As I begin a new series focused on making new plans, I am pleased to present Alexandra Franzen’s inspiring guest post, which asks, Will you mow the lawn to follow your dream? Alexandra is the author of You’re Going to Survive and The Checklist Book. You can connect with Alexandra on her website or you can leave her a comment below. I hope you enjoy today’s post.
Disclosure: This page contains affiliate links, which means I receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using the links.
Jack’s Dream
Here’s a true story about a kid named Jack.
He’s seventeen years old. He loves musical theater. He sings. He dances. He acts. He’s a triple threat. He dreams about being on Broadway when he’s older.
Jack discovered a company called the Broadway Collective. They run a summer program in NYC—five days of master classes led by Broadway legends, plus tickets to Tony Award-winning shows, dinner with cast members, and lots more. An absolute dream for any young performing artist.
Jack really wanted to attend this summer program.
His parents told him, “We love you, and we support you, but if you’re serious about this… then you need to earn money for the tuition, airfare, and hotel by yourself.”
Oh, Jack was serious.
He started mowing lawns, babysitting, doing all kinds of jobs after school. He saved up—one dollar at a time. Little by little, his dream-fund grew and grew.
It took about a year, but he did it. He earned the cash. He enrolled. He got himself to NYC. When he arrived, he walked into the dance studio with fire in his eyes, looking like a tiger. He’d fought to be there. He made his dream happen.
Start Mowing
What about you?
What will you do for your dream?
Will you mow a lawn for your dream?
Will you sell a couch for your dream?
Will you wake up at dawn for your dream?
Will you sweat for your dream? Make an effort for your dream? Show up for your dream? Take a risk for your dream? Endure a tiny bit of temporary discomfort for your dream? Make mistakes, pick yourself back up, and keep fighting for your dream?
Just like Jack, we all have a “lawn” (literal or metaphorical) that we need to mow–some type of step that needs to be completed to move closer to The Big Dream.
Whatever your dream may be (a new career, better health, a thriving relationship, less debt, more peace of mind, less stress, more free time, anything you desire), and whatever your lawn may be. Start mowing.
You can do it. Really, you can. There’s nothing more powerful than a mind that has been made up. And like my friend Nicole often says, you can do hard things.
You’re Going to Survive – Free Audiobook
Listen here:
https://soundcloud.com/alexandra-franzen/youre-going-to-survive-mini-audiobook
Selected stories from the book You’re Going to Survive: True stories from people who’ve endured soul-crushing moments in their careers—failure, rejection, disappointment, public humiliation—and how they got through it, and how you will too.
Read by the author, Alexandra Franzen.
Website – alexandrafranzen.com
You’re Going to Survive – Kindle: https://amzn.to/2YSgfW1.
You’re Going to Survive – Paperback: https://amzn.to/2WoOfaP.
You’re Going to Survive – Spotify Music Playlist: bit.ly/survive-playlist
