“What if the goal you were aiming for isn’t where you truly wish to aim anymore? What if that once picture perfect idea of what you desired to do in life has been completely shifted and altered into something new?

It dawned upon me the other day, “What if writing wasn’t exactly what I wanted to pursue long term? What if this whole idea of what I thought I wanted to do (job wise) was a completely lost cause? Have I seriously been wrong about this the whole time?

The idea itself is extremely terrifying to say the least. That sudden realization that what you thought you wanted to pursue lifelong, is now on the fence. That sudden question of what if coming into fruition -as if out of nowhere-. Completely causing you to re-think, re-analyze, and re-consider everything you thought you once knew.

It can be rather daunting when you encounter thoughts as such. Especially if you have dedicated an array of time and a variety of effort into getting this far.

When this idea of occurs, it can and does set you back a few paces. But does this then truly mean that all hope is lost? Does it really mean that all you thought you knew is now false, or that all the progress you’ve made and the perception you once had has to be disregarded entirely?

I’d like to think not. Sure, you may feel that you have to start over entirely, but do you really? The idea of doing so is probably the most obvious, if I suddenly felt writing wasn’t for me, it would be safe to assume that I in fact should stop pursuing it. Right? Not even close my friends. That perception of, is entirely false. It’s an obscured image of the truth.

If your simply on the fence of what you desire to do in life anymore, or the dreams you were once pursuing are now a place of uncertainty, that does not in any way mean you should ignore and disregard everything you’ve accomplished prior to.

Does it suck to cross this bridge when it comes? Of course it does. Nobody likes to feel unsure about what they thought they were once set on.

But that does not in any way mean everything you were once aiming for is still not an option because it very well can be. Just because you are having second doubts about your once perceived goal/dreams does not mean that the idea is obsolete.

If you are one of the many who are currently encountering this dilemma, have no fear, there is still hope. All is not lost, you just now have to take a step back and really allow yourself to grasp a better understanding of where it is you may wish to go instead.

The very first thing you will need to do to make any progress is;

Learn and Understand Why

Ask yourself, “Why am I having these second doubts?” What has caused these to arise? Is it because your Aunt Sally told you your dream was absurd? Or maybe it’s because you saw that say pool of writers or actors is high, and now you simply feel you cannot compete?

Whatever it may be, allowing yourself to gain a better understanding of why, will allow you to take action following suit.

*If you answered yes to either of those questions above, then the reason you are shifting your perception of your goal/dream is completely wrong and you need to re-think/re-adjust your priorities and who you are allowing to sway your ability of success.

The only person who should be shifting your goals around is You. (And that strong voice inside you that is telling you either this is for you still, or this is not.)

“No dream is too big, no goal is to far beyond your reach. YOU DO have that ability to do anything you wish to do, or become anyone you wish to be. You just have to allow yourself the ability to see and believe.”

When you gain a better understanding of the why, it will allow you to really buckle down and either,

A. Work on exactly what it is they may be causing these doubts (especially if outside of you), or

B. Take that time to truly step away from that once dream you had so you can walk paths unknown and gain a better idea of exactly what it is you wish to do, and exactly who it is you wish to be.

Here are a few more tips to help you face this current uncertainty of, without feeling the need to completely discard that once dream/goal you may be currently unsure about.

Make a game plan

When I say this I don’t necessarily mean make a legitimate plan and simply stick to that specific plan. (When you are walking this path, you need to allow yourself to hold an open-mind. One that allows you to really branch out beyond what you were so accustom to, to then gain a better understanding of exactly what it is you wish to pursue.

As Elastigirl puts it, “be flexible.”) No, I mean create an idea of, a general image of exactly what it is you are wishing to accomplish, and allow that to be the foundation for where you set your sights.

Clean your slate

Don’t allow past ideas of where you were going to sway where your new journey will take you. Clean your slate of what you thought you knew, and allow yourself that ability of holding an entirely open mind. Be positive, and open to what may present itself.

Don’t run at the sight of “danger” or the sight of something “unknown”. Embrace it. Do not rid yourself of this current “dilemma goal” keep it open, keep it on the back burner and allow yourself to go back to it if you desire to. Clean your slate. Not start over, not give up, go in with a clean perspective, and fresh/new eyes.

Stop believing that you have to be a one goal oriented, one dream focused person. Allow yourself to be adaptable and open to new ideas, especially if you do consider keeping this old one around.

Write it out

Honestly, writing things down helps more than you may like to admit. Not only does writing allow you to simply express yourself, it allows you to truly have a better understanding of exactly how your feeling, and why your feeling it, when your feeling it.

While your experiencing these new ventures, allow yourself to keep a journal of each event that you encounter. Every new idea that sparks, every positive experience that made you feel good, and point out which ones brought forth that feeling of comfort.

Figure out what speaks to you on a soul level, one that resonates with who you are within and allow that to continue to guide you. At least have an understanding of what you’ve found positive, what you’ve liked or disliked, and keep your options open to consideration of what it may then turn into.

Give Yourself A Break

Burn out is real. Not only in terms of homework, school, or work in general. Goal/dream burn out exists. If it’s never been considered prior, I am personally saying it Is a thing. Sometimes when you dedicate an array of time to that first goal, that first dream. you become so overwhelmed with it that you may then feel it isn’t for you anymore when in reality your just exhausted from all the effort and time spent doing so.

Even though pursuing your dream should not be exhausting, and will take an array of dedication, time and effort. It can truly become too much when that’s literally ALL you do.

If all your thinking about is reaching this goal without giving yourself breaks or time for you to just veg out, then you could make yourself believe you “can’t succeed” or it’s “too much” or it simply isn’t what you want to do anymore when in reality you just need to Slow down, and take some time off.

Now I don’t mean forget it exists, or stop pursuing it entirely. I mean to simply allow yourself that ability to just be present with the life you currently have, without that worry or consistency of feeling that “I need to reach this goal, I can’t take any time off or I will not succeed!” Because that won’t help anyone.

It’s okay to rest and do stuff for you sometimes to, without the pressure of needing to reach that goal, weighing on your mind all the time.

I promise you will still succeed at that goal!

Figure Out A Solution

With allowing yourself the ability to have different experiences, do some soul searching, gain more knowledge, and bring forth a new perspective (if it did) you should have a better idea of how that will factor into your life going forward. This should then bring you to that conclusion of finding a solution to the current dilemma you may have been facing.

If you were one of the few who came back to this and realized that first uncertain goal you had is still something you want to pursue long term, that is great news! I am glad that the path you walked currently allowed you to see that. But, if you happened to realize that first goal/dream truly was not for you, that’s okay to.

There is nothing wrong with changing lanes, switching courses, or walking a new path. That’s exactly what life is about! Sure, it can be hard when you realize that first goal wasn’t for you, but this new journey you will walk will be one that will lead you to much grander destinations.

Whatever you decide to do in the end you are a warrior, and the adventures you will have along the way will all be worth while and will allow you to grow as a person overall.

It’s okay if you change your mind, it’s okay if uncertainty strikes (even if at unnecessary times), because it allows you to re-analyze, re-assess, and re-realize who you truly are within. And as a bonus it allowed you to have new experiences along the way.