Hey Dreamers,

See, you only have this one life. That’s it. There are no do-overs. And if you’re like me, then you made a critical decision when 2015 was nearing its end: to never let another year go by without living it to the fullest.
 
One thing I learned is that living small is not always living. A lot of times, we try to control our movement, stopping how far we can really go. We make really small goals — which is okay — but then we stop there.
 
Guys, that’s our problem.

If you have the Dreamer’s Notebook, then you know this week is all about going forward…fast. And why not? Why live timidly when there is so much more that we can do?

It’s a few days into the new year and I’ve already put my money where my mouth is in this aspect.
 
Lately, I started to feel as if I didn’t speak as well as I should. I’ve always been eloquent enough, but I wouldn’t place myself in the big leagues. The way I pronounce words is okay, but it could be better. What if I needed to be a newscaster tomorrow? What if I got my own talk show or podcast or anything? What if one of these big opportunities fell in my lap? I wouldn’t feel ready.
 
And on a larger scale, that’s a problem. I can’t lack confidence in how I speak when as a journalist, talking to people is the most important thing that I do. In fact, my lack of confidence sometimes causes me to stumble over my words, reducing my credibility.
 
I was doing very awkward man-on-the-street interviews over the summer. Essentially, you have to walk up topeople you don’t know and ask them questions. I had been told no a gazillion times for this particular assignment so I was exhausted and battling a deadline. I was speaking to a group of guys, when I stumbled over my words. Those jerks started to teased me. Then, they implied I wasn’t educated enough. Pause.

 
Bruh, I’m in the process of getting a second master’s degree at what can arguably be categorized as one of the top journalism schools in the country. I’m no dummy. But still, I had a human moment. I went home and cried.
 
After drying my eyes, I vowed then that I would become the most confident speaker I know. Let me tell you, that’s going to take work…and money. But, I’m so ready. Classes start this Saturday.
 
What can you do bigger and better this year? Let me know. I’d love to hear it! 

#DreamersKeepDreaming,
 
Arionne