Deep down, we all have dreams that inspire us to do something remarkable, to become someone noteworthy. Becoming successful at music production by producing music is a dream many people have. It’s what makes us human — the desire to make a difference, to leave our mark on the world.
When you follow your dreams, it often involves a leap of faith by taking a risk that most people are not willing to take.
Whether your dream is to produce music, be a professional photographer, or open a restaurant, there is one priceless reason to follow your dream.
If you’re questioning whether you should follow your dreams or not, there is one reason you should take a risk. Be inspired today and live a life that is truly fulfilling.
Taking a Risk Requires Courage
Courage is what sets apart those who dream and those who turn their dreams into reality. It takes courage to take a risk, step into the unknown, and embrace uncertainty.
By definition, risk involves the possibility of loss in the future. As humans, we are naturally drawn to comfort and certainty because it feels good.
Taking a risk, on the other hand, can feel intimidating, and the fear of failure if things do not work out as expected holds us back.
But, what’s on the other side of taking a risk? Incredible success and a life of fulfillment. When you take a risk, you open up a world of endless possibilities, and the rewards can be immense. It’s the feeling of accomplishment that comes with overcoming challenges, of discovering your potential, and of living life to the fullest.
So, if you’re hesitating to take the leap and have fear of taking a risk, remember that courage is not the absence of fear, but the ability to act when you are afraid.
A Story About Courage
Stories of courage and perseverance never fail to inspire us, especially when they are about people who chase extraordinary dreams. One such story is that of Sylvester Stallone, who defied all odds to become a Hollywood icon.
Stallone’s journey was filled with sacrifice, courage, and determination. He started his career with small roles in B-movies and earned a meager sum of $200 to $700 per role. Despite facing financial struggles and uncertain times, Stallone refused to give up on his dream.
At one point while he was pursuing his dream, he only had $106 in his bank account and struggled to pay rent. Rather than throwing in the towel because of his circumstances, he continued to pursue his dream.
In a pivotal moment of his career, Stallone wrote a screenplay with the goal to be the lead actor. Hollywood producers wanted the script, but were not interested in him as the lead actor. They offered him a significant sum of money for all rights to the movie, but Stallone refused to sell his dream for a paycheck.
Stallone took a huge risk and turned down the offer, insisting on playing the starring role in the movie himself.
The producers increased their offer to $360,000, but continued to reject Stallone’s demand to be the lead actor. Again, Stallone turned down the money, which was equivalent to $2.1 million today.
The producers and Stallone eventually came to an agreement and each of them got what they were after. The producers received the rights to the movie script, for less than $360,000, and Stallone fulfilled his dream of acting in the starring role.
The movie, Rocky, became a massive hit, grossing over $200 million ($1 billion today) worldwide and winning an Oscar for best picture in 1977. Stallone’s courage and conviction had paid off, launching him to Hollywood stardom.
Stallone’s story can be used to make you feel inspired today and is an excellent reminder to follow your dreams.
The Haunting “What If?”
What if Sylvester Stallone decided to play it safe and accepted the $325,000 offer the producers offered him? Although would have had earned a nice return on his screenplay, what if his desire to become a Hollywood actor went unfulfilled?
As the star of Rocky shows us, following your dreams requires courage and sacrifice. It may involve taking a risk and facing uncertainty, but it can also lead to incredible success and life fulfillment.
Don’t let fear hold you back from pursuing your dreams to produce music. Don’t let the fear of failure or the fear of what others may think stop you from living a life true to yourself.
If you decide to play it safe, then your music production dreams will go unfulfilled and you may be haunted by several “what if” questions. This leads to the priceless reason why you should follow your dreams and truly consider taking a risk: so you don’t have regrets.
A study about life regrets was done by Bronnie Ware, an Australian nurse who worked with terminally ill patients. The most common regret life of the dying was not having the courage to live a life true to themselves.
“Most people had not honored even half of their dreams and had to die knowing that it was due to choices they had made or not made.”
-Bronnie Ware
As Bronnie Ware’s study shows us, not following your dreams can lead to a life with regrets. If you want to live a life without regrets, taking risks and following your dreams is something to really consider in your life.
Don’t Let the Fear of Failure Stop You From Taking a Risk
Fear of failure often holds people back from taking risks. It’s understandable to worry about it, but it’s important to remember that failure is a natural part of the human experience. Just because someone doesn’t succeed at something doesn’t mean they’re a failure.
It’s helpful to shift your perspective and redefine failure. Thomas Edison once famously said, “I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.”
I have not failed. I just found 10,000 ways that won’t work
-Thomas Edison
This quote reminds us that even great inventors and achievers don’t succeed on their initial attempts. So, don’t let the fear of failure stop you from taking a chance. You will never know what will happen if you play it safe and avoid taking risks.
What Makes 10,517 So Significant?
Have you ever thought about the amount of time you have to fulfill your dreams as an adult? The number is 10,517 days. Here’s why.
The average life expectancy in the United States is 77 years. That may seem like a long time, but the first 18 years of your life are spent getting an education and not having full control of your decisions. That leaves you with 59 years, or 21,535 days, as an adult to live life on your own terms.
However, the average person works from age 18 to age 66, which is the age of requirement in the U.S. That means people spend 48 years, or 17,520 days, of their life working. If you have a standard job, you’ll work approximately 40 hours a week and 48 weeks a year, totaling to 1,920 hours a year or 92,160 hours (3,840 days) in a lifetime.
When you add the time spent sleeping, which is approximately one-third of your life, you get 7,178 days. If you combine the time spent sleeping and working, it totals to 11,018 days.
This means that an adult’s time to pursue their dreams is only 10,517 days. With this in mind, it’s important to remember that our time on this earth is limited, and we should make the most of the free time we have. So, how will you use your time?
Take a Risk So You Don’t Have Regrets
Taking risks can be daunting, but it’s important to remember the potential regrets you may face if you don’t follow your dreams. Realize that any setbacks or failures can be valuable learning experiences that can guide you towards success in the future.
Avoiding risks may seem like a safe bet, but it’s a surefire way to prevent yourself from achieving your goals. In the words of Wayne Gretzky, one of the greatest hockey players of all time, “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.
-Wayne Gretzky
Don’t let fear hold you back from taking a risk to reach a goal. If you give music production a try, your future self will thank you whether or not your music becomes a hit. Get started with music production today or you may have a feeling of regret later in life.
