It is a blessing to have a dream, to live for something; and to be able to carry it forward with all the other responsibilities proves the saying, “I would rather burn out than rust out”. Sometimes in life we have to balance between our duties and dreams. Maintaining a balance between the present and the future is hard but not impossible.
You are basically burning your candle from both ends. It can be tough. I understand. Hats off to you! But sometimes in life we have to do that, for there is no other choice. I know how it feels. I have felt the same way in many such crossroads. There are a lot of people in this world who are in the same boat, even in worse situations than us. You can do it! It is possible!
Here are some tips:
- Have a Strong Dream
It is important to have a strong dream as that acts as a motivating factor and makes it easier to balance your responsibilities with your dream. Just remember to keep your ideas, goals and approach realistic and one that is achievable. Things you can do to evaluate it:- Write down reasons why you want to pursue it?
- How will it better your life?
- What would you do with that money you will make after you achieve your dream finally?
- How would that benefit you and your family?
- How happy and satisfied you will feel?
- Convert Dreams to Goals
Goal is nothing but a dream with a date attached to it. Write when do you want to achieve it. Be practical. Follow SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Timely) methodology for goal setting. Develop a plan to achieve that dream. Break the big goal into smaller chunks. Put some timelines for completing those smaller goals. Celebrate small victories in your own way. Reward yourself when you achieve the smaller goals. - Time and Priority management
In this age of Internet, Facebook, Twitter, Gaming – there can be so many things which can eat away your time and you wouldn’t even know. You have very limited time and energy.- Observe where your time goes.
- Bucket your time for study, preparation and fun.
- Plan your day, make the important things a priority.
- Put reminders in your cell phone for various activities so that things don’t slip off
- Keep buffer time
- Condition your Mind
Tough times don’t last but tough people do. Believe in yourself and that you are worthy of achieving that goal. You deserve it. You can do it. Write “I CAN ACHIEVE” on a sheet of paper and stick it in a place where you can see it daily, speak it, visualize it, repeat it. Preplay your victory in your mind multiple times. Imagine how will it be when you succeed. Mind doesn’t know the difference between reality and imagination. - Find Social Support and Seek Help
Talking and being around people really helps. It is very important that you find your support system that can help you in times of stress. Find somebody – a mentor, teacher, coach, who wants your success and is willing to help you and also is qualified to help you.Your DOST team is always there for you. Do group study. Join a team of people who are also pursuing a similar dream and who are serious as you are. - Relax and Unwind
It is important to happy and have fun during this journey. Fun could mean different things to different people. Do what helps you relax and unwind. If it is fun during the journey it will be fun at the destination also.
The better you are at taking care of yourself, the better will be your performance ( eat & drink healthy, take breaks, meditate). Have faith that all things will happen if you put your heart into it and persist long enough. It may not happen in your time, but in God’s time!
Allow life to teach you lessons and let you grow. All the best.
