Great news!! I actually began a project this week that I’ve been wanting to do for a long, long time, but also had been delaying. I began writing a book on depression. I’ve been hesitant to get started for several reasons:

The time factor involved in writing another book

I can’t write “about” the topic depression I have to write from “within” the topic – which means playing with difficult energy

How will I market yet another book, when I’m still in debt from the first two

What will the established medical community think of me and my anti antidepressant views

All of this is to say that you are not alone in feeling paralyzed to get started. Change is difficult. Change brings up many of our old beliefs and limitations. And let me say it again – change is difficult.

I commend you for keeping your dream of a career change on the front burner. It may not seem like you are moving forward, but you really are. Your dream is alive, you’re weighing the pros and cons, and you’re considering the best way to step forward despite your fears and reservations. Give yourself a big pat on the back for staying in the game even when you don’t yet know the best way to move forward.

Also, you have learned something valuable about sharing your dream with others. What I have found is that when we are unsure about moving forward, and then we share our dream with others, they will most likely echo back our own insecurities.

However, things are different when we have internally already made up our minds to move forward, and we’re willing to take the risks and experience the possible failures along the way. Once we’ve made up our minds and then we share our dreams, people tap into our optimism and eco back support.

My suggestion? Stop prefacing your dream with, “Now, don’t laugh, but…” What matters most is that you take your dream to heart. Nurture it well, protect it when you must, and stop making excuses for it.

If I can share a quote from the great Ghandi, “Whatever you do may seem insignificant, but it is most important that you do it.”

Your dream will change the world.
Annette

This really resonated with me. Thanks for writing it.

With regard to a career change, I’ve always known which direction I want to go it, but often get paralyzed. I feel as if I can’t even think about heading in that direction until I’ve “made it”, so to speak, myself. I remember the first day I actually told someone about my thoughts of what I wanted to do. After I felt badly that I had to preface it with “Now, don’t laugh, but…” It shouldn’t be that way I know. As long as I keep rowing, the boat keeps moving; if I stop, then I’m in trouble.