Have you ever started something then given up because it's too difficult, it's not going as planned, you don't have time? *feel free to insert any reason here*

Me too, many times and have you ever regretted that decision? Also me too so, if you're thinking of giving up on your dreams or quitting your plans please have a read of this first, these are 3 reasons why it's worth sticking with it.

1. You'll kick  yourself later, I promise you will. Just think where you'll be in 12 months time if you keep going, if you quit now you'll still be exactly where you are in a years time. *ask me how I know* 

Sometimes there is no other option than quitting and that's usually due to circumstances beyond your control and that's ok, life happens and that's part of life, and you may be able to start again as circumstances change again, which they undoubtedly will. 

But please don't quit because it's too difficult and obstacles keep getting in your way, you can totally do this and it will be so worth in the end.

2. You never know how close you are, you could be one or two steps away from succeeding and you give up and walk away. If you knew just how close you were you wouldn't walk away would you? If your best friend was about to give up and pack in their chance you'd stop them wouldn't you? You'd encourage them to keep going, yes? So be your own best friend, encourage yourself to keep going, if you feel like you've still got too far to go, just stop, have a breather, I find a cup of tea and some cake work wonders here, and look at how far you've come and what you've already achieved, quite often it's more than you realised.

If you're still doubting you can do this draft in your biggest cheerleaders, whether it's your partner, your children, your mum, your best friend, even the family pet, tell them your concerns, doubts or woes, then really listen as they tell you that you can do this. And quite often a fresh pair of eyes can see something new or different or something you haven't considered or thought of.

3. When you really feel like quitting remember why you started, chances are you started this journey to make  your life better in some way, whether that means not answering to a boss, or creating financial freedom for yourself, even dropping a dress size or two, you owe it to yourself to see this through, you may need to adjust you plan as life happens, and that's perfectly fine, just please, please never give up on yourself, you deserve so much more. 

Now go out there & get it!

This could easily be one of my favourite days of the year, Make Your Dreams Come True Day! If there was ever a specific day to put your plans into action, this is it!

So, if there was nothing standing in your way, no financial barrier, no obstacles, no little nagging voice of doubt, what would you do? What is your dream? It doesn't matter how big or ambitious, or how small & humble it may be, what would it be?

Go on, say it out loud, write it down or do both, no-one will laugh or say it can't be done as this is just for you, not them, not yet anyway.

If you're feeling a little bit unsure about going for your dreams, I'd like to share a quote with you that was literally life changing for me, I first saw this quote in one of the daily emails from Julia Bickerstaff at The Business Bakery as part of the 100 Day Goal Challenge which she runs three times a year, it was such a lightbulb moment for me that I even remember the date, the 10th September 2015:

To get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done.

José N Harris

As soon as I read that quote, I just thought "That's it! I'm going to do this, I'm going to learn how to be a designer" which is something I'd wanted to do at school but was always discouraged by the teachers, so, after many years of talking myself out of it, doubting myself and being sure that I'd be no good at it, I finally took the first step and signed up to Make It In Design's Designing Your Way course which is the first course in the series of Make It In Design courses all about Surface Pattern and Design.

Best. Move. Ever.

Not only did I enjoy it, I loved it, every single thing about it, I've since completed lots of other courses in Surface Pattern Design and now have a whole family of surface pattern designer and illustrator friends across the world, I also launched Claire Salisbury Studios, which is my very own design business, in November 2017 and am now doing something I absolutely love and am aiming to be working at it full time within the next 12-18 months. 

So many amazing things have happened because I took that risk and challenged myself, words cannot explain how extremely glad I am that I did it.

But what about you?

What's the first step you need to take to reach your goal? Sign up for a course? Join a gym? Go to a specific event? 

Whatever that first step is, take it. It's not as scary as you think, I promise. And it is most certainly worth it.

If you'd like to share your dream or goal here, I'd love to hear what you'd love to do, and I promise I'll be cheering you on.

Go on, get out there and make your dreams come true.