Are you living your dream or … fear?

Dreams are powerful motivators. They push us toward progress, urging us to step out of our comfort zones—yes, even beyond the comfy confines of our office desks or Zoom screens. When we have a dream, it’s like having a strategic plan. This sense of mission propels us forward, helping us overcome obstacles as if they were just another line item in our risk assessment report. In essence, dreams are the catalysts for our personal growth and achievement, much like a well-executed business strategy.

There are different types of dreamers in the corporate jungle. First, there are those who don’t dream at all. These folks are content with their 9-to-5 routine, finding excitement in things like new coffee flavors in the office pantry. Second, there are those who dream but do nothing about it. They have grand visions of becoming the next CXOs but are paralyzed by fear, doubt, or the latest cricket match. Lastly, we have the doers—the ones who turn their dreams into reality. These brave souls are proactive, resilient, and slightly crazy. They understand that dreams require effort and are willing to put in the work, even if it means fewer coffee breaks and more actual productivity.

The gap between dreaming and doing is often as wide as the desert between Dubai and Abu Dhabi, and the main culprit? Fear. Fear of failure, fear of rejection, fear of running out of Wi-Fi during a critical presentation. These fears create mental barriers that prevent us from taking the necessary steps to achieve our dreams. Fear magnifies risks and minimizes our abilities, leading us to doubt ourselves. It’s like our brains are constantly running an audit, flagging every potential risk and downplaying every asset.

One of the primary reasons we succumb to fear is the lack of self-belief. We doubt our abilities and underestimate our potential, leading us to settle for less. We doubt our abilities and underestimate our potential, leading us to settle for less than we deserve.

As Mark Twain humorously noted,

“Courage is resistance to fear, mastery of fear—not absence of fear.” When we recognize our own strengths and capabilities, we start to challenge the limitations imposed by fear, much like challenging a budget cut.

To overcome this, we need to set realistic goals and break them down into manageable tasks, just like a project plan. Each small achievement builds confidence and diminishes fear. Additionally, seeking support from mentors, colleagues, and that one person who always gives you a thumbs-up in meetings can provide encouragement and a sense of accountability.

Embracing change and stepping out of our comfort zones are crucial in overcoming fear. This requires a willingness to take risks and face uncertainty, much like launching a new product line or entering a new market. While the path may be fraught with challenges, the rewards of living our dreams far outweigh the temporary discomfort of confronting our fears.

Nelson Mandela once said,

“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.”

All in all, living our dreams requires us to confront and overcome our fears. It demands self-belief, perseverance, and the courage to step into the unknown. By acknowledging our fears and adopting a proactive approach, we can break free from the mental chains that hold us back. As we navigate through the uncertainties of corporate and personal life, let us remember that our dreams are worth pursuing and that we possess the strength to turn them into reality. And remember, life is too short to let fear win—especially when there’s so much chai left to drink and so many corporate/personal ladders to climb.

Photo Credit: Asma Jan Muhammad.