When I very first started college, I had no desire to write a book. In fact, I went into Agricultural Business and Advertising. Don’t get me wrong. I’ve been reading obsessively since I could first read silently at age eight. But I never had a burning desire to write a book until about three years ago.

I had been working hard at building up my photography portfolio and was getting a lot of inquiries foI had been working hard at building up my photography portfolio and was getting a lot of inquiries for collaborations. I focused mainly on headshots, portraits, and product photography.

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However, as I was finishing up editing a client’s photos, I wasn’t happy. So with the money I earned from that job, I purchased an iPad and keyboard attachment and decided to give writing a try for a while. I told myself that I’d pick up my camera professionally again when I got tired of writing.

But the thing is, I’ve been writing now for three years solid. And I’m not tired of it. I feel energized every time I sit down with my pink tablet and start writing another scene. I’ve now published my first book, which you can find here, and am working through the rough draft of book 2.

So how did I find what drives me to get out of bed at 4 a.m. (Yes, you didn’t read wrong. I said 4)? How did I finally let go of all those things that held me, and likely you too, back from doing what I loved most?

Here are 5 things that could be holding you back from YOUR dream.

Being Afraid of Stepping Outside Your Box

Now, if you read that little story up there, you would have noticed, I didn’t go to school to become a writer, far from it. I went to school intending to start my own farm someday and learn how to manage it from the ground up. The only writing classes I ever had in college were a public relations writing course and a journalism class.

Yet, by taking those two classes, I found that I was good at it. I even had my PR professor ask me to sign one of my assignments because he thought I did so well. But I was going to help my husband farm while I did photography as a side business because that’s what I’d always done and always going to do.

But I wasn’t happy. I felt burned out and that I was neglecting my kids. So I decided to take a chance on something new. Something that would allow me to be home with my kids and still support my family. I stopped letting my fear of failure take hold, and I took the leap to what felt like changing my identity.

Being Afraid to Start

Maybe you don’t know where to start and feel stuck. If this is the case, then perhaps the best thing to do is jump in anyway. Anything new is hard but is so often worth it. If you never take that first step, you’ll never know if you actually like it. For all you know, you could be the best, but you’ll never know until you try.

“Start writing, no matter what. The water does not flow until the faucet is turned on.”

Louie Lamour

You Don’t Have the Support You Need

Since I have become a writer, and even when I was a photographer, I was astounded at the number of social groups that offer support. Even if no one in your physical space is supportive, you can reach out on Facebook or other locations and instantly get friends. You don’t have to do this alone. 

There are also a plethora of classes and other means to learn the craft you are dying to try.

You Aren’t Accountable to Anyone

This one is huge. We are all great at starting something, but it’s another matter when it comes to finishing. Especially if we’re the only ones involved. Talk to your spouse, your sibling, your parents, your friends. Find someone you can go to who will help keep you on track and check in to make sure you are making progress.

Not Keeping Your Commitments to Yourself

In the Earthspark, one of the biggest themes is “Love, Family, Honor.” The first two are pretty explanatory, but honor is the key here. Do you live your life with integrity? Do you strive to keep every commitment you make with your spouse? Your coworkers? Your friends?

What about yourself? How many times have you tried a diet only to have it fail within a week? Or how many times have you told yourself you were going to learn a foreign language? We are the worst at keeping commitments to ourselves because often no one else knows.

This needs to change. You are important. What you do matters. This was hard to learn as a mom. I always felt like my kids and spouse took priority, but I am important too. If you are going to keep a commitment to anyone, keep it to yourself. Accomplish that dream that’s been living in your back pocket for years.

Let me know what you think of this article. Leave me a comment or reach out to me on my social channels.

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