Live It, Walk It, Speak It - Believe In and Fight For Your Dream

When I was twelve years old, I decided to start thinking about my future profession. In my young mind, that meant deciding between being a doctor and being a lawyer. Since I hated most things having to do with science and math, the choice became clear to me ? I would become the first lawyer in my family. I loved reading and there was nothing better than standing in front of an audience and putting on a show. I could almost see myself making a closing argument to a jury. From that point on, everything I did had to help propel me towards achieving my big dream of becoming an attorney. I was rewarded for my hard work by being accepted at the college and law school of my choice.

The first year of law school was a lot of hard work but I believed I was handling it well. Midterms were around the corner. I studied harder than I've ever studied before or since and I knew I was ready. The exams came and I felt pretty good when they were over. Then I received my grades. I got an ?F? on all of my tests. I had never received an ?F? on anything in sixteen years of school; how could I have flunked?

I found myself fighting fear, doubts and questions. Did I choose the wrong profession? Maybe I was not cut out to be a lawyer. Did I set my aim too high? Should I drop out? Perhaps this was the wrong dream for me. But it was my dream and it had been my dream for many years. I was not ready to give it up. Instead, I was ready to learn some lessons that I've remembered every time I've found myself faced with fear, doubt and questions when pursuing a goal or dream.

? Be tenacious in pursuing your dream. There may be times of uncertainty and doubt but don't let those times deter you from the path you know you were meant to take. Sometimes you may have to change direction but always remember your final destination. I stayed in school, dropped one of my classes and got a tutor. When finals came around, I passed them all and I never saw another ?F.?

? Believe that you can fulfill your purpose. You were created to fulfill a special purpose. Discover what your purpose is and fight to make sure that you are living it, walking it and speaking it every day. Don't allow temporary circumstances to keep you from fulfilling your purpose. I knew that I was destined to be a lawyer and even in the face of failure, there had to be a way for me to realize my dream. I just had to find it.

? Speak positively about your dreams. You have to believe that your dream can come true. That includes not speaking negatively about your chances of being successful. Even if you're thinking negative, doubtful or fearful thoughts, don't speak them. When I told my mom that I needed to drop out of law school because I had flunked my mid term exams and I was never going to become a lawyer, she reminded me that what we speak becomes our reality. I needed to speak positively and eventually my thoughts would become positive and my beliefs would too.

In the more than twenty years since I graduated from law school, the lessons I learned that first year have benefited me more than any lessons learned about legal cases. Because of that experience, I know how to fight for and achieve my goals and dreams. As you set out to make your dreams come true, remember to never give up and believe that failure is not an option. Yes, your dream can come true!

? 2006 Joyce M. Averils, JD. All rights reserved.

Want to use this article on your website or your own ezine? No problem! But here's what you MUST include: Joyce M. Averils, is a Life Coach and author of the free email mini-course, ?The 5 Most Common Fears That Stop Women From Realizing Their Full Potential & How to Overcome Them?, www.fivemostcommonfears.com. To sign up for her free ?21 Days to a New Habit Workbook? and how-to articles, visit www.shesgotpotential.com/resources.htm.