TIME IS, FOR MANY OF US, A BARRIER TO PURSUING OUR DREAMS.
By Arnie Thomas
Time is, for many of us, a barrier to pursuing our dreams. If your passion falls outside of your day job, what do you do? Few are ready or willing to give up the security of full-time work to chase their dreams.
When people I work with talk about the time dilemma, I’m reminded of one client’s success story. Several years ago, I met Jennifer through a mutual friend. She was working as a lobbyist while attending law school. During our discussion, she mentioned a passion for fashion and expressed her desire to write a blog targeting Capitol Hill. Although she liked her profession, the more she talked about her “side” bliss, the more energized she seemed. I suggested that she try to follow her dream even if it was only part time. Several months later, I received an invitation to attend the opening of her project: fashiondelegate.com.
As I drove to her event on a Saturday afternoon, I envisioned a small gathering of friends in a cozy restaurant or perhaps mulling around someone’s backyard. I passed the location several times and was confused because I hadn’t expected the event to be held in such a large house. But I suddenly realized that Jennifer does nothing small. I felt like I was attending the opening of a Hollywood movie premiere – at the home of a prominent Washington Redskin player, no less. Needless to say, I was extremely impressed – not only by the quality of the event, but how someone with so much on her plate could pull it off.
Jennifer agreed to share insight into following her passion. Here is what she told us:
“Fashion and politics are the two loves of my professional life. I came up with Fashion Delegate – a fashion-meets-politics site – to serve as a platform for political style in D.C. We also use the site to promote and bring awareness to policy issues that affect the fashion industry on Capitol Hill. The fashion industry is often underrepresented and misunderstood on Capitol Hill.
Going to law school and grad school while working taught me a lot about time management – how to be both efficient and effective. Now that I’ve completed school, running a website and working full time is a cakewalk (wink).
Life is about purpose and purpose comes from passion. Everyone should pursue their passion; it’s our gift to life.”
Arnie Thomas is president and CEO of A. Thomas Group LLC. A mentor and consultant on client services, leadership development and public speaking, he can be reached at [email protected].
