My grandmother and I have been spending a lot of time with one another, lately. In doing so, we’ve been going through old childhood photos of mine. She told me stories of me playing dress up and pretend when I would come to St. Louis to visit for the summer. It got me to thinking about what I wanted to be when I grew up verses what I actually became.
When I was younger, I wanted to be a display designer. Or at least, that it what I called it. I would marvel every time I went to a major department store and saw their window displays and elaborate set-ups. I too wanted to design displays and be creative. I was about eleven or twelve at this time, and I was told that I would have to go to fashion school to become a display designer. That was going to be my plan!
Then when I got about fifteen years old, I discovered I had the gift or gab, and set my eyes on having my own talk show. I decided that I would go to college and major in communications and follow in the footsteps of Oprah Winfrey. I continued to have that dream even after I had my son at eighteen, and changed my major to Broadcasting so I could also do radio.
Once reality hit that I had to work full-time and go to school part-time, I changed my major to Human Services. I figured that I would never make it in radio or television, so I began thinking of something practical. Years later, I did get my BA in Communications with an emphasis on public speaking, but my dream of becoming a talk show host still hasn’t happened.
Do you think it’s too late?
When we are young, we have all of these hopes and dreams and aspirations and everything seems so easy. When real life hits, and it often does, many of us turn away from our dreams. Does it really have to be this way?
What did you want to be when you grew up when you were a child? How does that measure against what you are doing now? Would you go back and change your life and occupational choices if you could?
Very interesting article, I think about this alot especially now that I am going back to school to hopefully pursue a career that gives me fulfillment and excitement. The entire time I was growing up I wanted to be a veterinarian, until I got into high school then it changed. Not to one thing in particular, by the time I went to college the idea was get a degree in a field that makes money, real interest in it need not apply! Now that I have worked for some time now In areas that werent of interest to me but paid the bills I realize how important passion over money is, I truly believe if you love what you do the money will come. I too have the gift of gab and I also enjoy helping people so as I go back to school for HR and Communications Im hoping to take the "likes in responsibilities" of all my previous jobs and turn them into one successful career, degree in hand! So I say all that to say YES I would, God has given me the opportunity to go back and make a different choice so I am jumping in head first!!
Thanks for the food for thought!! 🙂
Jae
I wanted to do many things but most of all I always dreamed of being an entrepreneur. I'm still on that journey. I also use to dream of being a famous author (I wish I could find the time).
I don't think it's too late at all to follow your dreams. You've amassed a great audience here on your blog, what about creating podcast or video interviews, talk-show style, and posting them here on your blog? You'd be a great talk show host.
Also, check out The Rise to the Top (http://www.therisetothetop.com/) for some ideas.
Thank you for your kind words and support. Its been a hard few months re-evaluating and getting back on track but staying positive and productive will be the key to my success! And I will check out the blog you mentioned.