“When I grow up, I wanna be famous
I wanna be a star, I wanna be in movies
When I grow up, I wanna see the world
Drive nice cars, I wanna have boobies
When I grow up, be on TV
People know me, be on magazines
When I grow up, fresh and clean
Number one chick when I step out on the scene”–The Pussy Cat Dolls
What did you wish for when you were a kid? Did you want to be famous? Did you love music or horses or maybe painting was more your thing? When I was a kid, I wanted very badly to be an olympic gymnast. I would practice hand stands for hours and hours, but alas, the closest I ever came to olympic glory was doing cartwheels for the half-time show of a donkey basketball game at our local high school. For those of you unrefined heathens out there, donkey basketball is played by grown men riding real donkeys up and down the court. True story, I could not make this up!
As a chubby grade-schooler living in rural Wisconsin, I had about as much chance of becoming an olympic gymnast as Courtney Love has of being elected president. I eventually let go of that dream and moved on to others. In 3rd grade I wanted to be an astronaut, in high school I wanted to be on the olympic volleyball team, in college I wanted to sing at the Met. None of these fantasies came true for me.
I did not have the right body or the right resources to be a high level gymnast. I was never good enough in math or science to become an astronaut. I am about 3 inches too short for olympic volleyball. And sadly, I never made it to the Met. But here’s the thing, the life I have now is a dream come true. I don’t say that to say what I have now is better than living out those fantasies. I say it because I HAD those fantasies.
Because I had such grand hopes for myself, it fueled my future. Even though gymnastics and space travel don’t seem related, what did connect my fantasies was their bigness. I wanted to be in the olypmics, twice. I didn’t want to go to New York City, I wanted to go to the moon! Those fantasies have helped me stretch and push myself. If I had not at least entertained the idea of singing at the Met, I would probably not have practiced hours a day. I would not have developed into as an accomplished musician as I am today.
Today I use that longing for connection with an audience both in my singing and in my business. I am continually looking for ways to reach more and more people. This not only helps my marketing efforts, but it also brings me great personal satisfaction.
You may never have your art displayed at the Guggenheim or star in a Hollywood movie, but you can create the life of your dreams if you understand how to leverage your fantasies. Instead of dismissing them as youthful folly, dive in and see how you can manifest them through the filter of your life. You will definitely be happier and who knows, you just might make it to the Met after all:)
I love to hear your voice!
What was your childhood fantasy? How is it connected to what you do now?
Post your answers below in the comments or find me on Facebook.
If you would like to use this article on your website or ezine, feel free! Just be sure to include the following:
Heather Poduska is a Reach certified personal brand strategist, image consultant and business coach who helps women entrepreneurs create client attractive brands, polished brand images and brand communication strategies to increase their visibility and impact in the marketplace and grow their businesses.
Speak Your Mind