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Women You Need to Pursue Your Dreams Despite the Fear

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You hear it all the time…. you just have to follow your dreams. They make it sound so easy, but if it were easy, everyone would be doing it. Right? But have you considered what can happen to you if you stifle those feelings that you meant for something more? If you try to ignore those feelings by telling yourself it’s not the right time, you don’t have time for that, or any other excuse there is?

I never thought of myself as someone who would hold themselves back from trying new things, but I did, and there were consequences. I didn’t realize that how I chose to escape my feelings, led to me feeling bad because I was denying myself the pleasure of following my dreams, which then led me to overeat and overspend in an effort to make myself feel better. It’s a cycle that I fell into without giving it much thought, and I mindlessly overate and overspent in an effort to feel good about myself.

Humans are complicated people, and our emotions guide us strongly. But if you have a calling deep inside you that keeps telling you to try something new and follow a new path, don’t you owe it to yourself to explore it?

Personally, I had a deep seeded feeling that spoke to me for about 10 years. I wanted to start my own business, but I was so scared to step out of my comfort zone and really put myself out there. I distracted myself from these feelings from eating too much and spending too much. Yet no matter how much I ate or spent, the feeling always came back to me. I struggled with it for some time.

“Instead of worrying about what people say of you, why not spend time trying to accomplish something they will admire.” — Dale Carnegie

Then on Christmas Day 2018, my husband had a massive heart attack at the age of 46.  Thankfully he survived, but those are the kind of events that punch you in the face and wake you up. And at that point I knew I had things I wanted to change in my life, and I started working with a life coach, desperate for a way to cure the bad habits I had formed with eating and spending.

I am so grateful I found my life coach and worked with her. She helped me put myself first, get over the fear, and live my life. Within a few months of working with her I managed to finally start my own business, and I’ve never been happier.

What I learned with my coach is a lesson that applies to so many of us. I’d like to share these lessons with you.

Why you choose not to pursue our dreams:

  1. You let fear hold you back – It’s a lot easier to stay where you are comfortable and not challenge yourself. But when you stay within your comfort zone you become complacent, never challenging yourself, and lose the opportunity to learn and grow.
  2. Women put everyone else’s needs first – You may have kids or other family members to take care of, so if you were to do something for yourself when they need you so much right now, you’d feel too guilty.
  3. You’re looking for the “right” time – If you’re waiting for the perfect time to pursue your dreams, the perfect time is now. There will never be a better time, because if you are feeling the pull towards your dreams, it means you have to give it some attention.
  4. You care too much about what others will think – The idea of putting yourself out there and letting other people judge you may seem like it’s too much to bear, but have you considered that their opinions do not matter?
  5. Fear of failure and fear of success – Fear of failure is a common fear, but failure just allows you try again in a different way. Failure is part of the process.

“Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” — Jack Canfield

What most don’t explore is the fear of success, which is just as real. And these are feelings worth exploring because often those feelings are attached to not feeling worthy of success.

Today I wake up every morning excited to serve my clients. I feel so much energy and love for life, gratitude, and I’ve even lost 20 pounds in the process!

I hope what you takeaway from this story is that if your gut is telling you something, it’s alerting you for a reason. There are consequences to ignoring these gut feelings. My hope for you is if you are sitting on a dream, that today is the day that you take action on it. Start with one step, that’s usually the hardest, and keep going until you find your momentum, and joy!  Life is too short to be held back.

Melissa Houston is a Certified Professional Accountant (CPA) and a financial coach, who helps entrepreneurs overcome both their personal and business finance issues and earn more money. With over 20 years of financial management experience, Melissa understands how to improve your bottom line without making another sale.  Melissa works with business owners through coaching programs and signature course offerings. Reach out to Melissa on her LinkedIn account.

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Success Advice

Inside the TikTok Resume Hack That’s Fooling Recruiters (For Now)

A viral TikTok resume trick promises interviews overnight, yet one wrong move could blacklist you from future jobs.

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AI resume hacks
Image Credit: Midjourney

Your job hunt has stalled out. After weeks of submitting online applications, you haven’t had a nibble. (more…)

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Life

9 Harsh Truths Every Young Man Must Face to Succeed in the Modern World

Before chasing success, every young man needs to face these 9 brutal realities shaping masculinity in the modern world.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

Many young men today quietly battle depression, loneliness, and a sense of confusion about who they’re meant to be.

Some blame the lack of deep friendships or romantic relationships. Others feel lost in a digital world that often labels traditional masculinity as “toxic.”

But the truth is this: becoming a man in the modern age takes more than just surviving. It takes resilience, direction, and a willingness to grow even when no one’s watching.

Success doesn’t arrive by accident or luck. It’s built on discipline, sacrifice, and consistency.

Here are 9 harsh truths every young man should know if he wants to thrive, not just survive, in the digital age.

1. Never Use Your Illness as an Excuse

As Dr. Jordan B. Peterson often says, successful people don’t complain; they act.

Your illness, hardship, or struggle shouldn’t define your limits; it should define your motivation. Rest when you must, but always get back up and keep building your dreams. Motivation doesn’t appear magically. It comes after you take action.

Here are five key lessons I’ve learned from Dr. Peterson:

  • Learn to write clearly; clarity of thought makes you dangerous.

  • Read quality literature in your free time.

  • Nurture a strong relationship with your family.

  • Share your ideas publicly; your voice matters.

  • Become a “monster”, powerful, but disciplined enough to control it.

The best leaders and thinkers are grounded. They welcome criticism, adapt quickly, and keep moving forward no matter what.

2. You Can’t Please Everyone And That’s Okay

You don’t need a crowd of people to feel fulfilled. You need a few friends who genuinely accept you for who you are.

If your circle doesn’t bring out your best, it’s okay to walk away. Solitude can be a powerful teacher. It gives you space to understand what you truly want from life. Remember, successful men aren’t people-pleasers; they’re purpose-driven.

3. You Can Control the Process, Not the Outcome

Especially in creative work, writing, business, or content creation, you control effort, not results.

You might publish two articles a day, but you can’t dictate which one will go viral. Focus on mastery, not metrics. Many great writers toiled for years in obscurity before anyone noticed them. Rejection, criticism, and indifference are all part of the path.

The best creators focus on storytelling, not applause.

4. Rejection Is Never Personal

Rejection doesn’t mean you’re unworthy. It simply means your offer, idea, or timing didn’t align.

Every successful person has faced rejection repeatedly. What separates them is persistence and perspective. They see rejection as feedback, not failure. The faster you learn that truth, the faster you’ll grow.

5. Women Value Comfort and Security

Understanding women requires maturity and empathy.

Through books, lectures, and personal growth, I’ve learned that most women desire a man who is grounded, intelligent, confident, emotionally stable, and consistent. Some want humor, others intellect, but nearly all want to feel safe and supported.

Instead of chasing attention, work on self-improvement. Build competence and confidence, and the rest will follow naturally.

6. There’s No Such Thing as Failure, Only Lessons

A powerful lesson from Neuro-Linguistic Programming: failure only exists when you stop trying.

Every mistake brings data. Every setback builds wisdom. The most successful men aren’t fearless. They’ve simply learned to act despite fear.

Be proud of your scars. They’re proof you were brave enough to try.

7. Public Speaking Is an Art Form

Public speaking is one of the most valuable and underrated skills a man can master.

It’s not about perfection; it’s about connection. The best speakers tell stories, inspire confidence, and make people feel seen. They research deeply, speak honestly, and practice relentlessly.

If you can speak well, you can lead, sell, teach, and inspire. Start small, practice at work, in class, or even in front of a mirror, and watch your confidence skyrocket.

8. Teaching Is Leadership in Disguise

Great teachers are not just knowledgeable. They’re brave, compassionate, and disciplined.

Teaching forces you to articulate what you know, and in doing so, you master it at a deeper level. Whether you’re mentoring a peer, leading a team, or sharing insights online, teaching refines your purpose.

Lifelong learners become lifelong leaders.

9. Study Human Nature to Achieve Your Dreams

One of the toughest lessons to accept: most people are self-interested.

That’s not cynicism, it’s human nature. Understanding this helps you navigate relationships, business, and communication more effectively.

Everyone has a darker side, but successful people learn to channel theirs productively into discipline, creativity, and drive.

Psychology isn’t just theory; it’s a toolkit. Learn how people think, act, and decide, and you’ll know how to lead them, influence them, and even understand yourself better.

Final Thoughts

The digital age offers endless opportunities, but only to those who are willing to take responsibility, confront discomfort, and keep improving.

Becoming a man today means embracing the hard truths most avoid.

Because at the end of the day, success isn’t about luck. It’s about who you become when life tests you the most.

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Change Your Mindset

Work-Life Balance Isn’t a Myth: Here’s How to Actually Make It Happen

Work stress doesn’t have to win, here’s how to protect your peace and thrive in any workplace.

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Image Credit: Midjourney

Starting a new job often comes with excitement and ambition. Yet, beneath that initial enthusiasm, many employees quickly encounter the reality of workplace challenges, especially stress. (more…)

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Change Your Mindset

The Four Types of Happiness: Which One Are You Living In?

Most people chase success only to find emptiness, this model reveals why true happiness lies somewhere else.

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happiness model explained
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In a world driven by rapid technological growth and constant competition, many people unknowingly trade joy for achievement. (more…)

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