I’ve always loved to sing. I know I drove my family crazy growing up. When I was in my 20’s, there was a period (of about two years) where I wanted to be a country music singer. I am a Georgia girl, after all. And, at the time, I thought I wanted it pretty badly. Ha! I look back now, and it really cracks me up! I loved country music back then. Dolly, Faith and Trisha were my idols. I was a regular at one of the local karaoke bars during this period. I was always chomping at the bit to get up to the mic. I’d practice my singing voice in the car and in the shower. I even had a few people tell me I should pursue this. I dated a guy around this time who had the same aspirations and I dreamed of us both standing together at the Grand Ole Opry belting out “Delta Dawn” and “Georgia On My Mind.”
Today, being a country music singer is the furthest thing from my mind and when I look back on those days, there was really this inner feeling that I did not believe I could ever make it in Nashville, or anywhere else for that matter. I think I liked the idea of it, but if I’m honest with myself, the belief that it was possible was just not there at all.
We often hear, “I’ll believe it when I see it,” and it’s used so commonly in our vernacular that we think that’s the way the world works. But, when we are trying to get to the best version of ourselves; trying to get to a new level for our self-image, our relationships, our career, I believe this statement has it backwards.
There is no LEVELING UP or improving oneself unless there is first the BELIEF that it’s possible. There must be a belief in a vision for what the better version of YOU looks like. There must be unwavering faith it can come to fruition. Without believing, you won’t get very far. And, just like ole Kuntry Music Kelly, I didn’t have the true belief in myself, so the dream of living on the road and on stage eventually faded away.
So, how do we believe when so much of our experience, so much of what the outside world tells us- so much of what we see in reality says it’s simply not possible? How do we build unwavering faith and perseverance when those negative voices in our head tell us it’s all a crazy dream, a joke, a lost cause, a waste of time – it’s RIDICULOUS!
Building UNWAVERING BELIEF is a skill. It’s a skill that takes time and dedication. It takes continually picking yourself up when you fall and continually bringing yourself back to the beat when find yourself wanting to belt away with the chorus.
Here are some thoughts for cultivating UNWAVERING BELIEF:
Make sure the thing you are going after is REALLY something you want. The country music venture for me was a total fad and after I came in 3rd at Open Mic Night I was done. For something you really want, it must be something you think about night and day. It’s something you are willing to keep putting work toward even when you fail. You must know in your heart that THIS is what you truly want!
If you need to tell others about your dreams and goals, it’s good to have ONE PERSON who really supports you in this thing. Go to THIS PERSON when you are struggling. Guard your dreams and ideas. When you tell a lot of people, everyone has an opinion and because most don’t have the same vision as you, they will not have any understanding of the possibility for it happening. More than likely, they will try to talk you out of it. Keep your big dreams to yourself for the most part.
Write down your dreams. Journal about your dreams. Place sticky notes all around. There is something about writing something down that will start to solidify things.
Don’t be too hard on yourself. When the world tells you it’s not going to work – AND, IT WILL! – come up with ways to talk yourself down from the cliff. Find mantras that encourage your dreams. Tell yourself continually that you are worthy, deserving and capable of the things you want.
Remember, we only live this life once. This is not a dress rehearsal for Hee Haw! Think about how you want to look back on your dreams in your old age. Would you rather look back and say, “Well, at least I gave it my all!” or dwell on the fact that you never tried? Believing now will determine how this goes.
My dreams to be a country music star were not really for me and I’m ok with that. I do have dreams now that I will not back down. I truly think we need to work on BELIEVING before we can SEE IT.
What are your dreams? What level of belief do you have in making them come to fruition? What could your life be like if you started BELIEVING more?
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