In Gen Z's Work Diary, members of ‘Generation Z’ who are climbing up the career ladder share stories and lessons on navigating and thriving in a work environment currently dominated by members of other generations.
Subscribe Below.
Last week, I shared my first work lesson of 2023. If you missed it, catch up here.
After writing last week’s diary entry, I had a wholesome conversation with Ebun. The summary of which I will share here.
Before that, here is a bit about my week (of work). It was a great week, where I actually worked and did new things. I feel blessed to be working with some wonderful team members, who reach out to me to make sure I am not struggling or feeling swamped by work.
This has served as a form of navigation and comfort for me as I continue at work. Knowing that I can reach out to get reviews and support on my work anytime I need it provides a much-needed blanket of confidence.
Back to my conversation with Ebun (where I incidentally had the worst parfait to ever parfait. I definitely do not recommend)
“Give Yourself the Permission to Dream Big.”
When we see others achieving great feats, we are happy for them (except you are a witch, which you are not) and sometimes we desire such measure of success or growth-as the case may be. We do not often consider the possibility of our being in the same or similar position as these people most times, based on our own position/circumstances.
We see only the big picture and not the small steps that accrued towards achieving the feat that we see. Just like the popular image of success as an iceberg, that labels the tip as ‘success’ and the submerged part as ‘hardwork and all the other things that have gone into what we see on the surface.’ (See image reference below)
Success does not just happen, and if you have listened to motivational speakers long enough (or simply scrolled through Instagram streets) this will not be news to you (shout out to John C. Maxwell).
The next announcement of a great feat could be yours, but you are yet to take the first step. And this is exactly what it means to give yourself permission to dream big, allowing yourself to take the first step even amidst the uncertainty of success.
It is almost impossible to get an assurance of success in all our endeavors, but you can give yourself the agency of your life by intentionally deciding not to leave things to chance, break out of your cocoon and take that first step.
Big things rarely look like big things in the beginning. It was Dr. Suess that said, ‘the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’, and he was not telling lies.
Giving yourself the permission to dream big goes beyond spending time to dream up a big vision, more importantly it is expressing faith in yourself and in your dream by doing the seemingly minute things. Check out those youtube videos, take the certification course, schedule that meeting, make that call...
Tune out all the voices screaming what if, and just trudge forward, because what if you win? what if you succeed? what if you make it? what if your dream eventually becomes your reality? You will never know if you do not give yourself the permission.
At the expense of sounding cliche, big things indeed come in small packages and ignoring the baby steps may mean outrightly forfeiting your dream.
What is your dream? What is the first step towards achieving it? This week commit to taking that step. Future you will thank you because however you flip the coin you will not be at a disadvantage; it is either your steps align, and your dream becomes your reality, or you learn from the experience and add to your knowledge base. You can never be shortchanged.
In the spirit of giving myself the permission to dream big, this year I want to be a better writer and knowing that readers are writers, I will spend my money on books, and also commit to writing something at least every month. If I become the writer of my dreams, I will be elated but if I do not, I would have learnt so much from the books to the point that:
My vocabulary would have expanded greatly,
My knowledge base would also have grown tremendously, and
I would be able to confidently contribute to a lot of conversations better than I would have in times past.
I have not lost in any way.
Give Yourself the Permission to Dream Big. Count the cost and make that first move, knowing fully well that you have the advantage the moment you start.
Okay, Bye.
If you enjoyed reading this, you can check out my podcast where I share similar views here.
I come back to this ever so often.
On the difficult days.
On the days I have forgotten my dream.
On the days when I am just going through the motions.
I come back to this and like fuel to fire, I am revved up.
Dead cells fall off and I am re-energized to hold on to dreams and visions.
Because what if?
What if it all falls perfectly in place?
What if?
This is such a solid reminder on the days I forget.
A solid reminder that even if the whole world does not believe in the dream, I owe it to myself to believe and pursue with tunnel vision.
Thank you for this.
I reckon that in 3 months when I come back to read it I will have another comment.
Thank you.
I will always give myself permission to dream big.
It’s the least I can do.