Every second you hesitate, life keeps moving forward, leaving you behind. Maybe you’re waiting for when you will be ready or when you will have the courage. You think, “Not yet, not me, not now.” The reality is this: the perfect moment will never exist.
College is hard. It’s a transition period where you gain independence but balance it with adulthood, class, work and your relationships to those around you. For artists, there’s an added layer of developing individuality and determining career goals. The freedom is intoxicating but can also be exhausting.
Directing yourself and taking initiative toward your dreams is the best use of your time. It gives you a sense of purpose and will help you stay academically motivated. Ideally, whatever you’re chasing is a long-term goal that you are contributing toward. Seeking out opportunities that fulfill you and your career path seems obvious, yet it’s a step not everyone takes. Why?
The nature of chasing your dreams is scary. It means stepping into the unknown and risking failure. We often wait until the time feels right. But what if the time is never right?
A quote by Daniel Handler (Lemony Snicket) reads, “If we wait until we’re ready, we will be waiting for the rest of our lives.” It’s time to give yourself permission to begin.
Start small if you have to. It’s okay to feel uneasy at first. Start by taking one class, writing one poem or choreographing just a few counts of eight. The worst habit you can create is doing nothing. Taking these risks makes it easier and allows for growth in your future.
The famous singer Adele has stage fright. She didn’t wait for her fear of audiences to magically disappear, she sang her first big gig scared. Maybe here at Point Park, a musical-theater major might not feel completely confident going into an audition, but they went and then landed the role. I was nervous my first time writing for the Globe, and now I write my own column.
Fear is proof that what you’re doing matters. It means you’re pushing toward something bigger. So go to the audition. Pitch the idea. Play the instrument. Take the class. Post the video. Apply the corrections. Interview for the job. Sing the song. If not now, when?
