My post Overcoming Rejection: Stop Allowing Others to Decide Who You Are talked about how we need to “be” the artists we want to be and not give other people the power to tell us whether or not we truly are artists. Only we can decide who we are. But it was pointed out that “being” without “action” won’t get you results.

Absolutely true.

Dreams don’t come true without you. You have to take action. In fact, you have to usually be in a perpetual state of keep-trying-don’t-give-up action.

Action backed by faith that the Universe is doing its part to arrange the right circumstances, timing and connections needed. As someone once said, it’s easier to direct a moving object than one that’s not.

So move.

But move with confidence and faith. Always focus on what it is you do want, not on what you don’t. Then take steps toward it.

Don’t strive. Don’t worry. Don’t fall into the trap of thinking that you’re in a do-or-die situation and that if your dreams don’t come true, your life is over. It’s not, it won’t be.  Appreciate the life you have now, in this moment with a quiet contentment and joyful anticipation of what’s next. (Couldn’t we all benefit by being a bit more lighthearted and playful about our oh-so-heavy dreams? It’s easy to live too much in the future – thinking our “real” lives will start when this and that goal is attained. Life doesn’t work that way. It’s now. The greatest gift you can give yourself is to be happy now. And remember, happiness is a choice. You can choose to be happy.  I believe it was Abraham Lincoln who said “Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be.” So true. Happy people tend to be more open to possibilities and opportunities that present themselves, too.)

So, here’s what you can do to keep walking steadily into your dreams:

• Learn your craft. Every artistic endeavor has it’s own craft elements that professionals master – that means you need to be continually learning, improving and practicing.

• Do your art. Write. Perform. Play. Paint. Spend more time actually doing your art than thinking about doing it.

• Put yourself out there. You have to be where the action is. Not necessarily physically, but participating at some level.

• Take chances. Whether hiring a consultant to advise you on your work, auditioning, to contacting other industry professionals  (even those that you don’t think are reachable) keep presenting your work in ways that will allow you to gain the feedback you need to improve your art.

• Trust yourself first and most, but know that professionals in all mediums know how to accept and learn from credible feedback.

• Enjoy the process. Have fun with what you are doing.

• Think BIG and take small steps everyday toward that big dream.

You have nothing to lose by trying your best to live a creative life that makes you happy.

And in the end, living a happy, well-lived life is what matters, right?