Opinion

Following the Path Of Your Dreams, Despite the Obstacles Along the Way

A Guest Post from my friend Sandra Gardner…

The mass of men lead lives of quiet desperation. What is called resignation is confirmed desperation. -Henry David Thoreau

Yesterday, I crawled out of bed at 4am so that I could drive 3 hours to attend a retreat for women entrepreneurs. “Inspiring Women’s Success,” it was called, and it was put on by a women’s networking group in Central New York called Women TIES. The reason I attended was mainly to begin my career as a networker – something that, as a lifelong introvert and shy person, I have resisted with all my being. So, in order to trick my ego into letting up on the sabotage, I told myself I was coming there to learn – about being a successful entrepreneur, and to learn about people. When it got really overwhelming, I even tried the trick of assuming the role of someone else – in this case, I assumed the role of a journalist who was coming to watch and learn how people networked. To learn how effortlessly they exchanged business cards and made small talk.

Two days before this event, I had a sort-of crisis day. I had talked to my mentor the day before and we discussed that I needed to make the decision – on a daily basis – to commit to what it took to be successful. See, making the connections and seeing the patterns in my life that hold me back – that part is comfortable for me. The uncomfortable part is taking action – even small steps, on a daily basis.

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