Learn five gentle and practical ways to stay committed to your dreams, even when fear, doubt, or self-criticism show up. A psychology-based guide for real growth.
There’s a certain magic in beginning something new. Maybe it’s opening a business you’ve always dreamed of, starting a project that’s been living quietly in your notebook, or finally daring to follow that whisper inside you that says, “this is what I’m meant to do.” At the same time, that magic often comes mixed with nerves, doubts, and a sense of standing at the edge of the unknown.
We picture the outcome—the life we imagine, the dream fulfilled—but when it comes to taking the very first steps, something in us hesitates. Fear, self-doubt, the weight of other people’s opinions, or even the silence when no applause comes right away—these can make us question whether we should keep going (if you often struggle with doubt or fear of judgment, you may also appreciate Limiting Beliefs: The Invisible Lenses Through Which We See the World, where I explore how the beliefs we absorb shape our confidence and self-worth).
In my own journey, I’ve learned that persistence is less about pushing harder and more about shifting where we draw our strength from. It’s about finding a motivation that isn’t dependent on constant validation, and about learning to walk forward even when no one else is watching.
If you’ve ever felt close to giving up on something you deeply care about, I understand you as I have been there too! That’s why I want to share five gentle but powerful ways to help you hold on to your dream long enough to see it grow.
1. Shift the motivation inward
When I first started building my social media presence, for example, what kept me grounded was realizing that my work needed to feel meaningful to me first. It wasn’t about ignoring others’ opinions or pretending they didn’t matter—it was about not letting my sense of worth rise and fall only on likes, comments, or recognition. Once I made peace with the idea that what I create should reflect my own values and growth, everything felt lighter.
So often, we’re taught to measure ourselves by outside markers—grades in school, feedback from parents, recognition at work. That’s why, when we step into something that is new, ours and we don’t receive immediate confirmation, it can feel disorienting. Shifting motivation inward doesn’t mean closing yourself off; it means asking:
Am I proud of what I’m creating?
Does this feel true to who I am and what I believe?
When your effort is anchored in that kind of self-alignment, external approval becomes a bonus, not the foundation. This “inward motivation” is also connected to emotional safety. You can read more in The Hidden Cost of Suppressing Emotions, where I explain how unexpressed emotions quietly shape our decisions and fears.
2. Get comfortable being your own boss
When you set out to pursue your own dream, there’s no teacher handing you a grade or mentor marking your progress with gold stars. Suddenly, you are the one setting the rules, defining the pace, and deciding what matters most. At first, this can feel unsettling—we long for orientation, and without it, doubts easily creep in.
But here’s the hidden gift: this stage is less about discipline and more about self-discovery. It’s about learning to build a relationship with yourself, one where trust grows little by little. We were rarely taught how to rely on our own guidance, so of course it feels difficult at first. Yet, each decision you make, each step you take without external confirmation, strengthens that trust.
In my own journey of opening my professional path alone, I’ve been beautifully meeting myself—discovering strengths I didn’t know I had, noticing patterns I could release, and learning to walk with both courage and gentleness.
Being your own boss doesn’t mean being hard on yourself; it means learning to listen inwardly, to honour your values, and to make peace with the fact that no one else has the map for your path. And in that process, you don’t just chase a dream—you come closer to who you truly are.
If you’d like to understand what healthy support really looks like while building something on your own, I also recommend Emotional Support: What It Really Means.
3. Prepare to start small instead of expecting the big picture
One of the easiest traps when beginning something new is imagining yourself already at the finish line. If your dream is to open a salon, for example, it’s tempting to picture the big, bustling space right away—without first allowing yourself the smaller, necessary steps (and the inevitable setbacks, like rejection, that are part of the process). The same happens with social media or any creative venture: when one post doesn’t take off, it’s so easy to label it as failure, when in reality, it’s just part of preparing, experimenting, and learning.
The danger here is putting too much pressure on yourself to arrive quickly—and confusing the slow pace of growth with you not being good enough or worthy. This pressure can distort the journey, making you believe you’ve failed when, in truth, you’re simply still laying the foundation.
I’ve learned in my own path that starting small isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s where resilience and creativity are born. Each step, even the ones that feel insignificant, is proof that you’re moving forward.
Success isn’t about rushing to the big picture—it’s about trusting the process, allowing yourself to grow into it, and discovering along the way that your worth was never tied to how fast you got there.
4. Respect your rhythm and keep going
This ties closely to what we just explored: when we let go of the rush to “arrive,” we create room for something deeper—our own rhythm. Progress is rarely a straight line. Some days you’ll move quickly, other days more slowly, and sometimes you’ll need to pause altogether. None of that means failure; it simply means you’re human, you’re building something.
The danger of confusing pace with worth often shows up here. If things feel slow, it’s easy to believe you’re not capable enough. But the truth is, rhythm is personal—yours doesn’t need to match anyone else’s. Respecting your rhythm is an act of self-trust. It’s saying: I can go at my pace and still get there.
In my own journey, I’ve discovered that the moments of slowing down often gave me the clarity and strength I needed to keep moving. Releasing pressure doesn’t mean giving up—it means allowing growth to unfold in its own time.
What matters most is that you keep going, step by step, without abandoning your path just because it feels uncertain. Trust that your rhythm is part of the process, and that each step, no matter how small, is building something meaningful to you.
5. Use your current job as part of the journey
If you’re working now but dreaming of building your own path, one way to boost your motivation is to see your current job not as an obstacle, but as part of the preparation. Every experience, even the ones that don’t feel directly connected to your dream, is shaping you—teaching you discipline, resilience, and patience. When you remind yourself that this too is part of the journey, it becomes easier to stay motivated where you are while still saving energy for what you’re creating.
Something to be aware of here is the possibility of falling into frustration, believing that because you’re not “there” yet, you’re somehow behind or less worthy. In reality, holding both—a job that sustains you and a dream you’re nurturing—takes incredible strength and balance.
In my own process, I’ve noticed that viewing my current circumstances as stepping stones has brought me more peace and trust in my own path. It allowed me to slow down, trust the unfolding, and release the desperation to make everything happen at once.
Sometimes progress means gradually adjusting—reducing hours if possible, carving out small windows of time, or simply planting seeds on the side. This approach keeps you financially stable, emotionally grounded, and, most importantly, in touch with your own rhythm.
Your dream doesn’t need to be rushed—it needs to be nurtured, step by step, until you’re ready to take the leap with both confidence and trust in yourself.
If You Need Support on Your Path
If you’ve been holding a dream close to your heart but fear, self-doubt, or emotional exhaustion keep getting in the way, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Therapy can help you understand the patterns that hold you back, strengthen your confidence, and build a path that feels aligned with who you truly are.
If you’d like to explore this, you can learn more about the Therapy Options I offer — and see if one feels right for you.
Your dream matters. And so do you.
Warmly,
Andressa
