Write Things: On Holding the Dream

No one has to follow their dreams.

Heck, you don’t even have to acknowledge you have a dream.
But if you’re reading this email, there is a dream inside of you. I guarantee it.

Idea: On Mindset

As a young man, I loved playing with little kids. At parties or family functions, I had no problem taking care of them—roughhousing, playing hide-and-seek, or playing a boardgame. It was a responsibility I welcomed.

But I was terrified of newborns. Something about those giant heads resting on linguine-like necks—I was convinced one wrong move would send their coconut crashing to the floor. It was a responsibility I was afraid of.

Why? Because I believed there was more at stake.

For many writers, their dreams feel as vulnerable and precarious as a newborn babe.
They’re so scared of failing, screwing up, or ‘doing the wrong thing’ that they don’t do anything at all. It’s as though they believe that if they write a story and it isn’t “successful” (by whatever definition they’ve got), they’ll have broken its neck. That irreparable harm will be done, and the dream will be lost.

They don’t articulate this. Heck, most probably aren’t even aware of the story they’re telling themselves. But they live like it’s true.

When my daughter Charlee was born, my heart cracked open. I felt it. It was terrifying. There was now something in the world I cared about more than anything else—something I was responsible for, yet could never perfectly protect.

I felt as vulnerable as the bowling ball that teetered atop her shoulders.

Obviously, I had to overcome my fear of holding newborns. And I did.

Is holding a newborn or caring for a child a big responsibility? Yup.
And it just so happens it’s the most meaningful thing I’ve ever done.

You see, responsibility is scary. But it’s scary because what you’re afraid of being responsible for matters.

It wasn’t easy to walk away from my 16-year teaching career. The benefits, the pension, the permanent contract—summers off for the rest of my life. I believe a father should provide, and my family’s safety and security matter a great deal to me.

But so did my dreams. So, despite not having a mentor, a solid plan, or any idea what the entrepreneurial life was like, I quit.

And just like protecting that big, beautiful head of my daughter, it was scary—and still is at times. But like my family, I wouldn’t trade pursuing my dreams for anything.

Yes, responsibility comes with a cost. But when we voluntarily embrace it, it becomes the most meaningful, rewarding, gratifying thing we can do with our lives.

You don’t have to quit your job to write. You don’t have to abandon your loved ones.

You can choose to pursue your writing dreams today.

Like when I quit my job without a business plan, you might have no idea what to do after you’ve written your story, how to work with an editor, or how to get your book published.

That’s okay. All you have to do is take the next step.

Hold the baby—cradle its head. When it needs its diaper changed, I promise you’ll know.

Just make the choice. Life will handle the rest.

Inspiration: “An important dream”

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above.

Then, get professional feedback on your quick-write! Try out Trevor Assistant, my personally programmed writing coach.

First, get a free credit here. 

Next, go to www.ihelpyouwritethings.com/trevor-assistant and get customized feedback, based upon my style, perspective, and voice!

Invitation: Carpe Diem

This one is short and sweet.

If you’ve got a dream to write and share something with others, stop shoving it into “one day.”
That day never arrives.
It’s shoving the responsibility of your dream off into a future that doesn’t exist.

All we have is today. And the only time that matters is now.

Do the quick-write above. Or, set a timer for 2 minutes and write whatever is coming up for you right now. Maybe it’s a stream of consciousness. Maybe you need to vent about someone cutting you off in traffic. Maybe a story you considered long ago shows up for a chat.

I invite you to choose to start today.

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned is that we cannot want more for others than they want for themselves. In truth, I want this entire planet to pursue their dreams. But I know there are people who never will.

And that’s okay.

But if the idea of never pursuing your dreams does not feel okay—
Reach out into ‘one day’ and drag that dream back to right now.

Only you can make the choice.

Wishing you and your stories all the best,
Trevor Martens
Founder, I Help You Write Things