Sunday, April 19, 2009

It's Never Too Late to Follow Your Dreams

Have you ever felt uninspired? Have you ever thought about passion and purpose only to feel as if you don't really have much of either? If so, you are definitely not alone. Many of my clients come to me for help uncovering their true aspirations. (To read my article on Finding Your Purpose, click here.)

The key is to recognize that 1) you DEFINITELY do have passion and purpose. It may only be a a little burning pilot light but deep within you there is a knowing of who you are and what you're in this life to become. And 2) sometimes you need a spark to fan that flame into a beautiful, blazing fire.

For me that pilot light was burning for my desire to sing. I love helping people with careers but part of me always dreamt of being a singer. I never thought it was something I could make a living at so I didn't sing at all. Until recently.

About 2 years ago, a colleague was coaching me about writing and said, "You should take a writing class." Immediately a thought sprang to mind from deep within, "If you're going to take a writing class, you have to take a singing class FIRST. You want to be a singer not a writer." It was an epiphany!

I immediately started surfing the web to find a singing coach but there were so many options, I didn't know which to choose. I emailed a contact I had met at SIRIUS XM who was a career opera singer for recommendations. Coincidentally, she gave voice lessons and also needed some career coaching, so we set up a barter.

It was as if my little pilot light of a dream had sparked into a flame! I started taking lessons and after about a year and a half of building my skills and confidence, I was ready for my first cabaret show. That was last July. To see a clip, click here.

That show was one of the scariest and most rewarding things I've ever done. I'm also convinced it sparked many other great opportunities in my career. After my first cabaret show I was asked to do more career talk radio on SIRIUS XM. To tune into for free to my weekly radio show, click here. And after my second show in October of last year, I was asked to make my first appearance on CNN as a career expert. To see a clip, click here.

Now this coming Saturday, April 25th from 4-5pm I'm putting on my Follow Your Dreams cabaret once again. I've been blessed with a fabulous trio of musicians trained at none other than Juilliard! All the songs I sing have an inspirational message and you even get the chance to think about and share your own dreams as part of the show. To learn more, click here.

I recently saw an off-Broadway show on the life of the "first lady of song" Ella Fitzgerald. Seeing that show inspired me and fanned the flames even more. It's my hope that if you're in need of a little inspiration, that you'll join me next Saturday at Don't Tell Mama in NYC from 4-5pm. Life don't mean a thing if it ain't got that swing!

5 comments:

craig said...

Once you start to follow your dream and truly believe - I learned you will find people that will help you stay on the path.

This weekend I attended two book /poetry (it is poetry month) readings where I had the good fortune and opportunity to talk with many published writers. Writers who earn a living writing.

Those conversations served as encouragement for my continued transition to being a full time freelance writer. Fellow writers provided needed support to combat messages from the 'real world' - messages such as people telling me how hard (impossible) it is to become a successful writer.

So, thank you for writing, reading and encouraging me; You all served as inspiration. Yes, thank you to everyone I met at the at the Asian American Writer Workshop (Manhattan) and the Sunday Saloon (Brooklyn). I plan to keep my dream alive and well.

stay adventurous,
Craig

craig said...

Great post. Once you start to follow your dream and truly believe - I learned you will find people that will help you stay on the path.

This weekend I attended two book /poetry (it is poetry month) readings where I had the good fortune and opportunity to talk with many published writers; writers who earn a living writing.

Those conversations served as encouragement for my continued transition to being a full time freelance writer. Fellow writers provided needed support to combat messages from the 'real world' - messages such as people telling me how hard (impossible) it is to become a successful writer.

So, thank you for writing, reading and encouraging me; you all served as inspiration. Yes, thank you to everyone I met at the at the Asian American Writer Workshop (Manhattan) and the Sunday Salon (Brooklyn). I plan to keep my dream alive and well.

stay adventurous,
Craig

Paige said...

Congratulations on your achievements, Maggie and best of luck this weekend. I can't wait to see your performance!

I think bartering really does work for some coaches...as it did for you!

Mike Policano said...

Maggie, (or should I say, Peggy Lee) great job on singing on the stage. Great article. I have a dream story for you that I will post on our blog tomorrow. I wish I was available to see you cabaret this weekend. I look forward to seeing your performance soon.

Cheers, Mike

Laura Rolands said...

Maggie,

It is great to see you putting your advice into action for yourself. You really help people see that they can be passionate about their work and how they make their living. Through your coaching, I was able launch my business to support my passion of helping people overcome attention challenges. Thank you for that! The barter idea is great and definitely something for more people to consider!

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