I have a dream. I believe all writers share this same dream – which is to someday publish their own book (all the better if it turns into a bestseller!).
But never in my imagination had I thought that this dream would materialize any time soon, at least not this year, not in the way it had happened.
It all started with a conversation with my friend. I can’t recall what we were talking about, but I casually mentioned to her that I hope to write a book on mompreneurship, a subject I’m passionate about.
To my surprise, she shared that a publisher had approached her to write about work life balance but given her commitments she didn’t feel she could take it up at that point (she’s founder of Mums@Work, a social enterprise in Singapore that helps moms find better balance between being moms and workers through flexi-work or starting their own business). Through my sharing, she saw the possibility of us working together and shortly after, an appointment with the publisher was set up. Things went well at the first meeting and soon we found ourselves signing an agreement with the publisher to work on the book.
Over the next few months, I poured my heart into the project. I especially love interviewing the mompreneurs; their stories inspire me. It was an amazing experience to see something going from an idea, to taking on form and shape, and finally transforming itself into a solid book. It was truly my labour of love, and no words could describe the joy I felt when I held the book in my hands for the first time.
As a writer, this is definitely a milestone. But more than that, it’s a solid symbol of the fact that dreams can come true. It’s something I want to share with my kids in encouraging them to pursue their own dreams.
Dear moms, do you also have a dream? What are you doing about it? Do you feel as if it’s too big to be achieved? Stop telling yourself it’s too difficult or impossible. Stop the judgment now.
I love what Steven Pressfield said in his book, Do the Work!: “A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. It’s only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate”.
He also said, “The enemy is our chattering brain, which, if we give it so much as a nanosecond, will start producing excuses, alibis, transparent self-justifications, and a million reasons why we can’t/shouldn’t/won’t do what we know we need to do”.
As moms, we often feel like we are too busy and have too little time to nurture our own dreams but sometimes these, as Pressfield wrote, could be just excuses.
Let me share three lessons I’ve learned from my experience:
1. Share with people who are supportive of you. You never know who might be able to help you in achieving your goals.
2. Find a partner. As moms, we are all busy with 101 things. So instead of going it alone, how about finding someone who shares your dream and do it together? It can also be more fun doing it with someone else. Just make sure you do it with someone trustworthy, especially if your dream is about setting up a business. There are too many stories of people being betrayed by their business partners.
3. Hold on to your dreams and goals, they give your life purpose and meaning. Don’t let failures discourage you. If you keep working on it, sooner or later your dream will come true. Along the way you will gain greater courage, determination and self-confidence, which will empower you to achieve even more goals.
A new year is coming. What is one dream or goal you would like to work on in the coming year? Let’s support one another in this journey!
This is an original post by Ruth Wong from Singapore. She’s a work-at-home-mom who also blogs at Mommy Cafe. She has recently co-authored and published a book titled Successful Work-Life Balance.
Photo credits to Sujin Jetkasettakorn, FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Fantastic Ruth! So very proud and happy for you, my friend. I have always that little dream of wanting to write a book too but I always pushed it and came up with a million excuses why now is not the right time. Your post here is a beautiful reminder of that forgotten little dream I had. Thank you!
Maureen, just write! You can do it!
Your story has uplifted my spirit. I’m going to keep on trying to build my business. I’m a full time working mom turned to work-from-home mom for about a year now. My teenage kids need more of my attention now since the schooling system have been giving them lots of pressure. I want to encourage them & support them, to be there when they need me. But I can’t be idling at home only tending to house chores. I started making costume jewelry & selling them at my FB page (low capital start up). The beginning was demotivating & depressing. Lots of criticism from ladies who see my creations was not competitive with China products. With limited capital and whole lots of ideas, I’ll continue to forge forward to reach my dream to manage my official online store. I recently just started a blog, Bonding Beads, sharing tutorials on craft ideas. I’m not a IT savvy person, but I will learn to update my blog as time goes by. I’m glad you’ve reach your dream to publish your book. Congratulations to you Ruth!
Meantime, I will keep on making to reach my dream.
Beady J, I admire you for your courage in setting up the business! Many people get stuck at the planning stage and in the end allowed their fears, worries etc. to overcome them and failed to start anything. I believe over time, you will get better. It’s also about finding customers who like your designs; it’s just not possible to try to come up with something that can please everyone 🙂 May 2013 be a great year for you and your business!
Thank you Ruth.
Wow, Ruth, this post came at just the right time for me! 🙂
Firstly huge congratulations on having achieved what most of us bloggers aspire to … a published book! 🙂
I’ve always wanted to write and getting involved with WMB was my first step. I’m super grateful to have found such an inspiring and supportive “mom connection & collection”!
My second baby step was to create the alter ego Phoenix to tackle some of the “harder” issues (www.blogbythephoenix.com)
The experiences of mothers such as yourself are slowly giving me the courage to keep taking steps towards my goal. I hope, one day, to be able to share with you all the news that I, too, have managed to get a book published! 😛
Thanks, Simona 🙂 Indeed, we have a very inspiring group of ladies here at WMB! You’re doing great by sharing your experiences – there are people out there who needs to hear your message and I’m sure they will get encouraged by it. Every step you take towards your goals, no matter how small, is worth celebrating!
Congratulations on the book, Ruth. You’re an inspiration to us all!
Alison, you are an inspiration to me too! (really!)
Oh Ruth, you inspire me. And congratulations. I am so happy that this book is published. Makes me believe that someday it would be my turn too.
Love,
Purnima.
Purnima, I believe you will have your book published too. Being a contributor at Huffpost is a good start!
I am so excited for you, what a wonderful accomplishment! You should be proud of yourself, hard work and being open to great things is such an important thing to do, but at times so difficult.
Thank you, Jacki! You inspire me too with your post being featured on Scary Mom!
Ruth you are such an example and inspiration! I know you had also struggled with marking your priorities and God has blessed you enormously! I look forward to learning more from you. I think the lessons learned provide all of us with an insight and allow us to take a peek into your life! My dream this year is just to be able to enjoy each milestone and minute with my boys!
Thank you, Ana. Yes, it’s really a blessing from God that I got to work on the book project! He makes everything possible!
Congratulations! And wonderful to have these ideas to tuck away into my subconscious – thankyou.
Thanks, Karyn 🙂 Looking forward to seeing your ideas turn into realities!
First of all, congratulations! It’s a massive accomplishment. And I really needed to hear all your terrific advice right about now. I, like a typical blogger, have a book idea percolating and have even started doing research, writing and outline and doing some writing. But I was getting really discouraged and overwhelmed by the process. Reading your post has left me a bit more inspired again…. Thanks!
Go for it Kim! Is there anything that I or moms here at WMB can be of help with? 🙂
Congrats! And thanks for the advice. I would like to write a book as well. I have a proposal in progress that I really need to work on. Thanks for some extra motivation!
All the best Jennifer! Keep going!
How wonderful for you Ruth! A little known fact about me, is that one of my dreams, many years ago, was to get into the entertainment industry…mainly to produce. When I was about 25 (still unmarried and pre-children), I found out about a highly competitive internship for the director’s league. My then boyfriend (now husband) encouraged me to try out for it, even though I found every excuse I the book not too. So I did! I took the test, want through several rounds of interviews, and in the end didn’t get accepted (although I was on the very short list). I was proud of myself for trying and taking the leap, even if I didn’t succeed, since now I don’t have regrets and don’t think about the “what-ifs”.
I am so happy for you to have achieved your dreams! Congrats!
Thanks for sharing your story! Indeed, if we never try, we will never know. And even if it didn’t work out, as you said, at least we have no regrets!
Love reading your journey to getting published, Ruth! And, I’m sooo excited to read your book, now that I have a copy in hand — woohoo!!
This quote is fantastic: “A child has no trouble believing the unbelievable, nor does the genius or the madman. It’s only you and I, with our big brains and our tiny hearts, who doubt and overthink and hesitate”. — Steven Pressfield
I’m so excited for you!!
Yes, I have a dream. To be able to speak another language well. I’ve taken the plunge. My life is so busy, but I’ve scheduled a one hour one-on-one French lesson for me once a week. I’m so glad that I did! Oh, and also I and our contributors have BIG dreams for the future of this website!!
Jen 🙂
Thank you, Jennifer! Hope you’ll like the book 🙂
There are so many languages I want to learn – French, German, Japanese, Korean! I really don’t know when I’ll ever get started with any of them.
I’m excited about the big dreams you have for WMB and I’m so blessed to be a part of this group of wonderful moms!
Congratulations Ruth! A true testimonial on why it is important to follow your dreams!
Thank you, Jennifer! And we should give up on our dreams, at least not without trying!