Are You a Doer? Or a Dreamer Only?

Are you a doer, or a dreamer only? Until five years ago, I fell in the latter category, but a few things aligned in my life to change that. Thankfully!

First, I started thinking more about my age. In my early forties, I knew the time was now, if I wanted to risk the possibilities and chase my childhood dream of writing books. Unknown to even the people closest to me, this was my number one bucket list item.

Though I had succeeded in many areas of my life, this secret dream, buried so deep, needed unearthing before it was too late.

Second, I decided to trust God to make what appeared impossible, very possible. I shifted my focus on what I couldn’t do, to what I could do through Christ who strengthens me.

Third, I seized the opportunity that was set before me. Terror is what I felt when I walked into a classroom setting at my first writer’s conference. It didn’t get any better when the speaker quoted a statistic that said, “One percent, or less, of aspiring writers succeed. Because most give up too soon.”

Something in me reacted immediately. My inner voice said to God, I want to be one of the one percent.

The next thing the instructor said was, “What sets those who succeed apart from the crowd, is determination, and hard work.”

I can do hard work, I thought.

Since that time, I’ve almost quit more times than I can count — and I’m not a quitter by nature. But fears, struggles, and fatigue gripped me, and threatened to squeeze the life out of my fragile dream.

Each time I reached breaking point, I cried out to God, “Did I misunderstand? Am I not supposed to do this?”

And then, something unexpected would happen. A miracle would blossom from my problem, and I would overcome, with Jesus’ help. Each tiny victory gave me the energy to inch forward a little more.

Today, I’m less than six months away from holding a new reality. I’m no longer a dreamer only — I am a doer. Besides my other successes, I am a published author. Very soon, I will hold a book I wrote, one I hope honors God and helps people.

I hope this story encourages you — whatever secret dream you might have buried. 

• Take a risk.
• Trust.
• Seize new opportunities.

Don’t let your last thoughts be, I wonder what if? This is your time. Embrace it. Unearth your secret. Go after it with gusto. You CAN do all things when Christ strengthens you — don’t be afraid to believe Him.

Anita Fresh Faith

Proverbs 14:23

All hard work brings a profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Anita Agers-Brooks  is a Business and Inspirational Coach, Certified Personality Trainer, Productivity Expert, Certified Training Facilitator, Communications Specialist, national speaker, and author of, First Hired, Last Fired — How to Become Irreplaceable in Any Job Market.

She’s a partner in The Zenith Zone, a business coaching firm. Member of the Christian Writer’s Guild, Toastmasters, a client of WordServe Literary Group, graduate of CLASSeminars for Leaders, Speakers, and Authors, a co-founder of The StoryWriting Studio, and speaker on circuit for Stonecroft International Ministries.

Anita’s passionate about business with integrity, healthy relationships, and issues of identity. She travels the country teaching others from her personal experiences and research. She believes it’s never too late for a fresh start with fresh faith. Anita lives in Missouri with her husband Ricky.

Follow her FreshFaith blog anitabrooks.com. You may contact her via website anitabrooks.com/contact/ or email anita@anitabrooks.com.