Your dreams can seem impossible at times. I, for one, can attest to that. We all grow up to aspire to do something, to reach a challenging goal, and to have big dreams that guide our personal, academic and career endeavours. 

Here are some ways I encourage you to believe in yourself and, most importantly, to make your quiet dreams loud.

Rewire your thinking 

I’m here to tell you that with consistency, discipline and patience, you are capable of whatever you put your mind to. We are all at different stages in life; for some, it is harder to pursue goals due to barriers such as low socioeconomic status, limited resources and a lack of a support network. I know that when you feel stuck and have limited control over your circumstances, it can be incredibly defeating to see your peers reach the very same goals you hoped for, not out of jealousy, but rather feelings of self-doubt, of being behind, and of imposter syndrome that begin to take over. 

However, I am a strong believer that the way we think is a powerful action that can dictate the direction and outcome of our dreams. We as human beings are capable of shifting our perspectives. Thanks to neuroplasticity, our brain actively rewires itself through new experiences. By altering our internal thoughts, specifically how we choose to perceive ourselves, we can train our brains to build a powerful system that uplifts rather than downgrades us. 

Combat negative self-talk

We often deviate to negative self-talk. Especially during challenging situations, we tend to internalize negative statements. In moments when you may think you are a failure, I strongly encourage you to reconsider those words and instead be gentle with yourself. Anytime I think I’m a failure or that I am not where I want to be, I like to tell myself I am doing the best I can given my circumstances, and this difficult period is only temporary. 

That in itself makes a huge difference to my self-esteem. By challenging negative thoughts, I am doing my brain a huge favour. It motivates me to work hard and think critically about how I can overcome this hurdle. Whether that’s revisiting my goals and making the necessary adjustments, I am creating a structured timeline to make them more feasible.

Consistency starts with action

I have this tendency to make a list of all my tasks. These lists can be extensive and helpful for thought, but I often don’t get to everything in a day. I came to realize that acting on tasks is the best way to achieve your goals. We can always tell ourselves that we will do something, but will we really do it? Putting our minds to a task requires more than that. Acting on a goal is the first step. By starting your day with tiny, achievable goals, you take initiative and build something that leads to meaningful progress. 

Lead with a growth mindset 

Setbacks can really drive us to give up. When we do poorly on an exam or don’t get into the program we were dreaming of, we feel like we’re not meant to be where we want to be. But it is so important that we view our setbacks as learning opportunities that we can grow from. Everyone, regardless of their life stage, can make mistakes, fail, and miss out on certain opportunities. We put so much of our failures on our self-worth, and that can be extremely harmful. Recognizing that you can improve allows your confidence to grow and flourish. 

Timelines are not linear

There is no set path or timeline we are meant to follow. As people, we can change our goals. With that in mind, there is no such thing as being behind; in fact, I like to think that concept doesn’t exist. Our progress typically involves plateaus, leaps and setbacks. We will never be sure of what to expect in the future. Obstacles, including external factors and personal challenges, can set us back, but that does not mean you cannot or will not get to where you want to be. 

Growing is the true path to success.

Finally, over time, you will gain momentum and confidence, wherein your ability to pursue your goals begins to take shape. Growth is the true path to success, and adopting resilience and discipline are the skills you need to hold tightly throughout your journey. Regardless of where life takes you, never give up on yourself; your quiet dreams deserve to be loud!