So, I'm going to officially make this public:
I've just started the process of writing my next book. The working title is [Insert Your Dream Here], and it was inspired by my experience almost, but not quite, getting into Harvard.
While Harvard was never my ultimate dream, it was something I certainly thought would give me a huge boost towards moving closer to my dreams. And when it didn't work out, I questioned everything.
Sure, the logical part of my brain knew that it was an honor to make it to the top 50 and get an interview, and that I could probably get in if I tried again.
But the non-logical part of me, the part I'm going to call, "the meanie brain", said something like this:
"Isa you're an absolute idiot!!! What in the world ever made you think you could get into Harvard?! Do you know who you are and where you come from? What in the world are you thinking? You think 'dreams' actually come true?! Ha! What an idiot. You're delusional and if you think you're going to actually do anything you dream of doing in your life you're just stupid. Give up all these silly dreams now and just grow up, okay? Life is not about dreams and it's not exciting and you just need to suck it up and give it up."
Harsh, right?
The logical part of me as well as the dreamer part pushed back against this meanie and led me to read The Alchemist again. It's an allegory about achieving your dreams, and I love it.
However, after reading it, I still found myself wanting to learn more about how all this played out in real life. I wondered:
Are there people out there who've achieved a dream?
How did they overcome their meanie brain?
How did they feel when a failure struck and how did they move forward?
How did they know when they just needed to keep being persistent or when it was time to pivot in some way?
What advice would they give to others who desperately want to achieve a dream, especially in moments when they feel like everything is telling them to give up?
Does the 10,000 hours/10 years theory apply to dreams?
Can you really achieve something with disciplined focus and work alone?
And the idea for my next book was born.
Over the next few months I'm going to be interviewing 100 people who've reached a big dream that they had.
I've already conducted quite a few interviews with some pretty incredible people, and their insight and advice has already been profound.
I don't want to give it all away yet, but I do want to leave you with this big insight that is already coming through:
The biggest obstacle to achieving your dreams is you.
So far everyone I've talked to has, without my asking about this issue directly, expressed how difficult it was to overcome their own self-doubt, but how crucial it is to actually getting somewhere you want to go.
I wanted to share this with you now so that, even before my next book comes out (it will probably be a while), you'll know that when you hear that meanie part of your brain you can:
1. Know that you're not alone.
2. Know that its a complete liar.
3. Push past it and keep going.
That is something all the dreamers I've interviewed so far had in common. They all failed. They all doubted. They all struggled. They all had moments where the "I think I can" idea waned and they thought "what if I can't?" The difference seems to be that they kept going anyway.
Why?
That's the big question. Because their dream was that that important to them. As one interviewee said, there's nothing else he'd rather be trying to do.
So let me ask you this:
Why are you in college?
Take some time today to journal an answer that question. Or if you're not in college, journal about what your dream is and why it's important to you.
Then keep it somewhere safe and go back and read it anytime that meanie brain starts to bug you.
And dream on.
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Authors note:
Help me with my next book?
Can you or anyone you know answer "yes" to the following questions? If so, please e-mail me at isa@isaadney.com as I'd love to possibly interview you (or that person) for this book!
1. Have you accomplished a 'big' dream in your life?*
2. Can you define when you first had that dream and describe a moment when you felt that dream had come true?
3. Are you willing to share your experiences with success and failure in the pursuit of your dream with others in a book so that they can be inspired by your story?
*note: the dream can be as general as being successful (though I would want you to describe/specify exactly what that means to you) or as specific as dreaming of getting a certain job or degree. They key is that you can define one particular dream you had, when you first had it, and then what you did to turn it from a dream to a reality.
Thank you!!
A student recently asked me what she should do after finding out she didn't qualify for work study (where you are given a job on campus in exchange for tuition reduction).
In the quick video below I share some basic tips for what you should do next to pay for college once you've found out your financial aid situation won't cover everything you hoped it would.
And please share any ideas you have for future videos (or questions you want answered while I do something random) by commenting on this post or sharing your idea in the Ask Isa inbox!
I'm planning content for this fall and I would LOVE to get your help. I just got a new camera and am going to try to do some more YouTube videos this year, but I can't do it without YOU.
Check out the video below and either comment with your ideas on this blog or submit them to the anonymous Ask Isa inbox.
I want to help you this year by sharing content that can really help you move forward in your life (college or career) as well as try to make you smile in the process.
I really appreciate any ideas you can share or any questions you have! Thanks a million.
Featured below is an interview with another #SoCanU project rockstar, Angelica! Angelica graduated from Seminole State College of Florida in 2011 and graduated from Stetson University with a bachelor's degree in art. She currently is an artist at Gallery on First, an illustrator for a children's book, and an assistant art director for a short film.
Favorite thing to do on the weekends?
Hang out with friends, which usually involves going to local art shows, concerts, and community events
Favorite food/meal?
Falafel, greek food, pizza, ice cream
What made you decide to choose community college?
It may sound negative, but I chose community college out of ignorance. I had absolutely no knowledge of how to apply to a big college nor did I think I could get in.
I also I didn't think I could afford any other institution. It provided comfort and familiarity since my brother and everyone in my close social circle chose community college.
Were there any obstacles in your life prior to attending community college that you had to overcome?
I was very self-concious and ashamed to smile because I had crooked teeth, I was very shy and insecure because of this, which affected my confidence a lot.
It was my junior year in high school that I decided to stop feeling bad about my self and got a job at Haggen-Dazs so I could pay for braces. With my Dad's help, I made an appointment at an orthodontist and after a lot of discomfort and awkward drooling, two years later I got my braces out and payed off my debt.
Through this experience my confidence skyrocketed not only because I was able to smile with no boundaries but also because I had done it myself, I payed for it myself. I consider it my first victory where I took full responsibility of something that made me feel insecure. This is the approach I take on whatever problem/obstacle I have now, instead of feeling sorry for myself, I try my best to take initiative and reach out to resources.
What obstacles did you overcome in community college and/or in your transfer university to achieve your degree?
I was never the type of girl that got involved, (I was a hermit in high school) but once I became friends with people who were at Seminole State College, I realized the importance of taking a leadership role and learning to advocate for things I was passionate about, like my heritage.
I felt part of something bigger and with purpose, It made my experience so much richer. I became friends with people I would usually not talk to.
As far as my experience at my university, I felt very much out of place. Most of the time I was alone...However, part of that experience helped me put all my time and effort into my senior thesis, where I excelled at and was very proud to show.
What is one of the most important things that helped you succeed in community college and beyond?
Getting involved in the Hispanic Student Association, and Seminole State Volunteers. It was through these organizations that I broke out of my comfort zone and had the chance to attend leadership retreats that helped me learn my strengths and weaknesses.
I understood the impact of my involvement in the community as well as my role as a leader for my peers. I would also say that the quality of mentors pushed me to embrace my strengths and believe I could become an artist.
The professors I had also made a huge impact, since the art program was so small the professors provided close attention to our progress and gave all their support.
What are you most excited about for your future right now?
Grad school and traveling, now that I have gotten some exposure locally and I have experienced artistic success I feel very confident and motivated to continue my pursuits in a higher institution.
My goal is to study abroad and hopefully receive my master's in London, Chicago, or New York. I am ready to explore my horizons.
What is the best piece of advice you can give our readers who are currently attending community college?
To look past the stereotypes of a community college and to fully take advantage of the resources and opportunities that are offered; like joining clubs, leading clubs, creating relationships with professors and staff.
Being fully involved academically and socially is what gets you scholarships and sets you apart from students who limit their experience to be solely academic.
I know it can be a challenge specially if you have a job but it is possible.
Once you start applying to other colleges and universities they look at what you have done and how you have performed in previous institutions, so it's only to your advantage to take advantage. It's full circle.
