if you really want something, you have to reach out with both arms and grab it

This post comes to you from my BlackBerry in the departure lounge of the airport in Barcelona. A such it may have typos or be slightly disjointed. I’ll make sure it’s properly edited and formatted when I get to a “real” computer!

So, as I said I’m in Barcelona, Spain. I was supposed to be working my way back to England today, but had a last minute change of heart and instead booked a one-way flight to Malta, the source of my mother’s heritage. It made me reflect on the last week in Barcelona. The people I’d met, the stories they told. Many of them came to me with stories of what they want most in life, but feel they cannot get it for one reason or another. Usually in these situations I’d offer my advice and assistance, pull out a pen and paper, and jot down an action plan or a list of contacts to help realise their dreams. Various people have since been in touch to tell me of their successes, thanking me for the leads.

This time I decided to do things differently. I listened to the same stories of “can’t do” and “if only”, and instead of providing the answers, I offered a verbal cue for them to take the information from me. Quite bluntly too… “I can help you achieve that dream. I have access to x,y,z resources and will put you in contact with the people that can get things really moving for you”.

Astonishingly, only one person actually came back asking for the information from me.

So many times people either make up reasons why they can’t achieve, either as a protective wall to prevent the hurt of failure, or because they’re embarassed to admit they don’t actually have any ambition to achieve great things. We all have the capacity to achieve greatness, it’s just a matter of whether you’re willing to take the risks.

There’s a great quote often told which was from Thomas Edison, the inventor of the lightbulb:
“I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward”.

In a nutshell, follow your dreams and your heart with passion and determination. If you have a Lcant failL attitude, then eventually you will achieve you dreams.

Like now I’m sat waiting for my flight to the homeland. I could so easily be sat at my desk at home writing about chasing your dreams, but it’d be an empty statement. I very much believe that you should practice what you preach, and I’m doing exactly that. right now I don’t know exactly where the journey will take me, but that’s okay. My goals are evolving. Never still, never stagnant. I know that I will spend some time in Malta learning to dive to PADI standards, I’ll visit family, relax on the beach, and drink Cisk beer and Kinnie. I know that I will make my way back to England by boat and train when the time is right. I’m following my heart and I’m happy.

I urge you to do the same. Follow your dreams, however wild. Follow your heart, however fleeting. Follow your goals, however reaching.

If you’re presented with half an opportunity, grab it with both arms. Reach as far as you can, take any advice and support offered to you, filter it, and use whatever will help you. Don’t turn down support, however minute it may first seem, as these little things could take you a long way.

Don’t be scared. If you get butterflies in your stomach, treat it as excitement and anticipation rather than nerves and fear.

Chase your dreams and live them. Nobody else can do this for you.