Life can be hard for a woman. Even with all the progress the world has made in gender studies and feminism, a large number of women around the world still face adversity in the workplace.
No wonder some of the brightest and most promising sometimes have second thoughts about pursuing their dreams and going for gold.
It’s such a shame to miss out on a life-changing philosophy or scientific discovery just because a woman decides to let go of her aspirations and chase a simpler goal in life.
Here are three reasons women choose not to chase their dreams.
1. I am not ready yet
Many women miss life-changing opportunities when they utter the words “I am not ready yet.” They think that numerous steps must be taken in order to take action.
While taking things one step at a time is the safest way to do things, it could lead to a lack of progression and a long period of stagnation. You could miss the golden opportunity to impress your boss or maybe start up a business you have always dreamed of.
There is nothing wrong with avoiding bad decisions; but it becomes a problem when you fail to make a decision at the end of the day.
What to do: Since taking things step by step is safe, you should learn to always think one step ahead. In this way you will be ready for any opportunities that come your way.
Read up on any ideas you want to pursue or make extra moves that might impress your boss and lead to a promotion. The key is to prepare to pursue your dreams instead of just waiting for your dreams to come to you.
You will never be ready if you do not make yourself ready. Always do what you need to do so you are prepared to tackle any opportunities that lie ahead.
2. I am not good enough for it
Most people believe that perfectionism is a trait of the successful but they could not be more wrong. Perfectionism isn’t necessarily helpful, especially if it reaches a point where it begins to lower your self-esteem.
Perfectionists often think that they can be better than they already are, which leads to the problem of always wanting to do something better.
Think of it as sort of an eternal preparation that will often lead nowhere. The fact is, not one human being on earth has ever, or will ever, achieve perfection in anything.
What to do: This might really sound simple, but believing in yourself is a great start to overcoming a perfectionist attitude.
Assuming that you have already gained enough skills or knowledge to pursue an endeavour, you should already believe that you can actually do it.
Do not think that you are not good enough if you have already put an enormous amount of work and a lot of time into getting better at what you do.
Sometimes, all it takes is a little confidence to get started on something you love. Overcome the fear of not being good enough and just go for it.
3. I will do it some other day
Many people are guilty of this. Be it as simple as having your teeth cleaned or fixing a leak in the bathroom, a lot of people tend to procrastinate.
Imagine what procrastination would do to something you are passionate about and actually love; far more problematic than calling a plumber to plug up that leak, isn’t it?
Anyone can come up with excuses on why they should do something later and this is why many people tend to forget about their dreams and goals in life.
What to do: If you can do something you love today, why not do it right away? Grab the opportunity as soon as you can because you never know how long it will be within your reach.
Do not turn a “can” into a “could have” just because you felt like staying in bed another day or relaxing for another week.
If you really are passionate and motivated to do something, do it the moment you see it in front of you.
So now that you have a few ideas on what you can do to help you chase your dream, you should be able to get up and go for it.
Remember that you are ready for it; good enough for it; and do it as soon as you can so that you have the best chance to act on your ideas and be the person you want to be.
This article first appeared in thenewsavvy.com
The New Savvy is Asia’s leading financial, investments and career platform for women. Our bold vision is to empower 100 million women to achieve financial happiness. We deliver high-quality content through conferences, e-learning platforms, personal finance apps and e-commerce stores.