Hey everyone! I had an early start to the weekend as my good friend is getting married today. This is actually my first time being a bridesmaid, WOOHOO!
The other day I noticed that a lot of blogs participated in a blog hop about what they would do with their time if they had 3 months to do whatever they wanted. It was nice reading everyone's posts, but it made me think about what is stopping people from living their dream.
Yes, I understand that sometimes it's because of lack of money, maybe it's debt, maybe you have children, medical reasons and so on. But today, I want to ask everyone what is stopping them. Tell me your reasons, and whether or not you are working towards your dream.
What exactly are you doing to reach your dreams? Are you working on paying down debt? Are you selling your stuff? Increasing your income and saving as much as you can?
And, what is your dream? It can be anything. Do you want to travel the world? Attempt a marathon? Obtain a position at your dream company? Become a stay at home mom or a stay at home dad? Start your own business? Tell me!
Right now, my dream is to make the self-employment switch. I want to work for myself, and enjoy what I'm doing. I want flexibility. I want to be able to travel and work at the same time. I want to spend more time enjoying life and enjoying time with those that I love.
What is your dream? What's holding you back?
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moneystepper says
September 6, 2013 at 3:35 amI would love to start my own business and get out of the 9 til 5.
I guess my obstacle is fear. Fear of what if it all goes wrong, what if I fail? The usual stuff.
Oh, and the lack of a good idea…! 🙂
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:02 pmYes, fear is definitely a big factor for most!
Pauline says
September 6, 2013 at 4:33 amI find many people are limited by other people. You can’t take 3 months off because society doesn’t recognize it as a valid life choice. Once you stop listening and make your own path you can do pretty much anything.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:03 pmYes, you are correct Pauline!
Taynia | The Fiscal Flamingo says
September 6, 2013 at 5:51 amI’m living my dream at this very moment. I took a year off work and it’s been nothing short of fabulous. Trying to figure out what the next one will be. The top contenders are to RV around the US for a year, live overseas for a year and take a world cruise.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:04 pmAll of these options sound amazing!
Thomas says
September 6, 2013 at 6:05 amI think more people should go after their dreams. For me it was not following my dreams because everyone thought I was great working for someone. A few years ago I started listening to myself and following what I wanted to do. Now I can say I am truly living my dream. I haven’t reach all my goals yet but I am so far ahead of where I was 5 years ago. Just keep moving forward.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:05 pmThat is awesome Thomas. I am so happy for you.
DC @ Young Adult Money says
September 6, 2013 at 6:20 amI would say right now I am working towards my “dream” life. I want to have no student loans, have cars that are completely paid off (and reliable), have the option of working for myself, and not have a mortgage! This will require a ton of work but you can only take it one day at a time.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:06 pmYes, I want all of that too!
Christine says
September 6, 2013 at 6:56 amArgh. The more I read, the more I want start really working on side income so that maybe one day I could be self-employed. I feel like I don’t know where to start! Guess I should go back and read your side hustle posts. 😉
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:06 pmHaha yes, please do Christine 🙂
Monique says
September 6, 2013 at 7:15 amI would love to be a stay at home mom and homeschool my kids. I would also like to have a small side buisness. My dream is either on hold for a while or never going to come to pass. Until my hubby and I get out of this financial funk we are in…I will never realize my dream.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:07 pmI’m sorry Monique. I hope you get to your dream 🙂
Tara @ Streets Ahead Living says
September 6, 2013 at 7:29 amI think people are afraid of the unknown and don’t want to take time off because of that. I am not in a financial situation to stop working but if I was without debt, I would be more adventurous. There’s this non-profit network of farming called the world wide opportunities on organic farms that connects you with organic farmers across the world that need assistance. You volunteer for 4-6 hours a day for free room and board and get to learn all about farming in the process and I would love to do that. I hope to still do it some day!
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:07 pmWow that sounds like an awesome experience!
Mrs. Pop @ Planting Our Pennies says
September 6, 2013 at 7:45 amOur dream is financial independence and full ownership of our time, and we’re working to get there! It’s a big one, though – so it’s still going to take a while yet. =)
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:08 pmI can’t wait until you get to that point!
Holly@ClubThrifty says
September 6, 2013 at 7:48 amI can’t wait to hear that you quit your job, Michelle!
Right now my dream is just to get back to a normal life once we move. I also want to buy my dream house but I want it to cost half as much. Haha.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:08 pmThank you Holly!
Matt Becker says
September 6, 2013 at 8:23 amI think I’m still trying to define what my dream is, at least professionally. I have thoughts but nothing that I feel truly confident in. I think you make a great point here though that following our dream really should be a top priority. I definitely let myself get held back by fear of the unknown at times and I would like to fight that.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:09 pmYes, fight against those unknowns!
Kyle @ Debt Free Diaries says
September 6, 2013 at 8:23 amMy dreams right now include being able to invest in an apartment complex, be a stay at home parent, and own a successful business. The things that are challenging me along the way are our debt and my personal confidence in myself. I’m working on both while we pay down debt and build our business. After that it should be smooth sailing 🙂
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:10 pmSounds like you are doing great Kyle!
FI Pilgrim says
September 6, 2013 at 8:45 amI would love to start my own home based business and participate in teach my kids school at home, but meeting some of our financial goals (like paying off our mortgage) is the first priority. Until then, the 7:30-6:00 grind continues!
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:10 pmI hope you can get rid of the daily grind sometime soon 🙂
Mark Ross says
September 6, 2013 at 8:47 amMy dream is to be rich and I don’t really think that there is anything holding me back because I’ll do everything I can to achieve it. 🙂
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:11 pmGood luck Mark!
Grayson @ Debt Roundup says
September 6, 2013 at 8:50 amGoing for your dream usually involves taking risks. Many people are not risk takers. That is just a fact. I am working toward my dream of financial independence. I have a long road ahead, but I don’t mind the journey.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:11 pmGood luck on your journey Grayson 🙂
Little House says
September 6, 2013 at 8:54 amI’m lucky that I love what I do for a living, so that dream is fulfilled. New dream: own a house! Though this may sound ridiculous since so many people own homes, for me it’s not quite that easy (I also live in an area where the average home is high $400’s K). Paying off my debt and then saving for a down payment are two things I’m working on with the goal of owning a home by late 2014 early 2015.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:12 pmThat is so awesome that you love what you do! Can’t wait until you own your own home:)
Connie @ Savvy With Saving says
September 6, 2013 at 9:01 amI think what’s holding me back is fear. I’d like to take time off to travel but fear of not having enough money, not saving, figuring out what’s next, etc is too much to overcome sometimes.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:13 pmYes, that can be hard to overcome. Make sure you have a plan!
Joshua from CNAFinance.com says
September 6, 2013 at 9:02 amMy dream is to build a family. I have a fiance so, I’m making a good start. The only thing holding me back is cash flow. I’d like to marry my beautiful fiance, but we don’t have the cash for anything other than a court house wedding and she deserves more than that! We’ll get there though!
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:13 pmGood luck Joshua! I’m sure whatever you two choose to do will be beautiful.
Andrew@LivingRichCheaply says
September 6, 2013 at 9:28 amCongrats to your friend. I’ll be the best man at my friend’s wedding next weekend. As for what is stopping from living my dream. I think my dream would be to work for myself/start a business. However, sometimes the grass is always greener and I’m sure there are negatives to that too. But one main thing holding me back is the stability of my job and with a family…stability is good. I’m not a big risk taker, especially if I don’t know if the “dream” will pan out.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:14 pmI’m not usually a risk taker. However, this is just something that I KNOW that I need to do.
Carol says
September 6, 2013 at 9:39 amNot much today. My position, which was a bad fit from day 1, was eliminated 2 weeks ago and my severance package will last until early next year. Blogs like yours inspire me not to waste this marvelous gift of time.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:15 pmThank you Carol!
That is quite the generous severance package. I hope you find something that fits with your dream 🙂
Stuart@DailyMoneyBucket says
September 6, 2013 at 10:11 amIt’s amazing how often people listen to their excuses for not doing something rather than their reasons for doing something.
Perhaps it’s because excuses are based on the emotion of fear, whereas reasons are normally based in logic. And when the two collide, the emotions normally win.
It’s a constant battle, but as Pauline said, it becomes easier if you forget about what society and other people expect.
My dream is to build an online business which is completely flexible in terms of the time and place where I work. And it’s something that I work on turning into reality every day.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:17 pmYes, I agree Stuart!
I hope you reach your dream soon 🙂
Brian says
September 6, 2013 at 10:32 amOur dream is to live in another country. What’s stopping us? Our son is a little too young right now and we want him to be a couple years older so he remembers it and can pick up some of the language too. Other than that we are on track.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:17 pmThat sounds awesome Brian!
anna says
September 6, 2013 at 10:41 amMy dream is definitely to travel more – we are making it a priority to at least travel somewhere adventurous every couple of years or so, so as long as that happens I’m a happy camper. 🙂
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:18 pmI think that is a great dream. It is ours as well.
Where do you want to travel to?
Simon @ Modest Money says
September 6, 2013 at 11:26 amMy dream would be to travel some more and I think having a job that would allow that would be awesome. Whats stopping me? Probably just my imagination! Am quite sure I can figure out a way to achieve that sooner than later and am working towards just that.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:19 pmDo it Simon!
Where do you want to travel to?
Faye Mc says
September 6, 2013 at 12:07 pmTo achieve my dream, I need to carve regular time for myself to get my work done at home and teach others to respect what I’m doing by taking it as seriously as if it were a job outside the home. Bottom line, boundaries.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:20 pmSounds great Faye 🙂 I hope you reach your dream soon.
Budget and the Beach says
September 6, 2013 at 12:56 pmI don’t think anything is holding me back…but time is making it a slow crawl. I have to pay the bills with my video editing work, but all my other time I try to work as hard as I can with making blogging my main career with video editing being the supplement work. There are also skills I want to go along with blogging like podcasting. Again time is making it a very slow process. On Monday I’m writing about why I’m not looking for full time work anymore. I think that will interest you as you make your switch for freelancing.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:24 pmLooking forward to your post! Sounds like it will be a very interesting read 🙂
Alexa says
September 6, 2013 at 4:00 pmI am going after my dream! My expenses are really low so as soon as I get six months worth of them saved up I’ll feel more than comfortable going after my self employment dreams!! I cannot wait!!
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:24 pmI can’t wait for you to switch to self-employment!
Missy Homemaker says
September 6, 2013 at 4:05 pmMy dream is to own a 5 or more acre homestead where my family and I can grow our own food, raise our own livestock, and learn to be as self-sufficient as possible. What’s stopping us? My husband doesn’t exactly have the same dreams and we are in a temporary city due to a future job transfer (hopefully by the end of this year). I do believe we’ll come to some sort of compromise though when we are finally settled.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:25 pmI think that sounds like a great dream! We are still un sure of what we want our next house to be like. Sometimes we want land, but at other times we thinking about more of a city life.
Jason B says
September 6, 2013 at 4:37 pmMy latest dream is to create multiple streams of income so that I can travel more. I drove cross country in July. That was two of the best weeks of my life.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:26 pmThat sounds awesome Jason!
Retired By 40! says
September 6, 2013 at 5:56 pmI want to travel, and I want to have options. That, to me, if Financial Independence.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:27 pmSame here!
Retired By 40! says
September 6, 2013 at 5:59 pmI want to travel. I want to have the time, the money, and the flexibility to travel. Experiences are worth so much! Financial Independence, here I come!
Kim@eyesonthedollar says
September 6, 2013 at 6:13 pmI want to own our house outright and use one entire month of the summer to travel. We are working hard toward his goal, and I think it’s possible within 4-6 years.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:27 pmThis is something that we really want to do as well. Good luck Kim!
Where would you travel to?
Lisa E. @ Lisa Vs. The Loans says
September 6, 2013 at 6:24 pmWhat’s holding me back from my dream is… not knowing what my dream is! I mean, I have a dream but I’m not too sure if it’s realistic or even smart…
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:29 pmWhat is your dream Lisa?
Janine @ MoneySmartGuides says
September 6, 2013 at 8:22 pmI was recently told to do what you love and the money will eventually come. While it may not come as quickly as you’d like, if you are passionate about what you do, I do believe you will have everything you need.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:29 pmI agree Janine!
MakintheBacon says
September 6, 2013 at 9:45 pmOne of my dreams is to travel to Australia and New Zealand. The only thing holding me back right now is money, but I’m working towards meeting my goal in 3-5 years. Another dream is to eventually run another blog and have staff writers for both of these blogs. 🙂
It’s hearing about people living their dreams or working towards their dreams that make me want to dream BIG.
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:30 pmSounds like some great dreams that you have 🙂
Amanda says
September 7, 2013 at 5:53 amLove this topic! I would love to pay off our mortgage so we don’t HAVE to work but instead choose to work. There’s nothing holding us back, but it is a slow process 😉
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:31 pmYes that would be great!
Mo' Money Mo' Houses says
September 7, 2013 at 12:50 pmA big dream of mine was to visit Thailand with my HB and I’m so glad we did it this past January. We saved up, we figured out how to get the time off work, and we just did it! Our thinking was if we didn’t do it now we may always find a reason to delay, so I say if you have a dream, just go for it!
Michelle says
September 7, 2013 at 3:31 pmThat is awesome that you did it! WOOHOOO!
Jaclyn says
September 7, 2013 at 11:48 pmYa know, I’ve been thinking a lot about this lately, it’s funny that you wrote about it. Obviously, money is an issue in the short term – but that can be worked out I think. The real problem right now is not knowing what that dream IS. I can’t get anywhere until I figure that out!
Michelle says
October 3, 2013 at 4:03 pmFigure it out! 🙂
Jen @ The Happy Homeowner says
September 8, 2013 at 12:23 pmI’m typing this from the airport in Bucharest…in the middle of my dream trip around the world! I’ve learned that once you begin facing/conquering your fears, it gets a lot easier to keep doing so. Once you’ve got a rhythm, the sky’s the limit as to what you can do. Cheesy, yes but oh so true and I’d like to think that I’m living proof of this idea. Next up is an epic drive along the Transfagarasan tomorrow! (in a –rented–BMW of course…hehe!) 🙂
Michelle says
October 3, 2013 at 4:03 pmI can’t wait until I hear more about your trip Jen. 🙂
The Norwegian Girl says
September 9, 2013 at 4:16 pmmy dream is to own and manage my own little Bed & Breakfast! What´s stopping me is money, lots of money… It´s very expensive to run a B&B in Norway, especially in the Capital, so for now it´ll just have to be a dream. Maybe someday:-)
Michelle says
October 3, 2013 at 4:04 pmThat sounds amazing 🙂
Karla Twomey says
September 10, 2013 at 5:07 pmMy dream is to start my own business, move to the beach, and live a peaceful life. What has been holding me back was money, personal relationships, and fear. I will achieve the move to the beach this weekend and I gave myself a week to unpack and then it is on to starting MY Business. I love what I do for others but I am passionate about my own goals and dreams and want to pursue those!
Karla Twomey
karla@nomorecreditcards.com
http://nomorecreditcards.com/category/debt-relief-blog/
Karla’s latest blog post – Teaching Your Kids about Money: BONUS 5 Awesome resources for you and your kids: http://nomorecreditcards.com/teaching-kids-about-money-bonus-5-awesome-resources-for-you-and-your-kids/
Michelle says
October 3, 2013 at 4:04 pmWow awesome!
julia @ howmuchcost.org says
September 24, 2013 at 7:12 pmI admire how you disagree with the status-quo (of the 9-5 brainless life)! Just out of curiosity what pulls you to Alaska for vacation?
Michelle says
September 24, 2013 at 7:20 pmAlaska is so beautiful, so why not? 🙂
Yogesh Shinde says
August 15, 2015 at 5:04 amThere are many things which stop us, specially bad habits and procrastination. I would love to run a successful blog just like you and I am working towards it. Thanks.
JT says
August 3, 2016 at 3:48 pmHi Michelle!
I happened upon your site when I was running a Google search to see where my site would show up and I’m so glad I found it!
You ask a great question, and it’s the reason I started my site 2 days ago. I started with the end in mind: on my deathbed, what legacy do I wish I would have left?
1. Be the most loving husband I can be
2. Be the best father I could be
3. Positively affect others as much as I can
4. Invest as much money as possible into helping solve problems I care about
5. Live in a new country, every summer, with my family where we would integrate ourselves in the culture and perform service projects.
By starting to blog, I hope to satisfy all 5 by creating more time for my family, helping to educate people on finances, giving away much of the profits from my side hustles (so instead of monthly income updates — which I’ll provide as well — I’ll call it monthly giving updates), and creating location independent businesses so I can travel more.
Your RV adventure and this blog has inspired me. Thank you so much!
Michelle Schroeder-Gardner says
August 3, 2016 at 5:52 pmGlad you found my blog! 🙂