Denzel Washington is one of my favorite actors. Right, who cares…lol. And what has it to do with my Monday post? After listening to a song on YouTube I stumbled over a speech of Denzel Washington at the Dillard University. Of course, I had to check it out and was amazed. I had no idea that he was such a fantastic motivational speaker. I am sharing the 8 minutes speech (with German subtitles) below. In general, he is talking about things we basically know but it is in the way he conveys and explains them. He nails everything in a way that reaches heart and mind at once. In point 2 of his speech, he said Fail Big.

That stroke a chord in me. When we want to realize a dream we cannot only sit and wait until that dream realizes for us. BUT a dream we have is something that has not manifested in our lives yet which means, it is unknown territory. Although we may have a clear picture already painted in our hearts it is not projected on the canvas of the real world yet. We have no experience about how the path to achieving it will be like. It is a new field. We need to take steps forward to bring it more and more into reality. And while walking we will be confronted with all the requirements to make that dream come true.

The crucial point for many who give up on their dreams is because they are afraid of failing. But failing is a normal part of the journey. The don’t say your journey or goal is wrong but that you need to take a different route. Failings are stepstones in checking out how to reach our goals. Yes, some people may find out faster and some need more attempts. But it is not about the number of attempts. It is about how interested, excited, and determined you are to learn how to reach your goal. A failure doesn’t feel like a failure when you are passionately following the signs. Failures are like signposts. They help to find out what doesn’t work or what may work better. It is a journey on which we get our backpack packed to make ourselves ready for the goal. Don’t be afraid of failing. In fact, success after failing adds quality and value to the achievement.

In order that you don’t become discouraged break your big goal down into several little goals. Like chapters in a book. Take the journey chapter by chapter and you will have several successful moments which only fuel your passion and enthusiasm about keeping up the journey. Each success confirms that it is worth to take the challenge and the possible sacrifices on the way.

To pursue a dream means taking a step into an unknown area. So don’t demand too much from yourself. Be patient but keep moving. Again, how fast and in which way you achieve your goal is part of the individual you. Look at others in order to see that the seemingly impossible is possible or get inspired by how it may work. But don’t look at them and compare their way, their success, their failures, or their pace on achieving it with you!

If you have the time please check this video out. This speech is amazing!

Credits: YouTube|QuoteFancy|goalcast|lifehack|everydaypowerblog|Pinterest

In Love and Light