembered my
mothers words who told me that when on the edge, look behind
and see how much you have climbed and you will realize that you
are only one step away from your destination, she says.