I had a brief meeting with a few executives of the company I currently work for today, just as a formality, being that today was only my eighth day of work. As I was engaged in conversation with my VP, he asked me a series of questions and as usual I was able to articulate answers that were suitable and pleasing, but he caught me completely off guard with his last question, “What’s your dream?” For the first time in many moons, I couldn’t, for the life of me formulate an answer that I knew would be suffice for his question. As I stood there stunned, looking something similar to a deer caught in mildly bright headlights, he proceeded to tell me, ‘think about it, give it some serious thought and email me when you have an answer paired with the most clarity’.

So, as you’d probably guess I anticipated having to spend the rest of my day racking my brain until I would find complete contentment in the answer I was hoping to provide him with before the end of the day, 11:59pm PST being the deadline I set for myself. But, I only needed an extra breath and fifteen minutes to realize what I never knew I wanted for myself.

I’ve spent my entire life, all measly twenty-four years of it, aiming to please everyone around me, one person in particular, they, *whom will remain unnamed. (my two double-major undergraduate degrees as well as my MBA in progress, etc.) Needless to say, nothing I’ve done up until this point has been enough for *, but I’ve failed over and over again to check-in with myself to see if everything I’ve done has been enough for me. I’d like to think I’ve done quite well for myself and though there are contrary beliefs, I’m pleased with where I am, but the question is am I on the path toward my dream?

It’s as clear as day to me now, my ultimate dream is: To find happiness in my success. Let me explain, it’s easy to be successful by the standards of others, but being truly happy with where that success lies and has brought you is another level, a different sector of satisfaction if you will. I’ve always had some extravagant goals for myself, some of which people have scoffed and turned up their nose and others who whole-heartedly believe I’ll make it there. And due to the nature of people’s negative comments, attitudes, and auras, I’ve downplayed the beauty of my achievements. I’ve set a standard for myself, that at times I don’t believe I’ll ever be able to fit. Although, when I remove every one of everyone else’s concerns, wants, and thoughts I realize that I’ve nearly exceeded what I thought I could ever accomplish.

Now that my ultimate goal is laid out in literal black and white, in blog form, I’m as sure as sure can be, that I’m indeed on my way to reaching my dream.