Leading Fearlessly: Dare to Dream
What was your dream when you were young? Growing up, I always wanted to be a writer and artist, but soon after college, I veered off the creative path. The obstacles I faced were not necessarily a lack of belief in my own talent. At first, I was worried about making a steady living, and a career in business promised security. Then, ironically, success in my career consumed my time and distracted me from artistic pursuits. But I never forgot my dreams. I could not ignore that nagging need to exercise my creativity. Happily, about 10 years into my business career, I realized I could combine my skills and began to write about business topics, eventually having articles published in national media outlets.
We all have dreams. Unfortunately, women are more likely than men to give up on them. Data from the Global Dreams Index Survey shows that over half of the world’s female population has given up on their dreams, to the extent that they are unsatisfied with their lives. Recent research from Women in Sports’ Dream Deficit survey shows that while 52% of boys say they dream of becoming a top athlete, only 29% of girls dare to dream the same dream.
Why do women give up on their dreams? A Forbes article says, “Many women are being told to stay realistic, stop dreaming and get ‘their heads out of clouds,’ play safe and don’t take chances.” A variety of factors can get in our way, ranging from fear of failure, a lack of support, resources, or self-confidence, to maybe just too little time and too many responsibilities. Maybe we don’t see other women in the roles or careers we aspire to, or maybe we’re told we don’t have what it takes.
Whatever is blocking you, tell someone your dreams. Give yourself permission to turn those dreams into action, even if it takes time to get there.
I turned to local leaders and asked them: “How do you encourage women to not give up on their dreams even when confronted with obstacles?”
Lisa Behrends, speaker, executive coach, founder, Intentional Connections
I encourage women in pursuing their dreams when confronted with obstacles to stand up for yourself and trust your instincts. Do not be afraid to take risks. If we do not ever dare to dream, we will never know if our dreams will come to fruition. Women sometimes have to work harder and smarter to accomplish what we want in life, but know when we lead with confidence and are willing to get uncomfortable this will result in facing challenges along the way. Being uncomfortable is inevitable!
When you cannot see what lies ahead and are unsure of how your dream will unfold or if it will succeed, trust the process. Surround yourself with people who will support you in the journey. And, when facing obstacles, take time to pause and find what gives you inner peace. Then, give yourself permission to do whatever you need to fulfill your dreams.
Christina Moffatt, speaker, consultant and growth strategist, Motivation by Moffatt LLC; former owner, Creme Cupcake + Dessert:
As a former business owner, I faced personal challenges – like discovering I was in a high-risk pregnancy and dealing with my mother’s stroke. Despite these obstacles, I continued to pursue my dreams with the support of mentorship, my dedicated team and the uplifting community around me. Drawing strength from mentorship, I received guidance and encouragement to navigate tough times. My team’s unwavering support and commitment helped me push through challenges and stay focused on my goals. The community support I received provided an additional source of motivation and resources to keep me moving forward. By persisting in the face of adversity and leaning on my support system, I was able to keep driving toward my vision and ultimately achieve my dreams.
Maria Morgan, J.D., chief administrative officer, Broadlawns Medical Center:
Women’s sports build resiliency, while strengthening psychological health. Sports also enhance self-discipline, leadership and teamwork skills.
My daughter was 12 when she announced that all she wanted to do was play volleyball. She also declared that she would go to college on a Division 1 (DI) volleyball scholarship and build a career in sports. Despite the obstacles – a short girl playing a tall-girl sport and the all-too-familiar phenomena of “coaches’ favorites” – her love for volleyball taught her to persevere and become undeniable. She began using the acronym “NGU,” which stands for Never Give Up!
She earned that DI scholarship, graduated from college magna cum laude, won numerous honors from her college and volleyball team, and now works for the National Football League (NFL). She currently is one of two people with the NFL responsible for producing the Super Bowl halftime show. She is living her 12-year-old dream because she became a female athlete. NGU!
